Around Baseball 2015

[HERPDERP]

New York won't even touch that, so what other AL team would be willing/have the money to do that for a 36 year old DH? Maybe Red Sox, that's it. I don't mind 3/60 and even that could be risky but that extra 4th year for strictly a 39 year old DH is a tough pill to swallow and a huge gamble. Even years 37 - 38 could see JB declining quite rapidly as most players have already retired by that age.

 

David Ortiz makes something like $15 million a year during those same years and Bautista is double the player he is. I don't think $20 million is a lot for him to ask, especially accounting for contract inflation.

[xposbrad]

David Ortiz makes something like $15 million a year during those same years and Bautista is double the player he is. I don't think $20 million is a lot for him to ask, especially accounting for contract inflation.

 

Right, and not everyone still hits like Ortiz at that age, you realize that right? Most don't even come close. Look at the market for a one dimensional hitter at that age, at that price, in the AL. There are maybe two teams, Red Sox and Blue Jays, anyone else?

[Nafro]

I think it needs to be debated whether HGH is even a PED. It is used to boost the bodies ability to recover from injury or to counteract effects of aging. I think if you can have something prescribed that will help you recover from injury quicker and doesn't necessarily have any long term side effects, it may not be a "PED".

 

I think much more clinical testing needs to be done to see if it even is a benefit and if there are adverse effects.

 

If any of you "blew out your knee" and could have something prescribed that would help you recover. Would it not be better to use that with a rehabilitation regiment, than pain-killers which by masking the pain can actually lead to more damage? Do you not think you would want to have that option, so you could get back to working and living your life?

 

As Biotechnology/Pharmacology continues to advance I guess this debate will always exist. What's performance enhancing versus medically justified?

[baseballsss]

Right, and not everyone still hits like Ortiz at that age, you realize that right? Most don't even come close. Look at the market for a one dimensional hitter at that age, at that price, in the AL. There are maybe two teams, Red Sox and Blue Jays, anyone else?

 

He's going too get paid. There will be some team that pays. Depending on the way Shapiro takes the team, if it's rebuilding then take the pick. I would pay though if I were a team looking for a hitter.

[admin]

I think it needs to be debated whether HGH is even a PED. I

 

Geez, you need to educate yourself before making such a ridiculous post.

There are probably a lot of other drugs that should be removed though.

[L54]

Can someone explain to me why Bautista can't play first base?

[BTS]

Can someone explain to me why Bautista can't play first base?

 

There's no reason why he can't be at least average there.

[The Cats Ass]

Can someone explain to me why Bautista can't play first base?

 

Because he doesn't want to.

 

But really, I think he'll end up at 1B before going to DH.

[KingKat]

Can someone explain to me why Bautista can't play first base?

 

He's not into playing the infield and he's not particularly good at it either. He played a serviceable 3B back in the day but much like his current play in RF, his arm was making up for otherwise poor play. Because of that, he's less suited to make the transition than EE was because EE had pretty much the opposite skill set (serviceable fielding but absolutely terrible arm). Would make more sense to DH Bautista and have EE play 1B than to to do the opposite.

[KingKat]

Because he doesn't want to.

 

But really, I think he'll end up at 1B before going to DH.

 

I'd give him a mix of RF and DH starts. That seems like a better compromise than asking him to take up a new position altogether.

[dineke]

Can someone explain to me why Bautista can't play first base?

 

he's not fat enough

[The Cats Ass]

He's not into playing the infield and he's not particularly good at it either. He played a serviceable 3B back in the day but much like his current play in RF, his arm was making up for otherwise poor play. Because of that, he's less suited to make the transition than EE was because EE had pretty much the opposite skill set (serviceable fielding but absolutely terrible arm). Would make more sense to DH Bautista and have EE play 1B than to to do the opposite.

 

I'd be interested to see EE's splits for when he's playing 1B VS when he's DHing. Because he's mentioned before he'd much rather not play the field.

[L54]

He's not into playing the infield and he's not particularly good at it either. He played a serviceable 3B back in the day but much like his current play in RF, his arm was making up for otherwise poor play. Because of that, he's less suited to make the transition than EE was because EE had pretty much the opposite skill set (serviceable fielding but absolutely terrible arm). Would make more sense to DH Bautista and have EE play 1B than to to do the opposite.

 

My post was in response to everyone who thinks Bautista will become a DH only for the duration of his next contract. I fully expect him to be marketed as a guy who is willing to play first base next offseason. Like BTS said there's no real reason why he can't be at least average there.

[Dr. Dinger]

Can someone explain to me why Bautista can't play first base?

 

Small hands.

[L54]

I can't think of many guys who are actually more suited to make the transition. Old slugging outfielder who has seen his defensive skills deteriorate in the OF. This isn't a David Ortiz situation where he's allergic to playing defence.

[L54]

Small hands.

 

Big feet

[Laika]

It's not as common for guys to change positions in their 30s as you folks seem to think.

 

Old, plodding outfielders generally just turn into statutes in whatever outfield corner they have become accustom to.

 

Find me a list of old outfielders from this millennium who got slow and moved to first base in their 30s

[Dr. Dinger]

It's not as common for guys to change positions in their 30s as you folks seem to think.

 

Old, plodding outfielders generally just turn into statutes in whatever outfield corner they have become accustom to.

 

Find me a list of old outfielders from this millennium who got slow and moved to first base in their 30s

 

First base also isn't as easy as people think. You need to be able to make tough picks and make accurate throws on DPs. The reason Bautista didn't stick at 3rd could prevent him from sticking at 1B. He's also short, which isn't ideal. You want wingspan at the cold corner.

[Boxcar]

Right, and not everyone still hits like Ortiz at that age, you realize that right? Most don't even come close. Look at the market for a one dimensional hitter at that age, at that price, in the AL. There are maybe two teams, Red Sox and Blue Jays, anyone else?

 

What's a one dimensional hitter?

[Boxcar]

It's not as common for guys to change positions in their 30s as you folks seem to think.

 

Old, plodding outfielders generally just turn into statutes in whatever outfield corner they have become accustom to.

 

Find me a list of old outfielders from this millennium who got slow and moved to first base in their 30s

 

Lance Berkman

Larry Walker

Raul Ibanez

Hanley Ramirez

Nick Swisher

[HERPDERP]

Lance Berkman

Larry Walker

Raul Ibanez

Hanley Ramirez

Nick Swisher

 

Matt Holliday was also spotted practicing 1B in Florida, he could be added to that list if the Cardinals make any OF moves.

[BigCecil]

He's not into playing the infield and he's not particularly good at it either. He played a serviceable 3B back in the day but much like his current play in RF, his arm was making up for otherwise poor play. Because of that, he's less suited to make the transition than EE was because EE had pretty much the opposite skill set (serviceable fielding but absolutely terrible arm). Would make more sense to DH Bautista and have EE play 1B than to to do the opposite.

 

Off Jose move topic, further to your comment on Edwin's play @ third I didn't watch him much with Reds, but remember the E5 dark days. Its kind of a blur mixed in with me yelling obscenities at the TV. Was the issue with his arm accuracy or strength or both? He may have been serviceable, but it seemed like he booted a lot of balls too.

[rydermike]

First base also isn't as easy as people think.

 

It's not that hard.

[Cyborg]

First base also isn't as easy as people think. You need to be able to make tough picks and make accurate throws on DPs. The reason Bautista didn't stick at 3rd could prevent him from sticking at 1B. He's also short, which isn't ideal. You want wingspan at the cold corner.

 

I'd rather have a Nick Franklin, Logan Forsythe, or Sean Rodriguez playing 1st than some tall guy with wingspan like Smoak.

 

Strictly defensively.

[HERPDERP]

Off Jose move topic, further to your comment on Edwin's play @ third I didn't watch him much with Reds, but remember the E5 dark days. Its kind of a blur mixed in with me yelling obscenities at the TV. Was the issue with his arm accuracy or strength or both? He may have been serviceable, but it seemed like he booted a lot of balls too.

 

His throwing accuracy was a huge problem. His range and strength are below average.

[L54]

The difficulty of 1B is being vastly overstated here. It's really not that hard.

 

Anyway, I'm not really advocating for Bautista to move there this year or anything. What I am saying is that whoever signs Bautista will not be signing a 36 year old DH only with no positional flexibility as some have stated.

[KingKat]

Off Jose move topic, further to your comment on Edwin's play @ third I didn't watch him much with Reds, but remember the E5 dark days. Its kind of a blur mixed in with me yelling obscenities at the TV. Was the issue with his arm accuracy or strength or both? He may have been serviceable, but it seemed like he booted a lot of balls too.

 

Arm accuracy was a HUGE issue. Throwing errors for days.

[burlingtonbandit]

Bautista would be a perfect fit for LF at Fenway. You don't need good range and his arm would make him a plus defender much like Cespedes was there. Really, thats a perfect ballpark for him to play at considering he's a pull flyball hitter as well. That said if he went to the Red Sox I'd want to puke.

[KingKat]

The difficulty of 1B is being vastly overstated here. It's really not that hard.

 

Anyway, I'm not really advocating for Bautista to move there this year or anything. What I am saying is that whoever signs Bautista will not be signing a 36 year old DH only with no positional flexibility as some have stated.

 

Obligatory Moneyball clip

[GD]

I find 1B pretty straightforward but I've seen some people just get lost lol. We're all trying to generalize here but it really comes down to the player.