Should Rocket Raimel Tapia be tendered?

[max silver]

Then so is Tapia. At least Gurriel can hit (better). I think this team currently has enough versatility between Springer, Merrifield, Teo, Gurriel, Biggio, etc. Merrifield can be the backup CFer when Springer needs the day off - and of course, if we want to carry a 5th OFer like Zimmer or JBJ - that gives us what we need to allow Gurriel to be the primary 4th OFer (ie, getting the 450 PA's that Tapia did this year) if we add another OF and move Gurriel to the 4th OFer position.

 

Tapia has the distinction of at least being able to cover innings in all 3 outfield positions. His numbers in center field are actually perfectly acceptable, however oddly enough he struggles in the corners. I'd guess this is likely due to inability to gauge spin/slice on the ball off of the bat which is amplified in the corner outfield positions.

[max silver]

Doesn't mean he'd be out there everyday(hence 4th OFer)... and did you not read the rest of my post? He's been our regular LFer for years now???

 

I guess this depends on what you expect out of your 4th outfielder. I expect a player who can fill in at multiple positions as required. Until a better player is acquired Gurriel is the defacto starter in left field, and not a bench player.

[Brownie19]

Tapia has the distinction of at least being able to cover innings in all 3 outfield positions. His numbers in center field are actually perfectly acceptable, however oddly enough he struggles in the corners. I'd guess this is likely due to inability to gauge spin/slice on the ball off of the bat which is amplified in the corner outfield positions.

 

So like Gurriel, Tapia actually can't cover all 3 OF positions...

 

Gurriel's really never plays RF, but I'd have a hard time believing he'd be any worse than he is in LF. He has the big arm to cover the throws to 3rd.

[Spanky99]

I guess this depends on what you expect out of your 4th outfielder. I expect a player who can fill in at multiple positions as required. Until a better player is acquired Gurriel is the defacto starter in left field, and not a bench player.

 

That's what guys like Biggio/Merrifield/Espinal and to an extent Moreno are for, their versatility, even Gurriel can get AB's as a 1B and revolve the door at DH, for half days off etc, to save on wear and tear, etc... As for acquiring an OF, that's why I'm mentioning him as a 4th OF in the first place. They should sign Conforto on a 1 year deal shouldn't be expensive and he needs to get his value back up. IDK... just spitballing.

[max silver]

That's what guys like Biggio/Merrifield/Espinal and to an extent Moreno are for, their versatility, even Gurriel can get AB's as a 1B and revolve the door at DH, for half days off etc, to save on wear and tear, etc... As for acquiring an OF, that's why I'm mentioning him as a 4th OF in the first place. They should sign Conforto on a 1 year deal shouldn't be expensive and he needs to get his value back up. IDK... just spitballing.

 

I'm not sold on Gurriel's bat being good enough to receive regular DH at bats. This would take away from the chance for Kirk, Springer and Vladdy to get these at bats. I'm definitely on board with a Conforto signing, he is a great fit for the Jays roster.

[max silver]

So like Gurriel, Tapia actually can't cover all 3 OF positions...

 

Gurriel's really never plays RF, but I'd have a hard time believing he'd be any worse than he is in LF. He has the big arm to cover the throws to 3rd.

 

I didn't say Tapia could play those positions well, but he is at least familiar enough with them to cover some innings out there. In a perfect world I would see Tapia non-tendered and a much more capable defender be brought aboard from outside the organization to man the 4th outfielder spot.

 

I'd actually like to see the club give Gurriel a shot at picking up some right field innings in the spring to see if he can learn the position. It took him a lot of years to finally resemble a competent left fielder though so it's not a given that he could learn the position without a great degree of difficulty.

[Spanky99]

I'm not sold on Gurriel's bat being good enough to receive regular DH at bats. This would take away from the chance for Kirk, Springer and Vladdy to get these at bats. I'm definitely on board with a Conforto signing, he is a great fit for the Jays roster.

 

I didn't say give LGJ regular DH AB's that'd be dumn, the revolving door reference was for using guys for DH days. Sheesh... lol

[wilko]

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