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A Left-fielder that can Field

Ibanez is terribly defensively.  We all know that.  His knees are old, and he's slower than Manny Ramirez's home run trot.

But the man can swing a great bat.  By my count, he hits with power, for average (more importantly, he gets on base and slugs), and has managed to tally 100+ RBIs for a god-awful offensive team.

The general consensus is that Raul's ineptitude in the field has a greater effect on his team than his proficiency at the plate, which is why he should have his LF privelages revoked, or be moved to a more Vidro-esque position.

So here is where I am confused.  I've heard that left field a position not requiring much speed; more of a power guy (i.e. Adam Dunn) fits the bill.

Matt Holiday, Ryan Braun, and Dunn are all hitters who can swing a big stick.  I would say none of them are, if decent, not great fielders.  Better than Raul, but not great nonetheless.

If the M's put Balentien in left field in 2009, wouldn't his likely poor production at the plate outweigh the defensive improvement over Raul's laughable D?  And how about for Reed? (Yes I know Reed is a fantastic fielder and the management would never do that!)

Say they somehow acquired Adam Dunn.  How much would his terrible defense detract from his overall worth as a left-fielder, as long as he continued to draw walks and slug?

I am NOT arguing for Raul staying in left field.  I just wonder how important it is for a left-fielder to be a decent fielder, as long as he hits well, and with pop.

0 recs | Comment 24 comments

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It matters a lot for any outfielder to field well....

Because doubles and triples rarely happen in the in-field.

You really need to find out why 2001’s outfield was special. It wasn’t their hitting/power.

But I’m sure this immobile horse could use a few good more whacks. Ya never know, it might move.

by TheEmrys on Sep 5, 2008 9:44 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've seen the stats

But I still have the hardest time picturing Adam Dunn being better out there than anyone, even Raul.

by JonBBT on Sep 5, 2008 11:12 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Roles are stupid.

It all comes down to runs saved and created. Raul playing LF and sucking at it takes about 20-25 runs off his offensive production.

by Matthew on Sep 5, 2008 11:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Points:

1) Did we suddenly decide that Balentien will always have poor production at the plate?
2) Our left field area > Their left field area
3) Not mattering a great deal =! Good idea
4) Emry’s and Matthew’s comments.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Sep 6, 2008 12:29 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Balentien is a developing player.

He doesn’t have the ceiling that Jones has, but he should surely be starter material as he develops.

JI/Robert '08!

by Fin on Sep 6, 2008 1:27 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm aware.

I was responding to this:

If the M’s put Balentien in left field in 2009, wouldn’t his likely poor production at the plate outweigh the defensive improvement over Raul’s laughable D?

I don’t believe the production will necessarily be poor.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Sep 6, 2008 1:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I kind of meant this statement as support to your counter argument towards Balentien.

It was more meant towards the guy made the topic thread.

JI/Robert '08!

by Fin on Sep 6, 2008 2:51 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It differs from park to park

left field at Safeco is expansive, it’s like a second center field, there’s more a premium on speed there than in your typical ballpark. Also, what Matthew said.

by JI on Sep 6, 2008 1:30 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks, KGJ

In a normal LF, Raul might be worth keeping…

Free Stephen "Awesome" Strasburg!

by seattlecougar on Sep 6, 2008 2:08 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's right, left fielders don't need a ton of defensive talent.

And yet Raul is, on average, 20+ runs worse than all those other untalented defenders that get shoved into the left corner.

by Simon Phoenix on Sep 6, 2008 2:08 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, given its larger size and the context of the jetstream and seaside air knocking down flyballs

It’s more important to have a good defensive LF in Safeco than it might be in other parks. You need to be able to convert flyballs into outs to fully take advantage of it.

by Gomez on Sep 6, 2008 1:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Holliday's consistently been a good fielding LF

And Ryan Braun rates surprisingly well in Justin’s averaged STATS and BIS zone ratings this year (+8 runs!). Certainly not perfect, though.

Adam Dunn is pretty bad, though.

by Sky Kalkman on Sep 7, 2008 5:24 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, it appears Braun is actually pretty good out in left.

I’ve seen him overrun some balls and dive through a few — and I have an obvious SSS bias — but he has the wheels and the arm. I think he’ll be a good left fielder.

Not like we have any chance of getting him, though.

by Teej on Sep 11, 2008 3:12 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How would Carl Crawford look out there?

Maybe more importantly, how would we get him here? JJ++

Especially since we aren’t adding any pieces this winter. ;(

I have a cousin with 1 testicle, when they yell play ball, he smiles.

by Montucky on Sep 8, 2008 3:20 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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