Freely available SS

by Fuckmikereilly on Jul 17, 2009 2:48 PM PDT

I'm sure I'm not the first to see this and ponder the idea, so I thought I'd compare him to Cedeno and see if Lugo would be a better option going forward.

Lugo clearly has a large advantage at the plate. Though he has never been all that good offensively, for the rest of the season, ZIPS projects a .324 wOBA. Over ~320 PA, this would put him at -1.7 wRAA. Ronny is (very generously, in my opinion) projected to have a .286 wOBA. Over the same amount of PA, that puts him at -12.2 wRAA.

So, does Ronny's defense make up for the 10.5 run difference? Depends on how optimistic you are on Lugo's defense. Lugo, since coming back from surgery, has been terrible. His -43.2 UZR/150 is a product mainly of SSS, but closer examination shows that his range just hasn't come back. While his range is generally worth around 5 runs above average, it has dropped to -5.3 since his return. Over at Fangraphs, R.J. says he expects -10 UZR/150 to be more realistic. Ronny meanwhile is on pace for 11.1 UZR/150. Over roughly 75 games, this would put the difference in defense at about 10.5 runs.

Essentially, it looks to be a wash. This is assuming, of course, Ronny lives up to his optimistic ZIPS projection and Lugo's range hasn't deserted him completely. Also, I am not educated in park factors, but I'm assuming Lugo's switch from Fenway to Safeco may actually give Ronny the advantage.

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Swap Lugo for Josh Wilson...

Otherwise, meh.

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Jul 17, 2009 3:26 PM PDT reply actions

I'd hope Zduriencik has a better option out there

While we’re looking at Julio Lugo, why don’t we go get his pitching couterpart back… Julio Mateo?

by PascoJoe on Jul 17, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

So many Julios, so little time.

"You're so beautiful. You could be a part-time model, but you'd probably still have to keep your normal job."

by nickmo on Jul 17, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

What about

Julio Geordio?

Fuck Anaheim.

by Eyeball Kid on Jul 17, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Didn't expect to see that referenced on LL!

by marinerdan on Jul 18, 2009 1:11 AM PDT up reply actions

I can't say I was ever expecting to reference it on LL!

Fuck Anaheim.

by Eyeball Kid on Jul 18, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree, he's an upgrade over Wilson (who i'm still not sure why we have).

But he’s not a big enough upgrade over Cedeno to be worth the trouble.

by Heydude on Jul 18, 2009 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Isn't there a better idea?

If we do pick up Lugo, why not send Woodward back down and have Ronny take his spot in the 3B platoon?

by Tube on Jul 17, 2009 6:49 PM PDT reply actions

Lugo in a Mark McLemore super-utility role might make sense

His defense has been so-so up the middle, but for a fill-in, he could be the best bench bat we’d have. Get him enough reps to keep him happy away from Fenway might help him. For free, he isn’t a bad one to take a gamble with. Modest reward for no risk. I’m sure a suitable injury could be found for Wilson or whoever.

by TheEmrys on Jul 17, 2009 8:41 PM PDT reply actions

Why would we pick up Lugo, even free, after ridding ourselves of Yuni?

I don’t see much upside.

by Sinking Away on Jul 18, 2009 9:18 PM PDT reply actions

OBP

by hcoguy on Jul 18, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions

His defense is better aside from this year.

.wOBA isn’t have bad either. I’d be willing to take a free trial on him picking up his defense to his past level. Beantown can get into your head. If that’s the case, its a free shot at the “change of scenery solution.” If it doesn’t work, cut him or trade him to the Royals. They still need a SS.

by TheEmrys on Jul 19, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions