i really am not liking mcpherson either......he could be a good insurance policy but thats it. cantu's defense improved dramitcally as the year went on and i trusted him more than anyone at first base....if that trade for johnathan sanchez goes through i will f***in lose it.

 

What isn't there to like about what McPherson should bring to this team in a full-time role? Seriously.

 

It still wouldn't be a full-time role...

 

It'd be the Cantu/Gaby/McP platoon, except you'd replace Cantu with Helms... still (in a perfect world) playing the splits and getting max production

 

Well, yea, McPherson would be a platoon partner with Helms, but he'd be the main force at third base. And I personally can't help but get excited about that. I think he's going to have a great season next year if we just give him the chance.

Can't argue that Carroll, Raynor, and maybe Bonificio are ahead of him on the FOs radar. I also think it is because Raynor and Carroll both got hurt early in Winter Ball as to why Hermida is still here. I think the team wanted a good hard look at those two before ST started so they could mke a decision. But De Aza not being claimed off wavers has more to do with teams not knowing what he is capable of because of the injuries more than his "inability" to play the OF.

 

But we shall see what next week brings. Trades are going to happen at the Winter Meetings. If De Aza is still here for ST, then he will be a non roster invitee and has a legitimate shot at making the team. He has speed, his defense is above average, and he makes contact with the ball. All things the team is looking for.

I think Raynor and Carroll's injuries have nothing to do with Hermida as neither of them are left handed, or project to be anything more than reserves at the big league. I think team's know De Aza is horrible and don't want him for free because he won't amount to anything, and he's coming off injury. I think De Aza has no shot at the final roster even if he is in Spring training for the aforementioned 10 better outfielder options this organization has above AA. [/b]He also does not have above average defense, and is horrible at contact as evidence by his 25% K rate in the big leagues. Which isn't going to change as he has no BB potential and no power stroke to threaten pitchers.

 

But yes. He is fast!

 

Covers alot of ground in the OF, takes good routes to flys, decent arm although not exactly a cannon. I would like to see him take more "vocal control" while in CF, but that comes with more experience/getting to know the guys around you better. The only thing we have to go on for his plate performance is what he did in '07 before his injury, which wasn't all that bad. Came back from that injury and was rusty. Kinda like when Hammer and Uggla came back from injuries last year. Difference would be they are more power and the team stayed with them. Had other options in '07 and not as patient with De Aza. And no, I'm not comparing them overall, just what they did coming back from injuries. Definetly not a power kinda guy, but puts wood on the ball alot and hits to the holes. Once on base he causes havoc. That's the De Aza people saw in ST, which is basically all we really have to go on thanks to a sprinkler in Washington and Raynor/wall the last ST game last year. But he did win that job twice. It's not as far fetched as some make it out to be for him to do it again. Out of the question? Nope. Dark horse to do it? Yep.

 

Speed, defense, pitching, putting the ball in play. We are going to be more of a small ball type team. Admin has spoken.