Also keep in mind that, as good as Hanley has been, he can be even better. I'm talking about a monster season, where he hitting near the middle of the order and make everyone around him better hitters.

I think the offense should be fine. Even if the new guys turn out to be half as good as we expect them to be, we'll still have the pitching (baring any injuries -- knocks on wood) to keep us in the game.

I don't know how a 2 time all-star is a question mark and Cantu isn't.

 

Uggz is somewhat of a question mark because his form dropped off towards the end of last season. I think we are all aware of that fact.

 

The criticism he is vulnerable to is not a question of whether or not he will produce next season but how much and at what level. Would you be very surprised if Uggla did not make the all-star team this season? I wouldn't be.

 

I will be more interested in seeing his defensive development come spring. Look for another step in the right direction on that front. Here's hoping that the teams emphasis on D brings results.

 

I dont think its crazy to say that Cantu is more of a known entity going forward. I expect Uggs to have a better season in terms of raw numbers though.

I understand that Uggla has some doubts, but Cantu has been only OPSed 80 and 79 in the last two seasons. I don't feel that he is a known entity at all, much less more know than Danny.

 

Edit: That's OPS+ by the way.

 

Cantu's 79 and 80 are from 07 and 06, respectively

 

Last year he posted an .808 OPS, which put him at 110 OPS+

 

Uggla had a .874 OPS = 128 OPS+

 

Neither player is a huge question mark, and they should easily slot in as our 2nd and 3rd best offensive producers next season.

 

Last season IMO Cantu was more consistent. As far as stats to back it up, it might be reflected in his slightly higher BA, but mostly because he seemed to consistently got it done whereas Danny Boy seemed to struggle at times.

 

I would be interested in seeing the discrepancy between Uggla's numbers before and after the all-star break but I dont know where to find those stats.

Yeah, that's what I meant. I should have been more clear.

 

What I am saying is that to call the guy who's career has been a rollercoaster so far more of a sure thing than the guy who is generally related as one of the top 5 players at his position is a bit strange.

Like every other player, some more than others of course, Cantu's career has not so much been plagued with bad or inconsistent play as it has been with injury. 2006 and 2007 were good examples. Injury, rehab and starting all over again.

 

Whether it's Cantu or fillintheblank I'm immediately willing to ignore any numbers generated when a player is legitimately injured but continues to play (often for the team more than himself because managers not players make out the lineup card), Marlin, Twin Mariner or Brave, the game demands perfection just to fail two out of three times, I can't hold it against player the fact he can't get around on a 99 mph fastball with an aching back or can't plant his leg because of a knee or leg injury. He's put in the lineup, he plays.

We have a pretty decent Offense. It's all about big D this season. We are going to be flashing some leather so we won't need to score a ton of runs.