So my question again, what do you do with Jones and his $5m salary?

 

Prime example of the sunk cost fallacy. You're already paying the player, regardless of whether he plays. A smart team doesn't let contracts dictate playing time, performance should play that part. Garrett Jones and $5 million playing a role where he helps the team is better than Garrett Jones and $5 million costing the team wins over the year.

Why can't they just keep him for the bench (where he'd probably be pretty good exclusively dealing with RHP). There is no requirement they have to trade him. It would be nice, but someone would have to assume the salary which is unlikely, so it makes more sense just to keep him. At $75 million, there is plenty of money to get a front line SP and a legitimate infield bat - assuming they trade Cishek for another young infielder.

 

I think this is a fine idea, but I seriously doubt the marlins FO leave a $5m player on the bench

Don't forget that Jones is also capable of being a shitty OFer, so he's kind of versatile if need be...

While I agree that defensive metrics aren't perfect, I don't think they're nearly as flawed as people make them out to be.If there is a player who is rated poorly by almost every defensive metric, then I think it's safe to say that that player is a poor defensive player. Some players get bad ratings from one metric and average or even good from another. If that's the case, I can see how you would disagree with the idea of defensive metrics. That being said, I honestly do have a hard time "seeing" why Hech is viewed so poorly by defensive metrics, but I trust the math over my untrained eye. Stanton, on the other hand, has an awesome arm but takes some weird routes and makes some pretty questionable decisions in right. More than that though, I think the reason his DEF rating on Fangraphs is so low is due to the positioning that has him playing a softball right-center rather than a baseball right. Some defensive metrics calculate value by comparing hits and outs on balls in play in a certain zone that "belongs" to the fielder. Right fielders who play straight up will get to balls that Giancarlo won't simply based on where they start an opposing hitter's at bat. In that regard, the defensive metrics are flawed. The shortstop comparisons, however, are valid. Hech simply doesn't get to as many balls as other guys do, likely based on a poor first step. If you really think about it, it kind of makes sense regarding his poor baserunning too. His first step in general is poor, whether he is on base or in the field. The reason we see so many "Hech of a plays" is because he has to make a sprawling, diving try on a play that a guy like Cozart or Simmons would just bend down and backhand.

 

All of this being said, though...and this is big coming from me, as you guys will notice:

 

Hech does not need to be replaced, he just needs to be coached better. I feel like the fact that he makes things look good keeps coaches from trying to change his approach defensively. He clearly has the tools to be a good if not great defensive shortstop, he just needs to be quicker to the ball.

 

EDIT: Holy shit, I wrote too much.

 

I see you're coming around on Hech.. LOL

 

You talk about coaching him up and that is fine and probably a valid argument. However, his infield coach is Perry Hill who is considered in the industry (by trained eyes) to be the best at his job. Perry Hill swears by Hech as do many other professionally trained eyes. Not just in our system but from other teams as well. The fact that the Cardinals coaches love Hech speaks volumes to me. The Cardinals are one of the best run franchises in the game. Of course since I don't speak to other teams or scouts I am taking T Hut's and Rich Waltz's word on that.

 

I honestly think it comes down to positioning and shifts as well with Hech. The Marlins don't seem to employee those exaggerated shifts ALA the Rays and some other teams. They do however have their own quirky shifts like with Stanton in right field. I am not sure how they shift Hech around or not but I would guess that has something to do with the metrics.

 

Also, base running is very different than defense. Defense is all instinctive. You are trained to move on contact and thus you will see a fielder break the wrong way on occasion. Hech doesn't have that problem on defense. Base running is more of a decision making process and stealing bases is all about reading a pitchers moves. From what I have seen in interviews, and seen Hech speak in spanish, he doesn't seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed. I think his mind gets in his way in that part of the game. Pure speculation by me of course.

 

He does however have all of the physical tools to succeed. That's why as flawed as he might be I don't have a problem with Hech for the time being. I think he will get better as he matures at the ML level. That and the fact that we have bigger concerns on the roster.

Sign sandoval then platoon jones and mcgehee??????

Sign sandoval then platoon jones and mcgehee??????

 

McGehee is actually MUCH better against righties (.319) than he is against lefties (.216) so that wouldn't work.

Sketchy as they may be, I will take them 7 days a week, 365 days a year, over someones eyes.

I would also argue the current defensive metrics arent quite as flawed as people make them out to be.

 

Someone's eyes are a big part of those defensive metrics you love.

McGehee is actually MUCH better against righties (.319) than he is against lefties (.216) so that wouldn't work.

 

Wow i didn't even check his splits before i posted but that is pretty amazing.

Defensive metrics are so sketchy, though. You can not tell me that Stanton is a negative defender this year. Fangraphs is telling us that, though. How?

 

I don't think Stanton is below average but I think part of the issue is that he's huge. He's a terrific athlete for someone his size so when we see him chase down a ball or make a diving play, it looks amazing. But hard to argue that a smaller quicker outfielder still gets to more balls. Guys his size are usually Mark Trumbo in the outfield. Someone Stanton's size *should* be a below average outfielder. So if the metrics say he's not technically saving you runs out there I don't know that I'd argue that. A lot of guys who are plus defensively aren't anything special at the plate. But he's certainly at least league average right now in RF, and if that's the case then that's all you need because at the plate he's.... well you know.

 

But no argument from me, sometimes the defensive ratings have me scratching my head.

For what it's worth he's got +9 Defensive Runs Saved this year, so he is definitely not average or below.

Look at the fastest athletes in sports. Lots of big guys

 

 

(This doesn't discount your argument, I just thought it was an awesome animation)

 

(This doesn't discount your argument, I just thought it was an awesome animation)

 

"How is Emilio Bonifacio not on there?"

-Admin Beinfest, 2009

Admin Beinfest when watching game tape of Billy Hamilton.

 

(This doesn't discount your argument, I just thought it was an awesome animation)

 

Flawed animation as there isn't room on first base for seven players. Or Prince Fielder *and* anyone else.