The Future of the Middle Infield
by Emmett89 on Jan 4, 2008 2:44 PM PST
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PrintWith Gonzalez, Denorfia, Sweeney, Buck, Cunningham, Cust, and whoever else I'm forgetting to mention manning the outfield positions for the future, it has made me wonder about the future of the middle infield.
Now, I'm pretty dumb, but I'm not dumb enough to not realize that good young middle infielders are harder to come by than outfielders. But the A's seemingly have nothing in the way of middle infielders, or hell even third basemen.
Ellis is 31 years old, and likely has 3 or 4 more seasons with his excellent defense, and competent bat. And even now he's never shown the ability to have two good years consecutively, if this streak continues we're likely in for a .250/.310/.380 season. Although my thesis for Ellis is hardly scientific. But as I said earlier three or four, I think is a solid estimate to how much time he has left, before we need a replacement.
Crosby will be 28 next season, and to this point has a half a season (2005) of being a productive baseball player. I'm not an expert on baseball scouting, or anything of the sort, but is Crosby having all of the tools, and them not translating to results? The only thing I've noticed is that he has absolutely zero two strike approach. Is there a future for him? Or is he a case of a promising 2003 AAA season, and nothing else?
On the farm:
Kevin Melillo-.262/.355/.442 in Sac last year
He was 25 last season, and seems to be cursed with "doubles" power, with a homerun swing, which translates into a lot of fly outs. He has a good eye, and I know next to nothing about his defense. But the best I think we can hope for is Mark Ellis-lite. But I bet he sees 100+ at bats this year, if we trade Ellis (which I don't think we will.)
Gregorio Petit-.277/.327/.353 in 235 at bats at Sac last year
By everything I've read is a wizard with the glove, but looks to pretty light with the bat. 22 is fairly young for AAA, so perhaps there is room to grow there, one can only hope. But he's looking like a future Scutaro with a better glove. Which isn't to say that's a bad thing at all.
Donnie Murphy-.220/.290/.441 in 118 at bats in Oakland last year
He'll be 25 next season, and showed pretty impressive power in his stint with them last year. I'v seen some posts on here that talk highly of the guy, but I don't see it. At best I think he turns into a Jose Valentin type player (low OBP, high SLUG), and at worst AAAA fodder. But given Crosby's struggle and injury history, he'll see a lot of at bats and I'll have a better opinion of the man.
Cliff Pennington-.251/.343/.336 in AA
It's hard to call a 23 year old a bust, but the more he doesn't hit, the more it seems likely that's what he is. It's likely that he'll repeat in Midland this year, but if he doesn't manage to top .270/.370/.400, it might be time to forget about him.
Even further down there is Joshua Horton who showed a great eye at Kane County last year (.417 OBP), but in under 125 at bats. So, it's too soon to really gauge him yet.
As an aside did Jermaine Mitchell ever play second base? Or JD Pruitt who had a .460 OBP with an average under .230 last year at Vancouver, while being hit by 34 pitches. How is that even possible?
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Melillo is more of a Crosby-style hitter.
He can go long, and when he's hot, he's really hot. But he can also chase the junk, and defensively, he'll never be an Ellis.
Petit has some pop, but he tries too hard to use that, and has historically chased a whole load of bad pitches in search of the long bomb. Last season he seemed to pull back from that, however. Defensively, he's insane - the Torii Hunter of the infield. The A's won't rush him, because if he can develop as a hitter, he's going to be a star.
Donnie Murphy is the obvious go-to if something is needed right now. He's just a good solid MI who'll do the right thing more often than not.
Pennington is a Sulentic-like mystery at the moment, but he might be working on some things, maybe had some injury issues - we just don't know. He might be one swing-tweak from lighting up. At worst, he's a AAAA Scutaro-type-to-be.
No, Mitchell and Pruitt don't play infield. But one guy you're forgetting is Justin Sellers, who has Petit-like defensive ability, Chad Boyd-like heart, and above average speed. Just a little too little to be threatening with the lumber - but he's very young.
Also, keep an eye out for Michael 'Runway' Richard. He's greased lightning, and handy with the bat. A little average with the glove, but he has wings on his cleats, man.
Given how low Crosby has set the bar,
it's hard to imagine that Petit won't develop to be better within a couple years. All he has to do is hit .240 with gold glove defense to be better than a guy who hits .240 with very good defense.
Or...
Petit could play every day. Which would be an improvement over someone who doesn't play every day.
Please don't wish health on Crosby.
Personally, I figure he's about .030 BA away.
I thought low bars served only milk
I had a low bar.
I went the other way
I got more bars in more places.
We only traded two players with the most value
Still have
Blanton
Street
Buck
Barton
Suzuki
Cust
Ellis
Duke
Embree
DiNardo
DJ
Harden
Chavez
Kotsay
... left to gut.
I wouldn't even recommend renting, try subletting or temporary hotel housing.
by Instant Replay Umpire on Jan 4, 2008 3:51 PM PST reply actions
I don't think
BB would get much for
Kotsay
DJ
DiNardo
Harden
Duke
and
Buck
Barton
Susuki
are still really young so I doubt BB trades them.
I think
Blanton
Street
Embree
Ellis
Chavez
Are most likely to move.
I agree with you
Just trying to make a point that Billy would trade anyone for the right price right now, regardless of age.
I've also noticed he prefers Gonzalez's. Either that or i'm thinking they printed too many Gonzalez Jerseys and he's trying to save money on the rather than throw them away.
by Instant Replay Umpire on Jan 4, 2008 4:18 PM PST up reply actions
I'd trade any of Buck, Barton, Suzuki
for a SS or CF. Corner OF or 1B is easier to find than a SS or CF. Unless of course Buck can actually play CF. I'm not convinced Suzuki is going to be that special.
by WaddellCanseco on Jan 5, 2008 6:58 AM PST up reply actions
I wouldn't trade Buck or Barton at this point.
They're talented and cheap forever - and relatively proven (as proven as prospects can be).
Murphy and Melillo are platoon bats
and it appears that Pennington, despite being a nominal switch-hitter, is as well. He couldn't hit a lick right-handed this season. I'd be fine with a Murphy/Melillo (or Murphy/Hannahan, if Chavez is still around) platoon holding down second base if need be. Long-term, Horton might be able to take it on.
Shortstop is more of a worry, but if Petit improves enough to hit at even his current AAA level in the majors, he'll be a fine shortstop in the Vizquel mold. I'm not optimistic about any of the other minor league options, although I think Murphy is okay as a big-leaguer.
Third base is el problemo if Chavez gets traded. Jeff Baisley and Jeremy Brown are the best options in the current minor league system, which is not good. I'm hoping that Powell can move to third next season. 3B doesn't require speed to field well, which is a good thing because none of those three could outrun Stomper in a footrace.
Pruitt's an outfielder. How does he get on base so much? Well, obviously, by cheating. The guy's the Gaylord Perry of the hit-by-pitch. More power to him if he can get away with it, I guess.
IF
I don't think Beane would get enough for Ellis to warrant trading him, he'd be more valuable to the A's, than he would on the open market.
And how much can you really expect out of trading Street? Even the best closer in the game wouldn't garner much in terms of returns would it?
sure they would
plus, Street's nice and affordable for a few more seasons.
what i don't understand is this:
But I bet he sees 100+ at bats this year, if we trade Ellis (which I don't think we will.)
so... you bet he sees 100 abs... not?
Another option
I wouldn't be surprised to see Beane cobble together a handful of outfielder types (Mitchell, Corey Brown, etc...) and try to grab a stud infielder either.
Organizational Brass
...Seems to love Justin Sellers. He's probably the one Middle Infielder I'll be watching the most this coming season. 21 Years Old. Needs to add some muscle. Needs to refine the swing. Wizard w/ the glove. He'll probably be spending a full season in Midland - AA.
Good lord, 5-10 155?
Guy's as skinny (and short) as I am...
Heck, Donnie Murphy is 45 pounds heavier and the same height.
And Eric Cartman is
2 feet shorter and the same weight!
God I love Eric Cartman!
I would buy season tickets if the A's ever give him some serious playing time. Not sure about his arm, bat, or glove, but he's got a heckova mouth and awesome attitude. He could mentor Chavy into super clutchness.
and Beane kills Kenny in every episode
crosby's salary info:
from Cot's
Bobby Crosby ss
5 years/$12.75M (2005-09)
$0.25M signing bonus
05:$0.5M, 06:$0.75M, 07:$2.5M, 08:$3.5M, 09:$5.25M
signed extension 4/05, replacing 1 year/$0.35M deal signed 3/05
1 year/$0.3005M (2004)
drafted 2001 (1-25), $1.3M signing bonus 8/01
agent: Paul Cohen
ML service: 4.029
Coco Crisp's Salary Info
from Cot's
Covelli Crisp of
3 years/$15.5M (2007-09), plus $8M 2010 club option
signed extension 4/06
$1M signing bonus
07:$3.5M, 08:$4.75M, 09:$5.75M, 10:$8M club option ($0.5M buyout)
1 year/$2.75M (2006)
re-signed 2/06, avoided arbitration ($3.05M-$2.35M)
1 year/$0.3649M (2005), re-signed 3/05
1 year/$0.3194M (2004), re-signed 3/04
agent: Steve Comte
ML service: 4.158
If you're advocating trading Crisp for Crosby....
My god, sign me up. Somehow I think the Red Sox, even though they don't think that much of him, will want more than just little Bunnies BoCro for Covelli. That said Coco is a very interesting possibility for CF (maybe for Cunningham or Sweeney and a bad contract? Please, please let them eat Kotsay's...). However, I think before the BoSox move Coco they'll want to learn what happens with Johan. Coco was on the table in one of those deals.
why in Ba'al's name ...
... would we, at this point, trade either Cunningham or Sweeney for Crisp?
I am kind a curious though
I wonder what the Braves think about Sweeney. They're looking for a CF and they have depth at SS...
don't get me wrong ...
... I'm not opposed per se to moving either or both of them.
I just don't understand why we'd want to be acquiring Crisp right now at all -- and especially not for anyone under the MLB minimum.
I mean, I guess I'd be willing to trade DJ for Crisp. That would make some sense from the A's standpoint. Wouldn't make much sense from the Sox' end, though.
Cunningham =/= Sweeney
Cunningham is a very strong prospect at this point. Sweeney is a mediocre one.
I'm on board with Sweeney for Crisp. Absolutely not on board with dealing Cunningham for him.
well, with Sauron and Arafat out of the way ...
Oh, wait. The future of the middle infield. My bad.
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