FanPost

Crazy Idea? What about giving Jaso a look at 3B???




First off, I am in no way saying that the A's MUST do this or that I believe that they will do this- but why not see if Jaso can play 3B?

Some thoughts.

1- By no means to you make this idea something you BUILD team plans around or EXPECT success from. I think if Jaso is willing I see nothing wrong with asking him to 'work on 3B' in the off-season and try him out at Spring Training. If he clearly cannot handle it then move on to other options.

2- Lawrie can play 2B. He can also play 3B if Jaso cannot play a competent 3B.

3- Jaso is a great hitter but I don't think that he should be at Catcher anymore due to the higher rate of concussions suffered by Catchers. Where else can he play? 1B seems pretty filled with Moss, Davis, Butler, Freiman (and Vogt?) Outfield is also pretty crowded as well as DH. Middle Infield seems like a very difficult place to try a new player at.

4- Jaso has- due to the lack of a position for him - I would think lower trade value to the A's. However, he is under team contract and is not making big money. The best scenario for Oakland is to find a spot for Jaso in the field (at least part time- allowing him to be a DH when Butler is having a day off or at 1B). I think the A's should look at some possibilities for him to continue to be part of the team. Now if a team makes a good offer for Jaso I think the GM would and should consider it. However, I think the team and Jaso should give it a try before they ship him off to Palookaville for a 34 year old in AA.

5- I would think that Jaso would be able to do several of the things needed to succeed at 3B. He has a strong arm, he is athletic, he has skill at blocking balls. Who knows?

6- There have been other guys who have transitioned from Catcher to 3B. I can always remember John Wockenfuss had on his old baseball cards the position as C-3B-OF. THere have been many other recent examples of players who went from C to 3B but off the top of my head I cannot think of one.

Anyway, I think it would be worth giving him a shot and seeing what he could do. You could start him in games at 3B and Lawrie at 2B and then after his last at bat in say the 7th/ 8th inning bring in a Punto or Sogard to take his place in the field. Not sure if Lawrie would be a jerk about it but I think Jaso is a good guy and if it was working out great for him.

Lastly, I am not naive as I am aware of how hard it is to perform any position let alone a new one in the Majors. I just think in this circumstance due to Jaso's strong bat and the health concerns at C, its worth a shot. Lastly, just putting Jaso at DH would conflict with the team's composition (Butler) and the desire to give guys partial days of by rotating them into DH.

Thanks!!!

GO OAKLAND!