2013-14 MLB Hot Stove thread

Maybe if the Reds didn't insist on batting Zack Cozart and his .287 career OBP in the 2-hole, Votto would have more RBIs.

It's like when writers used to bitch about Mickey Mantle's "low" RBI totals (only 4 career 100-RBI seasons). It was because he was hitting behind OBP black holes Bobby Richardson and Tony Kubek much of the time.

 

I agree. It's more of an issue of Dusty Baker constantly running Zack Cozart and Chris Heisey out there to hit 2nd in the lineup all the way into August while batting Brandon Phillips 4th with his .395 SLG. IMO, the #2 hitter is more important now than it was 30 years ago. That spot gets the 2nd most PAs and needs to produce. For the Reds, they got .250/.280/.370 for a whopping total of .670 OPS from that spot (I'm generalizing as I simply averaged both players numbers in my head while leaning more towards Cozart since he hit there more often.

I don't care if it's back-to-back LHed hitters, Votto is fine at #3 and Bruce should be the #4. Not only weren't they getting production from the 2-spot, but I believe Cozart led the teams in double plays. He also sac'd a lot which led to plenty of times with Choo on 2nd with one out but 1st base is open. Why pitch to the best hitter on the team with the bag open so often?

Pythag shows the Reds well ahead of the Pirates in the W/L column. They averaged the third most runs per game in spite of so many ABs by bad hitters in the 2-slot. If I'm them, I keep going the course they're on. The only thing that could hurt is losing Choo's OB ability and leaving even less opportunities for Votto to knock runs in.

 

David Freese traded to the Angels for Bourjos:

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/22/rumored-trade-talks-david-freese-for-peter-bourjos/

 

Interesting trade for the Cardinals!

 

The Cardinals are getting the bad end of that deal, having to trade for a player they already own.

 

My bad. Fixed.

 

LAA - where once-great Cardinals are put out to pasture.

I just hope Bourjos gets and stays healthy.

 

Brian McCann on the verge of signing with the Yankees, per Evan Grant:

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/11/sources-texas-rangers-will-not-land-brian-mccann-catcher-on-verge-of-deal-with-new-york-yankees.html/

 

Done deal, pending physical. 5 years, $85 million, with a vesting option that could make it $100 million over 6.

Good luck to them, but with McCann's age and injury history, I can't see it being a good investment after 3 years.

 

They can absorb it.
The Fielder trade showed us a team can get out of any terrible signing by finding a willing partner - and still get the player's prime years.

 

With the Yankees' pitching, McCann better get used to people crossing his plate.

 

And that is a big part of why they got him. If you are right, they can overcome it. Most team's cant.