Man am I glad I am not writing this one on one of the other blogs…
Continuing with our series looking at a position by position break down in the NL East today we look deep in the hole at the SS position.
#5 I am going with the Preacher Man: Tyler Pastornicky. The 21 year old might end up being a solid MLB SS but until he swings the bat that the MLB level I can’t go there. He did have a great run in AAA for 27 games but his numbers there were much higher than in AA so is it sample size or figuring things out? He’s not going to have a lot of pop, makes good contact, and can swipe some bases. I am actually surprised the Braves are going this direction when they are in desperate need of offense and are looking to contend now.
#4 Ruben Tejada: I would have liked to put him ahead of #3 and I think he has potential to pass him for sure. But like the Preacher Man, I think Tejada has to prove he can play the SS position over the course of a full season and hit at an average level day in and day out. There is no doubt that Tejada appeared to have turned the corner in August and September hitting for average and getting on base more with the walk as well. His SLG is still paltry and is not showing to be any more than a singles hitter. To move up on the list he will also have to improve his base-running, I have found it amazing a guy his size can be so slow on the bases. He does have a good glove but the fundamentals were absent at time. So this year will be huge for Tejada, can he handle the pressure of being Jose’s replacement? Collins can say all he wants that he is not to be held to Jose’s standards but will the lunatic portion of the fan-base be patient?
#3 Ian Desmond: Easy call for now? Guy is not great, not bad, just plain average. He commits a lot of errors, makes mistakes on easy plays, is decently accurate on his arm. He swings for the fences but does not reach them very often. (How can you strike out 140 times and hit 8 HR with only 40 extra base hits?) He did have 25 steals but was also caught 10 times. The Nationals have to hope that he just had a sophomore slump because if this is the real Ian Desmond then next year at this time they may be bringing up the rear on this list.
#2 Jimmy Rollins: The old man just signed what I think was a ridiculous contract. The Phillies were practically bidding against themselves here. Rollins has had to adjust his game back to average Joe after being Super Jimmy for a few years. Man do the Phillies need Super Jimmy again but that’s a side note. He’s still a great fielder, still hits for some pop, had a resurgence on the base-paths. Gone most likely are the days of 162 games, he is still the more healthy of the two SS at the top of this list. Will the 33 year old continue his resurgence or start down the quick and slippery slope?
#1 Jose Reyes: Easy call considering he is coming off what could be said a career year, although even then it was littered with injuries. Such is the devil’s advocate with Jose. I am very curious to see if he can live up to his new contract on a team that he is basically a hired gun. No longer will the fans love him regardless injured, uninjured, swinging, not swinging, talking to reporters, not talking, smiling, sulking… This is not being bitter about Jose leaving, this is just a moment of truth. When you come through a system and develop like Jose did you can do little wrong in the opinion of the fan-base. Now the pressure is on, to lead the Marlins to a title, to stay on the field and be healthy and to be the smiling face when the media comes calling. Ozzie will take some of that pressure away but Jose’s first test may be convincing his best friend to be a teammate instead of a Diva.
15 comments
MetsFan4Decades
2/16/2012-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
I’d love this list a whole lot better if Reyes was sporting a Met uniform.
Just when I think I’m over it, something reminds me again that we’ll no longer be hearing ‘Playing SS and batting lead off for the NY Mets….Jose REYES’.
Sigh…..
I didn’t realize the Braves were going with a 21 year old rookie. It must be all O.K. though b/c I just read an article where they hired something like their 3rd batting coach in a year and he’s gonna fix Heyward’s swing and make sure Freeman is on track. They must be counting on that offense going forward.
As far as Tejada’s concerned….I keep reading article after article from the likes of guys like Wally praising this kid and how his bat is only going to get better going forward. IDK…..he might have the ability to have a decent OBP but I just don’t know that I see him as anything more than a singles hitter either. Prove me wrong, Ruben.
Stick
2/16/2012-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
for some reason, it didn’t really bother me. maybe because he has been a non-factor for years? Or the 07/08 September fades. Or I am just a jaded old coot that doesn’t get excited by much at this piont?
Except Duda. Don’t mess with Duda.
MetsFan4Decades
2/16/2012-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
hahaha – your Duda love is getting to be legendary.
I was resigned to losing Jose by Sep. When the reality set in – when he signed with the Marlins I was disappointed. More so from the ra-ra fan in me though then anything else. Loved having Reyes on the team. Just something about losing a homegrown fan favorite…
I do know those Septs were dismal and I do think that 6 year contract with the Marlins might very well turn out to be a bust.
I’m actually getting kind of excited to see what the FO does with a payroll that will have very little money tied up into long term contracts. As long as the plan going forward is for the benefit of building a contending team and not priority of just saving the damn team for the Wilpons.
Stick
2/16/2012-3:38pm at 3:38 pm (UTC -4)
yes, what they do with flexibility is going to be interesting to see.
and I don’t really mind not having the Jose drama. is he playing? what’s his mood like? There always seemed to be something.
darknova306
2/16/2012-4:07pm at 4:07 pm (UTC -4)
I was over Reyes in 2010 when his body started betraying him regularly. Now he’s being a whiny loser and my respect for him is gone. I can’t promise to not boo the hell out of him.
Stick
2/16/2012-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
interesting that every one of these is littered with young guys, except for the Phils where they are all relative gray beards (outside of Pence, who is only middle aged now!)
and IMO the bottom three are all a toss up. never quit4 know what you are going to get out of guys that age/stage of development.
And rollins has been sliding for years, and has various physical issues that will just keep cropping up. And who knows what it means that he just signed his “retirement plan special” going away contract? I would love to see him come in all fat and happy after a “relaxing” off season!
I know they have SP, but man, the Phils IF certainly has some miles on it and major injury problems.
MetsFan4Decades
2/16/2012-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
I so hope this is the year they all start feeling their age – including a couple of those arms.
Stick
2/16/2012-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
they did last year. Just not the front end of the rotation.
lee/halladay/hamels between them pitched 700 innings. that just does not happen very often.
if that doesn’t happen again, they could easily come crashing back to the pack.
darknova306
2/16/2012-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
Rollins had a special year, and has been overrated since.
trs86
2/16/2012-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
“At least come to me and say, ‘This is what we have,’” Reyes said Thursday while at a Marlins charity golf tournament at Miccosukee Golf and Country Club. “Make a push. Even if it’s not what I’m looking for, show me you still want me.”
I hate when players do this, you have the same ability to approach the club and show them you want them as they do you. You were taking the money all along and knew the Mets could not afford your price. Now it seems more like he is just trying to head off the booing from a few knuckleheads.
MetsFan4Decades
2/16/2012-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
Ah….that proverbial box of chocolates thing again, huh?
And to add a little fuel to the Reyes in a Marlins uniform fire:
Hanley not totally on board with switch to 3B
http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Hanley-not-totally-on-board-with-switch-?blockID=651684&feedID=693
Mr North Jersey
2/16/2012-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
The video of Ozzie talking about Hanley is good in the sense that Ozzie to me is basically saying let Hanley say what he wants as long as on Opening day he is on board then anything he says now doesn’t really matter.
MetsFan4Decades
2/16/2012-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
If nothing else, having Ozzie as manager of an NL east team should be highly entertaining.
Way I see it, Hanley has no choice. So they might as well just quit asking him.
SaltyGary
2/16/2012-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
Reyes will be #5 because Reyes will be sporting crutches all year.
darknova306
2/16/2012-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
Bingo! We have a winner! At least he can spend his time on crutches in South Beach now.