Friday, October 17, 2008

Free Agent 3B In-Depth

This is a pretty good look at three baggers entering the market. As with most intelligent articles, this one praises 3TO.
Hank Blalock (28): 65 g, .287/.338/.508, 0.21 WPA/LI
Willie Bloomquist (31): 71 g, .279/.377/.285, 0.32 WPA/LI
Joe Crede (31): 97 g, .248/.314/.460, -0.57 WPA/LI
Ramon Vazquez (32): 105 g, .290/.365/.430, -0.10 WPA/LI
Russell Branyan (33): 50 g, .250/.342/.583, 1.21 WPA/LI
Nomar Garciaparra (35): 55 g, .264/.326/.466, 0.26 WPA/LI
Casey Blake (35): 152 g, .274/.345/.463, 0.89 WPA/LI
Craig Counsell (38): 110 g, .226/.355/.302, -0.29 WPA/LI

I cannot speak enough about Russell Branyan
and it pains me that he does not play more. Yes, he strikes out, but he
walks and absolutely mashes as well. In 132 at bats this year he hit 12
home runs, and managed to play +2 defense when he found himself at
third base. Three true outcome players usually decline around the 35
years old mark, so the Bran-man should have a couple more productive
years in him.









7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can 3TO play second?

E.S.K. said...

not on his life

DannyNoonan said...

Never has:

3B: 329 starts
OF: 222 starts
LF: 150 starts
RF: 71 starts
1B: 50 starts

Anonymous said...

He'd probably still be better than weeks though, right?

DannyNoonan said...

Well we know he's a better hitter. He couldn't be that much worse at 2nd.

E.S.K. said...

3rd base is entirely different than second. I just don't see Branyan having the lateral movement necessary to pull it off.

Plus, what does it solve? WE'd still have a hole at 3rd.

PaulNoonan said...

I'm with E. The skill set is too different.