As always, R.J., a well-reasoned and well-considered point. I have no idea if Haynes can help the team, but his job is not to start or be a big bat in the middle of the lineup. His job is to be a defensive replacement (for Gomes) late in games, perhaps to pinch run in certain situations and to give Upton an occasional rest, perhaps against a tough right-handed strikeout pitcher who gives B.J. trouble.

If it is true that he is a good defensive player with a strong arm, and that he runs the bases well, then as the 25th man on the team he has value. The only reason to prefer Murton or Ethier or Willits or any of the other names is that you do not like Gomes as a regular. But if you do not think any of them would be better than Gomes-or make the team better by platooning with him (which is the same as saying you do not want Jonny to get more than 300 ABs), then Haynes might actually be the better option as his defense is apparently far better than any of theirs, and that is the role you want him to play.

It is not about accumulating the best players per se, but acquiring the best players to fit the roles you want them to play. For example, I know this will appear stupid, and I only mean it as an extreme hypothetical for illustration, not as a real choice anyone would make. But I think it fair to say that Derek Jeter is a far better player than Elliot Johnson. Suppose the Rays could acquire Derek as the backup infielder? Should they do it? (Let's leave the money issue aside for a moment and assume that the price in talent would be acceptable.)

It would mean either using him inefficiently or replacing Bartlett. Do we want Jeter as the regular shortstop on THIS team? Or would his offensive boost be sabotaged by the defensive hit? As this team is constructed, I think there might at least be a momentary hesitation before pulling the trigger on such a tradeoff.

It isn't about accumulating the best players in the majors, but about constructing the best possible team, and the two are not necessarily the same thing.

"Possibly, but shouldn’t we see that for our own eyes first?"

He has 10 years of a track record in the minor-leagues. Since when did stats become meaningless in evaluating players relative to what our eyes tell us?

Otherwise I'm in agreement with your post.

Of course, given that Maddon is starting Hinske in RF on Monday (according to the Heater), I may be entirely wrong about the Rays wanting to give Gomes regular playing time.

Haynes certainly seems likely to play a role as a defensive replacement if Hinske plays much RF.