"He's a shortstop, we know he's a shortstop, we tell him he's a shortstop," Foley said. "He's going...

"He's a shortstop, we know he's a shortstop, we tell him he's a shortstop," Foley said. "He's going to play shortstop. But it doesn't hurt for him to go over [to second base]. We've got a pretty good shortstop up here in the big leagues in Bartlett. But it's just like any other infielder. Let him see if he can play the other positions. You never know what's going to happen. It just increases his value as a player."

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8 months ago R.J. Anderson 23 comments 0 recs |

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whether he Brigmacks at SS or 2B

once he gets settled, he will hit.

by daveh33 on Mar 3, 2009 1:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just like how he settled in 2005, 2007 or 2008

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 3, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He was an above average hitter in 2007.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 3, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He was also above average in 2005

But just slightly, and that’s damning with faint praise considering where he was playing. The point is that he’s never been more than an average hitter except for one huge season, and he was a fair amount below average last year.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 3, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So of the last four years.

He’s been slightly above average in two of those years, Voltron in one, and pretty bad in another. Which one of these is the outlier again?

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 3, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

thank you

plus points for Voltron

by daveh33 on Mar 3, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Go ahead, beat it up

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 3, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Image isn't working for me.

Unless it’s supposed to be an ad for freethoughtpedia.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 3, 2009 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Eck

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f204/hedonisticpleasureseeker/StrawmanPoster.jpg

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 4, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he wasn't "settled" in those years.

each year has been a new level… each year he has been young for his league… each year he has made defense his priority.

and i absolutely love how 2006 just doesn’t exist anymore.

just so people can say “he’s never hit!!”

by daveh33 on Mar 3, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who says he's never hit?

He’s been about average in a low level league and a low talent league, blew things away in a strong hitter’s environment, and trended in the wrong direction last year. He has ARL on his side, but considering what he’s done generally and what he’s done lately, it’s not too likely he’ll be a GOOD hitter.

I’ll admit that I haven’t been as high on Brignac as others at each step of the way, but that’s primarily because he doesn’t appear to be able to hit bendy things, and I think he will always have trouble hitting for average. When he cut back the strikeout rate and improved the walk rate, it was a nice step in the right direction, but you have to admit that (a) he took a big step back last year and (b) he’s looked lost at the plate lately.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 3, 2009 8:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't need to hit for average.

If he hits .240-.260 with power and plus defense at SS he’s a valuable player.

by rglass44 on Mar 4, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

But not the savior people think he might be. I suspect his career OBP will end up somewhere in the .300 – .320 range though. Sort of a Tony Batista at short. Not sure I’d call that ’he’ll hit’. I thought the initial implication is that he would hit well, but if he continues on his current career path, the vast majority of his value will come from his defense, not his bat.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 4, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't need to hit like used to to be valuable.

When he was an albotross at short he needed to be a a great hitter. Now all he has to do is go .250/.320/.430 and he will be a very valuable player. He could be a 3 win player with +5 defense and an average bat.

by rglass44 on Mar 4, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can't hurt to get him reps there

The Rays are going to have to make a decision sooner or later. My personal choice would be to move Brignac to second and let Aki walk after the season. Then keep Bartlett until Timmy B is ready.

I wouldn’t be opposed to either trading Brignac or getting rid of Barlett either. If we get rid of Jason then we’d have to make a decision on Brignac once Tim is ready. That is why I’d prefer to move Brignac to second. Also I think Aki is the most expendable in a variety of ways (contractual and skill set).

by matthan on Mar 3, 2009 2:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What about Willy?

Why yes, I am this big of an asshole in person.

by Sandy Kazmir on Mar 3, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i'd trade bartlett because his value is likely inflated

and Aki if we get a deal for him.

Briggy at SS, Willy at 2B. we don’t have to worry about Beckham for a few years.

by daveh33 on Mar 3, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If we get rid of Jason then we’d have to make a decision on Brignac once Tim is ready. That is why I’d prefer to move Brignac to second.

You could move him to second or trade him when that becomes an issue.

by rglass44 on Mar 3, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. There is a solution to every scenario

I’m just biased to a Tim/Reid middle of the infield.

Plus won’t it be cheaper to just move Reid to 2nd and not resign Aki. Wouldn’t that give us more money to potentially sign Upton? If we are trying to get the most bang for the buck then having Reid as a starting 2nd baseman at the start of 2010 is probably the way to go.

by matthan on Mar 3, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs