Zobrist as Pena's follow up?

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 6, 2010 6:01 PM EST

I am merely copying an extended comment I just made in the Sean Rodriguez post. I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I just don't recall any significant discussion on it. If I've missed it, apologies to all.

"Seems if he (BenZo) can maintain the productivity in his bat in the area code of the last 18 months that this could be a no brainer. Certainly it could negatively impact mid-if depth in the short run, but this is not an org weakness at this point, and buying IF depth comes a lot cheaper than a starting 1B.

Zobrist is a solid defender at all positions, plenty tall enough for the spot – taller than Pena in fact – and has the bat production required at this point barring a serious regression. I’m sure this has been discussed here, but I don’t recall any in depth discussion.

Seems like a major upside opportunity for the org that could easily be accomodated by giving him some significant reps at the spot in ST, DHing CP instead of PtB periodically, etc. Could even make moving CP more palatable should things not pan out in ’10.

Anybody can tell me why they think this is a bad idea? It would also make for more PT for either or both of S Rod or Briggy at 2B. Would perhaps hurt Aybar’s time, but is that a critical issue? Events will dictate, of course – if BenZo is required in RF that tweaks things, etc. I could imagine some suggesting there might be some defensive inefficiency in the short run – that’s a very legitimate concern in a contention position. But the longer term approach might suggest this isn’t a bad thing to test a bit."

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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It seems like a waste of his defensive flexibility and overall solid numbers at other positions

It’s nice to have it as an option, but I would prefer other options explored first. I hate to say it, but I might even like a low-balled Mike Lowell as a one-year stopgap for next year, before using Zobot solely at first. As usual, you raise an excellent argument. One to which I don’t believe there is a right answer. The depth has got to be the best in the Majors.

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by Andy Hellicksonstine on Feb 6, 2010 6:07 PM EST reply actions

Zo's glove is a waste at 1B

If Zo is a better defensive 2B than SRod, and you are considering Srod @ 2nd and Zo at 1B, then Zo should play 2B and SRod 1B. Better use of talent. I’m guessing Pena’s replacement is not on going to be on the opening day 25 man this year.

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by FreeZorilla on Feb 6, 2010 7:19 PM EST reply actions

This is an interesting proposal,

but I think Zobrist has comparative advantage in too many places to settle for the one where his good defense serves the least. Also, of the myriad of places he can play, I think 1B is the easiest one to find a decent bat or a stopgap like Andy mentioned. Hypothetically, if we sign, say two Barry Bonds, but want neither to waddle around in the outfield, we could DH one and transfer the other to 1B.

The situation becomes intriguing only when the outfield reads Jennings, Upton, and Joyce and the infield starts Longo, Brignac, Rodriguez. Suddenly defense is great everywhere, and S-Rod’s comparative advantage with this glove may make BenZo’s bat best for 1B. Or he could “Mark DeRosa it” and start all over the place, giving everyone a day off / DH day.

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by BWoodrum on Feb 7, 2010 1:19 AM EST reply actions

My point is focused on 2011

FZ, I agree Zobrist profiles as a better defender than the alternatives in place. My point was mostly that come next year there’s a hole, and he might profile best to fill it. The choice isn’t simply between the best 2B – it’s between in-house alternatives and external ones at multiple spots (1B, 2B, SS, DH, RF), the externals of which could carry a significantly higher cost.

The possibilites are myriad – for example, keeping Bartlett, using a possibly more equal to BZ defender such as Brignac at 2B, and S Rod as utility. It isn’t a simple case of using the best available player at each spot. It depends on who’s on the roster, who’s available, the costs of each, etc. The possible paybacks from trading 2010 pieces will change the equation as well.

B Ray, I don’t know that S Rod’s glove is superior to either Briggy or Zobrist, or even superior at all. Counting on maintaining competitiveness with 4 new and as yet not knowns (DJ, Joyce, Briggy, S Rod aren’t yet proven) seems it could be a lot to ask. I expect some of this will be clearer going through 2010, and part of my idea of testing BenZo at 1B was opening some time for the 2 mid-IF kids to show their stuff a bit.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 7, 2010 2:32 AM EST up reply actions

That makes sense.

Concerning the roster, I understand that there’s a lot of undecideds and unknowns (DJ, Joyce, Briggy, S Rod); I was trying to work in the hypothetical, but I don’t think I did so great.

…part of my idea of testing BenZo at 1B was opening some time for the 2 mid-IF kids to show their stuff a bit.

I like this and what FreeZo said below.

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by BWoodrum on Feb 7, 2010 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

So many '11 options at 1B--What about S-Rod? Great OBP and HR skills

by sternfan1 on Feb 7, 2010 10:35 AM EST reply actions

Puffy love.

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by 4QB on Feb 8, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

I think you misunderstood my point

There is a feeling that you need to have a big bat at 1B. For the most part that is true. However, if you are content to play ZO at 1B with SRod at 2B. Then you can play SRod at 1B without making your lineup weaker. Relative to other teams 1B will be a weakness, but 2B will be a big advantage. And 1B talent is relatively cheap to acquire.

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by FreeZorilla on Feb 7, 2010 10:54 AM EST reply actions