[mth123]

Been pretty busy and haven't had time to reply, but I've read the whole thread so here goes:

Choo:

Huge upgrade. I think he'll be passable in CF and will be a huge upgrade to the offense. He gets on base, hits against RHP, his skillset would seem to work on the road in addition to GABP. I think it was M2 a whole bunch of posts back that mentioned John Jay. I think that may be a good comp. He adds productivity to the offense and does allright in CF. Of course, I'd expect about 20 to 30 more points of OBP and 40 or 50 more points of Slugging from Choo.

Stubbs:

Maybe the most timid player I've ever watched. He looks pleasing and smooth on defense, but pulls up and just doesn't make the catch far too often. He does go gap to gap really well, but isn't so hot going in and back IMO. On offense, he lets too many meatballs go by for a called strike and just doesn't have the ability to hit when he's behind in the count. He may get it together and become that power - speed force we all hoped for, but I don't think it would have ever happened in Cincy.

Didi/Cozart:

Put me down for thinking its a shame that Didi had to go, but you have to give up something to get something. I share the concerns about Cozart. I think he's a solid starting SS who adds an occassional homer and struggles to get on base. I've long compared him to Alex Gonzalez in his Marlin Days. He'll have years where he may be a borderline All Star and probably have a few as below average due mostly to things like BABIP or HR/FB rate. I am a skeptic about much improvement at his age. I'm actually concerned that he may have a Stubbslike career path. Older rookies are many times out of tricks by the time the reach the big leagues and when the league adjusts they have nothing to counter with. Cozart seems pretty baseball smart (much different than Stubbs) so I think he'll be OK, but probbaly not much better than what we've seen. I also wonder if Didi's legend has grown more than it should. I actually think that Didi and Cozart would have made a good complementary tandem that could combine to give a team well above average play at SS while hiding each others weaknesses.

SS Depth:

If Cozart goes down for an extended period, I do think the answer is not in the organization (though I wouldn't be opposed to Hamilton if no one else is available). I think the foremost consideration is getting some one to make all the plays. If we're not overly concerned about offense, there are guys in every organization who are major league capable defenders. There's a Cesar Izturis or Paul Janish behind every tree. The hit would be on offense, but the team has a top 6 with Choo, Phillips, Votto, Ludwick, Bruce and Frazier to survive.


I love the deal and the draft pick when Choo leaves town will be the gift that keeps on giving.