Statcast Infield Defense

[Kc61]

If Senzel's not an option as a utility guy, I agree that the Reds should be looking for a good one as part of their depth.

That said, VanMeter's played more infield than outfield in the minors and is the very definition of a utility player. It doesn't matter where he's listed.

Too, with the addition of Davidson and Colon to Rodriguez and Trahan in Louisville, the Reds have a backup plan at all the infield positions ready. True, none of them are on the 40-man roster, but that's small potatoes at this point. There are still 40-man guys who could be jettisoned with little issue.

The Van Meter plan would be expected for the usual Reds teams. But not the formula for a contending team IMO. Van Meter got off to a hot start but soon faded - he’s a depth guy on a winning team.

That said, no objection to him making the roster as a LH pinch hitter and occasional 2B/LF fill in. Just think they need more protection for the infielders.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Over the last three seasons, Taylor's been average, well above average, and slightly below average as an infielder. (In 2018, when he played a bunch of SS, he was very, very good defensively.) He is apparently very good going to his glove side (a requirement for a SS), but less so making plays in the hole.

Fwiw, this would line up very well with Eugenio Suarez, who is one of the best in baseball at going to his glove side. That would, hypothetically, protect the hole.

Galvis, otoh, was really good last season charging the ball (toward the plate) and making plays that way. In the hole, he's been slightly above average over the past three years.

If both guys hit to the back of their baseball card, this is a no-brainer. Taylor would be a two-win or more net gain on Galvis in terms of WAR in projection, and even more in terms of actual career production. Taylor's career OPS is 108. Galvis' career OPS is 79.

Defensively, we're talking about a half-win, perhaps a bit more. Galvis is four percent above average as a SS; Taylor is two percent above average. Given the same number of games and outs.

That's massive.

As to what it would cost, I'd be willing to do one of three things:

1. Pay off an expensive guy but not provide prospects who matter at all. (mth's deal sounds good, though it's balanced to the Reds' favor.)
2. Grab a couple relatively expensive arbitration guys for cheaper major league depth. (Mahle and Lorenzen for Taylor and Pederson would be a good example of this.)
3. Pay with a real prospect (India is probably an overpay, but anyone below him or Garcia on the prospect pipeline would be fair game, IMO.)