Spencer Steer

[membengal]

I was busy last night and missed the game. How did Steer hold up in LF?

No tough chances - he did fine. I really didn't give him a second thought as the game unwound in terms of him being in LF defensively.

[kaldaniels]

@benjpalmer

https://twitter.com/benjpalmer/statu...gxwYJ5KNUDGyPw

Man, everything about Spencer Steer’s profile screams sell high to me

.244 xBA, .404 xSLG, mediocre hard-hit rate (37.9%), low barrel rate (5.7%)

I dunno, maybe he can outperform it but I’d be looking to move him

Nope. C Trent says we’ve got a problem with India on the roster. The alpha has to go.

[Ron Madden]

@benjpalmer

https://twitter.com/benjpalmer/statu...gxwYJ5KNUDGyPw



Nope. C Trent says we’ve got a problem with India on the roster. The alpha has to go.

Didn't the article say someone on the infield would likely have to change positions and basically that's a good problem to have?

I don't think C. Trent or Rosenthal ever said India was a problem.

[757690]

@benjpalmer

https://twitter.com/benjpalmer/statu...gxwYJ5KNUDGyPw



Nope. C Trent says we’ve got a problem with India on the roster. The alpha has to go.

I like using statcast numbers over the old sabermetric numbers, like BABIP and wOBA, since it is based on what really happened, not hypotheticals. However, it still is limited and should not be used the way this Ben Palmer guy is using it. I actually was wondering when we would reach the point where people are mis-using it the same way they mis-used the old sabermetric stats.

Friedl's statcast numbers are way worse: BA .240, xBA .215, SLG .436, xSLG .335, wOBA .323, xwOBA .283. Fraley's statcast numbers are bad too. If the Reds should be moving Steer, they should package him with Friedl and Fraley. But the trio has one thing in common: They work the count as well as anyone, and have strong K/BB ratios. They put the ball in play, and now that the shift is diminished, that is more valuable than ever. The three outcome guys are becoming less valuable.

The game is starting to resemble the game from the 70's and 80's, and players like Steer, Friedl and Fraley should be successful the same way that Gwynn, Boggs, and Carew were successful. Okay, probably not as successful, but maybe like Griffey Sr., Bill Madlock, and Buddy Bell.

[corkedbat]

if we see a future lineup of Encarnacion-Strand, McLain, De La Cruz and Marte, Steer would give you a fairly strong reserve at first, second and third as well as DH and corner OF. He could also back SS in a pinch, but with EDLC, McLain and Marte all more capable his time there will probably be very limited (if existent). Add in the ability of CES to also back up 3B occasionally and the versatility could allow them to go short one middle infield reserve. Maybe making room for a veteran bigger bat to DH (especially if they're able to occasionally cover one or both corner IF spots defensively),

With India you run into the problem of where do you stick him defensively. He can play a barely passable second base. Shortstop is out for him and his arm and power bat are not what you'd like to see at a corner position. Yeah, it's a fool's errand to rely on that much youth, but it's the path they've chosen. If one or more of the middle IF guys fail or has a major injury, it would appear for the next few season's there should be at least a couple of MI's in Louisville to fill in as a reserve (if not, fungible IF backups aren't that hard to come by).

Between now and Spring training they should be able to move Senzel, Newman and Meyers to open roster spots. If nothing else, I'm about ready for them to DFA Meyers just to get him out the way. If Krall can fetch a return if nothing else at least equal to what he got for Naquin last year, I'd be good with it.

India is a tougher trigger to pull because of his intangibles and fan appeal alone, but his trade value may be at its peak. Sadly, i don't see Jonathan as much of an extension candidate).He (possibly with a lower-level prospect or two) might be able to fill at least one or two needs - a young controllable vet starter, a fairly significant bullpen arm (preferably a lefty), a corner OF with some decent pop &/or a young all-around catcher to backup (or supplant) Stephenson (again a LH/SH would be nice).

I still think developing the roster should be a priority for the remainder of this season and I think the above moves (apart from Marte) should be made sooner rather than later so they can hopefully put together a plan on where they want to direct their payflex over the offseason.

Also on Meyers, I would give his roster slot to Benson who I would ride the rest of the season to see what I have (unless he totally reverts to his early-season form).

[corkedbat]

As for the OF? After the last week, I may be a fool, but I'm still intrigued by Benson's potential and I want to see more of Hopkins. I see Fraley as valuable (but maybe moreso as the strong side of a platoon). Who can't love TJ Friedl (I'd rather kick a puppy)? But I have to confess I have a hard tine seeing him as a starter on a legitimate starter. Fairchild is probably a bit better than fungible, but I'm more comfortable with him as the 4th or fifth guy in the OF.

In fact, that's my major reservation about the Reds OF situation. All of them are worthy of roster consideration, but I'm more comfortable with each as a platoon half or as a 4th/5th reserve. I really want them add at least one more "dynamic" OF starter option between now and Spring Training (it's second on my wishlist trailing only a reliable veteran starting pitcher).

The only other guy I see as much of an option (short of a converted IF) for the next 1.5 years would be Mike Siani, but again, IMO, he profiles more as a reserve guy to me.

Catching? I'd be willing to troll for a ridiculous trade package for Stephenson, but at the very least I want to see him predominantly as a catcher (and ditch the 3rd guy). One of my major targets would be an all-around young guy (LH/SH bat) to backup TS.

[Old school 1983]

The more thought I give it, and as tough of a move that it would be to make, I think you gotta trade India for a dynamic OF type or a starting pitcher. McLain is a better offensive and defensive player and is the future. Even at 3b, I think there’s a decent argument that Senzel is a better defender. I think Steer is at least a better offensive player too. Marte will be coming soon and he has real star potential and so does CES. The Reds need help elsewhere and talented guys are coming up from the minors en masse. It’s a hard call, but it needs to happen. Also, if they do keep him around…which I’d be ok with….he needs to be batting lead off or second. He’s a table setter not a power hitter. When he tries to hit for power his offensive game declines.

[kaldaniels]

Someone will probably need to be traded. But at this point we gotta see who pans out. Not to be a downer but even Elly could flop. So at this juncture to look to India and say he’s gotta be the one to go seems a bit silly. He’s the one bird in the hand that we have. Now if things progress nicely and trading India is what is needed to get a good piece back - of course that’s fine. But way too much cart before the horse for my taste going on.

[Old school 1983]

Someone will probably need to be traded. But at this point we gotta see who pans out. Not to be a downer but even Elly could flop. So at this juncture to look to India and say he’s gotta be the one to go seems a bit silly. He’s the one bird in the hand that we have. Now if things progress nicely and trading India is what is needed to get a good piece back - of course that’s fine. But way too much cart before the horse for my taste going on.

Sometimes you gotta project performances to get maximum value out of what you have. I think McLain and Steer are very good bets to not flop at this point. That’s SS and second base if Elly falls on his face. Senzel can cover 3b and CES first. Not saying I have to trade India. Just saying if you have to move someone, he’s the guy I’d shop currently. Some patience to see how the year plays out is totally good in my book too.

[membengal]

Isn't Steer to LF one of the very possible solutions? We've already seen him out there this week.

[Ron Madden]

Charlie Goldsmith
@CharlieG__

Spencer Steer has three RBI today (35).

Following that double, he has the 29th best OPS in baseball.

During his rookie season, Steer is already a really good hitter.

He also plays first base, third base, second base and left field.
He brings a lot to the table for the Reds.

[RedTeamGo!]

@benjpalmer

https://twitter.com/benjpalmer/statu...gxwYJ5KNUDGyPw



Nope. C Trent says we’ve got a problem with India on the roster. The alpha has to go.

Ctrent sucks but so does this idea. There’s absolutely no reason to trade Steer right now. Let him cook.

[kaldaniels]

Ctrent sucks but so does this idea. There’s absolutely no reason to trade Steer right now. Let him cook.

Don’t want to trade Steer. That was speaking to fantasy players.

(So can we just edit your post down to C Trent sucks? That works for me.)

- - - Updated - - -

Isn't Steer to LF one of the very possible solutions? We've already seen him out there this week.

[Ron Madden]

Bryce Spalding
@bryce_spalding
·
4h

Spencer Steer has a .436 OBP in June so far with 7 walks to only 2 strikeouts.

He has 13 walks to 13 strikeouts over his last 112 PA (26 games) and hitting .347 in that stretch.

[Ron Madden]

Bryce Spalding
@bryce_spalding
·
1h

Spencer Steer has been worth +1 OAA at 1st base since June started.

For a guy that was told to learn a position on the job in the bigs, he’s done a great job, while not letting his bat slip at all.