Willy Taveras?

[Warpticon]

But the defensive value he adds to the team, even in Wrigley, isn't being factored into this discussion much at all.

 

What's this defense concept? Is that accounted for in EqA, BABIP, VORP and OPS+?

 

Amazingly, defense isn't factores into EqA, BABIP, or OPS+. Similarly, it's not included in other offensive stats, like BA, HR, RBI, or SB. It is, however, included in VORP, which is the reason he has a higher VORP than Wilkerson, as sited above.

 

And before I give up anything for Taveras, who has fringe starter/bench player potential, I'd just start Pie.

 

I'd prefer Taveres to Pie just because I think Pie really could use another season at Iowa to learn plate discipline (see: Corey Patterson) but I also don't want the Cubs to give up much of value for a guy who's not that good, and probably wouldn't be of much use after one year. Just keeping an outfield of Murton/Jock/Soriano probably is the best solution at this point.

 

The primary difference between Corey and Pie is that Corey had essentially regressed at every level, but htey still rushed him. Pie had been getting better every season until this past one, and he did improve in the second half. So, besides both being Cubs and having similar overall skill sets, I don't see much of a same-fruit comparison here. Still would much rather go Murton/Jones/Soriano, though.

[CuseCubFan69]

Well I have to say it would be nice to have an OF'er that could actually throw out a baserunner. I think he's in Colorado to stay because of Clints love of the small ball.