Cubs Aren't the Only Team with In-experienced CF in NLC

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I found this article in the NY Post online today (Link) where Joel Sherman discusses the CF situation for the NL Central and notices the lack of experience among the CF at that position.

 

First the Cubs...

 

Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs transitioned from second base to left field last year and will try center until prospect Felix Pie proves ready.

 

Next the Astros...

The Astros traded Willy Taveras to Colorado for Jason Jennings, so Chris Burke - long blocked at second by Craig Biggio - goes to center where he did start 36 games last year.

 

And the Brewers...

 

Billy Hall has started just three games in center in his career. But the Brewers are putting him in center to gain an offensive edge. Hall (35 HRs, .899 OPS) had a season quite similar to that of Andruw Jones (41/.894). "We feel we can be better than most clubs game-by-game on offense in center," Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin reasoned, which could more than compensate for defensive lapses. And, Milwaukee's greatest year, the 1982 NL championship, came with an offense-over-defense asset, Gorman Thomas, in center.

 

So, while we could be worried about defense in CF, the same concerns exist for at least three of our division rivals.

[Mephistopheles]

Are the Reds still sending Junior out to center? Because Soriano can't possibly be as bad as he is defensively.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Are the Reds still sending Junior out to center? Because Soriano can't possibly be as bad as he is defensively.

 

I think it's still up to Junior, but he may be moved to right.

[nilodnayr]

Man, an article that quotes OPS...if that was written by a non-Bruce Chicago writer we ould have heard all about RBIs.

[Magnetic Curses]

defense in center is overrated. all you need to play center is decent speed.

[UK1679666180]

defense in center is overrated. all you need to play center is decent speed.

 

Speed is just as important as instincts as far as range, they can make up for each other if one is lacking and the great ones have both.