Arismendy Alcantara

[ConstableRabbit]

His chin would probably still put up 2 WAR.

[Sammy Sofa]

i seriously would rather roll with 5 kevin tapanis or something than trade any real assets for pitching prospects

 

Kevin Tapani is like 50 years old. 5 of him would not make a very good rotation.

 

not when you divide him into 5

 

Gruesome.

 

You can tell he was alive up until the point he was divided in 5.

 

Well done.

 

And to answer Him's question, I would have no problem with them trading Al Contra, or really any of the prospects, if we're getting a Stanton-like return. I wouldn't focus on getting a pitcher back, but if a team is willing to overpay in that department for someone like AA, I'd go for it.

[Guest]

Alcantara is the type of guy who will be difficult to get the value you want from in trade, especially if he stays at the MLB level and has some success. He was only very recently thought of as a top prospect so he doesn't have the huge pedigree, but 2.5 months of MLB performance probably isn't enough to convince teams to give the appropriate haul for him(for a comparison on a different scale, look at Lake). I wouldn't be shocked or angry if Alcantara is traded, but I doubt it happens.

[jersey cubs fan]

I can't imagine him getting traded in a deal that would upset me. If they do trade him(doubtful) it would probably be for something very useful and good, which would make me happy.

[Guest]

I can't imagine him getting traded in a deal that would upset me. If they do trade him(doubtful) it would probably be for something very useful and good, which would make me happy.

 

That's a good way of saying it.

[Clem Fandango]

I can't imagine him getting traded in a deal that would upset me. If they do trade him(doubtful) it would probably be for something very useful and good, which would make me happy.

 

That's a good way of saying it.

 

Very. Alcantara is good, and our front office is smart. They won't move him (or anyone else useful) unless it's likely on their terms. They're not in desperation mode. They should probably be in the driver's seat for any serious trade that happens from this point on.

[weis21]

Yeah, I agree with like the last 10 posts. Read the post (welcome, by the way) and thought about replying but everything I was going to say has been said.

 

Stanton (or someone similar - though, I'm not sure there is anyone that is conceivably on the trading block), of course, would not upset me in an Al Contra trade. Otherwise, our FO is too smart to trade him for subpar value.

 

I can see him as the Cubs CF and "super utility man" for a long time.

[Clem Fandango]

He'll be the Ben Zobrist that Junior Lake has miserably failed to become

[Bryants Disco Ball]

I think he's exactly what we need at the top of the lineup and would love for him to stay forever.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It's only 29 PAs, but I'm very happy to see Alcantara's contact rate at 73%.

 

If he can keep it around there, there's just no way for him not to have value. The offensive standards for his positions are too low and he adds a bit of baserunning value too.

[weis21]

and he adds a bit of baserunning value too.

 

I think this aspect of his game is overlooked. He has a career SB rate of 81% and 24-3 sb/cs this year (3-0 with the Chicago Cubs).

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Most of us our 1990s-bred Saberfans and it's never going to feel quite right how much defense and baserunning actually do matter to total value in 2010s baseball.

[weis21]

Most of us our 1990s-bred Saberfans and it's never going to feel quite right how much defense and baserunning actually do matter to total value in 2010s baseball.

Agreed.

 

For that matter, I hope he's a plus defensive CF. He's still extremely new to the position but early reports (which, I suppose to me, is just Len) seem to indicate he is taking good routes and *looks* natural in the position. He's certainly athletic enough.

 

That, coupled with his positional offensive value and 40 steals per year potential, is one hell of a player.

[Guest]

Most of us our 1990s-bred Saberfans and it's never going to feel quite right how much defense and baserunning actually do matter to total value in 2010s baseball.

I've gotten pretty used to it.

 

Looking at Brett Boone's numbers a couple weeks ago had me all #-o

Edited July 19, 2014 by David

[Sammy Sofa]

Baserunning can eat my butt.

[weis21]

Base running is pretty cool when you can essentially turn a single or walk into a double at a 90% clip, as Alcantara has done this year.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm talking basestealing. There's a lot of butt to eat.

[Guest]

Base running is pretty cool when you can essentially turn a single or walk into a double at a 90% clip, as Alcantara has done this year.

 

 

Just a pet peeve of mine but a single or walk + steal is not at all the same as a double. NOOOO.

[Guest]

I'm talking basestealing. There's a lot of butt to eat.

 

So is he

[Sammy Sofa]

Oh yeah, missed the the walk part.

 

My point still stands.

[weis21]

Base running is pretty cool when you can essentially turn a single or walk into a double at a 90% clip, as Alcantara has done this year.

 

 

Just a pet peeve of mine but a single or walk + steal is not at all the same as a double. NOOOO.

 

Well yeah. That was part to illustrate a point and part hyperbole. If the bases are empty the result is the same, though.

[weis21]

Oh yeah, missed the the walk part.

 

My point still stands.

I'm with you most of the time. However, there is obvious value if it's someone that is highly successful and it's an appropriate situation.

 

Do you honestly think if Al Contra steals bases at an 85-90% rate he should never try?

[Sammy Sofa]

If he's the rare guy that can pull that off, great. 9 times out of 10 I just find myself furious at steals and hit and runs and the like.

[Guest]

He doesn't have to do it at 85-90% for it to be productive, especially not these days.

 

TT probably would be better at saying what that break even point is now than me, though. FWIW, It was, what, 72% in the steroid days?

[weis21]

If he's the rare guy that can pull that off, great. 9 times out of 10 I just find myself furious at steals and hit and runs and the like.

I agree and that's my point. I think stolen bases (and especially hit and runs) are a great way to kill a promising inning if you conduct them with the wrong personnel.

 

If Alcantara has an 88% chance to get to second base after he walks to start off an inning, you have to consider it (depending on the situation).

 

And, currently, he wouldn't be the guy that makes you furious 9 times out of 10. He'd be the guy making you happy and safe at second 9 times out of 10.