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Post by The Duke on Apr 18, 2008 6:11:54 GMT -5
Hopper made that really atrocious play during the Pirates series, where he made about the worst play possible on a ball off the fence....it was disappointing, I thought he was a better OF than that. Not saying he'll never be a good OF, but he clearly needs some work. Inconsistency of play was more of cause of that than bad defense I think. One thing about Hopper last year was the more he played, the better he played. The more PT he had, the better his average went, he started stealing more bases, and his defensive angles got better and better. Starting once a week and the occasional pinch hit doesn't really dial somebody in. That's why i'd like to see Hopper get 6-7-8 games to start in a row to see what he can do vs CPatt. |
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Post by psuhistory on Apr 18, 2008 8:26:16 GMT -5
Is there evidence that the Tigers would accept this kind of deal for Inge? I see how it works for the Reds, but I would think a liberal dose of Coffey's meds would have to precede the Tigers agreeing to it.
Are they shopping Inge? Pardon my ignorance if this is common knowledge...
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Post by The Duke on Apr 18, 2008 8:51:25 GMT -5
That's why I almost never predict trades, because we have no idea of what players are valued at and what the GM's are thinking. If I hear a rumor about one I might discuss it, but thats about it.
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Post by Lark11 on Apr 18, 2008 9:48:13 GMT -5
Is there evidence that the Tigers would accept this kind of deal for Inge? I see how it works for the Reds, but I would think a liberal dose of Coffey's meds would have to precede the Tigers agreeing to it. Are they shopping Inge? Pardon my ignorance if this is common knowledge... Well, the Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera over the offseason, who of course bumped Inge to the bench. The Tigers have been talking all offseason and in the early going about trying to work a trade for Inge, so he can go someplace else and start. So, yes, if anyone is on the trading block it's Inge and he's obtainable. As to the cost, I'm not sure. He's got a contract that is prohibitive, so the quality of talent going the other way would largely depend on how much of his contract they'd eat. I thought Coffey and Hatteberg, because the Tigers are weak in the bullpen with Zumaya out and a change of scenery may do the trick with Coffey. And, Hatteberg might be attractive because the Tigers are obviously built to win now and 1b Carlos Guillen is a substantial injury risk. I think it's a logical deal, but it might require one of the teams to add or subtract from the offer. |
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Post by psuhistory on Apr 18, 2008 10:08:44 GMT -5
Yeah, this sounds more reasonable now than it did at first. I would have been fired as GM by now, but I can't resist these questions that involve tinkering.
I guess, first, I like Patterson more than most. Because of where I live, I went to a fair number of Orioles games last year and liked his defense and liked him as a player generally. If Hopper can't prove himself as a bench player, I would find someone else for that role. Staying with the bench, I would not allow Valentin to touch a glove again. If he doesn't get back to effectiveness as a pinch hitter, I would shop the system for a replacement there too.
I wouldn't want to "designate" players as much as some of the other approaches here. I think it's the point in the season where this would hurt morale more than strengthening it; it would look like panic rather than strategy. In a move that would be sure to result in an angry mob converging on my house, I would use Coffey in a way designed to determine, once and for all, whether he can contribute. I agree with the view that it's time for a final decision, but his spring was too good, in my opinion, to cut him loose without a substantial final trial, and this could mean some losses.
At this point, I'm out of a job, and my house is probably in ashes, so I think I'd try to contact Brandon Larson for a sympathy loan...
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Post by The Duke on Apr 18, 2008 10:13:49 GMT -5
Victor Santos was lights out last spring and never did well in teh season. ST is a time for warmup first and foremost and Coffey has shown in regular games that he is the same Coffey. He has a history, and 2006 is looking more and more like a fluke.
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