SN: NL Central

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I'm in need of some clarification, should someone else be willing and able to make sense of this statement:

SCOUT'S VIEW
Who is more likely to build on their strong finish in 2010: the Cubs or the Astros?

Scout says: "Houston didn't address its defense, which will be a sticking point on the right side of the infield, (or) add anybody with the stature of Carlos Pena, who will hit some home runs at Wrigley. With the addition of Matt Garza, the Cubs' chances are significantly better."

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/feed/2011-02/spring-training-2011/story/nl-central-preview-reds-must-hold-off-several-contenders

For the most part, article is straight forward and general.  But the statement that Houston hasn't done anything to address defense on right side of infield is odd to me.  Is Hall not considered a solid 2B? Or is he just viewed as a utility infielder, at best?  If so, that makes sense.   But I thought Hall had earned some credit playing 2B for Boston for an extended period of time. 

[Ron Brand]

I didn't think he was a plus defender, for sure. I can't see the difference between Keppinger and Hall defensively is much of anything though - it's not like defense at second was the big killer.

[EasTexAstro]

Nobody playing on the right side ever took a cutoff throw, and that will probably not change this year.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I didn't think he was a plus defender, for sure. I can't see the difference between Keppinger and Hall defensively is much of anything though - it's not like defense at second was the big killer.

Well, according to SN, the scouts all think that will sink Houston's ship this year.  Their 1b/2b defenders must be the worst ever.  That's the only conclusion I can make. 

[Ron Brand]

Annnnd...Sporting News is still a collection of local wannabe columnists who don't even get trusted to cover their own beat by their paper, right?

The state of good baseball writing is in sad, sad decline.

[Mr. Happy]

Annnnd...Sporting News is still a collection of local wannabe columnists who don't even get trusted to cover their own beat by their paper, right?

The state of good baseball writing is in sad, sad decline.

This is why I don't read any of them.

[Reuben]

I thought part of the reason they GOT Hall was because they didn't like Kepp's defense much. I know they talked about how he hits home runs, but to me that was mostly AIS talk. I also thought Wallace was supposed to be pretty good defensively. I mean, if you've got a former 3B at 1st, and a former MLB SS at 2nd, you have to feel not too bad about your defense there, right?

Now, Chris Johnson, maybe his D you worry about a little.

[MusicMan]

Not sure about Wallace's defense.  He was never, ever going to stick at 3b, from what I read of him.

[Ron Brand]

I thought part of the reason they GOT Hall was because they didn't like Kepp's defense much. I know they talked about how he hits home runs, but to me that was mostly AIS talk. I also thought Wallace was supposed to be pretty good defensively. I mean, if you've got a former 3B at 1st, and a former MLB SS at 2nd, you have to feel not too bad about your defense there, right?

Now, Chris Johnson, maybe his D you worry about a little.

I haven't checked, but my impression was that Keppinger was slightly less than average range-wise but decent enough. Hall might be better at turning the double play, or maybe he can jump ten feet up to snag the cutoff throw, but I bought the talk that he was acquired for power. I like Keppinger and I don't see how Hall is an upgrade but we'll know soon enough. Either way it's not some Magic Upgrade that is going to Change The Season, unless Hall performs like he never has before.

Last year everyone was praising Wallace's defense at first. I remember Mills saying more than once that he was surprised how good he was, even better than they'd thought.

[austro]

I remember Mills saying more than once that he was surprised how good he was, even better than they'd thought.

Why would Mills know anything? He just watches him every day. Those Sporting News boys have sources.

[MusicMan]

Why would Mills know anything? He just watches him every day. Those Sporting News boys have sources.

They have tiger blood and Adonis DNA.

[Bench]

They have tiger blood and Adonis DNA.

The Astros need to master bi-winning.

[Reuben]

I haven't checked, but my impression was that Keppinger was slightly less than average range-wise but decent enough. Hall might be better at turning the double play, or maybe he can jump ten feet up to snag the cutoff throw, but I bought the talk that he was acquired for power. I like Keppinger and I don't see how Hall is an upgrade but we'll know soon enough. Either way it's not some Magic Upgrade that is going to Change The Season, unless Hall performs like he never has before.

Last year everyone was praising Wallace's defense at first. I remember Mills saying more than once that he was surprised how good he was, even better than they'd thought.

I like Kepp too. Especially on a team that needs a good #2 hitter, a guy who's not afraid to take some pitches when Bourn's on first. Perhaps I'm trying to offset my disappointment by imagining Hall is a defensive whiz who'll ultimately make the team better.

[Ron Brand]

I'm looking at them on B-R and I'll be damned if I can find a nickel's worth of difference between them. Their range is nearly equal. Keppinger gets on base more, Hall has more home run power.

I mean, it worked out pretty well because of Kepp's injury, but unless a) Keppinger falls off the table or b) Hall suddenly becomes Prince of the Crawford Boxes this looks like at best a wash and at worst a step back from getting on base. But hey, what the hell do I know? They pay guys good money to figure this stuff out and I bet they've got more to go on than a cursory look at Baseball Reference.

[Tralfaz]

worked out pretty well because of Kepp's injury, but unless a) Keppinger falls off the table or b) Hall suddenly becomes Prince of the Crawford Boxes this looks like at best a wash

Kepp worked out pretty well last year so the Astros went out to protect him with Hall, just in case. So far so good.
If Hall plays well, Kepp comes back, you've got depth.  If Hall tanks, Kepp comes back and must step up, I still like both scenarios.

[Ron Brand]

Kepp worked out pretty well last year so the Astros went out to protect him with Hall, just in case. So far so good.
If Hall plays well, Kepp comes back, you've got depth.  If Hall tanks, Kepp comes back and must step up, I still like both scenarios.

I'm not sure that's the plan though. If Kepp hadn't been hurt they would've traded him and all things being equal if he comes back ok and the rest of the infield isn't crapping out, they'll look to move him. They don't want a $4MM utility guy unless he's going to play a lot, and he can't play SS, doesn't really hit like you'd want from 3B, and has basically been replaced at 2B.

[hostros7]

Neyer's take on the stros:

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2011/3/1/2022180/spring-training-2011-houston-astros

[MRaup]

Neyer's take on the stros:

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2011/3/1/2022180/spring-training-2011-houston-astros

Jesus Christ, avoid the few comments. It's stat-dorks doing whatever equates to jacking off in their circle.

[Ty in Tampa]

Jesus Christ, avoid the few comments. It's stat-dorks doing whatever equates to jacking off in their circle.

Hey dude! Check out CJ's career numbers at 3B: -15 DRS, -10.9 TZL, -9.9 UZR, and for the eye-ballers, -3 FSR. OMFGWTF??!!

[Craig]

Neyer's take on the stros:

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2011/3/1/2022180/spring-training-2011-houston-astros

The 2011 Astros -- Occasionally Interesting

[MRaup]

Spikesnstars.com -- Occasionally Interesting

FIFY.

[strosrays]

Hey dude! Check out CJ's career numbers at 3B: -15 DRS, -10.9 TZL, -9.9 UZR, and for the eye-ballers, -3 FSR. OMFGWTF??!!

I don't buy into all the hype about FDR.  He was at best a replacement-level chief executive.  He had pretty good power and a long career, but personally I have a hard time getting excited about a President who never walks.

[moriartp]

I don't buy into all the hype about FDR.  He was at best a replacement-level chief executive.  He had pretty good power and a long career, but personally I have a hard time getting excited about a President who never walks.

SFN³

[Reuben]

I don't buy into all the hype about FDR.  He was at best a replacement-level chief executive.  He had pretty good power and a long career, but personally I have a hard time getting excited about a President who never walks.

That joke has a VORJ of +117

[Ebby Calvin]

SFN³

x2

[Lurch]

personally I have a hard time getting excited about a President who never walks.

Terrible.

Also, very good.

[MusicMan]

personally I have a hard time getting excited about a President who never walks.

See also: Taft.