[Rotoworld.Com] Jose Cruz Jr. designated outfielder assignment again

Just wasn't doing too much for the sox...

 

Wasn't doing much? He went 3-12... way, way too small of a sample size. As much as we talk about Luke Scott not being a given a chance, Cruz had less than one-third of Scott's ABs. I really doubt the Sox made any judgments on him that quickly. It was just a case of Boston's third baseman Bill Muellar being banged up and they needed a roster spot for Youkilis (who they called up for Cruz).

His OPS is above .800 against righties. I don't think there's any question he's an upgrade in left. But we'll have to see if Purpura will pull the trigger... I have my doubts considering he didn't do it just 10 days ago.

 

I wouldnt mind having him, he has a good on base percentage (.347), has potential for power, and can be a low risk high reward guy. We also have had recent success with hometown guys (Petitte, Clemens, Berkman).

 

That would be because that wasn't the deal.

 

I know our current team has great chemistry and they have been winning, but we still need a bat and Cruz Jr fits the bill. Purpura has to take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade the team and if he just sits on his hands again then he's not the man for the job.

I like Burke's defense but he doesn't have the power that Cruz Jr has.

 

The fact that Arizona, who needs all the help they can get, dropped him for nothing should tell you something. The fact that Boston dumped him for a guy who hasn't been in the majors for 7 years and is a career 0.225 hitter with a 0.710 OPS should tell you something (Petagine).

I'd rather put out a mix of Burke, Lamb (shifting Berkman to the OF), and Palmeiro in the lineup than Cruz, honestly.

 

I think so too. That said Fernando is not necessarily having a lights out year year at RoundRock but his lasts start was/is commendable.

I would have been okay with moving him for Dunn though.

For some weird reason I am not so comfortable with Purpura .....at least not yet. I understand he is a great grass roots and details guy but I remain sketical and very fearful that he one of those wacko GMs that would move Oswalt for Corey Patterson of the Cubs.

 

I think you're right on the money: he is a hometown guy and he could play great in MMP. At this point in his career we could pick him up for super cheap. The risk vs reward here says get Cruz Jr to Houston A.S.A.P.

 

Moyer wasn't the only Mariner involved, though.

 

The Seattle paper reported it as prospect/Burke for Winn/Moyer.

 

I agree - but that was the asking price of these guys. People say we should have made a trade - that's what it would have cost. I'm glad the deal fell through, and would have been disappointed had it happened.

I just think you don't mess with the team if you get a major upgrade. Winn is better than Cruz Jr, and Burke needs to get playing time to develop. I'd rather see him develop - accepting that he is terrible for an outfielder - than dump him back in the minor leagues again.

In the playoffs, you bring out more of the power lineup with Lamb, or the OBP lineup with Palmeiro. I just don't see a role for a Cruz Jr. type on this team. It would be different if we were talking A-Level talent, but these are all scrubs, more or less. The fact that Cruz has gotten released twice and hasn't been able to stick with a team the last several years should be a big warning sign.

 

The question is... Is Cruz better than Chris Burke? At this stage of their careers, I have to say yes. Plus, we need more power, which is advantage Cruz has over Burke.

Personally, I'd like to see what he could do sandwiched between Ensberg and Lane in the batting order. He'd probably see better pitches than he did in AZ.