Yeah… there’s been a couple rumors out there. Including a more realistic one from Carlos Baerga (who I’d imagine has a close connection with Alex Cora).
Dubon should probably hit better than he did last season, but it is hard to be a good hitter hitting the ball that softly. Maybe the removal of the shift helps him. But he's likely a below average hitter going forward like his career 0.656 OPS suggests.
This is spot on. Dubon's value is not in hitting though. He plays acceptable defense at nearly every position, runs well, has a good arm, and doesn't strike out much. He is a VERY valuable 26th man especially with only a 4 man bench.
Dubon doesn't excite me at all, but if Jeremy Pena went down with an injury, we would need someone to play SS. Other than Dubon, I don't see a realistic candidate on the active roster. The fact that Dubon can also play outfield further increases his value. Pedro Leon has played some SS on a very limited basis in the minors... as has Hensley... and in 2019 Bregman played 60+ games at SS... but none of these are ideal options in 2023.
Dubon isn't a realistic option either for more than the occasional rest day. If Pena was down for more than 2 weeks, I think I would go with Bregman at SS and use Hensley at 3B. This keep Dubon on the bench for IF injury replacement. You might consider calling up Leon at that point. I really want the best defender at SS, even if it's our star 3B in a pinch.
Which is exactly why I would keep Yuli. To play 3b in this instance. The longer the injury, the more valuable is Yuli. I’m old school. I get it. But that’s what I would try to do (and maybe they have for all I know).
There's usually a few player who aren't on any roster after the final cut down. They will often be available or in alternate leagues if they aren't ready to retire mentally and some are signed if an injury occurs and there aren't prospects ready. I don't know if Yuli fits this bill or if he would move to some front office position. I believe I've read the days of the player coach are over in the CBA language now.
I agree that Dubon is not the type you pencil in for 2+ weeks as an injury replacement. He's a game by game situational guy mostly for end of games. They have Dixon Machado and Rylan Bannon but depending on the length and situation it may have to be Grae Kessinger or Shay Whitcomb, or even a trade. Not sure how confident the front office is in throwing one of the minor league guys there for a block of games. I have no idea how the organization views Hensley or Alex's ability to play SS for 14+ games in a row. Alex hasn't played there since 2019 and Hensley is a big guy.
Dubon is a good defensive SS. I've got no problem with him being used primarily as the backup SS. I expect he's also fine at 2nd as a backup. I don't think his bat and defense at other positions are good enough to play except in spot duty (i.e., The Astros have light hitting OFs that are better OF defenders and I'd rather Hensley's bat at 3rd or 1st).
The shift is gone (or at least reduced). Maybe Javier and Urquidy could get away with having a middle IF of Bregman and Altuve, but Framber and Brown (and probably LMJ) are musts for having a good defensive SS.
Peña’s muscularity is a little concerning to me from an injury perspective. He looks tight and too muscle-bound. When he sprints I’m fearful of a hamstring pull and the loss in flexibility from the muscles could lead to other injuries. I’d feel better if we had a solid backup SS… although I suppose the plan would be to use a committee of Dubon, Hensley, and maybe even Bregman or Leon. Not an ideal situation.
It's hard to have a Major league ready guy backing up every position. You want the guy that replaced Wally Pipp. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Pipp
Yuli at 3B, Bregman at SS, Altuve at 2B....hard to think of a worse defensive infield anyone in mlb would be putting out there
Bregman could maybe play an acceptable shortstop but he was never a top glove guy even before he moved to 3B. I don't see him suddenly being great after not playing the position for 3 years. (And Alex is my favorite player)
Yeah, Pena--always a defensive specialist--is spending too much time in the weight room and not enough time on the yoga mat. He can barely raise his hands over his head without something to grab on.
