Walker has something this lineup is very weak on - homerun power. Guys like Smith, Diaz, and Sanchez - even Correa - hit the piss out of the ball but don't elevate it. If Altuve, Yordan, Correa, Paredes, and Pena are all healthy coming in to next season and Walker is no better than your 6th best hitter then sign me up. And Diaz, Sanchez, and Smith are competing for that 6th best spot too.
I'd roll the dice with Paredes at 2nd too. Tuve does exactly provide defensive value at second and the left side of the infield is scary good with Correa and Pena. Agree on Walker
I think correa would be elite at both 3rd and 2nd I think our defensive ceiling is quite high dependent on how paredes recovers . I don't think walker will be pressing as much next year . His July was good and he's off to a great start in Aug. Especially if we can field a lineup that has decent protection for him . My main disappointment for this year has to be yainer . Of course health and yordan excluded.
I honestly do not know if Paredes can play second. Mobility isn't his strength to begin with, and his injury is supposedly pretty bad. If he cannot cover enough ground at second, but can still play a serviceable 3rd, then I am willing to move Correa to second. As odd as it seems, the best bat outside of a healthy Yordan Alvarez is probably Paredes going forward. He is younger than a lot of fans realize and he was actually improving as a hitter.
I think it depends on how much his range in impacted at second (Paredes). I can live with some limits, and he is known for good instincts positionally, so that helps too. My wider point is that I am not going to trade Paredes or eat half of Walker's contract if Pardes can play third but not second.
I'd also think about cycling him through LF too. Yordan, Altuve, Isaac on any given day at DH or LF seems a little overkill, but gets bats in the lineup. LF could take advantage of his arm but not dealing with the quickness he needs on the infield grass. It's less of a problem than the Yankees outfield.
That's a fair point. I just think it's such a waste to put Correa at 2nd. I'm sure he wouldn't be too thrilled with that either. We do need Paredes bat though and I agree about the severity of his injury.
I feel old. I remember a time when 2B was considered harder defensively than 3B. To be at the point that playing 2B instead of 3B is seen as a waste....I feel old.
I remember, and you did not need a strong bat at all to play second - as long as you made accurate throws and played deep, you were considered a defensive wizard at that spot. With the changes in the rules, base running trends changing and increased player flexibility, the position has taken a beating. I still don't think it is as easy as some think.
We're all getting up there. We're blessed with Altuve (offensively outside of base running) but loved Bill Doran
Especially if you are used to playing SS. I was moved to 2b for the first time in my life in HS ball and it was like a different world on the other side of the bag for me. Sure, I got used to it but it’s not an easy position and took time to adapt. I was always better at SS. Felt more natural to me.
I think MLB has more talent than there was 15-20 years ago. I don't think playing MLB 2B is easy without context. I think there is a larger pool of guys that can play 2B than 3B.
The aiming point is different with angles more It's different. 15-20 years ago they were just transforming the middle infield to hitting first from defense first. Arod and Jeter had a lot to do with this. But i was spoiled by the defense of Metzger and Everett. and I was one of the few more inspired by Correa's defense than Offense.
