Burke has the potential to be a much better hitter than Everett. Not saying he will, because who knows, just that he's got the potential. His 2004 at AAA was .316, 16hr, 92 runs scored, .398 obp, 34 steals, .912 OPS. He was the best hitter on that team last year. I don't know if he could transition back to SS or not. Adam Everett's potential based on last season is to hit .280, with 20 or so steals and maybe a dozen homers, handle the bat and lay down the sacrifices when necessary. Burke's younger and should draw more walks, hit with more power, and steal more bases. Either of them could be a good hitter, or they could both bomb out. But Burke's got more offensive tools.
As for these "prospects", Klassen is 29. Coolbaugh is 32. Rivera is 26. Burke is 25. Rivera hit .292 / 17 / 50 in 300 ABs in AAA last year. Looks like he's worth a shot at 1B, at least. Klassen and Coolbaugh are career minor leaguers.
His SLG is a little low for his position, especially given his BA. His speed on the basepath may make Rivera better suited for the 6th slot versus cleanup. I suspect that Todd Self will be given every chance possible, before bringing up Rivera.
I like Self...i think he can contribute.....but if we sign an OF this offseason (or trade for one), and Berkman ends up at 1B (assuming Bags is done), then his playing time will be at Lane's expense.....taht being said, maybe Lane can command more on the trade market if Self can really take his place....he just seems big for an everyday OF
I don't see why we don't do the following until (if) Bags returns: LF Biggio CF Taveras/stiff du jour RF Lane 1B Berkman (his college position) 2B Burke Face it -- pitching has been the only salvation of this team so far. The offense sucks majorly. We have three total offensive black holes in the form of Ausmus, Everett, and the pitcher. That's pretty much a third of our lineup you can pencil in for an easy out. It's going to be hard to win like that in the first place, but the least we can do is get in as much offense as we can at the other positions. For that matter, with Taveras coming down to earth, Scott back out of the picture, Palmeiro destined to fall back into mediocrity and Self an unproven commodity, I'd say we need to address an outfield spot as well.
I agree with this. We need to see what Burke can do. This is a lost season, so this is the time to make those evaluations. Who cares if Biggio sucks in LF? This season needs to be about player development. If you're not winning and if you're not developing youngsters, what are you doing? To me, playing spare parts like Viz and Palmeiro accomplishes nothing. BTW: I'd also like to see Burke at SS too. In my mind, Everett has not earned a lock on that spot.
I'm not sure if you are implying Rivera is fast or slow when you mention his "speed" and the difference between batting 4th and 6th. Irregardless, Rivera is very very slow.
That's why he suited for the 6th spot. The 7th and 8th spots are almost automatic outs, so Flash Rivera won't need to actually run once he gets on base
