In this scenario, he isn't playing over Meyers. They are both starting, along with Chas. I do expect, if that signing occurs we would see some of Polanco/Paredes in LF, but I don't think every day, and more similar to how Yordan is used in the OF. The guy with the most LF experience on the roster (outside of the actual OFers) that never gets mentioned is Walker, though that was almost entirely as a minor leaguer. I'll say our 3 current OFers start 120+ games in the OF, and Polanco/Yordan/Paredes combine to play the same. Though admittedly because of injury and what not you'll see Trammel or a late FA acquisition fit in on occasion. I said all that, but don't disagree with the premise. I'm for signing guys that can hit and figuring out where to play them later. Almost ever MLB player can play LF if they worked at it. Polanco has the speed to play either corner. I'd like to think he has the arm to play RF given how much time he's spent at SS, but it does not grade out well enough looking at his throwing speeds and old scouting reports.
Dubon and Meyers are good against LHP but not playable against RHP, especially at the same time. Trammell, Dezenzo, and Hummel all project to be significantly better against RHP than Meyers or Dubon; even if Houston signed Polanco and named him the everyday LF, one of those guys would play more OF than Dubon (unless Meyers is traded).
I still think you are all sleeping on Dezenzo, who I expect to get at least 50 starts in LF and/or RF and could win an everyday job. He has historically hit RHP better than LHP in the minors and in his cup of coffee last year.
They are all historically better off being platoon/bench options. I wouldn't say any of them are non-playable against RHP though, given they are all good defensive options, just that they aren't playable together, but right now, even with Polanco playing LF, that always leaves 2 of them playing against RHP, and you'd see all 3 plenty of the time. Trammell is garbage, even against RHP. He strikes out 36.5% of the time in his career against RHP and of course he's a total disaster against LHP. We better not be carrying him into the regular season unless he's done something to fix that. Hummel is 30 and shown no ability to hit MLB pitching. He's roster filler at this point. Dezenzo has played all of 3 games in LF in his minor league career. He would be my choice for LF right now, but he's unknown offensively and defensively at this point. Honestly I'd look to trade Dubon if we signed Polanco. Try to use his $5M to find a RF. Of course, best thing would be Crane just goes all-in salary-wise for 2025 and look to dip under the CBT for 2026 when he doesn't have $31M of wasted space on the roster.
I was hoping we could land Winker. The impact lefty outfield options are thinning. Looking more and more likely we will settle for Gamel or Heyward returning.
I can tell you that Dana Brown has said in the past that if a guy can play up the middle in the big leagues, then they can play on the corner.
One of the better potential fits for us. Options remaining for LH/S OF: Alex Verdugo Jason Heyward Ben Gamel Anthony Santander Robbie Grossman Jurickson Profar Aaron Hicks Of those guys, Santander is the only that interests me playing everyday. Would love to have any of Verdugo/Gamel/Heyward on a 1 year deal to platoon in RF.
