this is exactly what i've been thinking. What's more is that burke probably has more speed than eckstein. If it were to work, it would also give us the added benefit of adding another bat in the outfield, cause i'm damn sure that if he burke isn't at short, he's in left.
Another thing that people are forgetting in this argument is that Burke was just as bad if not worse than Everett at the plate during the season. I could understand this sentiment had he hit far and away better than Adam, but he didn't.
true, but it was burke's first year. Plus, he showed more discipline and the penchant for more pop. (although everett did have 11 hr's this year). Then there's always the ensberg factor, where they said he was hurt most of the year. If you don't try and trade everett for Furcal, just give burke a shot at s.s. during spring training. If it doesn't work, forget it.
I agree. People are praising burke like he is some kind of amazing hitter when his average was awful this year and all he did was go on a mini (albeit amazing at the time) 3 game hot streak in the playoffs. Incidentally I actually would have liked to have seen Burke DHing at Chicago, not Bagwell. Anybody else think this?
Do you guys honestly believe that the organization hasn't thought of this? Seriously, do you think that this is the first time that anyone's thought that maybe Burke could play SS? There's a reason why we're all posting on this BBS and there are people who get paid to figure out who can play where. I'm guessing in the 5 years since Burke's been drafted, this scenario has crossed their collective minds. It should say something that Burke playing SS hasn't materialized.
i'm not saying he's an amazing hitter. i'm saying you have a really, really poor hitter at SS right now and you MIGHT have a better option sitting on the bench. burke was drafted BECAUSE of his hitting. that's why he went so high. Everett was drafted BECAUSE of his fielding...with the hope that he could improve at the plate. if this is what we're going to see from Adam Everett, on average, year in and year out...then SS is a position that we can upgrade without spending a ton on.
I know that they have thought of it. I clearly remember Hunsicker saying that he just didn't have the arm strenght to play s.s.. I'm just saying its worth another shot in spring training. Don't pencil him in, don't trade everett for an outfielder and expect it to work. Just give it a shot. If he turns the corner as a hitter and plays average defense, you have improved your team. If he sucks at short and can't make the throws or cover enough ground you stick with status quo. The astros are hamstrung with salaries next year given pettites balloon, berkman's increase, bagwell's bucks and the potential of re-sigining Clemens. Your gonna have to get creative to put a better team on the field.
Team wise, I was trying to get the point across that Everett's defensive prowess was overated as far as wins and losses. Everett is clearly a very good defensive player, my point is that is not all that important. DD
Up-the-middle defense is paramount to winning close games. Defense all-around is important; see Crede, Joe. IMO that mullet-wearing trailerdweller is the real World Series MVP. Without him Game 2 is definitely an Astros win, as well as most likely game 1.
Probably true, but he can do much worse than Everett in the field. So if he doesn't hit better, that's a significant all-around downgrade at short for the month or two that you've left him out there.
i agree...but i'm betting you'll get a lot more out of burke at the plate as a regular than you will out of everett. i feel pretty safe with that bet.
Of all the starting SS in MLB, how many of them are actually poor defensively? Not many. The position calls for a good defensive player....period. The problem is all of the SS that are better, or as good, or even not quite as good as Everett..........are superior hitters to him. He either needs to learn how to hit, or we have to find somebody else. He doesn't have to hit .300 but he needs to be able to make consistent contact, cut down the Ks, increase the BBs, and hit .270.
Everett has made some beautiful defensive plays. But I've also seen him throw balls over the firstbaseman, in the dirt and to no-one in particular. I'll go ahead and be the one to say it - Everett's defense is over-rated. Particularly when it comes to throwing to first base. And "defensive specialist" short stops are a dime-a-dozen.
