The Second Base Transition: Mixing and Matching

[nsacpi]

We have 3 second basemen on our roster. None are great. We should mix and match until one gets hot. If none gets hot, bring up La Stella in a month or so.

By mix and match I mean try to get the best matchup against whoever is pitching for the other team that day.

Today the Cards are starting Shelby Miller. Over his career he has given up an OPS of .766 against lefty hitting and .601 against righties. Uggla is 0 for 3 against him with 2 strikeouts. Pastornicky and Pena have not faced him.

Based upon the above data, in particular Miller's career splits, I think Pena is the logical guy to start at second tonight.

[PurpleBrave]

Or we could have called up LaStella and quit burning an extra roster spot or two. Miller is wild and tends to walk a lot of batters. Patient hitters give him problems, but he'll strike out the wind mills.

[nsacpi]

Btw, when Fredi sat Uggla against Lincecum I was hoping that was the start of a mix and match approach. Then he put Uggla in there against Bumgarner even though he has a very poor track record against him. Under a mix and match approach, it should have been Pastornicky against Bumgarner. You keep playing the matchups until one of them starts hitting well enough to take over the job.

[skillet]

Apparently Uggla's rope has not yet run out.

[stpeteirish]

Using Uggla's track record is problematic. He used to be good. Now he is terrible. I wouldn't pay much attention to how he's done vs anyone who's been around more than a couple years.

I'd argue against the part time approach with Uggla. They need to release him and eat the money. If you're (that would be Wren) not absolutely sure he's done you have to keep playing him regularly until you're convinced. Its a lot of money to eat so I can see giving him until a certain point but it better be soon, like before June 1st.

[skillet]

Dan has been on a constant and marked downward spiral for the past four years. He is nowhere near the player he used to be, and there is next to no chance of reversal. He has regressed to the point of not even being a decent backup. Besides the occasional good day here or there, the decline will continue. I'm not really sure what more Wren and Gonzalez hope to see that they haven't already witnessed.

[nsacpi]

I think there is some possibility he could once again hit the way he did in the first half of last season. Even though that was well below his performance in his prime years, it was acceptable. So I would argue for keeping him even while substantially reducing his playing time. Imo he should be in the mix for second base but no longer the primary option. As the title of the thread indicates, mix and match is the approach I would take for the next month or so. It is obviously not a long-term solution, but I think it would help us in the short term and who knows maybe one of the candidates will do enough to win the job.

[The Chosen One]

One True Outcome

[NinersSBChamps]

One True Outcome

Negative Nancy.

[NinersSBChamps]

I think a platoon of sorts is the only option at this point. Let the players decide who deserves playing time.

[57Brave]

Not impressed with the options and apparently those that make the decision agree.

Of the three I am most disappointed with Pena's season. Thought he'd hit more and wonder if there are still injury issues
Telling me there was a reason why the Yanks let him go with Jeter on his last leg and Cano about to be FA.

This ain't rocket science

[The Chosen One]

This ain't rocket science

But you did say Chemistry was a variable the other day.

[nsacpi]

Let the players decide who deserves playing time.

I think it has to be that way for now. A regular is a regular by virtue of a pedigree of sorts. The way Uggla has gone the past three years, you have to throw away any presumptions about what kind of player he is. It should be an open completion.

[57Brave]

Sure did -- was just trying to think along with the Braves brass. Or grasping at straws or something
And, what does chemistry mean? To me it means if it is on the field and winning dont mess with it.

Also saw where they gave Raul Mondesi 150 AB's. And pretty sure we could go back and find other downward spiral ers they gave 150 - Uggla at an even 100. Guessing the leash is next week long.

Talk of LaStella reminds me of the talk surrounding Langerhans way back when. Guessing the stats might be similar too.

//
For the record I was against bringing Uggla back. If for whatever reason you'd want to, you could look it up

[The Chosen One]

You ruined the joke.

[NinersSBChamps]

I think it has to be that way for now. A regular is a regular by virtue of a pedigree of sorts. The way Uggla has gone the past three years, you have to throw away any presumptions about what kind of player he is. It should be an open completion.

Absolutely. I have been a fan of this idea since the outset. Uggla shouldn't have an advantage just because he is getting paid a huge chunk of money. It's become so apparent that Uggla clearly isn't the best option. What I would like to see is each of them get the starts at second base for an entire series. So let's say Pena gets the next few games and then insert Pastor this weekend. I leave Uggla out of this because he has had more than enough at bats to show his value.

[Enscheff]

None of them are going to hit, so go with the guy that can at least defend. A strict Pastor/Pena platoon is the obvious answer right now.

[jpx7]

It's too bad Kendrys Morales can't play second-base.

[nsacpi]

None of them are going to hit, so go with the guy that can at least defend. A strict Pastor/Pena platoon is the obvious answer right now.

Defense should definitely be part of the equation. Even if none of them is a great hitter, it does matter if they are putting up an OPS of .650 or one of .550. That's a choice to be made, and one that makes a difference.

[nsacpi]

And Pena is in the lineup tonight against Shelby Miller. Good job Fredi.

Tomorrow the Cards have a lefty, Tyler Lyons, going. Hoping to see Pastornicky get the nod in that game.