Boston writer advocating acquiring Jason Heyward in the off season

Just from my eyes, I watch Heyward, and there really is no comparison. Whenever a ball is hit in his direction, I know he either gets to it, or cuts it off before the damage gets worse.

I can't say the same about BJ and Justin, who are good athletes but do not take the same efficient routes, and it's an adventure watching them field out there.

The adventures of Gattis and Eli Marrero out there in a corner outfield position made me cringe.

Heyward is a great fielder, and I have no doubts he'd win a gold glove playing center, where maybe then some of you would give him his due as an elite defender. The fact he plays corner doesn't change anything for me, because I know he'd be great if asked to play center.
 
thewupk said:
All balls in play are charted and they know on average how often the play is made. It's not really that complicated.
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For one, it's still an assumption. Secondly, they do not take into account defensive positioning (at least most do not). Defensive stats are subjective by nature. And many times the different defensive metrics don't even agree with each other. Some of the formulas for determining the value are not even published. Why do you so blindly believe them as fact?
 
Carp said:
For one, it's still an assumption. Secondly, they do not take into account defensive positioning (at least most do not). Defensive stats are subjective by nature. And many times the different defensive metrics don't even agree with each other. Some of the formulas for determining the value are not even published. Why do you so blindly believe them as fact?
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I don't blindly believe in them. I look at historically great defensive players (by reputation). I look at current great defensive players by reputation. These things all line up. There is a reason why Andruw and Mays are among the highest rated outfielders players by these defensive metrics. It works. I'm sorry that you can't see that.
 
thewupk said:
Based on 5 months this year? What about last year when most of these teams have the same players. The only team I would say is clearly better is LA. The Nats happened to hit a 10 game win streak while the Braves were ending an 8 game losing stream. Bad timing.
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We over-achieved last year.

Team has more flaws than people would like to admit.

I'd agree on the Nats streak and our losing streak probably sealed the division but they're still a better team than we are.
 
thethe said:
People are going to look really bad on Harper. I understand I look horrible for saying he was as good as Trout and would be the best player in baseball. he has fallen on some rough times but I still believe he will be that player.
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Trout might go down as the best player of all-time, he cant carry Trout's underwear.

I agree Harper will eventually be very good but Trout and Harper isnt a comparison, it's a disgrace to put Harper's name with Trout's, thats how good he is.
 
Heyward said:
We over-achieved last year.

Team has more flaws than people would like to admit.

I'd agree on the Nats streak and our losing streak probably sealed the division but they're still a better team than we are.
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I think we are underachieving this year. The Braves of the past 5 years are like 1-2 with the A's for the most wins in baseball. Yes players have changed a long the way but this team has remained consistently good.
 
cajunrevenge said:
Which players over achieved other than Johnson and Ramiro Pena? Or are you saying Fredi is the best manager ever?
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Not really that, we got lucky in alot of games.

Among other things.

Hard to explain.

To put it short.

We arent this bad and we arent as good as last year, agree?
 
I don't think we were lucky last year. Hudson was injured in the flukes of plays when he was our hottest pitcher. No one expected BJ to fall off a cliff. Venters/O'Flaherty were vital to the pen. Heywood had another marginal offensive year. Justin was horribly inconsistent. Beachy barely pitched.

We had some good luck, I think Gattis being an ace pinch hitter and Carpenter going Chris Hammond were big parts of that.

I think we are one of the most talented team and have more upside than anyone. It just hasn't come together this year. I was counting on Minor to continue what he had done since mid 2012 and for Heywood to finally become an elite hitter.
 
thewupk said:
When did defense become obsolete? There is a reason Willie Mays is considered by some to be the best player in baseball history. Defense matters and most people understand this. Heywards defense is that good that just being an above average hitter makes him one of the best players in the game.
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Willie Mays played center, right?
 
cajunrevenge said:
I don't think we were lucky last year. Hudson was injured in the flukes of plays when he was our hottest pitcher. No one expected BJ to fall off a cliff. Venters/O'Flaherty were vital to the pen. Heywood had another marginal offensive year. Justin was horribly inconsistent. Beachy barely pitched.

We had some good luck, I think Gattis being an ace pinch hitter and Carpenter going Chris Hammond were big parts of that.

I think we are one of the most talented team and have more upside than anyone. It just hasn't come together this year. I was counting on Minor to continue what he had done since mid 2012 and for Heywood to finally become an elite hitter.
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We benefited from cluster luck last year.
 
BJ#1FAN said:
Just from my eyes, I watch Heyward, and there really is no comparison. Whenever a ball is hit in his direction, I know he either gets to it, or cuts it off before the damage gets worse.

I can't say the same about BJ and Justin, who are good athletes but do not take the same efficient routes, and it's an adventure watching them field out there.

The adventures of Gattis and Eli Marrero out there in a corner outfield position made me cringe.

Heyward is a great fielder, and I have no doubts he'd win a gold glove playing center, where maybe then some of you would give him his due as an elite defender. The fact he plays corner doesn't change anything for me, because I know he'd be great if asked to play center.
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He's def a very good right fielder, but defense in RF is only so valuable. Much difference then Simmons at SS. How he would do in center is unknown.

Druw is the greatest defensive player (in center) I've ever seen and probably isn't a HOF
 
gilesfan said:
He's def a very good right fielder, but defense in RF is only so valuable. Much difference then Simmons at SS. How he would do in center is unknown.

Druw is the greatest defensive player (in center) I've ever seen and probably isn't a HOF
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Druw isn't a HOF because his career tanked at an early age and even if his overall body of work is worthy voters will only remember the last few years.

How valuable defense is in right is only a perception you and a few others have come up with. Turning fly balls and liners into outs and limiting doubles to singles is just as valuable in right and left as it is in center.
 
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