All-time greats usually are. Unless they play certain positions. 1B, center, and catcher are the main ones. Center and catcher because of how demanding those positions are and 1B because the general body type of most 1B isn't going to age well. I agree with Zito. Trout should be moved to right if they want to increase his chances of being a really long career and still be good.
Around Baseball Offseason Edition - Derek Jeter will retire at seasons end
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All-time greats usually are. Unless they play certain positions. 1B, center, and catcher are the main ones. Center and catcher because of how demanding those positions are and 1B because the general body type of most 1B isn't going to age well. I agree with Zito. Trout should be moved to right if they want to increase his chances of being a really long career and still be good.
I don't buy that CF is a high-risk position, at all. Especially in contrast to SS/2B/C. All of the evidence that has been presented is anecdotal.
Even when you are talking about 'greats' like Chipper, Jeter, their production post-35 is nowhere near the numbers they put up earlier in their careers.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Señor Ditch.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Right. C-2B-SS. You should be able to play CF forever.
There's just something about Spring Training that's very relaxing to watch no matter what team.
Provide evidence that star centerfielders can continue to play at that level through their 30s. There are only a few here and there that have done it. If Trout were to do that then it would be against the norm.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
Every time a flyball is hit a CF is on the move. He doesn't get plays off.
Lots of running and the knees and back take a beating. Think about NBA players.
CF is more taxing than LF/RF, but not SS/2B -- those guys are constantly diving, being upended, and have to be on the ball EVERY play.
My order (from most to least dangerous):
- C
- 2B
- SS
- CF
- 1B
- 3B
- LF
I don't think anybody says that they are. But you rarely see big middle infielders either. And those that you do usually get moved off the position in their 30s like Arod and Ripken.
There are only a few players, period, that have performed at a 'star' level into their late 30s, irrespective of position. Would you not agree?
What caused me to wade into this discussion to begin with was the assertion earlier in the thread that CF was the second or third most dangerous position on the diamond.
And then, the notion that Trout was an abnormally risky sign because he plays center.
The logic behind both of those ideas is rather flawed.
The greats of the greats did. That's why they are as good as they are. But the point is most of the ones that did play well late into their careers were moved off of the premium positions as they got older. Which means they aren't as valuable as they one were in their prime. Which is why signing Trout to a super long deal would not be smart.
Most dangeorus position? Not really. One of the most taxing? Yeah I would think so. For most SS and 2B the position isn't that taxing because you don't have 230 pound players out there. You have smaller more agile players. In center you run a lot more and if you are a bigger guy then that is going to wear down on you a lot when you get around 30. Which can lead to injury and poor performance. Trout is a risky sign if you go on a super long contract which some here have suggested. The smart move would be to sign him until he is around 30 and let someone else pay for his decline.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
I'm not gonna do too much research here because I don't want to. But bigger players age harsher, and bigger players playing demanding defensive positions age harshest. Trout is a big player.
This study at FanGraphs is interesting: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/how-do-star-hitters-age/
Signing Trout to a mega-deal might not be ideal for the full term, but when you factor in his ZiPS projection (9.5 WAR) for 2019 (when he is a FA again) his production would be worth $60MM per season ... taking that into account, a long term pact at today's dollars might be the safest route.
It's okay, I did it for you -- while pooping, actually.
AUTiger7222
Called Up to the Major Leagues
Trout is young enough that giving him a 10 year deal for whatever would be a great deal.
