Brandon Phillips: Defensive Whiz
Boy, I’ve really been delinquent in linking to this, but better late than never. Everyone’s favorite middle infielder, Brandon Phillips, has been “awarded” the Fielding Bible honor as the best defensive second baseman in the entire major leagues:
This one surprised me, but it shouldn’t have. Brandon Phillips finished third in our voting last year and now has won his first Fielding Bible Award with 86 points. I voted for Chase Utley, who had the highest Plus/Minus figure at any position this year (+47 – see the Kenny Rogers discussion below for more information about the Plus/Minus System). But the panelists who watched Phillips play more regularly have seen what he can do on the field and rewarded him accordingly.
Can’t disagree with that, and I’m happy to see BP honored.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
and notice that Beltre was a “run away winner” at third. Think about this: If we acquire Beltre, Gonzo returns to form, we have BP at second and put EE at first (perhaps with LLM as a part time platooner), that would be a solid defense around the horn. Move Votto to LF and get us a real bat in the outfield; see what Hannigan can do behind the dish. We have a marked improvement for our club without selling the farm. I think Beltre’s number would be a lot better in GABP, especially if you put a Bruce and Votto around him. He’s an outstanding defender. With our current crop of pitching I think we could contend this season.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Did you also notice how Votto was in the top ten for 1st basemen?
Congrats to Brandon.
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I’m glad to see someone recognizing BP’s defensive skills. I almost threw the remote thru the TV during the World Series when they said Utley had the best glove in the NL. It’s the Bret Boone/Craig Biggio fiasco all over.
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I love that idea preach…what do we have to give up to get Beltre?
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I think EdE could be an above average outfielder. I dont see the reasoning to switch both Votto and EdE.
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Total guess, but I’m guessing that Beltre’s contract is so large ($12 million) that *IF* someone were willing to take on the whole contract, they might not have to give up much at all in terms of players to get him.
If you want the Mariners to pay part of that contract, then you’d have to give up significantly more players.
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
This seems to be my biggest concern with a lot of the names people throw out is that Beltre will be going into the last year of his contract with the Mariners. What’s the point of trading for a guy for one year? If the idea is to resign him…what does it hurt to wait that extra year see if EE improves or not and then just sign him then?
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Phill,
I think because a move to acquire Beltre that moved EE to LF would likely result in 7 or 8 more wins than last year just by making that 1 simple move. Add in the difference of having people not named Bako and Patterson on the roster and we are now starting to get somewhere. Then we look at getting a healthy Harang and possible improvements from Bruce, Cueto and Votto and I think we could seriously contend for the wild card by making a simple move to acquire Beltre.
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
In keeping with the defense theme, I think we should consider offering something up for Franklin Gutierrez. He would be great in center field.
I’m unsure what it would take, but the Indians have a lot of depth in OF (Grady, Choo, Francisco, possibly Laporta).
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I’m not sure where I come down on Beltre.
His defense would be welcome, but he is OBP-challenged just like Phillips.
On the postive side, his hitting stats for the past 4 years have been seriously depressed by playing half his games in Seattle. That might make him undervalued?
Here’s a taste of it:
Beltre 2008 home - .240/.303/.400
Beltre 2008 road - .292/.349/.512
Beltre 2007 home - .264/.319/.426
Beltre 2007 road - .288/.320/.538
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I also have to say, I was really impressed w/ Milton Bradley’s stats when I looked him up.
Much better OBP than I realized, and much better defensive numbers (at least range factor, which I guess is a bit primitive, but still…) than I realized.
He also turned out barely to be a Type B free agent, so whoever signs him will not have to give up their 1st round pick.
Unfortunately, he’s coming off a career year so surely won’t be cheap.
But I love the idea of handing Milton Bradley CF for a couple years and plugging him in the #3 spot in the order (and getting Brandon down in the 6 slot where he belongs!)…
Milton Bradley career: .280/.370/.457
(Note: I don’t really know if Milton is still capable of playing a good CF after his former manager Bud Black tackled him and tore his ACL for him, but I really like the idea of it nonetheless.)
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Isn’t Milton Bradley a little injury prone? How old is he?
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
BP better win the Gold Glove this year. Can he do it? Yes he can! :mrgreen:
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
isn’t Beltre one of those guys that plays rediculously well in contract years? That may bode well if we go after him.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Doug, after reading what you’ve said I can get behind acquiring Beltre. My only wonder is who would it take though to complete a trade. I mean are we talking a couple AA type guys or are they going to try and demand higher prospects. For instance if they ask for any of the Reds’ higher ranked prospects I’d balk at that trade idea.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
The Mariners need so much help we might be able to dictate the terms if we are willing to eat a great deal of the salary. I think we should pull the trigger on it.