tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23241716.post4477579370503239223..comments2007-03-10T11:44:48.892-05:00Justinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697776280178146413noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23241716.post-65721330971488981642006-11-20T23:07:00.000-05:002006-11-20T23:07:00.000-05:00It is somewhat cliche, but I don't think we want to plant Freel at 2b as an every day position player...<br /><br />Freel's offense does drop off considerably when he plays every day. <br /><br />Freel also has a lot of value as our "supersub". I would rather keep Aurillia and Phillips, but that clearly will cost some runs on defense. Aurillia is likely not coming back, but who knows?<br /><br />I actually like the signing of Gonzalez. He is a clear improvement over Royce Clayton, and over Castro/Olmedo. He could improve his hitting(higher OBP, lower Ks), and if he does, we may all be raving about this one during the season.Mike Graysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577557573574794233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23241716.post-85118294956824764082006-11-20T13:46:00.000-05:002006-11-20T13:46:00.000-05:00Well, he was hitting in Fenway last year, which isn't exactly a pitcher's park. Yes, his home run production should go up a bit in GABP, but that's offset somewhat by the lack of Green Monster-induced doubles (although his 2B rate wasn't particularly high last year compared to prior years). <br /><br />I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the 0.700-0.750 OPS range in our ballpark. But while this is certainly above replacement level (castro/olmedo), again, the Reds could do a Phillips/Freel combination at SS/2B, with Castro/Olmedo/Harris filling in when Freel needs his days off. <br /><br />I am sorry to be so hard on this signing. I don't like to be negative. But I just don't see it as a positive for the club. If Gonzalez was an outstanding defender, I'd be much happier with this deal. But the numbers I'm seeing don't support that. -jJinAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697776280178146413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23241716.post-48889959502029493482006-11-20T13:22:00.000-05:002006-11-20T13:22:00.000-05:00I think that there should be a modest improvement in his offense simply from moving to GABP (and the NL Central), particularly in his power. If he gets on base north of .300 and slugs decently, he should put up a .700+ OPS. This isn't great, but it is significantly better than what they'd get from a full year of Castro/Olmedo, which could very easily be an offensive disaster. You agree?kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10183862563859527826noreply@blogger.com