I agree with most of this, but am perplexed at who the better bench bats are than Grossman?  Do you really trust Park, Vargas, ect to take a quality at bat in a big spot over Grossman? 

 

Yes, I think so.  Grossman didn't show any offensive prowess until last year whereas those others have.  Grossman is a strong regression candidate, though yes regression is impossible to predict. 

 

Plus, if Grossman becomes the bench bat, suddenly you are blocking Park, Vargas, etc.

If Grossman learns to play some defense he instantly becomes incredibly valuable to this team and there is no way the team should part with him. This is the path for Grossman to remain in the bigs. 

Edited December 31, 20169 yr by Doomtints

I wonder which is more likely, Grossman becoming a viable defensive outfielder, or Rosario obtaining reasonable plate discipline.

 

I wonder which is more likely, Grossman becoming a viable defensive outfielder, or Rosario obtaining reasonable plate discipline.

 

I would vote "Joe Mauer spontaneously combusting while watching a first pitch strike"

I wonder which is more likely, Grossman becoming a viable defensive outfielder, or Rosario obtaining reasonable plate discipline.

No.

 

I would vote "Joe Mauer spontaneously combusting while watching a first pitch strike"

 

He's had 5 bazillion opportunities to spontaneously combust in this scenario, hasn't happened yet!

 

Fun aside, I pulled this while looking up first pitch strikes on Google, an article I missed on Fangraphs.

 

Chief would like that article as well, many points made that I swear were his damn near verbatim off BYTO.

 

 

No.

 

Concur?

 

Yes, I think so.  Grossman didn't show any offensive prowess until last year whereas those others have.  Grossman is a strong regression candidate, though yes regression is impossible to predict. 

 

Plus, if Grossman becomes the bench bat, suddenly you are blocking Park, Vargas, etc.

If Grossman learns to play some defense he instantly becomes incredibly valuable to this team and there is no way the team should part with him. This is the path for Grossman to remain in the bigs. 

 

I'm looking at a quality at bat, someone who will go to the plate and challenge the pitcher.  Grossman reminds me a bit of Randy Bush.  Not the same player, but they have some similar characteristics.  At this point, I do not trust Vargas or Park to do the same.  Just my opinion.