tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689353.post4735696858152033695..comments2023-03-28T17:10:03.342-04:00Comments on Boy of Summer: Rich Harden-to-Cubs Trade Analysis: Don't Think the A's Got CheatedTravis M. Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04509345527927276194noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689353.post-58847938329053166422008-07-09T14:23:00.000-04:002008-07-09T14:23:00.000-04:00Baseball Prospectus said this about Ellis coming i...Baseball Prospectus said this about Ellis coming into the 2007 season:<BR/><BR/><I>He`s a good fielder, of course, but not good enough to play every day if his numbers in 2006 and 2003 accurately represent his true hitting ability. He`s not young anymore, so it`s likely that waiting for the big comeback is an unsupported act of optimism.</I> <BR/><BR/>On the face of it, his 2008 batting numbers look a lot like his 2006 stats, but that ignores that McAfee is playing like even more of a pitcher's park than usual, and the fact that he's walking more and stealing a few bases. Nevertheless, with Ellis about to enter free agency (this is his 6th year in the majors) the A's won't keep him beyond this year, and if they fall out of it, they may even trade him to the Cubs, Mets or Dodgers for a minor leaguer, as a late-inning defensive sub/spot starter. <BR/><BR/>And Patterson, while he may be most likely to become a utility guy, is Ray Durham at best, an offense-oriented secondbaseman with a little power, some speed and patience, and the smarts to know how to use them. That's what "at best" means. Whether it ever happens that way is, of course, unlikely.Travis M. Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04509345527927276194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689353.post-58818581278661306312008-07-09T13:16:00.000-04:002008-07-09T13:16:00.000-04:00Why would the A's move the best defensive 2nd base...Why would the A's move the best defensive 2nd baseman in the AL for a guy who can't show up to the ballpark on time and can't hit any better than Ellis? Patterson is a utility guy at best though he might just be a future trading chip.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689353.post-27951997533942326072008-07-09T12:15:00.000-04:002008-07-09T12:15:00.000-04:00Yes, well, that's why I said "On a bad team." He'...Yes, well, that's why I said "On a bad team." He's got a little speed (stole 20 bases in 2005) so theoretically the manager of a lousy team might put him out there at CF. Is he really any worse than Wladimir Balentein, or Jody Gerut, or Mark Kotsay, or Joey Gathright? <BR/><BR/>But yes, I do think Boston is dumb. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb. What are you gonna do about it?Travis M. Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04509345527927276194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689353.post-39565809381755746202008-07-09T11:50:00.000-04:002008-07-09T11:50:00.000-04:00Murton play CF? Watch more baseball. The reason ...Murton play CF? Watch more baseball. The reason Murton is always in a package is because he is a MLB hitter with average power, average speed, bad arm, and bad OF skills. Simply stated, his is, at best, a 1-tool player, hits for average. Why do you think Boston dealt him so quick after drafting him 1st round? You think Boston is dumb?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com