Wouldn't it be something if the FO traded for a 2B when we have so many young MIFs coming?
On the surface it seems implausible. But within the framework of having a contending team in 2022, maybe not so much.
If the FO could find a young, controllable super utility type whose first position was second base, but had the chops to move into the super utility spot once a youngster showed he could take over, it might be a possibility.
I think it was assumed...and I admit that I did...that SOMEBODY would grab second base and run with it. But the results look more like four guys running away from the job.
Honestly, does anybody feel comfortable installing anybody we have right now as next years regular 2B?
I dont.
I dont see the next nineteen games changing anything...and I am not enamored with the idea of using spring training desert mirages as the way to choose one.
Considering how well the signing of Cesar Hernandez worked out last year I could see the FO being tempted to try and repeat that for one year rather than going with one of the collection of AAA guys we have now.
I'll make the argument for Yu Chang at 2B next year. Here are his 2021 numbers:
April - June: 17-for-105, .162 BA, 2 HR, 11 RBI
July - Sept: 24-for-84, .286 BA, 5 HR, 12 RBI
Multiply his July through mid-Sep numbers by 6 gives you:
504 AB's, 30 HR's, 72 RBI's, .286/.318
It looks to me like the dramatic improvement in the second half is tied to his willingness to wait longer on the pitch and go the other way.
I would be OK with a second baseman who hit .286 with 30 HR's and 72 RBI's. You could argue that he mostly plays against lefties, and that's correct (104 AB's against lefties versus 81 against righties), but his BA and OPS are higher against righties (.222 to .212 and .682 to .646). His splits are nearly even.
I'm not pushing for Chang, but based on his performance the last 10 weeks he's by far the best option at second base if all the available payroll increase goes either to getting some corner outfielders or extending Bieber/Jose and we're left to deal with 2B internally.