Bobby BradGOAT

[sportscoach]

Jim Thome had already accumulated nearly 16 in fWAR by the end of his age-25 season. Bobby Bradley is currently at 0 fWAR for his career as he wraps up his age-25 season. Other than being left-handed 1B with power, there's really no apt comparison between the two players.

Thome didn't have people blocking him at a young age... kind of hard to say Bradley should have played over Santana.

Now I am not saying he will ever be Thome, but he hadn't been that bad for a rookie honestly plus this has been his first legit big league chance and he can definitely hit 30 HRs a season with no problems. If he works on his holes in his swing and keeps himself in good shape like he has been, I dont see why he cannot be a league average if not higher OPS...

 

[CATS44]

However you cut it, first base is not as big of a problem as RF and LF...and the FO is gonna invest in upgrading its biggest problems.

So, if you want to look at it as a competition, its Bradley vs Zimmer vs Mercado vs Harold.

And Bradley is the clear cut leader in that competition.

*********

Plus, if you want to totally ignore the cost factors, Kris Bryant is your man.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Plus, if you want to totally ignore the cost factors, Kris Bryant is your man.

Here's what Bryant says about the Giants, who traded with the intention to keep him:

"I know it's all super new to me," Bryant said, "the whole being here and playing with these guys, but there's just something that feels a little different about it. It feels right. They're just really good people. They put their head down, they go to work, they're not flashy, and I kind of see myself as that type of player, too. And I think that's kind of what the Giants organization is all about. They want guys that are good people that go to work, keep their head down. Like I said, we're not flashy, we go out there and do the job and win and move on to the next one, and that's a good feeling."

 

[Derek]

Time to move on from the Bobby Bradley experiment. He seems like a genuinely great guy and is very easy to root for, but this team needs much more consistent production in the middle of the lineup and there are obvious upgrades in the 1B free agent market this winter (Brandon Belt, CJ Cron and Anthony Rizzo.)

His 34.5% K rate is now eighth highest in the league for all hitters with at least 250 plate appearances (Zimmer is actually fourth highest at 35.5%.) Joey Gallo has nearly an identical K rate as Bradley, but his walk rate is double that of Bradley (18.5% to 9.4%) and his wRC+ is 128 as opposed to Bradley's of 109.

Bradley's June was absolutely superb, as he posted an incredible wRC+ of 152 in 78 plate appearances and cut his strikeout rate to 26.9%. However, in the second half, he has a wRC+ of just 78 with a 38% K rate in 136 plate appearances leading to an OBP of just .287. The front office needs to upgrade at 1B this offseason, and fortunately, there are enticing options in free agency that should be within their budget considering the impending payroll increase.

Maybe you’re right about Bradley, but I’d be absolutely shocked if he isn’t the everyday 1B next year.

The team is not likely to be involved with any meaningful FA, nor should they (in my opinion).

 

[Gson]

FA's = a bad idea.. almost always... They result as "..the land of diminishing returns...".. Astute trades and superior development of young talent.. is the best path for the Guardians..

...almost always...

 

[Kevalier]

Maybe you’re right about Bradley, but I’d be absolutely shocked if he isn’t the everyday 1B next year.

The team is not likely to be involved with any meaningful FA, nor should they (in my opinion).

I’d be willing to make a friendly wager that they do upgrade at 1B this off-season either via free agency or a trade.

 

[Kevalier]

FA's = a bad idea.. almost always... They result as "..the land of diminishing returns...".. Astute trades and superior development of young talent.. is the best path for the Guardians..

...almost always...

Edwin Encarnacion wasn’t exactly a bust here. Yes, he was eventually traded to shed his salary, but he did post over a 2 fWAR with a wRC+ of 130 in 2017.

 

[Derek]

I’d be willing to make a friendly wager that they do upgrade at 1B this off-season either via free agency or a trade.

Doesn’t even seem remotely possible to me, but I’m also not interested in rooting against it.

 

[AllforOne]

Edwin Encarnacion wasn’t exactly a bust here. Yes, he was eventually traded to shed his salary, but he did post over a 2 fWAR with a wRC+ of 130 in 2017.

1. One exception to the rule kind of validates the OP's "almost always" caveat. It's almost as though you're agreeing with him.

2. For every Edwin, there are multiple Michael Bourns and Nick Swishers. Guys who generate offseason buzz ... and within a year or two, the FO is looking to dump their contracts.

3. The larger point here is that FA is a high-cost, low-return proposition. You're typically overspending for a player who is on the down side of his career. Now when said player is coming down from an awfully high mountaintop, and you're really only looking for a year or two out of him, and he could be the last piece to put you over the top -- i.e., Edwin -- it may be a worthwhile gamble. As a means for building the core of a team, it rarely works.

 

[sportscoach]

1. One exception to the rule kind of validates the OP's "almost always" caveat. It's almost as though you're agreeing with him.

2. For every Edwin, there are multiple Michael Bourns and Nick Swishers. Guys who generate offseason buzz ... and within a year or two, the FO is looking to dump their contracts.

3. The larger point here is that FA is a high-cost, low-return proposition. You're typically overspending for a player who is on the down side of his career. Now when said player is coming down from an awfully high mountaintop, and you're really only looking for a year or two out of him, and he could be the last piece to put you over the top -- i.e., Edwin -- it may be a worthwhile gamble. As a means for building the core of a team, it rarely works.

Honestly if we go FA I am looking at names like Canha (plays LF/RF/1B) and maybe a guy like Chafin (Ohio native and veteran LHP) but I don't like this free agent class at the end of the day so I don't mind if we dont spend something as long as we get someone to upgrade the current team via trade. Whomever we sign will be a short term guy to supplement the team, no one big. Now I would as an owner put up the money to get a Bryant but I am not running the finance and that is a move I don't know if I would even do in OOTP.

We all feel like we need another bat and none of us feel we can do it internally.

 

[macbdog]

IMO finding a functional 1b is one of the easier holes to fill in a lineup. I would rather just stick w a Bradley for at least the start of next year to see how he does and if this club is in contending, then you trade for that Mark Canha or whoever. Bradley has worked hard to get here, and should get an extended shot. I say focus resources elsewhere, like the OF that still stinks offensively.

 

[Gson]

Honestly if we go FA I am looking at names like Canha (plays LF/RF/1B) and maybe a guy like Chafin (Ohio native and veteran LHP) but I don't like this free agent class at the end of the day so I don't mind if we dont spend something as long as we get someone to upgrade the current team via trade. Whomever we sign will be a short term guy to supplement the team, no one big. Now I would as an owner put up the money to get a Bryant but I am not running the finance and that is a move I don't know if I would even do in OOTP.

We all feel like we need another bat and none of us feel we can do it internally.

Well reasoned argument... short term guys are nice to dream on..but, unless they're celebrating their 29th birthday for the seventh or more times... unlikely.. For the FA's listed.. they'll consume the vast majority of discretionary spending on FA's (at least for the Guardians) and provide, perhaps, marginally better performance.. and less as time goes by (diminishing returns)..

It's what happens..

Disagree with the "...none of us feel.." comment..

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Canha is 32. His OPS+ the last three years, including this one, are 146, 124, and 111. His batting averages are .273, .246, .230. Slugging: .517, .408, .394. Looking at this trajectory, do we really want to buy his age 33 season?

 

[Gson]

Canha is 32. His OPS+ the last three years, including this one, are 146, 124, and 111. His batting averages are .273, .246, .230. Slugging: .517, .408, .394. Looking at this trajectory, do we really want to buy his age 33 season?

this is the not-SSS definition of diminishing returns..

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

"Time to move on from the experiment after 68 games"

Means I was never interested in the experiment's outcome, to begin with. Let's just be honest with everyone, ok bub? You had your mind made up years ago. He's a player that you simply cannot root for if you fancy yourself as a serious, astute baseball fan. Like a Zagat critic admitting to enjoying Texas Roadhouse. I get it. I really do.

I'd love to take the time to go back through people's posts who take the same "time to move on from the Bradley experiment after 68 games" approach. I'd guarandamtee you they were beating their bird chests in May that Jake BauerS and his .200 career average across 3-4 seasons just needs more time. Guaranteed. Because BauerS is palatable to the Zagat wannabees.

First time I come to check back into this section ... nice to see nothing changed..

How is inflammatory, disrespectful trash like this still being flung about with zero repercussions?