The Battle for 25th Man

by Scott Christ on Mar 18, 2009 11:32 AM EDT in Commentary & Analysis

One of the first things I ever did on this site was give way too much of a crap about the Chris Gomez v. Enrique Wilson utility infielder battle of Spring Training 2005. Gomez won. All was right with the world. Gomez then hit .279/.359/.342 in 2005 and poked even more singles around in spot duty the next two seasons, and now he's back in camp, but he's really too old now and his numbers in '08 with the Pirates (.273/.322/.333) show his usefulness fading.

Still, Enrique Wilson got 22 ABs with the Cubs in 2005 and never played again.

This spring it's not really a battle. There's a super sub role open with the team, and though the O's traded for Ryan Freel who fills the role nicely, there's also Jolbert Cabrera -- who was once shot in the buttocks -- and I think he deserves a long look.

Numbers this spring:

Player	AB	AVG	OBP	SLG	BB/K	SB/CS
Ryan Freel	35	.257	.366	.314	2/11	6/0
Jolbert Cabrera	24	.417	.400	.542	0/3	1/0

Freel's going to play a lot if they can help it. He adds plenty to the team in theory. He's got plate discipline, which makes him a viable pinch-hitter even if his contact abilities have slipped and his power has become basically negligible. He runs really well. He can handle center if he has to, plus the corner OF spots and second base. He's probably a lesser shortstop than Cabrera, who's probably not as good a CF as Freel, although we also have Pie if Jones goes down or whatever, and Pie might be the best center fielder on the team. Freel is also injury-prone and has played in 77 and 48 games the last two years.

Cabrera isn't as good a base-stealer as Freel, but he's not a slow runner and can be used just for extra wheels in a tight situation, same as Freel likely will be at several times this year should he stay healthy.

I know Freel came over in trade for Fat Ramon Hernandez and Cabrera is just a spring training scrub for all intents and purposes. If Freel is healthy, he's the guy. But here's what I'm actually more intrigued by: Does Jolbert Cabrera have a place on this team sometime in 2009?

Assume the Birds go north with 13 pitchers and 12 position players. We know we'll have:

C: ZAUN + one, probably Robby Hammock, who can play other positions

1B: Huff

2B: Roberts

3B: Mora

SS: Izturis

OF: Markakis, Jones, Pie, Scott

1B/3B/2B/DH: Wigginton

That would leave one open spot. It'll be Freel. But should he come up lame, Cabrera seems like a guy that would fit in. He can play a lot of positions, including a better short than Freel, and Izturis is going to have days he has to sit, or he's going to have times where he'll need to be hit for late in a tight game.

I'd rather have Freel, with Wigginton also offering some level of positional flexibility (as well as Hammock) than see Cabrera over Freel right off, and with the way Gomez is hitting (.095/.269/.143) he's well out, too. Donnie Murphy isn't doing anything, either.

It's simply food for thought with little going on. The battle isn't much since Freel is all but guaranteed, but if (when?) Freel goes down, who comes up?

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I didn't realize Cabrera was hitting that well

The only other infielder Roch’s been talking about is his new boyfriend Justin Turner, who I’d like to see perform at AAA before we start gushing over a few dozen ST at-bats.

One thing that Roch (or Schmuck, who can remember?) mentioned about Jolbert Cabrera is that he speaks a bit of Japanese. That’s worth filing away.

by Brotz13 on Mar 18, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

Well

Considering that we would’ve been content with just dumping Hernandez’s contract, it’s a plus that we’ve gotten a decent player or two out of that thing.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Mar 18, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't Jolbert Cabrera like a hundred years old?

Or at least 36?

Also, giving the 12th spot to Freel assumes he is capable of playing SS, and the jury is certainly still out on that. I know the pitching is going to be atrocious, but I just wish it could be atrocious with 12 pitchers instead of 13.

I will not rest until America has universal health care and Derek Jeter is seen for the overrated starfucker he truly is! ~2632

by Stacey on Mar 18, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

old man

seems to me like Jolbert played for the Indians and/or Braves back in the early 90’s.

by 7Swords of Salat on Mar 18, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Chris Gomez

I think Gomez is getting the last spot (assuming I haven’t missed a story on him).

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Mar 18, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

Cabrera

I mostly remember him because one year when he was with Seattle, he qualified at every position except catcher in my fantasy league. He could hit a little bit and steal a base now and then, making him a nice end-gamer in a deep AL-only league.

I have no idea if he can still hit enough to be worth it, but it seems like he’s a useful guy to have around, if we can stash him in Norfolk until we need him.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Mar 18, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

Every team needs a Cabrera

Cabrera can play SS, and is hitting well, and is old.

Freel can play all sorts of positions, but not SS/3B, is old and a little crazy, but SCRAPPY

Turnip truck will be at Bowie or Norfolk, depending on how crowded Nfk is this year.

Wiggity seems to be able to hit and play 3B, and maybe 1B, in a ‘Huff can play 3B/1B’ kinda way

Gomez: No.

I’d say, BACKUP_CATCHER, Freel, and Cabrera, for the best defensive options. However, I don’t think you can assign Wiggity or Freel to the minors, so this whole debate may be moot.

What Ted Williams didn't realize when he asked to be frozen was that when he is revived he'll have to hear about how Matt Wieters was the greatest hitter that ever played baseball.

by CoachOfEarl on Mar 18, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

Montanez

Sorry this is off topic, but this seems like a good place to mention this..

I’ve thus far resisted the Montanez kool-aid because of his age (old for a prospect, and 2008 was probably a fluke), plate discipline (good enough to pound AA, but probably vulnerable to MLB pitching) and defensive questions but he just keeps hitting. I actively avoid getting fired up by spring training production, but I find myself wondering what he would do with 300-400 ab’s. Is it worth trying to clear a spot to find out (by trading Scott, or something else)? Or am I just experiencing a spring training swoon?

by Dingbat Charlie on Mar 18, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

We’re going to have to do something with our OF surplus at some point. I’m a sweet Lou fan, but he was the 4th OF until Pie showed up, and since Pie and Crow are totally doing it right now, there’s little hope for Montanez and Reimold to break into the bigs. I also like Luuuke. There has been talk of a LF platoon ala Lowenstein/Reineke/Ayala, but we don’t have the bench spots until we get some pitching that sticks.

It all depends on how Pie does, since it’s his spot to lose, and how our rotation works out. I have a sinking feeling our rotation is going to wind up being some mutant platoon situation where you have guys moving in and out of starting <> long relief <> minors.

When the OF situation shakes out, we trade the guy we can afford to lose who will yield the most in return. There’s no guessing what we’ll get, so unless you’re a Cubs fan or OH-er, you can’t say what will happen as far as trades go.

What Ted Williams didn't realize when he asked to be frozen was that when he is revived he'll have to hear about how Matt Wieters was the greatest hitter that ever played baseball.

by CoachOfEarl on Mar 18, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

swoon probably

I think it’s worth seeing if another team is impressed and might want him. It’s a rough situation, and weird too. You have Luuuuuke, a big fan favorite. Then you have Montanez, Andy’s boyfriend. Then you have Pie, who used to be Andy’s boyfriend but appears to have left him for Crow. But everyone likes Crow so you can’t mess around. Plus Pie is a better lover than Montanez and Andy still has feelings for him anyway. (I hate the word “lover” and now I feel gross.)

And then there’s Nolan Reimold, who’s mashing and isn’t anyone’s boyfriend and will spend the entire year in Norfolk.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by Scott Christ on Mar 18, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

And then there’s Nolan Reimold, who’s mashing and isn’t anyone’s boyfriend and will spend the entire year in Norfolk.

Truth.

Anyway, I feel the same way as you do, Charlie. Josh Hamilton would be a nice comparison, but he doesn’t really work as Montanez was just flat out bad for an extended period of time whereas Hamilton was flat out trucked for a few seasons.

If Lou is still smashing in Norfolk come July, then you pretty much have to give him a spot on this team.

Should the O’s NOT be able to produce one above average outfielder from the group of Scott/Reimold/Montanez/Pie, then I’ll have negative faith in this organization.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Mar 18, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't Scott already above average?

I really just want to see a Montanez/Pie platoon that can be offensive/defensive and a righty/lefty platoon.

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Mar 19, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I should have left Scott out

Without looking at the league average for left fielders and comparing those stats to Scott’s numbers, I’d venture to say that you’re correct.

However, Luke is most certainly not the long term solution, and Pie/Reimold/Montanez(kind of) have many more years.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Mar 19, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey can we get a WBC open thread?

They should DH Dunn and maybe put Jeets at 1B with the thin bench

What Ted Williams didn't realize when he asked to be frozen was that when he is revived he'll have to hear about how Matt Wieters was the greatest hitter that ever played baseball.

by CoachOfEarl on Mar 18, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

lol jeter at any position that isn't shortstop

where he is a god!!!111

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by Scott Christ on Mar 19, 2009 3:46 AM EDT up reply actions

speaking of the WBC

I know its an exhibition and he has a lot of dumb rules he has to follow, and egos to massage, and guys to get reps and all that, but Davey Johnson hasn’t exactly been lighting it up as a manager in this thing. Maybe he shouldn’t get another MLB job after all?

I’m probably reading too much into it…

by pipkin on Mar 19, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

No he uh…probably shouldn’t. The man is really old.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by Scott Christ on Mar 19, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

it's sort of funny...

when i first started watching baseball, i thought dudes like earl weaver, sparky anderson and whitey herzog were really old, but i think they were probably about ten years younger then than torre or leyland or davey johnson are now.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Mar 19, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

wasn't there "bring davey back" talk

like when perlozzo was fired?

by pipkin on Mar 19, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

yes

I’d have loved it at the time. Watching him manage in the WBC this year…guys get old. The game doesn’t “pass them by” because baseball doesn’t change much, but I question his dedication to being the phenomenal manager he used to be. It’s not his FAULT — he’s 937 years old.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by Scott Christ on Mar 20, 2009 3:19 AM EDT up reply actions

He is old

But didn’t he also have some illness that almost put him in the grave? That’ll put a few years on you. Because the dude looks rough. He looks like my granddad, who is like 20 years older than him.

I will not rest until America has universal health care and Derek Jeter is seen for the overrated starfucker he truly is! ~2632

by Stacey on Mar 20, 2009 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions