Add new comment

Assuming lineup legitimizers exist, shouldn't it be wise to try and quantify the legitimacy?
So, since 2002 ... who were the "lineup legitimizers" for every "new" WS team (had not been to WS in 4+ years).
2002 - Angels - Best OPS - Tim Salmon. Best slugging - Garrett Anderson .539 - (127 OPS+)
2003 - Marlins - Derrek Lee - .888 (131) 31 HRs. (Mike Lowell actually led team in HR/RBI (32/105)
2005 - ChiSox - Konerko - .909 (136) - first 40-HR guy to show up
2005 - Astros - Morgan Ensberg .945 (144) - Berkman .934 (143)
2006 - Detroit - Carlos Guillen .920 (136) - 19-HR; Mags had 24/104 HR/RBI and Thames had an .882 OPS
2007 - Colorado - Holiday 1012 (150)
2008 - Phillies - Howard .881 (125) - Utley was better .915 (136)
2008 - Tampa - Pena .871 (129) and Longoria .874 (127)
2010 - Texas - Hamilton 1044 (170)
2010 - San Fran - Aubrey Huff (142) 26-HR/86 RBI. Posey - .862 (133) 18-HR/67-RBI
My theory is that it matters that you "develop" legit bats. So, on this list, please name the "legitimizers" that were brought in from an external source AND would have been considered lineup legitimizers when they were picked up?
Pena?
Huff?
So ... based on the above, the standard seems to be about a 126 OPS and about 30 HRs.
2005 - Sexson .910 (144) - 39-HR; 121-RBI
2006 - Ibanez .869 (125) - 33-HR
2007 - Ibanez .821 (122); Beltre .831 (121) - 21 and 26 HRs
2008 - Ibanez .837 (124)
2009 - Branyan .867 (130)
2010 - none
2011 - none - (Carp was .791 (125) with 12 HR in 1/2 a season
2012 - none - Jaso had .850 (144) but only 1/2 time
Me? I agree the team does need a legit 127 OPS+ hitter before they can hope to be a true competitor. But, I also believe it matters where that body comes from. If it is Montero or Ackley or Seager or Carp ... fine. But, I've been preaching against the concept of "saviors" for a long time. To date, I still haven't found a case where an imported "savior" turned a team around.
Mind you, Kendrys could be a 127 OPS+ guy. But, if that happens simultaneously with some of the on-board kids who is "responsible" for the coming success?