Liddi is kinda fascinating. He's nowhere near done growing into his game. 26 year old Liddi could be a terror - I just don't know that we have 4 years to give him.
I comped him to Tony Batista as Doc did (.250/.300/.450 career, .270/.320/.520 up years), and I like the Gaetti comp quite a bit too, but that doesn't mean that's his limit. He's never gonna have a high average; he's not Frank Thomas, and most large humans with huge strike zones wind up with low averages. It's just the nature of the game, and his swing isn't built for pepper, it's built for mashing. His skill-set as shown is somewhat limiting on the upper-end, though as a truly young player his skillset isn't carved in stone.
But once you determine who you think Liddi is going to be (and as a 30 2B / 30 HR man in AAA at 22, there's a lot to like production-wise), you need to determine if you're keeping him or selling him.
Our traffic jam currently looks like this:
3B - Seager, Liddi, Martinez, Catricala (doubtful), Tenbrink (more doubtful), Miller or Franklin (whichever can't make it at SS), Proscia (AA next year), Triunfel (he'll be gone soon) and growing.
Somebody out of that group is gonna work out. The key is to choose the right one.
I think Seager is a utility man for a bit, re-emerging as a starter later in his career. Catricala is moving to the OF, I believe, and Tenbrink when he comes back as well (think of him as a potential Casey Wells shortly). Like I said, I don't see Triunfel sticking around much longer - he'll be moved for somebody's moderate bullpen arm or something.
I think Martinez has the inside track as he's a key piece that Jack traded for. But 3B right now, long-term, looks to me like Liddi (one option left), F-Mart (several) and Miller (just getting started).
I don't expect to give Liddi the job. That doesn't mean he can't take it - he's in prime position to show he can do what it takes.
~G
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