I think the outer edge of 'defensive patience' is 428 games. That's how many B.J. Upton got at shortstop before they accepted the reality that he was always going to be a 50-error/year SS.
As for GM-speak. My default position is that you should only believe two statements uttered by a GM. "We just signed X" and "We just cut X". Outside of that, the truth vs posturing is a coin flip.
Of course, IMO, most of those pleading for Ackley to come up immediately are mostly motivated out of a sense that an extra 3 weeks of Ackley could make a difference THIS year. It won't ... well, other than maybe costing a slot or two next draft day.
Me? I think the club entered 2011 with 69-win talent. I think they have played pretty much exactly to form ... (on pace for 67 wins at the moment). The loss of Bradley and Langerhans almost certainly makes the club worse in the SHORT run.
I think ultimately the Peguero, Wilson, Saunders OF dance will pay dividends in that ONE (1) of them will step up and be a replacement level player (or more). But, until that winner is crowned, they will likely get 2 helpings of .500 OPS for every helping of .680 OPS.
I think most people are over-stating the impact Ackley will have even if successful, because they don't realize that on the season, the 2B slot for Seattle (taken as a whole), has posted a .705 OPS. Ackley will be coming in at the LEAST detrimental infield position. The black holes of production at catcher, short and third will remain black holes.
But, hey. We're Americans. If it takes more than 12 seconds to fix something, we'd rather buy a new one.
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