Add new comment

You could add two big bats to the lineup that way, by putting a bat in LF as well.
...............
As much as I roll my eyes at the defensive fad, however, exchanging the terrific mitt of Adrian Beltre for the mitt of a guy who would perhaps be the worst 3B in the league, would give me pause as to whether it would create a 'critical mass' problem.  
Omar Vizquel, in the 90's, held down the infield defense for an Indians team loaded with bats.  If you'd pulled him for a terrible SS, the defensive issues might have caused a "sum greater than the parts" negative on the pitching...
Beltre might be holding down the M's infield defense.
..................
Am not saying that's the case, but I'd want to think about it before I swapped great D at our key IF position for terrible D.
But like you say, the offense is such a problem that it's hard to imagine any move making the position players worse.