Noodlings on His Badness
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Justin:
I do think it’s Delmon Young considering he’s been rumored in other places… and whose two most similar by age comps are Tris Speaker and Carl Yastrzemski.
Which are two references I'm sure are lost on most of you kiddies ... ;- )
Bill James once said of Tris Speaker, "Imagine George Brett playing CF like Cesar Geronimo." Which, come to think of it, are going to be two more references that sail past...
Vlad Guerrero, okay?
:- )
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I’m not big on trading Morrow under any circumstances, and I think we’re much thinner on SP depth than people realize. However, Young is one of the few young stars who is worth rolling the dice on. If you’re going through the top handful of under-25 position players to build around, he’s definitely in the discussion.
Would you trade Brandon Morrow for the 22-year-old Carl Yasztremski, if that's what you thought Young was? You'd probably trade Felix for him, all things considered...
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As Matt noted at MC, I think it was in his comment to Ryne Sandberg in the NBJHBA that Bill estimated a 30% chance of the HOF, if a player posted 15 James win shares by the age of 22. Young *was* a quality major league hitter at the age of 21-22. He's going to be real good.
If Young doesn't crack up in Pacman Jones fashion, he's liable to hit a mortal ton .....
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=== Question Authority, Dept. ===
The mystery corner-OF target was characterized as having a plus glove. It would be highly amusing, not to mention edifying, to Dr. D if Capt. Jack looked past the UZR Scriptures' condemnation of Young and instead looked at
1. The fact that Young runs well
2. The fact that Young has played CF
3. The fact that Young has good RF's in left and right
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=== Clint Eastwood "Just Don't Bore Me," Dept. ===
Back when I was a kid, the Mariners brought up a bad boy that I'll bet really is before your time: Danny Tartabull. Tartabull spent the next ten years (1) hitting like one of the handful of best players in baseball, (2) alienating everybody who came in contact with him, and (3) being ignored by baseball as much as possible considering he was a great hitter.
Any of you guys remember the Bull? That's who Delmon Young reminds me of.
Joey Belle :- ) is also a whale of a good comp. Note carefully that Albert did not hit until he was 24.
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=== "You Cheated!" ... "Pirate!", Dept. ===
When is the last time you saw two very young franchise players swapped for each other, like in a Morrow-Young swap? Never happen. Baseball GM's are terrified of having trades come back to haunt them. If they're going to give up a HOF'er, they want it done in a context that hides the goods a little better than Barry-Bonds-for-Joe-Charbonneau.
If Capt Jack were to make this deal, my (already considerable) respect for his courage would go through the roof. The fact that it would flaunt The New Fangraphs Liturgy in favor of retro stuff like "can he run fast?" would just be a bonus. He'd re-convert me with one sermon. :- )
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=== You Don't Have To Go Fishin' With the Man, Dept. ===
I'm not particularly bothered by extreme narcissism in young athletes. In baseball it's generally much more tolerable than it is in the NBA, and we put up with that. Just about everybody in baseball is relatively contained, presumably because they could get an ice pick in the ear at any time.
I don't believe in tatoo'ing one mistake onto an athlete's head forever, but this is just part of baseball lore. Cue the vid. Where's the Church Lady when you need her? Dana Carvey could get five minutes out of Delmon's first name...
Would I trade Brandon Morrow for Delmon Young even-steven? I love Brandon more than I love my wife, but pitchers are unpredictable. If Young's then going to be around Seattle for his MVP years, it's a trade you'd be irresponsible not to make.
Young and Clement for ten years? Make it the crow's nest for me, Capt Jack.
Cheers,
Dr D
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