"Nelson Cruz is a scaled-down Super Alex. I hadn't noticed that, had you? Wonder if they lifted weights in the same gym?" Now is that the line of the week of what?? Made me chuckle over my decaf joe, Doc!
Interesting stuff about Seth Smith and comparables. Through the age of 32 (Smith just turned 33), he most compares to Eric Byrnes, Todd Hollandsworth, Bernie Carbo (who I remember fondly) and David Murphy. In their age 33 seasons, Byrnes OPS+'ed 69, Hollandsworth 78 and Murphy 101. All were essentially done after that. Carbo's last season was at age 32. David Dellucci OPS'ed 77 at age 33 and 89 at 34. Let's hope Smith isn't him! John Vander Wal was #3 most comparable over their careers (not to age 32). He OPS'ed 106 at age 33 then 144, 108, 99, 113 after that.
Here's to wishing Smith (if we keep him) has some Murphy and Vander Wal in him. His .801 OPS vR last year indicates he has some productivity (with the bat) left. But then Brad Miller just OPS'ed .803 VR, and look where it got him.