.
SSI had not been aware that it will be Ben Gamel VERSUS Guillermo Heredia for a fourth outfield slot. The loser figures to make the extended 29-man roster ...
Nelson Cruz counts as one of the 5 OF's because you've got your 1B platoon, your backup SS, and your backup C. Slap me silly, four reserves is light. But "accessed" Dutton relays that the M's consider all five outfielders to be fairly legit in center. Can anybody name another roster that had five jardineros with significant CF experience?
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Dutton's article puts the LH Ben Gamel for choice if --- > wait for it --- > Dyson wins a full-time role. Dr. D will believe that when he sees it. If you assume that Dyson is a 6-WAR prorated guy because he's not overexposed, then Bat571's adopt-a-player RH Guillermo Heredia is the default assumption. So it's yer garden-variety AAA player of the year against a Cuban hotshot ... for a bench role. Raise The Floor, baby.
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The SSI Denizens tend to swing a 80%, 90% consensus on players who are Love At First Sight. This year's imports are going to be fun to watch in March:
Mitch Haniger - 125 Speed Index, batted .402 with 11 HR in 102 at bats at PCL in July (SABRMatt gives him full Best Bet status)
Jarrod Dyson - Looks like one of the most dynamic role players in years (better be if you give 4 years of KKKarns for 1 of Dyson)
Drew Smyly - Strikeout rate is balm for Dr. D's wounds over KKKarns
Tony Zych - When healthy, there's been no Denizen who doubts him
We held James Paxton above this discussion - though not Smyly - Paxton is also going to be on a lot of roto champs' rosters in 2017. Mike Zunino, Dan Vogelbach, Dan Altavilla and Evan Scribner are also unusually intriguing. They're also more controversial. But it's a dynamic camp, no?
A certain sector of SSI readers ask us to commit more often, as to what we would do as GM. Tell you this much. Whether the season turns out for ill or weal, this is a Stars & Scrubs spring roster that Dr. D would be blinkin' proud to field. Couldn'a done better my ownself. ... well, assuming I wasn't allowed a big reliever in Zip's/Gallardo's stead.
BABVA,
Jeff