1B - Volley at the Net
if the Red Sox don't do it for you, there's always Kei Nishikori

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SERVE:  Jeff Sullivan measured the up-and-down volatility of MLB hitters and pegged Danny Valencia second in the last 100 years - just ahead of Clyde Barnhart, who played against Ruth and Gehrig.  Lou Piniella was also on the list.

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RETURN SERVE:  Luke Mounger of Lookout Landing presents some first-class saber shtick and 'finds' that this is an illusion.  Actually, sez Luke, Valencia is a lefty-masher who has matured into a solid right-hitter.  Platoon opportunities explain the difference.

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GROUNDSTROKE:  Ron Shandler sez that Valencia was great in 2015 and 1H2016, but that his 2H2016 was feeb.  This supports Sully's original take.

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VOLLEY:  Tyler Carmont is very skittish about Dan Vogelbach, especially in the larger half of a platoon share.

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QUOTH DR. ROTO:  That's why Position Scarcity and that's why Stars & Scrubs.  As long as first base doesn't have some $21,500,000/year loser you are married to, it's all good.

... or at least we hope.  The Mariners don't have another first baseman on their 40-man anywhere.  We're talking Shawn O'Malley?

Be Afraid,

jemanji

Comments

2

And with the other bats, it's not like he has to slug .475 the first month.  Last year Adam Lind hit .239/.286/.431 ...

A little odd to not know who the backup 1B is.  But I like their potential at 1B...

3

I think his 2nd Half slump had a lot to do with his fight with Billy Butler on August 20th; he punched him in the head hard enough to keep him out of 2 games, and I think he tough guy covered a fractured knuckle or somesuch.

Danny Valencia before August 21:  .302/.351/.478 with 33.5% Hard Contact, 1 HR/24 AB

Danny Valencia after August 21:  .239/.331/.345 with 25.6% Hard Contact, 1 HR/57 AB

He walked 11.5% of the time after the fight as well; radically reduced power and a newfound tendency to keep the bat on his shoulder suggest something hurt when he swung, after an offseason of rest, he should be back to where he was.  Hopefully, Danny Valencia will wear the right cleats this season, if he does, I'll have some faith in him.

4

First I heard about the bruised hand.  Thanks for sharing amigo.

Hmmmmmmm... which means he's going to take on who this year?  Nelson Cruz?

5

Based on the dates and stats, but they say don't hit a man in the head with a closed fist.  Hopefully he's learned his lesson.

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