http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodge...econd-base-20130501,0,3481230.story?track=rss wow! and it only took them 3 years to realize that this straw cant throw from the hole... amazing... at least they are noticing now...
I know this is like a kick in the gut for most of us, but combine this with DBB's recent comments on how Cruz looks lost and has no track record to show he can get it fixed, the possible need of a roster spot soon (maybe as soon as friday for kershaw or next week if Mark goes to the DL) and that the team wont stay without a real SS to back up Hanley (saving Sellers), and it only means the end of Cruz's Cruise...
The problem is he doesn't have the bat for 2B. Hell he doesn't even have the bat for SS, but less so for 2B.
It's a bummer. I was really pulling for Cruz. Not only because he would've helped us, but he seems like a genuinely nice guy.
he doesnt need a 2B bat if he has Hanley as SS (who provides corner IF numbers at SS). He could be a slap singles hitter and leadoff and be on base at a .350 clip... sure, he wasnt doing it last year, but he's hitting better at AAA this year, and I dont think the altitude has the same effect on his numbers vs lets say VanSlyke... altitude affects mainly 2 things: the ball flying more because of the thin air and the breaking ball not breaking as much of those 2, he doesnt has to worry about the first one as he has no power. The second one affects some, but not that much as his problem was not pitch recognition but being overpowered by ML pitchers with fastballs down the middle on a "hit it if you can" approach... if he can sustain his OBP to that .350 or maybe even .325, he could be a nice fit for us at 2B...
it's his own fault mcgwire preaches patience/plate discipline uribe appears to have listened cruz still swings at first pitches and when the count is not in his favor the results speak for themselves see ya...
so you want to downgrade? .325-.350 doesn't cut it not with ellis hitting .342 with a .363 obp and punto at .375/457 plus both are slugging >.400 which is something dee will never do
Why would I want a 2B with a .325 OBP who plays terrible defense, Punto could do that with good defense. He's more useless as a 2B than a SS, and has no future in the MLB at either position.
As people said, the problem is his bat. He hasn't shown he can hit. He has a respectable .785 OPS right now, but he's 25 at Triple A. Reminder that Tony Gwynn, Jr. had an OPS oer .800 last year there and that the Scott Van Slykes of the world hit well there and no MLB team wants him. I'm also surprised they are moving him to 2B. His problems at SS weren't about range and/or arm strength which would be a reason to move him off to 2B, it was more about routine ground balls + arm accuracy. Him and Hanley up the middle would be like 2 amazing defensive plays followed by 4 errors on ground balls right at them.
So the future of our team is to never turn a double play again? To be honest, I didn't realize Dee was still in our system. Notify me when Puig takes grounders at 3B.
seriously guys... I get that he has been a disappointment so far, but people here talk as if we ALWAYS knew he wasnt going to be good or as he's this 30 year old career minor leaguer that wont ever make it... I remember the Dee's bandwagon was pretty crowded back in 2011...