Youk wont have a .340 OBP... .320 at the most, and holding runners behind him... its also a matter of what spots are open in the lineup... we are set in #3 and #4 with Kemp and Adrian, and maybe #5 and #6 with Hanley and Ethier... then you need to start mixing... Crawford might be best as #2 for speed reasons, so its a matter of who's #1, #7 and #8 with both Ellis a lock to be on the roster... you could go Mark at #1 and then Youk at #7 but they he would be the most overpaid #7 hitter in baseball, and its not like Mark is a great #1 either...
The only thing more retarded than that lineup is the fact that people are bringing up Grienke in the same conversation as Josh Hamilton. I sign Hamilton to 5 years in a heartbeat. His addiction/partying issues, while important to monitor and take seriously, are being blown WAY out of proportion. His last "relapse" was when he went out and had 4 drinks - roughly the same amount of alcohol most of you will drink while reading this post. Just put a clause in the contract that allows for scheduled drug testing and if he tests positive you can void his contract or fine him - he wants to stay straight as much as we want him to. I don't hate Dre, but he doesn't have the award winning personality or ability to hit sliders that makes you question moving him for the best hitter in baseball. Now that Colletti can spend as much money as he wants, his challenge is to sign Hamilton then flip Dre+money+prospects so Shields and Headley are on our opening day roster. LOL Grienke... you guys
This was the first year in Youk's career that he had an OBP below .367... And again, who cares about if they're overpaid or not? Not our money and the Dodgers have a shit ton of it.
If he played third base, I'd say offer him the world, but a controversial player with a lot of personal issues at the most replaceable position in baseball for a lot of years and cash? Sounds too risky, so pass.
The Dodgers have already said no to trading Ethier, so if he is not dealt, then signing Hamilton makes zero sense. Carl Crawford would be the richest bench player in the history of any sport, probably. I would be more than welcome to the idea of dealing Andre for a top of the rotation starter then signing Hamilton, but I've been approaching the whole situation assuming that nobody gets traded.
comes down to what you believe was 2012 just an off year for youkilis or is it signaling the beginning of his decline? tough call tbh
Truth is you don't have to put it in the contract because it's already part of the MLB Drug Policy which includes illegal substances. Testing does not have to be random if there is reasonable cause, and the policy has suspensions, fines, and rehab procedures lined up. At one point Josh Hamilton was being tested 3 times per week, and he's had at least one offense, so he's already at step 2 or 3 on suspension levels. So I asks yous, does the defense's case hold water?
offer him a front loaded deal for no more than 4 yrs. i can't imagine giving him more than that. and I'd rather trade Crawford than Ethier, but I doubt Crawford has little if any trade value.
I hope Frank McCourt reads your post, I think his head would explode trying to comprehend the first sentence.
Walk away. Given his request for 7 years and the potential for relapses in a big city like Los Angeles, I' stay away.
Youk has had better hitting years we agree but who would suggest him as a lead off hitter? No way. No speed. I think Dee matures (slightly), hits .260 and steals every unattached base. Maybe Cruz shows a few more flashes of plate competence and earns a bigger role. Maybe. But we agree completely that it's "Not our money" so why not shoot for the best? And the Dodgers should keep the Latin America recruiting efforts up...
