9 replies to this topic

[Kevin Ebert]

http://baltimorespor... ... oon-at-lf/

I take a look at the potential platoon in left field.

[JeremyStrain]

Wish I had a perfect answer on this, but I tend to agree with you here, start in a platoon and hope that Reimold takes over full time DH AB (with Betemit giving him a rest here and there to get some AB) and McLouth plays well enough to play everyday in LF.

My problem with platoons is that they are almost a self-fulfilling prophecy as players aren't usually their best when having their time limited and interrupted by playing the matchups. Just have to wait and see on this one, like a lot of issues with this team :/

[Mackus]

A good plan for the Orioles in 2013 could be to start off with a left field platoon of McLouth and Reimold. If Reimold is able to stay healthy, he could start to take more at bats away from McLouth as the team moves later into the season. Late in games, Reimold could pinch hit for McLouth if the opposition brings in a lefty to face him. Reimold wouldn’t need the same treatment against right handed relievers because he’s shown he can handle them adequately. There’s also the issue of defense, where I would say McLouth is slightly better but not by enough to outweigh the offensive advantages late in a game.

I think this is a pretty good take (though I disagree defensively, I think Reimold is a butcher). Start off the season with the platoon. That rewards McLouth for his good finish in Baltimore last year as well as eases Reimold back into a role following his injury. If one or the other shows they are deserving of more time than they are getting, then start shifting towards that. We won't be in a position where one off them will be producing but get overshadowed by the other who has to get a certain number of at bats.

[mweb08]

There's nothing wrong at all imo with starting the season with two platoons. Reimold can then compete with McLouth, Betemit, and Davis to get more AB's vs righties, and he'd get more PT if Jones or Markakis get hurt.

[Kevin Ebert]

As the roster is constructed now, I think they will go with 2 platoons. LF and DH. Betemit just can't hit lefties and shouldn't be anywhere near the plate with a lefty on the mound. I do think they'd rather not go into the season with 2 platoons, because it does limit Buck's flexibility somewhat.

Though we've seen other teams like the A's and Rays make it work. It's a way to get decent production for a cheap cost. That's why you've seen the cost conscious teams go this route.

[Can_of_corn]

I know what The Book says but I can't agree with throwing out the actual data that is present for a player. I am sure The Book would have said the same thing about Jones and he is still showing a strong reverse platoon split.

If healthy Reimold should be starting in left and McLouth should be the fourth outfielder and defensive replacement.

[Kevin Ebert]

I know what The Book says but I can't agree with throwing out the actual data that is present for a player. I am sure The Book would have said the same thing about Jones and he is still showing a strong reverse platoon split.

If healthy Reimold should be starting in left and McLouth should be the fourth outfielder and defensive replacement.

The whole point of doing regression is that the sample is too small to be reliable. If you asked Reimold, I bet you he'd tell you that he'd rather face a left handed pitcher than a righty. I didn't throw out the data, I just regressed it. But I still started with the actual performance.

If you just look at the raw data without regard to sample size, it can lead you to some bad conclusions. You also have to factor in health, defensive performance and baserunning.

[Can_of_corn]

And I would still rather go where the actual evidence is pointing instead of assuming typical performance. I understand it is a small sample size but it is far from nonexistent.

Now if you had MiLB statistics showing Reimold having a normal split in the minors then you could easily change my mind.

As for Defense, I find McLouth overrated defensively and if you want to call SSS on Reimold's platoon split then you can not in good conscience give weight to any defensive metrics.

As for Baserunning, Reimold was 13th in Fangraphs baserunning metric when he played last season.

As for health, of course if a player isn't healthy they will not be playing.

[JeremyStrain]

And I would still rather go where the actual evidence is pointing instead of assuming typical performance. I understand it is a small sample size but it is far from nonexistent.

Now if you had MiLB statistics showing Reimold having a normal split in the minors then you could easily change my mind.

As for Defense, I find McLouth overrated defensively and if you want to call SSS on Reimold's platoon split then you can not in good conscience give weight to any defensive metrics.

As for Baserunning, Reimold was 13th in Fangraphs baserunning metric when he played last season.

As for health, of course if a player isn't healthy they will not be playing.

McLouth is better with the glove, range and instincts in the field, but Reimold has a MUCH better arm.

[Kevin Ebert]

McLouth is better with the glove, range and instincts in the field, but Reimold has a MUCH better arm.

Agreed. McLouth's popgun arm keeps his defensive value suppressed somewhat. The other aspects of his defense are better than Reimold but Reimold's advantage in throwing arm closes the gap.