Alfredo Despaigne? Is that your picture?

Yes, heres to hoping he defects next year and Dayan proves he is a capable ML hitter and moves over to DH

Yes, heres to hoping he defects next year and Dayan proves he is a capable ML hitter and moves over to DH

Isn't Alfredo getting old for a max contract in MLB? Is he 28 yet?

Thank you hi8is. Also, did you edit my quote?

Yes. Excuse me Sir if I've overstepped my bounds. However, seeming that English is your second language - I figured you may not mind a hand.

I hope Abreu does not think that he has to be a dead pull hitter from day one. Hit it to the opposite field for power like Frank did in his early years and Konerko did in his later years.

.268/27/87

If he can put up average MLB 1B production over the lenght of his contract, then he'll be worth the money (or better). Anything beyond that is a bonus.

 

Just for brevity, I'll say he comes up with an OPS+ of 111.

He loses his position to a Darin Erstad/Rob Mackowiak platoon by midseason after we rehire Ozzie

Edited January 13, 201412 yr by Jake

.270 27 HRs 84 RBIs

 

Struggles a bit out of the gate, turns it on in the second half, hits 12 HRs in July.

.265/.340/25-30 HR

My first year expectations: .270/.330/.510/.840

 

Honestly, other than the slugging, nothing too crazy there. That's a top 10 1B in terms of OPS, but it's near the bottom end of the spectrum and low on the OBP side. The one tool that has consistently been praised by scouts is his power, so I think that number is fairly reasonable, especially playing half his games in the Cell. I do think his K & BB rates will improve as he adjusts to major league pitching, so long-term I think you're looking at a .900 OPS type player. In this environment, that would make him one of the best 1B in baseball.

 

Again, Abreu's power should be elite, so if he can make average contact, I really believe these are realistic expections. If not, we're probably in serious trouble, because I don't think his Cuban League BB rate will translate very well to the MLB (lots of intentional walks skewing his OBP). A high K rate would likely result in a Mark Trumbo type player, which despite the return the Angels got for him, would be pretty disappointing to say the least.

I guess I need to temper my expectations.

 

The only thing I expect is a slow start. I remember a thread here laughing about Cespedes April and calling him a bust before he broke out for his great rookie year. That adjustment time/cold is legit.

I'll reserve my guess until we get towards the end of ST. The jump from Cuban ball to the mlb is a big one and just too difficult to guess without a look see first.

I'll say he matches what Cespedes did he first year only in more games (Cespedes played 129 games, I'll say Abreu plays in the 140s).... .290/.355/.505 25-30 HRs 90-100 RBI 120-140 Ks. I'll also add that he'll be clutch as funk.

.268/26/82

If I see an .800 OPS this year, I will be happy.

 

I'll be happy if the guy is clutch and drives in runs like a mad man.

I hope for great, but expect bad.

.240 average, 17 homers, 118 games played

.240 average, 17 homers, 118 games played

That would be horrific for so many reasons.

That would be horrific for so many reasons.

 

Unless the OBP was .340+ and he hit 32 doubles too. AVG + HR just isn't enough detail.

Just a hunch based on the guys numbers, if he disappoints, it will be in the power area, and not the average or OBP areas.

He's going to have a 40/40 year. 40 HR and 40 RBI. Because of our lineup

Just a hunch based on the guys numbers, if he disappoints, it will be in the power area, and not the average or OBP areas.

 

I'm actually mostly afraid of the OBP, because I've heard lots of internet guys say that the Cuban league standard for control is very low. It's one thing to be willing to take your walks when the pitchers are tossing up garbage, but entirely another when they're able to paint the corners.

Is anyone else tired of the Soxtalk user acting like he's Jose Abreu shtick yet?