I don't like the "helps every day" argument. He does, but he rarely can win you the game. A pitcher requires relatively little assistance to directly and almost completely determine the outcome of a game. And he'll do it every time he pitches. A hitter bats 4 times a game and makes a handful of defensive plays. When he can do too much damage at the plate, they'll walk him. Whether Abreu is at bat when you need a run is a matter of luck. Whether the starting pitcher is pitching when you need to hold the lead is a matter of skill.

Both.

I don't like the "helps every day" argument. He does, but he rarely can win you the game. A pitcher requires relatively little assistance to directly and almost completely determine the outcome of a game. And he'll do it every time he pitches. A hitter bats 4 times a game and makes a handful of defensive plays. When he can do too much damage at the plate, they'll walk him. Whether Abreu is at bat when you need a run is a matter of luck. Whether the starting pitcher is pitching when you need to hold the lead is a matter of skill.

 

An average hitter gets 10% of his team's PA throughout the season. While an average starting pitcher pitches 13-14% of his teams total innings. The amount of defensive responsibilities a position players has over a pitcher brings that % of impact a little closer. I'd still pick the position player given they frequency they play.

In this run scoring environment, give me Jose

I would imagine there are more "good" starters, but the problem is the need for five of them.

 

In this scenario you are only replacing Sale. Not the whole rotation

I chose the position player, but it hurt to do it.

 

Bottom line is that Sale is a pitcher and because he is a pitcher he could blow up at literally any minute. That's the only reason to choose Abreu.

I chose the position player, but it hurt to do it.

 

Bottom line is that Sale is a pitcher and because he is a pitcher he could blow up at literally any minute. That's the only reason to choose Abreu.

I picked Abreu too for exactly the same reasons. Take the hitter because the pitcher is a bigger injury risk just by being a pitcher.

 

Sale makes the choice harder by having a longer track record of stardom, but still, give me Abreu.

Both. because we already have both. And will have both for a long time.

Chicks dig the long ball. I dig chicks. Therefore I dig Abreu. Nutshell.

 

This is some kind of impeccable logic, and I support this post 100%. As, I am sure, would Sigmund Freud.

I think it would be easier to find a hitter close to Abreu's level than a pitcher close to Sale's level. I vote Sale.