Comments on: Gonzalez vs Teixeira

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:28:36 +0000

Boston already has a guy who is every bit Teixera’s equal: Kevin Youkilis.

I think Boston is much more likely to go after Price Fielder. He’s a better bat than Gonzalez, and they don’t need a 1B, they need a bat to replace Ortiz.

By: MrBoomBoom

MrBoomBoom — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:10:54 +0000

Even with there likely to be more than one team in the running for acquiring Adrian, I still think Boston is the place for him. Id name another team, if I really thought he was a better fit…but I dont.

This is a classic case of a kid who in every way, is tailor made for Fenway Park. The Yanks have A-Rod and Tex’ for the next however many years. Does anyone really think that Boston is going to miss out on acquiring a guy in Gonzalez, who looks to be every bit of Teixeira’s equal?

Boston isnt stupid enuf to pass on a chance of getting the kid cheaply (roughly 5 million), thru trade…it just makes more sense than not, for them to be all over him. And more importantly for the Padres, Boston has the resources and the necessary trade pieces to make the trade happen, without regretting at all what they’ll have to give up.

Not many teams can afford to give up a haul to get a kid like Adrian…but the BoSox can afford to do it without missing a beat. A middle of the order with Youklis, Martinez, Gonzalez is very impressive. And it’ll look even more impressive this season with Ortiz there before he gets traded in the off season.

but the Padres would have to fall out of contention here pretty soon…and thats doesnt look like its going to happen.

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:16:58 +0000

Also, Helton may have taken up too much of the Rockies payroll for them to keep Matt Holliday, but by and large, even with the power drop, he’s still been valuable enough offensively to justify his contract.

By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:08:57 +0000

The difference between Helton and Gonzalez was that Helton was never a home run hitter. Helton was a high-average pure hitter type, who played in an era where a good hitter in his prime can pop 30-40 home runs.

Gonzalez has sort of evolved from a first baseman who might have hit for a high-average into strictly an ‘ideal’ power-hitting first baseman, who is solidly built.

Gonzalez may not play well through the course of his next long-term deal, but I doubt he is going to revert to a hitter who only ends up popping 15-20 home runs a year, even past his prime.

By: Lorenzo

Lorenzo — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:03:13 +0000

Not THAT huge a difference. Adrian hit only 12 homers in Petco, 28 on the road. Helton’s homers (and average) went down far below the humidor effect, from the 40′s/.350′s to 15-17/.320′s. His power disappeared on the road too. His reversion to the mean after age 32 was more abrupt than most, but it happens fairly regularly. On a long term contract to a power hitter, you’re taking a risk, though at 28, Adrian has 4-5 prime years to put up big numbers.

By: Alireza

Alireza — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:56:15 +0000

HUGE difference. Todd Helton’s huge power numbers came in pre-humidor Coors. After they started moistening the ball, he turned into Nick Johnson with more contact and fewer injuries.

On the other hand, Gonzalez plays in the power hitter’s version of hell and still crushes the baseball.

By: Lorenzo

Lorenzo — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:23:18 +0000

Clubs should consider not only that Adrian may be another Teixeira, but that he could be another Todd Helton. Look at Todd’s career path and tell me anyone who signs Adrian should expect 40+ homers into the distant future.

Helton’s $16.6 million out of an $80 million payroll has forced the Rockies to cut loose guys like Holliday who want big money. Now they’re really dependent on bringing up stars from the farm. It might not be that bad for a bigger market payroll, but it would still pinch all but the Yankees. It’s a risk that has to be considered.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:46:58 +0000

I’m not confusing it, I’m making the point that at the very least the talking heads would have us beleive it. Whether teams beleive as much I don’t know, but all I meant to say was that there’s a perception (at least in the media) that switch hitters are more valuable by virtue of being switch hitters. In other words, Tex as a switch hitter gives an illusion of “completeness” as a hitter which would have people beleiving he’s more versatile, and thus valuable, than Gonzalez.

By: Evan_S

Evan_S — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:51:11 +0000

You forgot one thing about 2012. Baring injury, they will be paying Frankie $17.5 million. That still hurts to type.

By: eastsider

eastsider — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:24:45 +0000

See: Cardinals, St. Louis

2012 -> ?
Holliday ~18M
Pujols ?! (guesses, anyone?)