Dave Cameron mentions position switch for Phillips in FanGraphs chat

FanGraphs Chat - 10/26/11

If you look at the 12:58 comments, you can see that Dave Cameron thinks Cincinnati should consider moving Phillips to shortstop. I hadn't thought about this before, but I could see Phillips' glove playing at short. What does everyone else think?

7 months ago Grahamophone 8 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

i nearly pulled my hair out hoping this would happen...

…In 2009.

Now, not so much.

BP aint getting any younger, and he is getting more expensive. Keep him where he is while he’s healthy and productive and over 30.

Tequila and pancakes, anyone?

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Oct 26, 2011 2:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think you make a good point, but a lot of second basemen do not age particularly well either.

Anyone playing up the middle in baseball is prone to more injuries than a corner spot. (relevant FanGraphs article) Do you think he’s more valuable to Cincinnati at 2B? I really wonder how much the risk of injury would increase.

"Good luck, National League managers – I have no idea how you’re supposed to get this guy out." - Dave Cameron on Joey Votto

by Grahamophone on Oct 26, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

The biggest injury risk for BP is the HBP

I don’t know if there’s a good reason why 2Bs age worse. I’ve heard that it’s because of vulnerability to take-out slides, and that does happen some. Seems like SSs would also face exposure there, if less so because they’re less likely to be pivoting. The biggest reason 2Bs age worse is probably because they’re on average less athletic than SSs. I think Phillips still has plenty left in that department, though he is a step slower and has a bit less power than three or four years ago.

At this point in his career, I don’t think a position change is a good idea.

by ken on Oct 26, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Shoulda done it in '06

Dang.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 26, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know if they're more injury prone

But I think it’s reasonable that the tougher defensive positions would age poorly. Speed tends to drop off fairly early. Remember that article about the aging curves for SS? They’re at their peak at age 23 or 24. Many of them probably waste their best defensive years in the minors.

I would guess the situation is similar for 2B.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Oct 28, 2011 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel like this would be creating a Jeter-esque situation in Cincinnati

The ends justify the means

by Highlifeman21 on Oct 26, 2011 10:41 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think it beneficial.

Might he still be gold glove quality at SS? Probably, even if he didn’t win it. Would the gain of moving him to SS offset the loss of losing him at 2b? Doubtful

"Suck for Luck"? Forget that
2010 was "Schemin’ for Green and Faultin’ for Dalton."

by supergrover on Nov 2, 2011 7:58 AM EDT reply actions