I think we found our utility infielder

by datrain021 on Jan 26, 2010 8:37 AM EST

He is versital. He can second, left, and right regurarly and can play short, third, and center from time to time. Valbuena would be our main backup at short (with Inglett at second), and if Marte makes the club, he could be our backup at third. While he doesnt have a lot of power, he does have a lifetime average of .293. I think he could be a fit. Thoughts?

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I don’t see it happening with Grudz and Bixler already on board. Who would get bumped from the 40 man to make room for Inglett?

by MickS on Jan 26, 2010 8:58 AM EST reply actions

I’d take him over Bixler and probably Grudzielanek, as Grudz has been mainly a second baseman during his tenure with the Royals.

by Ryan on Jan 26, 2010 9:23 AM EST reply actions

Of course, now that I look at where Inglett’s played with the Jays, he’s been mainly an outfielder. But I’d still take him over Grudz.

by Ryan on Jan 26, 2010 9:34 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, me too, but it’s a small matter. By the way, datrain, I think you can edit your posts. Just saying.

by dgcambridge on Jan 26, 2010 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

If we didn’t think he was good enough to be our UT back in 200-whatever, why should anyone think the Indians would think more highly of him now?

by Jay on Jan 26, 2010 11:49 AM EST reply actions

When we had him in ’06, we had a much deeper team. this team is nowhere as deep as it was in ’06. it was also his first year in the majors. he has improved since we got rid of him.

by bross09 on Jan 26, 2010 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

2006 OPS+ 86
2009 OPS+ 87

by Brick. on Jan 26, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

See?

by Brad D on Jan 26, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

2006: 416 of appx 550 innings played were at 2B.

2009: 190 out of appx 220 innings played were in the OF.

Yeah this guy is trending up. Big time.

by afh4 on Jan 26, 2010 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

plus, you can’t overlook the platoon splits that clearly counter balance valbuena

by Brick. on Jan 26, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

If the Indians want a shortstop, Joe Inglett will give them a fifth outfielder.

by fleerdon on Jan 26, 2010 8:12 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Good memory.

by jhon on Jan 27, 2010 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

the point was more about the fact that we were a much deeper team in ‘06 and’07. I looked at ’07 and I could not see a guy like inglett cracking the 40 man. with this team, it seems much more possible.

by bross09 on Jan 26, 2010 6:21 PM EST up reply actions

I agree that he’s probably a better player than Bixler (who’s a whiff machine) and Grudzielanek (who’s 39 and hasn’t played in the majors for over a year). He might not be a great fit on this roster with Valbuena (left-handed hitter) the putative starter, though.

by Ryan on Jan 26, 2010 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

I do agree with the not fitting part. It would hard to find him at bats. the indians I think are just trying to build some depth. they are making a bunch of stabs at guys like this (borderline major leaguers) and hope some pan out and the rest just stay in the minors if they still have options.

by bross09 on Jan 27, 2010 12:39 AM EST up reply actions

Thank you for challenging my spell check fail throne…

I could really use an oscillation overthruster

by stuart dean on Jan 26, 2010 12:15 PM EST reply actions

He’s left handed and he’ll be asked to start against left-handed pitching. He has no meaningful sample at the major league level against lefties. If he hit with the other hand, he’d probably be a perfect match.

by xrickx on Jan 26, 2010 1:40 PM EST reply actions