Bengie Molina

[sheetskout]

How come no one has brought up Bengie Molina? I know he's 35 years old, but he's sick defensively and a free agent this offseason. He's still sick defensively and can run a game. He hits better than Kendall did as well. Thoughts?

[trwi7]

How come no one has brought up Bengie Molina?

 

Because his OBP is jealous of Johnny Estrada's.

[sheetskout]

And that's enough to overcome the increases in power, run production, and defense? You can say Kendall is good defensively, but lets face it.... Kendall's defense last season was an anomaly.

[twobrewers]

Because his OBP is jealous of Johnny Estrada's.

To be fair, if you are batting 8th - OBP isn't as important. The pitcher probably isn't going to drive him in anyways...

[logan82]

OBP is always important. The pitcher won't drive him in, but he top of the order will.

[twobrewers]

I said *as* important.

 

His slugging increase over Kendall probably off-sets his lower OBP thanks to batting in front of the pitcher. Of course, Molina is really slow - so you would have to deal with a lot of his double plays.

[logan82]

Doesn't matter where he bats. His SLG would slightly offset the difference in OBP. It doesn't make sense to me to make a slight upgrade when we could just as easily go with some combination of players we already have. If Molina was younger or could be expected to carry an average OBP I could see making an argument for him. Why chase after a below average hitter good defense or no.

[jackalope02ca]

If he was willing to take a 1 or 2 year deal I'd definately be interested. Rivera could back him up and play more than he did this year. Bengie wouldn't be batting 8th though. More than likely he'd be hitting 5th or more likley 6th.

[Never Outhustled]

Molina was once a great defender, but that was when he was still in his 20s, before he got fat. He's 35 now, and doesn't throw well at all anymore. He gave up 85 steals this year, throwing out just 23%. His OPS is just 705. Thats about the same as Henry Blanco has done the last few years, and Blanco is far superior defensively.

 

Theres still numerous teams that don't understand stats that will overpay Molina based on counting stats, but I don't see Melvin as that sucker. Henry Blanco is a superior player for a fraction of the cost. Mike Rivera would likely be similar to Molina if he got regular ABs.

[Invader3K]

He'd be an upgrade over Kendall, that's for sure. I think he'd be worth a look, but with so many teams being "catching dry", I bet a team will be willing to overpay to bring him in.

 

Blanco could be a decent option...though earlier this year I couldn't believe he was even still playing and has seemingly gotten better with age.

[wishicouldhit]

I suggested this a while ago, the only problem is that he is an A type free agent. Offensivly he would fill the large gap that slowed us down in 2009. Even though I think add Molina would improve this team, the money is spent better elsewhere (starting pitching)

[logan82]

Offensivly he would fill the large gap that slowed us down in 2009.

He wouldn't though. He would be a minimal offensive upgrade over Kendall at best. If he really is a Type A, it would be a terrible idea to sign him.

[dadofandrew]

OBP for a #8 hitter is vital...it helps get the pitcher "out of the way", so the top of the order can lead off, rather than have the near automatic out of the SP up first next inning.

 

Simply put, there are very few C's that will be available who "do not get out" at a level equal to Kendall, never mind play defense. I like Gregg Zaun, and would take a flyer on Navarro, who was awful this year, but is still young and has produced in the past.

 

Maybe they can work a decent C into a package involving a SP and JJ, but when the smoke clears, Kendall may be back at a cheaper rate.

[endaround]

Very few? Try 14 this season with a min 300 PAs.

[piccione88]

I do not want any part of Molina,he has very little upside, he is not going to be cheap, and will likely require us to give up a pick.

[logan82]

Very few? Try 14 this season with a min 300 PAs.

I think you missed a word in DOA's post.

 

Simply put, there are very few C's that will be available who "do not get out" at a level equal to Kendall, never mind play defense.

[sheetskout]

I do not want any part of Molina,he has very little upside, he is not going to be cheap, and will likely require us to give up a pick.

I understand he has no upside. I was thinking more of a year to two-year contract until Lucroy (or Salome) are truly ready.

[JohnBriggs12]

You could get almost identical production as Molina from Miguel Olivo if he turns down his option with the Royals and he's 4 years younger. The only difference is Olivo strikes out a bit more which is actually a plus because he hits into far fewer DP than Molina.

 

The 50 points in OBP between Olivo and Kendall is more than offset by the 125 or so points of slugging pct.

[dadofandrew]

The Crew have finally worked their way up to 3rd in the NL in OBP, I'd hate to start accepting guys who we all but know will get out 70%+. I'll give up SLG, but I hate giving up OBP.

[logan82]

125 points of SLG barely offsets 50 points of OBP. One point of OBP is worth almost 2 points of SLG.

[Ennder]

Bengie Molina is not elite defensively at this point. He is most likely just average. He only threw out 21.3% of baserunners this year. He is an average catcher at best, which would be an upgrade over Kendall of course.

[JohnBriggs12]

125 points of SLG barely offsets 50 points of OBP. One point of OBP is worth almost 2 points of SLG.

Says who exactly? We're talking about potential #7 hitter in the lineup, (not 8th Al, that's for Escobar right now) so he's not up there to "clear the pitchers spot". He's up there to knock in runs. Olivo, on a terrible KC team drove in 65 runs and scored 51 in 416 plate appearences. Kendall (with the aid of a late flourish) managed to drive in 43 and score 48 in more than 100 more plate appearences (526).

 

Rallies don't generally start with the 7 hole hitter. If the 7th hitter walks, the 8 hitter doesn't bunt him over with the pitcher up next. But having that guy there with some power can clean up some bases and be a one man rally with the long ball.

[Never Outhustled]

Says who exactly? We're talking about potential #7 hitter in the lineup,

Runs scored is determined by a teams OBA and slugging percentage. The Brewers finished 3rd in Runs Scored this year because they were 3rd in OPS, not because we had a supposed RBI guy in a certain spot in the lineup. The 7th hitter is just as likely to lead off an inning as any other hitter after the 1st inning.

 

Molina is a poor player, and should be playing for about $800 K.