Jake Bauers

[owbc]

1 hour ago, Playing Catch said:

If Vaughn started everyday would it help or hurt him? While the IGT may not like Vaughn's starting the game on the bench, it sure is a dangerous bat to bring in against a lefty late. I think Vaughn's role is really valuable for a team that wins on all the margins. I kinda feel like he's more valuable in his role than a typical RH masher, as it pertains to wins/losses, but that his platoon-role could cost him in terms of market-value.

Vaughn would play every day on most teams. Bauers gives us the luxury of being able to deploy him in a platoon with the added bonus of knowing we are not completely giving up ABs when Vaughn faces righties. 

 

[liveforoctober]

2 hours ago, Playing Catch said:

If Vaughn started everyday would it help or hurt him? While the IGT may not like Vaughn's starting the game on the bench, it sure is a dangerous bat to bring in against a lefty late. I think Vaughn's role is really valuable for a team that wins on all the margins. I kinda feel like he's more valuable in his role than a typical RH masher, as it pertains to wins/losses, but that his platoon-role could cost him in terms of market-value.

If we are counting Bauers as an everyday guy right now and the debate is Frelick v Vaughn I am not sure who can complain about how the Brewers utilized both guys recently. I would have to look at the numbers again for exact stats but in June Frelick hit .350 or so with an OPS just under .900 and Vaughn his .333 or thereabouts with an OPS just over .900.

If we are platooning those two guys and getting that kind of production from the combo I can't fault how Murphy has used them. ESPECIALLY considering what you mention, which is having a wild card option on the bench to win a game late when an opposing team brings in a lefty. Vaughn late with a run scoring opp against a LHP is the equivalent of an offensive closer.

[gregmag]

My understanding from people who know about such things is that a broken hamate bone can sap power for a while. It therefore seems short-sighted to assume that 2026 Vaughn — a high-average, low-power lefty killer — provides a good sense of what 2027 Vaughn will look like. “Last year is last year. Who cares?,” aside from its obnoxious, smug arrogance, may be exactly wrong on the substance. If the injury matters as much as I’m thinking it might, then 2025 Vaughn may be a lot more relevant than 2026 Vaughn for projecting 2027 Vaughn.