Should Christian Yelich Move To First Base?

Pretty sure Yelich flat-out doesn't want to move to 1B. For a veteran in his position, that makes it a non-starter.

I've referred to Clarke as a RHH, minor league version of Max Muncy. Low BA, power, very high K rate but draws a lot of walks. Has some versatility (he can catch), but I believe that's where his defensive bullet points end. He could wind up on a MLB roster at some point but IMO his best chance to stick somewhere would be as a bench bat/DH.

Martinez has opened a few eyes w/his performance since moving to Biloxi. But at the end of the day I think their best chance at filling the position long-term will come from one of the recent draftees.

We are about to embark on a bonafied Outfield logjam in the very near future.

I am assuming we will start 2024 out with Wiemer, Frelick, Mitchell, Yelich and Taylor.  That's 5 guys right there who are going to need regular reps.  This list doesn't even include Chourio, who is going to be knocking hard on the outfield door as soon as next year in spring training.

Then what?  Do we continue to play Yelich in LF, knowing full well that all the other guys I listed above are superior defensively?

Add Chourio to that list, and we have 6 outfielders who deserve regular playing time.

There simply isn't room for them all.  Do we trade a guy like Taylor in the offseason?  How about Wiemer, is he a guy you field offers for?

It's a nice problem to have, but then again, it's also going to be an issue if things continue as they are now.

If Yelich is open to it, playing him at 1B is ideal as long as he can legitimately field the position.  4-5 games a week at 1B, the others at DH seems like a great plan!

5 minutes ago, Underachiever said:

Would any of the outfield candidates listed be worth a look at first base?

Well, Frelick, Wiemer, Chourio, and Mitchell are all great defensively in the OF, Yelich just isn't.  It would be a waste to start any of those 4 at 1B given their OF capabilities.  Yelich is the obvious choice to make the transition.  Not sure if Taylor has ever played there in the minors, but I doubt it.

3 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Well, Frelick, Wiemer, Chourio, and Mitchell are all great defensively in the OF, Yelich just isn't.  It would be a waste to start any of those 4 at 1B given their OF capabilities.  Yelich is the obvious choice to make the transition.  Not sure if Taylor has ever played there in the minors, but I doubt it.

Taylor is also great defensively in the OF. 

LF - 376 innings, 3 DRS, 9.3 UZR/150, 4 OAA

CF - 857 innings, 8 DRS, 4.2 UZR/150, 6 OAA

RF - 694 innings, 5 DRS, 14.9 UZR/150, 4 AA

Overall - 1982 innings, 16 DRS, 8.4 UZR/150, 14 OAA

Just now, wiguy94 said:

Taylor is also great defensively in the OF. 

 

Yup, but is he as good as all the youngsters?  It doesn't really matter, we have a lot of guys who are great outfielders, it stands to reason you pick the guy whose defense wouldn't hurt us out there by moving him to another position.  That would be Yelich.

9 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Pretty sure Yelich flat-out doesn't want to move to 1B. For a veteran in his position, that makes it a non-starter.

I've referred to Clarke as a RHH, minor league version of Max Muncy. Low BA, power, very high K rate but draws a lot of walks. Has some versatility (he can catch), but I believe that's where his defensive bullet points end. He could wind up on a MLB roster at some point but IMO his best chance to stick somewhere would be as a bench bat/DH.

Martinez has opened a few eyes w/his performance since moving to Biloxi. But at the end of the day I think their best chance at filling the position long-term will come from one of the recent draftees.

What makes you sure he doesn't want to? His defense has dropped off noticably as the season has gone on. He doesn't have a great arm out there. He's a guy with a long history of back issues. He's also played 1B in HS and was a 1B when drafted(albeit an athletic one the Marlins announced as an OFer).

But I don't see the justification to keep him in LF when you have Chourio, Frelick, Wiemer, Mitchell and then Carlos Rodriguez on their way up(and Tyler Black could end up in the OF, though I doubt it). 

7 hours ago, TURBO said:

How about Wiemer, is he a guy you field offers for?

Not in my opinion. We need guys who can hit lefties. I also think he'll hit for more power. But if you can get a starting pitcher for him +a prospect, you have to consider it. But I wouldn't be in a hurry to.

Right on. Some sort of chronic back issue with a noodle arm = 1st base.

1 hour ago, BrewerFan said:

What makes you sure he doesn't want to? 

Just things I've heard from a source or two. 

And frankly, if what I've heard is true, I hope he has a change of heart & is at least open to it. There have been a lot of reasons brought up here illustrating why it's a good idea. I agree with those reasons. IMO the throwing arm is maybe the biggest piece of evidence. Many have pointed out the glut of OFs. And not only Chourio, but a guy like Carlos Rodriguez could very well shine in todays' game as a 4th-5th OF.

When they went into last off season with Wiemer-Mitchell-Frelick-Ruiz, it was pretty obvious one would go. They may be in a similar spot this winter.

1 minute ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Just things I've heard from a source or two. 

And frankly, if what I've heard is true, I hope he has a change of heart & is at least open to it. There have been a lot of reasons brought up here illustrating why it's a good idea. I agree with those reasons. IMO the throwing arm is maybe the biggest piece of evidence. Many have pointed out the glut of OFs. And not only Chourio, but a guy like Carlos Rodriguez could very well shine in todays' game as a 4th-5th OF.

When they went into last off season with Wiemer-Mitchell-Frelick-Ruiz, it was pretty obvious one would go. They may be in a similar spot this winter.

I think MOST people thought it'd be Ruiz last off-season. I don't get the same feeling that we need to move a guy this off-season. If we get an offer like we did for Ruiz for...Mitchell, I'd jump all over it, but barring that, 3 OF spots, 1B/DH...I don't think we should. I think they all compliment each other well. Chourio-every day; Frelick-mostly every day; Mitchell 50% until he proves he can hit lefties. Wiemer 80% until he proves he can hit righties better.

But Ruiz was a guy we all had #4 and I think most viewed as a #5 OFer. These 4 have much more upside. 

Oh, and Blake Perkins is a rookie. I could see him helping over the next several years as well. He's a nice player. Tyrone Taylor...eh, I'd probably move on there.