Originally posted by fish16
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Also since we're here, DLC is doing an analytical thing again - https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savan...-r-hitting-mlb
Expected slash is .287/.324/.530. I mean, that's good? His launch angle is decreasing a little from some early season gains so maybe this is going to drop pursuant to previous down turns he has had and he just gets on some hot streaks, but this is still an evolving player bat profile. A lot of baseball commentators are pointing to him as an April break out candidate on his contact profile. Burger didn't have a good year until he was 27. DLC is 27. I think they have to play him and see if the hits follow the contact FWIW. I'm still not confident this story is fully written, but yes we all know you hate him (and aren't wrong with the defense and the base running - he shouldn't have scored last night to win the game TBH but maybe that's 3B coach fault). They should play him 80%+ time at DH and need to clear out Bell and Arraez/Burger to make this happen. I want to see DLC emerge as a "fine" DH (consistent .800 range OPS) for cheap for a few years TBH.
Also, Sanchez is in this same boat - https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savan...-r-hitting-mlb. Execpted slash .270/.321/.462, which would play higher against RHP. Just another guy they can't give up on and have to play him despite all the warts. He's only 26 too. This is the kind of guy they release and then is great for Houston, Tampa, or Cleveland quickly IMO.
Big picture, if DLC can be a 1.2 WAR DH getting him off the field and Sanchez a 1.2 WAR 3rd platoon/4th OF, they will combine make $5-6m next year for two roster spots. Gordon's hit profile stinks so he is probably on the way out but they should give him some more time to see if it happens, but the longterm basis of a Sanchez-Mesa Jr.(maybe?)-Jazz(Extend please!) OF with DLC the 5th OF/DH, and a TBD 4th OF (likely outside of organization and a right handed bat for sure), with Edwards the de facto 6th OF to spot some games in LF, is a pretty good set up IMO. Even better if Brujan makes it and he can dabble in the OF too.
TLDR - This is going to be a very long season
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