THIRD BASE
SURE FIRE LOCKS: Ben McLaughlin
HOPEFULS:
LONG SHOTS: Luis Gomez
Analysis:
McLaughlin is the odd duck that seemed to outperform expectations last season. He is a 32 year old journeyman whose last full season was in ’19 with Montreal. He managed to play 159 games for the Hawks (I love my set it and forget it lineups) and managed an impressive 2.3 WAR, best of his career. His .248/22/74 stat line certainly told part of the story but the more surprising item was his overall defense. I did not expect a +2.3 ZR and 1.003 EFF from the vet. Now, we all know that counting stats only tell use part of the story so it is not a stretch to assume overall he is a below grade 3rd baseman in the field but still, I’ll take this unexpected value. He is penciled in as the starter again this season but his large contract and expectations to return to mean is fueling trade rumors for a long term solution at the hot corner.
Gomez has made his way through the lower level minors and is likely fully developed at this point. He can be a weak side platoon in a pinch but the team will likely look elsewhere if McLaughlin falters.
Hawks Nest, v27.7 - Checking the Locks: 3B
Moderator: Dington
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Re: Hawks Nest, v27.7 - Checking the Locks: 3B
It isn't out of bounds to expect an OPS+ of 90-105 out of McLaughlin. If he can keep that average to above average D he's put up the last 2 years, I'd expect another 2-3 WAR season out of him. Solid, league average player at the hot corner. However, his range falling off this offseason is cause for concern. He may have trouble keeping his head above water defensively with the lower range, and then he's more like a 1.5-2 WAR player and no longer a solidly average player. But then again, Aquino hasn't been terrible in his limited time at 3B with just 3 range, so maybe he can hover around -5 ZR?
Will Gomez be battling Tangles as your backup at 2nd?
Will Gomez be battling Tangles as your backup at 2nd?
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Re: Hawks Nest, v27.7 - Checking the Locks: 3B
Not sure I see Gomez... is he hiding in a closet somewhere?
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Re: Hawks Nest, v27.7 - Checking the Locks: 3B
I doubt that Gómez is actually fully developed, though he looks like it from his bars. That said, he'll struggle unless he gets a bump or three on his eye potential.
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