44.8 Checking the Locks: Center Field

[crobillard]

This is a series where I will evaluate the options in each position leading into Spring Training. This is the seventh of eleven parts. I will be taking a look into the center field position in this post.

Sure fire locks: Rocky Allen
Near lock: Bill Morley, Jerry Bell

Without a great centerfield replacement, Allen is the defacto roamer in the middle of the diamond. His first full season in Edmonton he was atrocious with a .206/.240/.336 batting line, not even reaching a replacement level hitter with a -0.6 WAR. He still has the defensive chops with an 11 rating in center, but a .575 OPS in 417 at bats is unacceptable for a player who is getting paid almost 9 million. There was a time last season when Allen was on the waiver wire and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him return there this season. When Allen was injured with an elbow strain, Edmonton turned to Morley and Bell to split reps and see who could earn the job. I think we'll see more of that in Spring Training.

Both Morley and Bell played fine in their replacement roles and they continued to split reps even after Allen recovered from his injury. Manager Gonzales seemed to have enough with Allen's inconsistency and turned to his younger options to light a fire in the outfield. In 274 at bats last season, Bell got his only significant playing time in the majors and hit .223/.317/.339 with 13 doubles, two triples and five homeruns for 0.5 WAR. On the other hand, Morley, who is the better defensive option between the two 11 to 8 in center field, hit .231/.277/.346, but he only saw 78 at bats. Gonzales definitively made a move towards Bell when he saw more pop in his bat than Morley's.

Morley is probably being rooted for though as he is the younger, better defensive option between the two. We'll see these two play more in Spring Training and maybe we'll see the team try and get Allen going during the spring and attempt to jump start his bat a bit. If that doesn't happen, don't be surprised to see Allen back on the waiver wire.