Tyner at DH

by gophersw on Sep 14, 2006 12:31 PM EDT

I've been patient with this, mostly b/c I doubted it was going to be a regular thing.

I've heard the idea that perhaps Rondell White is a better hitter when he is playing in the field than when DHing (which is a dumb idea; I think Rondell White is a better hitter when he is healthy than when he is not, which is why he has been swinging a better stick lately). Tyner has been having a career year at the plate, and the thing is, he's still not been very good. It's one of the emptiest batting averages you'll find in baseball. I wouldn't have a problem with him playing most everyday if they would let him play LF - his defense is really his best asset. So I was a little miffed watching the game yesterday afternoon when Rabe was out in LF and Tyner was DHing again. Why not go the other way around? With Hunter hobbling around and Gardy insisting on keeping him in CF we need a guy like Tyner in LF...

BTW -- Not that Phil Nevin was going to be the savior or anything ... but if he's never going to play then what the hell was the point? Only Morneau, Hunter, and Cuddy have hit more homers this season. It'd be nice to see him play in more than six games since his acquisition.

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I couldn't agree more...

I'd rather see Tyner in the field than even Hunter right now, let alone Rondell White. Tyner is currently our best all-around defensive OF (obviously if Hunter is healthy he fits that bill). To play him at DH is perplexing to say the least.

by djskilbr on Sep 14, 2006 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

Defense

Wasn't there a story a few weeks ago comparing Tyner and Ford where Gardy said that Ford was the better defensive player but he needed to get his bat going? Perhaps Gardy has some problems with Tyner's defense.

by TT @ Twinkie Town on Sep 14, 2006 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

Gardy isn't the best

evaluator of defensive abilities.

He also thought Castro was an asset.

Ford has some fine defense, perhaps better than Tyner;s - but we can't have him out there on a regular basis b/c his bat is putrid. As empty as Tyner's average is, he's still contributing more than Ford would at this point.

by gophersw on Sep 14, 2006 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Right...

Ford's defense is probably close at this point (though I'd still prefer Tyner) but obviously that's a non-issue. Tyner is certainly better than Hunter or Cuddyer (in everything but GUN) at this point defensively, again, let alone Rondell White or Rabe.

by djskilbr on Sep 14, 2006 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Haven't been able to watch, but...

from what I have been hearing on the radio/computer broadcast (and I have one ear on most games) it sounds like Hunter's defense is BAD right now? Gordon and Gladden never say it but I get the sense that he's not getting to a lot of things that he used to get to?

by montanatwinsfan on Sep 14, 2006 3:22 PM EDT reply actions

Ford

I would say Ford's defense is better than Tyner's. Tyner's is good, but ford is actually a good defensive center fielder and an excellent defensive corner outfielder.

But he can't really hit at all, so his use is limited.

Now that Hunter is looking a bit better out there in center, good enough not to be killing us, I wish Nevin would get more at bats at DH.

"Baseball is great because you can't take a knee or kill the clock. You have to put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn chance." C Stengel

by AdamOnFirst on Sep 14, 2006 4:08 PM EDT reply actions