Dbacks sign LF Kubel from ztwins

[Mulli]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/diamondbacks-to-sign-jason-kubel.html

Interesting, Parra to bench, per Rosenthal. Kubel has some power.

 

[TJ]

If we had a DH, this would be a great move. However, we don't, and sending our best defensive outfielder to the bench is ridiculous.

Nothing against Kubel because he can hit the snot out of a baseball, but I think Parra is a better fielder and a potential .300 hitter as an everyday player.

Color me unimpressed

 

[Dback Jon]

Stupid move, IMHO. Parra needs to be the starter.


First move of the KT era that pisses me off?

WHY??

 

[Dback Jon]

That 15 million would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[overseascardfan]

I was hoping that ARZ would sign 3B Aramis Ramirez to be a stop gap for either Borchering or Davidson. But this is way out of left field...no pun intended.

 

[JS22]

I'd be shocked if Parra went to the bench.

I look at this as a foreshadowing to Young being dealt.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I love it. The Dbacks desperately need more pop in their lineup and more depth in their outfield. Parra's defensive abilities make him an ideal 4th outfielder. Parra can fill in at any of the 3 outfield positions, giving us the ability to play matchups and he will likely be a defensive sub anytime we have a lead past the 7th inning.

Parra will still get his playing time and his at bats.

Plus this likely means that Young will be bumped to the 7th spot in the batting order.

My guess is our lineup will look like this once Drew is healthy. Just sub in Bloomquist when he is not:

Drew
Hill
Upton
Kubel
Montero
Goldy
Young
Roberts
Pitcher

 

[Lefty]

I don't like this signing at all. That money could go to sign Montero. Parra is the better overall player.

 

[PDXChris]

I'd be shocked if Parra went to the bench.

I look at this as a foreshadowing to Young being dealt.

I was thinking that exact same thing. Parra to center.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I don't like this signing at all. That money could go to sign Montero. Parra is the better overall player.

That isn't close to being correct.

Parra is a good defender in outfield with very little pop in his bat, despite playing a power bat position. You don't need an all world defender at LF, especially if you have a good defender at center.

Parra posted career year numbers across the board. To rely on that to happen again would be foolish. I feel the same way about Tatman.

 

[Dback Jon]

That isn't close to being correct.

Parra is a good defender in outfield with very little pop in his bat, despite playing a power bat position. You don't need an all world defender at LF, especially if you have a good defender at center.

Parra posted career year numbers across the board. To rely on that to happen again would be foolish. I feel the same way about Tatman.

Parra is still very young. Remember he came up straight from AA in 2009 - only 24, so not yet to power age.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Parra is still very young. Remember he came up straight from AA in 2009 - only 24, so not yet to power age.

It is possible he could get up to the 15 - 20 HR power range and he will need to if he wants to be an everyday LF on a good team.

Now if he plays center, then he can have lower hitting numbers and to justify his defense.

My guess...the dbacks play him about every 3rd game somewhere in the outfield and he is a defensive sub for Kubel if they have a 2 run lead in the 7th.

If Young continues to show little progress at the plate, they move him at the deadline to get another piece.

Ultimately this deal gives the DBacks a lot of flexibility in the upcoming season.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I'd be shocked if Parra went to the bench.

I look at this as a foreshadowing to Young being dealt.

oh.... and let me add:

 

[Dback Jon]

Possibly - or it stunts the growth of one of the top MLB players under 25.



I am much more concerned about 3B.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Possibly - or it stunts the growth of one of the top MLB players under 25.

Wow I wouldn't say that. Guys 25 and younger:

Upton, Carlos Gonzalez, Jay Bruce, Evan Longoria, Posey, McCutchen, Heyward, Stanton, King Felix, Kershaw, Rasmus

The list goes on and on. I don't think he is top 50 under 25.

 

[azsportsfan01]

I was thinking that exact same thing. Parra to center.

Parra is more likely to be dealt. Having Parra in center 15 to 20 times a year is alright, having him in center 150 times a year would be a disaster. Parra's value will never be higher and now is the time to move him. If we could get a decent 3rd base or SS prospect for him then this will be a decent move. While Kubel isn't that great in the outfield he provides a valuable asset we need desperately, left handed power.

 

[devilalum]

Parra is more likely to be dealt. Having Parra in center 15 to 20 times a year is alright, having him in center 150 times a year would be a disaster. Parra's value will never be higher and now is the time to move him. If we could get a decent 3rd base or SS prospect for him then this will be a decent move. While Kubel isn't that great in the outfield he provides a valuable asset we need desperately, left handed power.

Exactly, given only these choices a LF that can hit >>> than a LF that can field.

 

[Mulli]

Did Parra contribute offensively in the playoffs? Can't remember...

 

[Big Deal]

Wow I wouldn't say that. Guys 25 and younger:

Upton, Carlos Gonzalez, Jay Bruce, Evan Longoria, Posey, McCutchen, Heyward, Stanton, King Felix, Kershaw, Rasmus

The list goes on and on. I don't think he is top 50 under 25.

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f5/top-50-mlb-players-25-or-under-173419.html

He is referring to this ESPN insider list of top 50 players under 25 years old in which Parra was ranked #36.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Did Parra contribute offensively in the playoffs? Can't remember...

Hit .081 so no.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f5/top-50-mlb-players-25-or-under-173419.html

He is referring to this ESPN insider list of top 50 players under 25 years old in which Parra was ranked #36.

I can see #36 as being reasonable. In the right situation you can have him being your LF. As Jon has said, that involves a big bat at third. In fact, Parra would be ideal behind someone like Sandoval.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Gerardo Parra's 2011 numbers (493 plate appearances): .292/.357/.427/.784 -- OPS+ of 113
Jason Kubel's 2011 numbers (401 plate appearances): .273/.332/.434/.766 -- OPS+ of 111

You can say that you think Parra's 2011 was a fluke, but given that he's just 24 he has earned the right to prove that it wasn't. Given that Kubel will turn 30 shortly after the season begins, has missed a good chunk of time with injuries, and has dropped significantly off of his 2009 peak, the same argument can be made that Kubel is likely to continue his regression. Kubel is unlikely to be so great of an upgrade over Parra to warrant $15M over two years given that there are more obvious places to use that money (the rotation is still a little soft in the middle, and Montero still needs to be signed long term). I just don't see how this deal is worth it.

 

[devilalum]

Here's an interesting take.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/19364/jason-kubel-signing-doesnt-make-sense

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Kubel to Arizona a Head-Scratcher

Moving forward, Kubel probably has the offensive advantage over the 25-year-old Parra. Bill James projects a .274/.343/.466 line for Kubel in 2012, compared to .293/.352/.427 for Parra. Over the course of a full season, Kubel is about 10 runs (or one win) better with the bat if you go by Bill James. But the equation isn't that simple. Parra is a plus fielder, Kubel is a born DH, and Arizona's staff takes to the air more than most.

Over the course of his three-year career, Parra has saved about 11 runs more than the average left fielder per 150 defensive games, according to Ultimate Zone Rating. The 220-pound Kubel, who has a blown knee in his past in addition to the foot issue, has been 17 runs below average per 150 games in an outfield corner. Even if you think Parra isn't quite that swift afield and that Kubel isn't that much of a plodder, the defensive difference wipes away any advantage Kubel holds over Parra at the plate.

Overall, this move looks like a waste of resources for the Diamondbacks.

Full article: http://www.baseballanalytics.org/ba.../12/19/kubel-to-arizona-a-head-scratcher.html

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Here's an interesting take.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/19364/jason-kubel-signing-doesnt-make-sense

It is almost my take with stats

I agree that if Parra is on the team all year, he gets 300 at bats