How many runs will Kubel cost the Dbacks?

[Dback Jon]

He is SLOW in the outfield.

Let a ball drop that allowed runs that Parra would have had no problem with. Kubel better put up big numbers, or this signing will be a net loss to the Dbacks.

 

[TJ]

Haven't really paid attention with the exception of one AB on MLB TV's replay of today's game when he struck out.

I presume if Kubel struggles, he goes to the bench and Parra comes back onto the field.

This certainly was the riskiest, most baffling signing of the offseason.

 

[BC867]

Kubel is certainly not the first player in baseball to provide protection for our best hitter and patrol left field.

I loved seeing Parra play regularly, but losing his fielding in LF will be more than made up by the production of Upton and Kubel in the heart of the order.

Remember that until Drew was injured, he was our cleanup hitter.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Kubel is certainly not the first player in baseball to provide protection for our best hitter and patrol left field.

I loved seeing Parra play regularly, but losing his fielding in LF will be more than made up by the production of Upton and Kubel in the heart of the order.

Remember that until Drew was injured, he was our cleanup hitter.

Exactly BC.

Other than 1B, there's not a position in baseball where less range needs to be covered than LF. If Kubel hits to his power potential (25-30 homers+), I will be more than willing to settle for the drop off defensively.

 

[Dback Jon]

Exactly BC.

Other than 1B, there's not a position in baseball where less range needs to be covered than LF. If Kubel hits to his power potential (25-30 homers+), I will be more than willing to settle for the drop off defensively.

If he can regain that form, good. But he will cost the dbacks 15-20 runs defensively this year.

 

[DWKB]

If he can regain that form, good. But he will cost the dbacks 15-20 runs defensively this year.

Kubel is not that bad and Parra is not that good. There might be a 10 run difference between the two of them defensively.

 

[azsportsfan01]

If he can regain that form, good. But he will cost the dbacks 15-20 runs defensively this year.

Well considering Parra last year saved 11 runs and Kubel saved 0 I guess 15 to 20 is right. I mean who wouldn't think Parra will regress a little and Kubel will be healthy? Come on guys, left field defense is the 2nd least valuable position to 1st base.

 

[Dback Jon]

Kubel is not that bad and Parra is not that good. There might be a 10 run difference between the two of them defensively.

I have watch Kubel in two games in person now - he is SLOW

 

[BC867]

Come on guys, left field defense is the 2nd least valuable position to 1st base.

I disagree about playing 1B. Although some stiffs have played there over the years, there have been many outstanding fielding 1B.

A good 1B gives confidence to 5 of the remaining 8 players on the field. The mediocre fielders in the rest of the infield know that their throw can be in the dirt, high or wide and the 1B will protect them.

The good to great fielders in the infield won't be afraid to try a spectacular, but chancy, throw if they have confidence in the 1B. Otherwise, they might be tempted to hold onto the ball.

What other position player catches more balls in play, except the Catcher? From the 2B, SS, 3B as well as the Pitcher and Catcher. He covers down the line as well as toward the hole at 2B, in addition to his primary area.

Maybe I'm partial because I'm a lefty and really enjoyed playing 1B when I was younger, but I took pride in instilling confidence in the majority of the position players. Even at the height of 5'10".

 

[azsportsfan01]

I disagree about playing 1B. Although some stiffs have played there over the years, there have been many outstanding fielding 1B.

A good 1B gives confidence to 5 of the remaining 8 players on the field. The mediocre fielders in the rest of the infield know that their throw can be in the dirt, high or wide and the 1B will protect them.

The good to great fielders in the infield won't be afraid to try a spectacular, but chancy, throw if they have confidence in the 1B. Otherwise, they might be tempted to hold onto the ball.

What other position player catches more balls in play, except the Catcher? From the 2B, SS, 3B as well as the Pitcher and Catcher. He covers down the line as well as toward the hole at 2B, in addition to his primary area.

Maybe I'm partial because I'm a lefty and really enjoyed playing 1B when I was younger, but I took pride in instilling confidence in the majority of the position players. Even at the height of 5'10".

Take Goldschmidt as an example. He is a good defender for the balls he can reach. You cannot have a guy with his type range at any other position. There is a reason teams 'hide' guys at 1st. I agree having a good one will boost the confidence of the other players but I would much rather have a well below average defensive 1st baseman than any other position.

As for touching balls that doesn't mean much. In order to play in the minors I would imagine you can catch most of the balls thrown your way. The defensive value comes from the amount of ground a guy can cover. First base doesn't have much ground to cover since they only need to go a few feet to their left because of the foul line and say 45 feet to their right. A 2B and SS need to not only be able to go into the hole they need to be able to cover past the 2nd base bag.

A 3B obviously has similar ground to cover as the 1st baseman but there is a reason it is called the hot corner. They see more balls hit their way. Add in throwing the furthest then you need a guy who has the footwork to position themselves once they catch the ball.

 

[AZ Native]

Kubel is not that bad and Parra is not that good. There might be a 10 run difference between the two of them defensively.

Parra is that good, and he was improving every game. This one may come back to bite us.

 

[DWKB]

Parra is that good, and he was improving every game. This one may come back to bite us.

Maybe you misunderstood me. Parra is not SO good as to be 15-20 runs better than Kubel like Jon said. On the flip side, Kubel is not SO bad as to be 15-20 runs worse than Parra.


azsportsfan01 is right on this one.

 

[BC867]

Maybe you misunderstood me. Parra is not SO good as to be 15-20 runs better than Kubel like Jon said. On the flip side, Kubel is not SO bad as to be 15-20 runs worse than Parra.

Especially when you factor in the runs produced on offense (including the better pitches the middle of the lineup sees) with the runs given up on defense.

I love Parra but, as a corner outfielder, he is obviously not a heart-of-the-order hitter, which we so desperately needed since Drew was moved to cleanup last season.