Rant about weak producing players in a lineup

This is a list of some of the guys that I wonder why they still get playing time.

I understand working through an injury or a slump.  But at some point you have to produce at the plate.

When you have a very weak BA and OPS in your lineup it becomes a weak point that hurts all year long in crucial spots.

I think too many teams keep them in the lineup on past performance, potential, and defense.

I would rather give up a marginal amount on defense for a better producer at the plate in today’s game.

For example, I never understood why the Phillies kept playing Castellanos.  Now the Padres feel obligated to play him.

I feel these two stats should add up to at least the .750 - .800 range in order to stay in the lineup.

If your BA is below .200, then your OPS better more than make up for that deficit by being close to .600.

If the majority of your lineup is well above this, then why not replace the weaker bats with anyone else that has to be better until this guy gets up to speed.

This is just a pet peeve I have and a general rant about it.

This is just a small selection:

REDS:                         BA              OPS 

CF — Friedl               .185             .541 

C — Stephenson.     .189             .586

3B — Hayes             .134             .419

Rockies:

LF — Beck                 .162            .483

SS — Tovar                .187            .505

Padres:

LF — Castellanos      .183           .506

C — Fermin                .143           .459

Red Sox:

3B — Durbin              .177           .513

Athletics:

OF — Butler               .182           .571

Orioles:

DH — Mayo                .163          .510

Throw Cal Raleigh in there. After his creation, which was Masonic theater, last season - there is nothing coming to save him. 

.169

Yes, I started to list him.

Add Saggese from STL to the list.  .158/.406

They get two on and he strikes out to start a good stall to the rally.

I can do a novel on players who suck ass with risp/high leverage situations. 

Can't tell you how many times I've seen 0 outs, runners on 1st and 2nd, and I'm yelling at the TV "just fucking bunt".

I don't care the name on the players jersey. If they suck in these situations, the manager has to play a better strategy. 

Either a strikeout or DP is coming, especially if I got $ on that team

The thing is the metrics show the defense matters way more. If you have a good catcher you would take a completely dead 0000 for them if they are elite. 

I hear you but this is 1990s perspective 

@undermysac

 Or just keep the bat on your shoulders.  No way to hit into a double play and kill a rally that way.

@johanndemann

What metrics are you referring to?

At no point in today's game would I take anyone that is .000 - .175.  No way you would lose that much defensively if your next catcher is say 85-90% defensively but produces more at the plate.

The same for middle infielders as well.   Defense is not good enough reason to keep someone in the lineup that cannot hit .200 and has a low OPS as well.

Just very frustrating when a weak hitter is in a need-to-hit spot and cannot do it.  

But if you are already killing a team he will choose that day to go 2 for 3.

Bases loaded and 3-1 count and 2 outs -- and Hayes swings at 2 pitches out of the strikezone to end the inning 

Then Bailey for Cleveland .143/.388 strikes out with the bases loaded to end the inning 

Add Scott from St Louis to the list -- .185/.510

Christopher morel hands down the worst hitter in league imo  an OPS of under .400 is incredible 

@Raiders22

 Thank goodness we got rid of Bailey! Still a couple more we need to

Add Duran in Boston -- .179 / .533 to the list

 Os fan here. Wife and I hate Mayo on this team and for how long they keep trotting him out there.

Thank you for the numbers, it explains what I’ve been feeling better than I could express it.

And his defensive is average l, sooo…

Also you just know from eye if you’ve been watching baseball for 40+ years, when a player sucks, especially at the plate.

But then, there will probably be some level of players that will get a leash too long in games played because the business side of baseball, if it’s like anything else, is gonna dictate that they HAVE to play this guy. Especially prospects/rookies. Looking at you Jackson Holliday.

Baseball is no different than any other corporate entity, where the people at the field level prob know what’s up but the owner and GM and all the “leadership” get too much say.

Because out there in the world, you know there has to be enough talent to cycle guys onto the teams to replace the laggards. But they don’t at the rate I’d expect. Maybe it’s me.

Between Minors and international, you would think?

@nolemonasses

Good early season rant 22. Fundamentals and old school ball are no longer in vogue in the big leagues. In all sports leagues. Some need to re-emerge.