Is Tony Graffanino worth a look?

I noticed this news item this weekend, and even though I'd sworn off speculating about potential 3B/SS backups, I can't resist throwing this name out there for discussion.

Aramis' continued gimpiness - not to mention the fact that Ryan Theriot has appeared in every game so far this season - means the lack of depth on the left side of the infield is still a glaring Achilles' heal on this already battered team.

Granted, Graffanino appears to be a pretty awful hitter. (Career OPS+ 89). But, in 1,207.2 career innings at third base he shows a decent 6.7/8.6 UZR/UZR 150 rating. He's also played 714.1 career innings at shortstop for a just-above-water UZR/UZR 150 rating of 1.0/4.0. In addition, as far as I can tell, he hasn't been injured recently.

So I ask you, BCB, is Tony Graffanino worth a look?

6 months ago dat cubfan daver 9 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

In skimming this post...

I notice far too many acronyms. Then I notice they’re all about Tony Graffanino… then I ignore them. I don’t think he’d be an asset to the team at all, just another liability.

by lswaidz on May 4, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL OK C U L8ER

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 4, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

leet speak > acronyms

Well played.

by lswaidz on May 4, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw this transaction and thought about it, too.

But Graffanino was pretty bad this year. His last decent year was 2005. He’ll be 37 next month. I say no.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on May 4, 2009 10:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, I assume you're referring to offense...

…which brings us back to the endless debate about whether a backup/defensive replacement needs to be able to hit. Look at the difference Alfredo Amezaga made in the Marlins series – he’s a career .656 OPS hitter (1457 PAs) vs. Graffanino’s .729 (3,161 PAs).

That said, I’ll admit I somehow neglected to look at Graffanino’s age. And I’m not even to the point of arguing for Hendry to pick him up. Just curious as to whether offering Graffanino a minor league deal might not make some sense given the utter scarcity of qualifed ML third basemen in the Cubs system.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 4, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs