Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
Gordon also hits lefthanded.
It hasn't mattered this year, but for his career there is a noticeable split there. Good, RH, RBI bats are really in short supply, especially in the Cardinals system.
I'd be extremely reluctant to take a RH bat out of the lineup in favor of another LHer.
I'm also FAR from willing to just concede that Alex Gordon is a better hitter than Allen Craig. Craig's going to hit for more power year in, year out, IMO. Additionally, while Gordon's more likely to draw a walk, he's also more likely to strike out. Seeing as how Craig is used as an RBI/Cleanup hitter, his ability to make contact more frequently is largely what makes him such an outstanding RBI guy. I know RBI is team dependent, but if all things are equal, Craig is a better RBI hitter due to his approach.
In the end, they're comparable hitters, but Gordon is a better athlete/baserunner. I think it's hard to go wrong with either one, but given the difficulty in finding a premier RH RBI bat, I'd prefer keep the righty and sacrifice the athleticism, especially if we're talking about a scenario where either player is at 1b.
Matt Adams? Pft - Gordon in a walk. Adams may be great someday, but the book on him is out right now (hard in, hard in, soft away; take a seat). He needs to adjust to pitchers adjusting to him before I start including him in any of these conversations.
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Fair enough. We'll see how it plays out this year, and if Craig can stay healthy. I think you'd see Gordon hit for more power in a better lineup with better protection and slotted in an RBi spot. Not playing half of his games in the K (being told by his hitting coach to try to avoid hitting HR because of the park) would also probably help...
Final food for thought: Alex Gordon is fifth in MLB in WAR since the start of 2011 (the year of his swing/approach change and consequential re-emergence). Just saying...
His career renaissance has been, literally, remarkable. At least one thing has gone right recently for KC.