Quote:
Originally Posted by Rams Fan
He isn't a minor upgrade. His offense is way better. Even if he won't hit for power, he has more speed than Kozma. Plus, their defense is pretty even.
|
From Bernie
Let's take a look at this nonsense, shall we?
Ramirez soon will turn 32.
He's a nice shortstop, but ...
Defensively
Pete Kozma is a better shortstop.
Here are the latest rankings culled from
Bill James Online...
Defensive Runs Saved:
Ramirez ... 4 runs saved, 11th among MLB shortstops.
Kozma ... 5 runs saved, 6th among shortstops.
John Dewan's Plus-Minus Ratings:
Ramirez ... +1, including a minus 1 on ground balls.
Kozma ... + 7, including a plus 11 on ground balls.
OK, what about offense?
Isn't Ramirez an offensive upgrade over Kozma?
Yes, but only to a point. Since the start of last season, Ramirez has a .295 onbase percentage and a .360 slugging percentage. He can steal some bases, but that isn't a part of the Cardinals' playbook. Nor should it be.
Basically Ramirez is less awful offensively than Kozma.
Which is hardly an endorsement.
Especially when we consider the Ramirez contract obligations.
Ramirez is owed about $2.5 million (maybe closer to $3 million) for the rest of this season.
Ramirez will make $9.5 million guaranteed in 2014, $10 million guaranteed in 2015, and has a team option for $10 million in 2016. The club can buy out the option for $1 million.
Even if you wipe out the option year, Ramirez is owed between $22 million and $23 million guaranteed.
So why would the Cardinals take on that salary — AND surrender one of their best pitching prospects — for a relatively minor offensive upgrade at shortstop?