As always, get those Lunch Break topics to me at scottcaruso@gmail.com.
In Marc Topkin’s Times piece over the weekend, there was this little note buried deep in the notes of the article:
If Evan Longoria isn’t on the team, third base looks like an Aybar/Joel Guzman platoon.
This is the hot rumor that has been floating around the Rays blogosphere (with its 5-site strong population), and I am not so sure how I feel about this and wanted to get your take on it.
Obviously, I favor Evan Longoria on the big league roster, but if that’s not going to happen I would absolutely prefer Joel Guzman playing everyday to Aybar – at least in the short-term. Guzman’s got a higher upside, and Aybar hasn’t played big league ball in over a year. Moreover, Guzman’s glovework is probably better. The problem you run into is the issue of options and the like, and if both Guzman and Aybar are on the 25-man roster, it likely means that Ben Zobrist – the most natural shortstop of our backup infield options – doesn’t make the team. If Rocco Baldelli remains hurt, it renders that part of it moot, but I digress.
Do you think the Rays are a better team with Willy Aybar playing third base more regularly or Joel Guzman playing third base more regularly? What do you do with the other player in that group? Should there be a straight platoon?
Tags: Joel Guzman, Willy Aybar
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I don’t see us being better or worse with either. Neither will be playing it for very long so i think you platoon and ride the hot stretches of either one.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
If this is the arguement, then Longoria needs to be the starter. Evan is better than both options at this very moment. Mostly because:
A. Guzman’s AAA performance last season was poor, I believe he had less than a .800 OPS and really only was called up last year due to injuries. He has all the potential in the world and I would like to see him in a bigger role with the big club soon, but he is still young and needs more seasoning in AAA. Evans small sample size at AAA out performed Guzman.
B. Aybar has not played in quite awhile, and seems to have the stroke to be more of a middle IF, and should thrive as our Util player. He would probably be a servicable 3b should they want to keep Longo in AAA for a few months, but I still see Longo as the better option even right now, mostly because Longora has played a lot of baseball the last 12 months and Aybar has not.
As for Ben Zobrist, he has to prove he deserves to be here at all. I wouldn’t just give him the position, however if he plays @ AAA, I certainly don’t want him playing SS with Briggy down there. I see Zobrist and Guzman as potential trade bait during spring training.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Career-wise, Joel Guzman is a better hitter against lefties than righties and the opposite for Aybar. Aybar, be default, would be the starter and Joel will more than likely get ABs at other positions as well as 3B.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:41 pm
actually Aybar is mixed when it comes to righties/lefties. In his two stints in the bigs, one season saw him hit much better vLHP and the other season saw him hit much better vRHP.
As for Zobrist, I see him on the bench even if both Guzman and Aybar are on the roster (assuming Longoria in AAA). Neither Guzman nor Aybar can play short, so I figure Benny Boo must be on the team (i know Guzman logged 9 innings at short last season, but I think the team would rather avoid that).
As for everything else. I too would prefer Guzman be the most-days third baseman. his glove is better and he can be hidden at the bottom of the order. give him some regular ABs and see if he plays well enough to interest other teams.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I’ve heard that Guzman’s size is becoming a detriment at 3b, and that he’s better suited for 1b or the outfield. Should be an interesting battle in ST. Zobrist seems like a nice guy and a good teammate, but I don’t think he’s really shown enough to stick around. They’ve brought some guys in Cannizzaro and Aybar that should give Guzman and Zobrist a good fight.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
The media has consistently declared Guzman’s size to be his downfall in the IF, yet nothing seems to indicate he is making the move to 1b or OF in the foreseeable future. This seems to be another case of media logic not translating onto the diamond.
As for Aybar…Expect to see a lot of him.
As for the Zob…he’s dead to me until he starts hitting.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Aybar is a wild card almost like Harris was last year in ST. Now, am I saying that Aybar is going to be AS good as Harris. No, not even close. He maybe a better fielder then Harris, but not better with the bats.
That rant out of the way I would have to go with Guzman at third. I vote to let Evan spend 6 weeks in Durham, have some good numbers then bring him up. If we can get any takers for Guzman, that would be nice. I like keeping Joel around as a option behind Pena.
I would almost rather have Zobrist then Aybar as the back up fielder. But, if I am wrong that just makes the Rays a better ball club.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I read a few weeks ago that Maddon was going to work Guzman (and more recently Aybar) a bit in the outfield during ST as well. Being that our outfield depth took a little bit of a hit losing Dukes and Young, doesn’t seem like a bad idea.