Diamondbacks - DFAed Cruz Jr.
Arizona Diamondbacks - Designated OF Jose Cruz Jr. for assignment; purchased 1B Conor Jackson
A rather forward-looking move for this organization. While the thought of Shawn Green as the centerfielder is a rather ugly scene, Jose Cruz’s Guernica-esque glovework wasn’t much prettier. Chad Tracy becomes the rightfielder and, of course, Conor Jackson splits time with Tony Clark.
Clark’s having the best 200 plate appearances of his life, so to get full marks with me, I’d like to see the Diamondbacks trade him while he has some value; no, the Diamondbacks won’t get Lastings Milledge or Daric Barton for him, but a lower-grade prospect might be doable from a team falling out of the pennant race like the Orioles. Not that I want the Orioles to trade for him, though. I really think that playing Conor Jackson full-time is the best bet because though I think it’s perfectly fine to platoon lesser hitting prospects at first, I want to see the grade-A elite prospects get as much time against major league pitching as possible. I don’t think Shawn Green or Ryan Klesko were really helped by their early platooning - both got considerably better against lefties only after getting to play against lefties (yes, I know Jackson’s a righty, but it’s the same general point).
Someone will pick up Cruz Jr; he’s simply not been as bad offensively as the .213 BA suggests. I’d much rather have him as a backup than McQuinton.
2005 ZiPS Projection - Conor Jackson
——————————————————————————————————-
Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG
——————————————————————————————————-
Actual ‘05* 316 60 99 35 1 6 56 46 34 2 .313 .401 .487
Rest ‘05 165 30 49 14 1 4 23 23 21 1 .297 .383 .467
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* - Includes MLE
2005 ZiPS Projection - Jose Cruz Jr.
——————————————————————————————————
Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG
——————————————————————————————————
Actual ‘05 202 23 43 9 0 12 28 42 54 0 .213 .347 .436
Rest ‘05 169 22 41 9 1 8 24 31 38 2 .243 .360 .450
——————————————————————————————————
Total ‘05 371 45 84 18 1 20 52 73 92 2 .226 .353 .442
Dan Szymborski
Posted: July 28, 2005 at 10:54 PM |
14 comment(s)
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1. Didi Dodo Doodoo (1k5v3L)Re: Cruz. I think he'll get traded somewhere. Enough teams are aware that his back is a lot better now than it was a month ago, and enough teams could use a switch hitting corner OF on their team, so I'm thinking some team out there will offer a prospect or two for him. Especially since he'll be cheaper than Byrnes or Winn or Lawton, and he can definitely help a contender. McCracken needs to get DFAed asap.
Just to add: if Clark gets traded, I hope AZ brings up Quentin to play RF full time and gives Tracy at bats at 1B/3B/LF/RF. Tracy can handle all those 4 positions well enough to give Melvin some roster flexibility, and allow him to rest players. Moreso, AZ needs to DFA Clayton and bring up Andy Green. The kid is playing like crazy in AAA, and he's a good bet to fill in for Counsell at 2B on occasion, especially against lefties. Melvin needs to give Counsell more rest before he collapse on the keystone one of these days.
If that happened I would take back every bad thing I ever said or thought about Omar-
and then I'd say, "Gee, Joe Jr. really is as bad as they say :-)
You never know...
At least two major league teams called the Diamondbacks on Thursday to inquire about center fielder Jose Cruz Jr., who was designated for assignment.
The Diamondbacks could possibly work a trade involving Cruz, as they technically hold his rights for nine more days.
Phew. I was worried the only team interested in Cruz would be the Chiba Lotte.
Good call on the technicalities, Mr. Journalist. I was so wondering about that.
For what it's worth, I heard that the Astros had called for Tony Clark. Supposedly AZ asked for Astacio and were rebuffed.
one day, IF i ever get to heaven and IF we are allowed to ask Him questions, i'm gonna wanna know WHY the astros organization is so in love with this for shtt pitcher
Cruz' BABIP is only .228 this season; that screams fluke to me. There's no way he's as bad as a .213 BA suggests.
Couldn't the Red Sox use Cruz Jr. all of a sudden, with Nixon's injury? It'd sure be better than Millar in right...
::takes a bow::
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