Article: Vargas Patiently Waiting For Another Shot

[Major League Ready]

 

The absolute love for Plouffe and hatred for Mauer continues to baffle me. Joe is having an AWFUL year, no doubt, but does 10-15 million in somebody else's money matter that much? Next year, when Plouffe makes 8-10 mil after arbitration, here is what you're getting for that much less than what Joe makes: 25 points less in batting average, 35 points less in OBP, same amount of 2Bs, less walks, similar RBIs if their positions were switched in the order (Plouffe wouldn't have Joe or Sano to drive in) but 1 more HR every 2 weeks! (all that matters to some people) And that comparison is an average Plouffe year to Mauer's career worst year. Bottom line, trading Plouffe can net something that really improves our team. Do we really think we can't replace .245/.307/.419 with 15-18 homers using Vargas/Arcia at DH??

Agreed.  I would add a couple points.

1) Mauer's $23M/yr is not going away so it is pointless to justify the retention of Plouffe because he makes considerably less that Mauer. 

 

2) The argument that Plouffe and Mauer can split time at 1B/DH make sense to me.   His 740 OPS can be replaced for less at either position.

 

3) I don't think I would bet on Plouffe having a better year than Mauer offensively next year.  Certainly not enough better that I would forgo the return Plouffe provides.

 

4) I would trade him for the best package I can get regardless of position but a Catcher would be great if that worked out.  Invest the $saved in signing Gerardo Parra as a DH/back-up outfielder.  The team just improved by 100 pts OPS and is also improved in the future by whatever assets are acquired by trading him.

Edited August 31, 2015 by Major Leauge Ready