Comments on: A Tale of Two Melkys

By: Tom Gaffney

Tom Gaffney — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:23:14 +0000

It’s not remotely close, Mo. You’re looking at overall UZR, not CF UZR. Gardner’s career UZR/150 is 40 runs better than Melky’s in CF.

By: Tom Gaffney

Tom Gaffney — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:15:26 +0000

I wouldn’t see 2 months as a small subset. That’s more than 1/4 of a season. We also know from past history that Brett gets better as he adjusts to each level while Melky often hits one hot patch during the season then fades down the stretch. I really don’t see the Melky faction’s perspective other than the clutch hitting.

By: scott l

scott l — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:22:47 +0000

Moshe Mandel: I’m fine with how they’ve been mixing them up. I think Brett may get exposed playing every day. Also, Melky’s UZR is pretty good at 4.7. If you want to use UZR, you need to acknowledge that it does not agree with your assessment of his fielding. I also disagree with you- I think Melky has been very solid in CF. He had one bad game. Watching Gardner every day, I have to say that he is good, but not great, in CF. He’s better than Melky, but it is close- both are above average, however.

Melky stinks as a center fielder!

By: scott l

scott l — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:21:49 +0000

Hopefully they will trade Melky if they like what they see out of Hinske in the corner outfield positions. Melky is not a CF for NY and should be moved if they feel Austin Jackson is ready to backup CF.

By: JD

JD — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:45:03 +0000

Tom,

Thye have to continue the mix. I watched the Mets series and even in the game that he had five hits Gardner was very lucy with some slap hits. The homerun was one of those magic homers where a shallow fly ball makes it out down the line. Hardly impressive. I live Brett but I would prefer Melky at the plate. Base your assessment of hitting on the whole season, not on a subset when one guys was hurt and returning from injury. I don’t understand why you are stretching so hard to make your point. Gardner is better defensively. Thats true

By: Tom Gaffney

Tom Gaffney — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:20:32 +0000

Melky’s UZR in CF this year is -.1 you must have been looking at overall uzr? He’s getting worse, too, both in the field and at bat. He was awful in the field tonight and his big streak is over. The last two months, BG has out OPSed Melky by over .200 points. That’s a large difference. That means that right now Brett is a MUCH better offensive player, a MUCH better defensive player and a MUCH better baserunner. Don’t be blinded by one big hit tonight. He’s been clutch this year – that’s fine, so make him a 4th outfielder and pinch hitter. That way he can still get some late clutch hits. He’s a career -8 UZR/150 in CF vs BG’s career +31, that’s an extra 4 games/ year. 4 games that could make the difference between making the playoffs and watching Tampa and Boston on TV. I think it’s time to play Gardner 5 of every 6, the way Joe played him last week.

By: DaveinMD

DaveinMD — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:46:49 +0000

Melky also was a key offensive cog tonight. He got another huge hit and drove in an additional two runs, while scoring once.

By: Moshe Mandel

Moshe Mandel — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:11:45 +0000

I’m fine with how they’ve been mixing them up. I think Brett may get exposed playing every day. Also, Melky’s UZR is pretty good at 4.7. If you want to use UZR, you need to acknowledge that it does not agree with your assessment of his fielding. I also disagree with you- I think Melky has been very solid in CF. He had one bad game. Watching Gardner every day, I have to say that he is good, but not great, in CF. He’s better than Melky, but it is close- both are above average, however.