Sox should target Josh Willingham

[macsandz]

He ranked 5th among MLB outfielders (min. 400 PAs) in on base percentage (.389) and tenth in OPS (.848). The guy is an OBP machine with power. This is the kind of player the Sox need more of: Quality at-bats

with actual production. The Nationals' left-fielder has posted a .363 wOBA in each of the last five seasons, an accomplishment that none of Carl Crawford, Jason Bay, Andre Ethier, Corey Hart, Jayson Werth and Vladimir Guerrero can boast. In fact, with all the press Vlad has gotten for his resurgence this season, his 2010 .360 wOBA would represent Willingham's worst season since 2005, when he had 28 PA. After making $4.6million in 2010, he would be due for a raise to $6-7million in his last season of arbitration and would make more sense for the Sox at that level than CQ. He also projects as a Type A free agent after 2011, so there would be quality compensation if he walks.

Edited November 3, 2010 by bucket-of-suck

[chetkincaid]

He ranked 5th among MLB outfielders (min. 400 PAs) in on base percentage (.389) and tenth in OPS (.848). The guy is an OBP machine with power. This is the kind of player the Sox need more of: Quality at-bats

with actual production. The Nationals' left-fielder has posted a .363 wOBA in each of the last five seasons, an accomplishment that none of Carl Crawford, Jason Bay, Andre Ethier, Corey Hart, Jayson Werth and Vladimir Guerrero can boast. In fact, with all the press Vlad has gotten for his resurgence this season, his 2010 .360 wOBA would represent Willingham's worst season since 2005, when he had 28 PA. After making $4.6million in 2010, he would be due for a raise to $6-7million in his last season of arbitration and would make more sense for the Sox at that level than CQ. He also projects as a Type A free agent after 2011, so there would be quality compensation if he walks.

 

 

How is he on defense?

[macsandz]

How is he on defense?

 

Not outstanding in the OF, but I suggest him as a 1B for the Sox.

[knightni]

The Sox need a reliable RF with decent defense that hits left-handed.

 

If this was 2005, Dunn would fit this need easily.

 

 

[Balta1701]

The Sox need a reliable RF with decent defense that hits left-handed.

 

If this was 2005, Dunn would fit this need easily.

Wha?

 

You said "RF with decent defense" and "Dunn" in the same post?

[knightni]

Wha?

 

You said "RF with decent defense" and "Dunn" in the same post?

He was less lumbering in his youth.

[Balta1701]

He was less lumbering in his youth.

Really, the only way in which Dunn's 2005 defense looks good is if you compare it to Carlos Quentin's. He was bad out there then. Dude made 12 errors in LF in 2006.

[Rowand44]

He was less lumbering in his youth.

He's always been horrendous in the field.

[chw42]

Washington's not trading him.

[elrockinMT]

Not outstanding in the OF, but I suggest him as a 1B for the Sox.

 

 

Has he ever played there? Anyway let's concentrate on PK

[TomPickle]

The Sox need a reliable RF with decent defense that hits left-handed.

[witesoxfan]

 

I don't really consider a .727 OPS to be good. He's also been worth negative runs throughout his career, and his defense, though overall apparently good, has fluctuated. Sweeney wouldn't be the answer to this team's problems, especially since the Sox have someone similar offensively in Teahen.

Edited November 4, 2010 by witesoxfan

[TomPickle]

He's actually pretty much been the definition of average in terms of runs created since he's been with the A's. (read: reliable)

 

 

And if by fluctuating you mean that he had a nagging knee injury that ended with him getting season ending surgery last season, then I agree, his been inconsistent defensively. Oh and he bats left handed.

 

I'm not saying he's the answer to our prayers in RF, he's just the player that came to mind upon reading knightni's post.

[ScottyDo]

He's actually pretty much been the definition of average in terms of runs created since he's been with the A's. (read: reliable)

 

 

And if by fluctuating you mean that he had a nagging knee injury that ended with him getting season ending surgery last season, then I agree, his been inconsistent defensively. Oh and he bats left handed.

 

I'm not saying he's the answer to our prayers in RF, he's just the player that came to mind upon reading knightni's post.

Ryan Sweeney is the most extremely okay player I've ever seen. If you're looking for a player whose floor is also his ceiling, that's him. As such, I've never been able to generate any excitement for the guy, or any regret for losing him.

 

He is consistent, though. Consistently consistent.

 

EDIT: To the point, though, yes please on Willingham! Though I have no idea how that would happen...

Edited November 5, 2010 by ScottyDo

[macsandz]

Washington's not trading him.

 

mlbtraderumors.com:

 

A baseball source familiar with the Nats' thinking tells Bill Ladson of MLB.com that Josh Willingham will most likely be traded before 2011. Yesterday, we learned that the Nats are unlikely to offer the outfielder an extension this winter. Washington controls Willingham for one more season and the slugger's agent Matt Sosnick says that his client has no animosity towards the club.

 

 

Go get him Kenny.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

I really don't want this guy at all. Gimme Adam LaRoche for no talent in trade on a 1-year, $4M deal with some incentives if we're not bringing back Paulie.

[Leonard Washington]

Willingham doesn't appeal to me at all. I'm not sure why because he's a good hitter...but he just seems boring. It's funny, but it's for that reason that he's likely a smart pickup. He's underrated.

[fathom]

Willingham is a really strong hitter, but his injuries lately are concerning. The Nats seem to value him way too much though, so I can't see them giving him up. Doesn't matter, as last thing KW is looking for is a righty hitting OF.

[Leonard Washington]

Willingham is a really strong hitter, but his injuries lately are concerning. The Nats seem to value him way too much though, so I can't see them giving him up. Doesn't matter, as last thing KW is looking for is a righty hitting OF.

I kind of agree with Phil Rogers (which scares me) about how we may be overrating the need for lefty bats. I'd rather just have good hitters. Matsui, as an example, is a good hitter when you look at his overall numbers, but the guy hasn't posted an OPS above .700 against LHP's in two seasons. Dunn's not much better if I'm remembering correctly. I guess the advantage is you burn through the other teams bullpen quicker when you force the issue of a pitching change, but I'm concerned KW might be forcing the issue a little bit.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

The most concerning lefty bat issue for me ATM is the lack of Thome's name being mentioned. I swear to God I'm going to break something if I have to listen to all that versatility drivel all offseason again. Look, Matsui and Damon are not versatile. They don't belong in the field. They're DHs. If you want cheap lefty power go with Thome. He's a great clubhouse guy and you can platoon him without him crying to the media. He's not a Borass guy either. But I'm still really afraid that the Sox would rather give Damon $5M after a down year and let him suck ass in the outfield here and there than pay Thome half that to tear it up in a platoon without hurting us on D. It seems like we always do the dumbest things.

[Leonard Washington]

I'm a big Luke Scott fan. I'd like to see us gauge what the O's want for him (if they haven't already).

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

I was thinking yesterday of making a thread suggesting a Luke Scott for Quentin trade, but decided against it. Quentin has vastly superior talent but Scott is the safer bet to produce. Quentin has shown it isn't just physical anymore, it's mental and emotional as well, and even when things are going right for him he's prone to falling off a cliff at the next step. If we're trying to go for it all in 2011 I'd probably do that deal with Scott being the DH, but if Kenny trades pitching and tries to turn back the clock a bit I'd keep Quentin. I think the O's would do that though since they have to be all about potential at this point and Scott is right at his ceiling IMO.

[Leonard Washington]

I was thinking yesterday of making a thread suggesting a Luke Scott for Quentin trade, but decided against it. Quentin has vastly superior talent but Scott is the safer bet to produce. Quentin has shown it isn't just physical anymore, it's mental and emotional as well, and even when things are going right for him he's prone to falling off a cliff at the next step. If we're trying to go for it all in 2011 I'd probably do that deal with Scott being the DH, but if Kenny trades pitching and tries to turn back the clock a bit I'd keep Quentin. I think the O's would do that though since they have to be all about potential at this point and Scott is right at his ceiling IMO.

Funny you say that. In a different Sox board I suggested a straight-up Quentin-Scott deal.

[kwolf68]

Willingham is a really strong hitter, but his injuries lately are concerning. The Nats seem to value him way too much though, so I can't see them giving him up. Doesn't matter, as last thing KW is looking for is a righty hitting OF.

 

 

The Nationals are starting to look ridiculous on trade fronts. Weren't they wanting BOTH Edwin Jackson + Viciedo or Beckham for Dunn last year?

 

I would be hard pressed to give up an arm like Jackson's for Dunn...let alone tossing in one of our brightest young prospect.

 

I guess with kenny trading away everyone else, the crappy nats thought they could pull another over on him.

[elrockinMT]

He ranked 5th among MLB outfielders (min. 400 PAs) in on base percentage (.389) and tenth in OPS (.848). The guy is an OBP machine with power. This is the kind of player the Sox need more of: Quality at-bats

with actual production. The Nationals' left-fielder has posted a .363 wOBA in each of the last five seasons, an accomplishment that none of Carl Crawford, Jason Bay, Andre Ethier, Corey Hart, Jayson Werth and Vladimir Guerrero can boast. In fact, with all the press Vlad has gotten for his resurgence this season, his 2010 .360 wOBA would represent Willingham's worst season since 2005, when he had 28 PA. After making $4.6million in 2010, he would be due for a raise to $6-7million in his last season of arbitration and would make more sense for the Sox at that level than CQ. He also projects as a Type A free agent after 2011, so there would be quality compensation if he walks.

 

 

If he walks afterb 2011? He probably will walk if he is any good and sees a gold mine in the free agency market so why would we want to trade for him? I don't like the idea of rental players or one year shots.