Brandon Belt

[calsnowskier]

He is a constant topic, so I figured it was time for his own dedicated thread...

 

[calsnowskier]

Top paid first basemen in 2018 with 2017 BBRef WAR...

Miguel Cabrera $30M -0.6
Joey Votto $25M 6.9
Joe Mauer $23M 3.2
Adrian Gonzalez $22.4M -1.3
Freddie Freeman $21.4M 4.6
Chris Davis $21.1M -0.2
Brandon Belt $17.2M 2.9
Ryan Zimmerman $14M 2.5
Yulieski Gurriel $12.4M 2.3
Paul Goldschmidt $11.1M 5.9
Mike Napoli $11M -0.5
Anthony Rizzo $7.3M 4.5
Eric Thames $5M 1.2
Adam Lind $5M 0.6
Wil Myers $4.5M 1.9
Justin Smoak $4.1M 3.1
Jon Singleton $2M 0 (no MLB)

Ignoring contract length or future liabilities, but taking only 2018 salaries into account, this is how I would rank these players based on who I would like on my team (with rough grouping)...

Paul Goldschmidt $11.1M 5.9
Anthony Rizzo $7.3M 4.5
Joey Votto $25M 6.9

Freddie Freeman $21.4M 4.6

Brandon Belt $17.2M 2.9
Justin Smoak $4.1M 3.1

Wil Myers $4.5M 1.9
Joe Mauer $23M 3.2
Ryan Zimmerman $14M 2.5

Miguel Cabrera $30M -0.6
Yulieski Gurriel $12.4M 2.3
Eric Thames $5M 1.2

Chris Davis $21.1M -0.2
Adam Lind $5M 0.6
Adrian Gonzalez $22.4M -1.3
Mike Napoli $11M -0.5
Jon Singleton $2M 0 (no MLB)

I would rate his 2018 value as #5, but in the 3rd tier. Again, ignoring the entirety of his contract, though.

 

[LHG]

I'll link the spot on the Roster Expectations thread where the Belt conversation first started - 2018 Roster Expectations. If I can find the other thread earlier in the season that talked about Belt, I'll post it as well.

Edit: Found them (it was much faster to do so than I thought)!

Game Thread: - 4/28 Madres @ Midgets

State of the Team

 

[calsnowskier]

There are some other significant firstbasemen who are not currently under contract for 2018.

Ranked by 2017 salary...

Eric Hosmer 12.3M 4.0
Carlos Santana 12M 3.6
Jose Abreu 10.8M 4.3
Lucas Duda 7.3M 1.2
Mitch Moreland 5.5M 1.5
Yonder Alonzo 4M 1.6
Matt Adams 2.8M 0.4
Logan Morrison 2.5M 3.3

I would certainly put Abreu ahead of Belt, and probably put Hosmer AT LEAST in the same group as Belt and Smoak.

 

[LHG]

There are some other significant firstbasemen who are not currently under contract for 2018.

Ranked by 2017 salary...

Eric Hosmer 12.3M 4.0
Carlos Santana 12M 3.6
Jose Abreu 10.8M 4.3
Lucas Duda 7.3M 1.2
Mitch Moreland 5.5M 1.5
Yonder Alonzo 4M 1.6
Matt Adams 2.8M 0.4
Logan Morrison 2.5M 3.3

I would certainly put Abreu ahead of Belt, and probably put Hosmer AT LEAST in the same group as Belt and Smoak.

Abreu is a free agent this offseason? That boy is going to make BANK!

 

[calsnowskier]

Abreu is a free agent this offseason? That boy is going to make BANK!

Nope. Arb2

 

[LHG]

Nope. Arb2

Got it.

 

[calsnowskier]

Posed question...

Would you trade Brandon Belt, and his 4/68.8 contract for ‘18 - ‘22 straight up for Justin Smoak and his 2/10.1 contract for ‘18 - ‘19?

 

[SFGRTB]

There are some other significant firstbasemen who are not currently under contract for 2018.

Ranked by 2017 salary...

Eric Hosmer 12.3M 4.0
Carlos Santana 12M 3.6
Jose Abreu 10.8M 4.3
Lucas Duda 7.3M 1.2
Mitch Moreland 5.5M 1.5
Yonder Alonzo 4M 1.6
Matt Adams 2.8M 0.4
Logan Morrison 2.5M 3.3

I would certainly put Abreu ahead of Belt, and probably put Hosmer AT LEAST in the same group as Belt and Smoak.

Here's the thing about Abreu.... you put him in AT&T, how do his numbers compare to Belt's? It's impossible to ever know for sure, but I have my doubts they would look much different. Probably more homers as a right handed bat, but still would lose overall production. Then there's the defensive impact as well. Belt is a much better defender. Similar ages.

This might be an interesting trade proposal actually.

 

[LHG]

Posed question...

Would you trade Brandon Belt, and his 4/68.8 contract for ‘18 - ‘22 straight up for Justin Smoak and his 2/10.1 contract for ‘18 - ‘19?

Not sure. Was 2017 a fluke year for Smoak or has he finally hit his potential? Using him as an example, does Belt finally make it to superstar status in 2018? I'd probably play it safe and say no to that trade.

 

[SFGRTB]

Not sure. Was 2017 a fluke year for Smoak or has he finally hit his potential? Using him as an example, does Belt finally make it to superstar status in 2018? I'd probably play it safe and say no to that trade.

I feel pretty confident that Belt would put up equal or better numbers than Smoak in Toronto.

 

[LHG]

Here's a list of proposed major league free agent 1st basemen this offseason. Would any of you take any of these guys over Brandon Belt?
Yonder Alfonso
Pedro Alvarez
Chris Carter
Ike Davis
Lucas Duda
Eric Hosmer
Ryan Howard
John Jaso
Adam Lind (option)
James Loney
Mitch Moreland
Logan Morrison
Mike Napoli (option)
Mark Reynolds
Carlos Santana

 

[stanford the manford]

Here's a list of proposed major league free agent 1st basemen this offseason. Would any of you take any of these guys over Brandon Belt?
Yonder Alfonso
Pedro Alvarez
Chris Carter
Ike Davis
Lucas Duda
Eric Hosmer
Ryan Howard
John Jaso
Adam Lind (option)
James Loney
Mitch Moreland
Logan Morrison
Mike Napoli (option)
Mark Reynolds
Carlos Santana

not in '18, the longevity of his contract is a worry to me.

 

[LHG]

not in '18, the longevity of his contract is a worry to me.

I think that the contract length is good. It will make him a free agent after his age 33 season, right around the time guys start to slide into the decline phase of their careers. Unless a lot more 1st basemen suddenly hit with a lot of Aaron Judge-esque power, I expect Belt's offensive and defensive production to keep him in the top 3rd tier of MLB 1st basemen, unless concussions continue to occur, then the contract becomes an albatross.

 

[msgkings322]

Here's a list of proposed major league free agent 1st basemen this offseason. Would any of you take any of these guys over Brandon Belt?
Yonder Alfonso
Pedro Alvarez
Chris Carter
Ike Davis
Lucas Duda
Eric Hosmer
Ryan Howard
John Jaso
Adam Lind (option)
James Loney
Mitch Moreland
Logan Morrison
Mike Napoli (option)
Mark Reynolds
Carlos Santana

Dude, Ryan Howard!!

 

[LHG]

Dude, Ryan Howard!!

Or maybe we can coax Mike Morse out of retirement and platoon him with Pedro Alvarez.

 

[msgkings322]

Or maybe we can coax Mike Morse out of retirement and platoon him with Pedro Alvarez.

Is Damon Minor available?

 

[calsnowskier]

Dude, Ryan Howard!!

Dude just finished high A ball.

Cool your jets...

 

[Stokes1931]

Is Damon Minor available?

Brett Pill was last seen mashing in Korea.

 

[LHG]

Brett Pill was last seen mashing in Korea.

He's slashed .316/.352/.521 in three full seasons over there. Hope he can latch on with some big league team. Maybe he could be our new left fielder.