Soto signed to be No.1 C :(

[jta4437]

One last thing I should add too. I think our main disagreement here is the definition of a hitter. To me, from a scientific standpoint, when you make mathematical definitions for specific things, you need to do 2 things:

1. Make sure the definition measures what it is intended to measure and that you can verify that it does so
2. Make sure it takes the simplest approach to do so

If you want to measure someones ability to hit. You simply measure how often they get hits. That's the simple approach and also the most correct. Obviously, that is what BA does.

For me, what you are saying is who is the better batter, not the better hitter? This is actually a little tougher of a question because it involves more variables. In in front offices people still don't really agree on just one method of determining it because it is a much more involved question and different people think different variables are more important than others. That being said, I personally think AJ is a better batter and I think his career numbers show that. But I will not argue that I can prove he is a better batter, only that the numbers that I consider important for a batter are higher. I will argue that he is a better hitter though... because he simply hits the ball more frequently. Hopefully that clears up where I was coming from. I really didn;t not intend any offense.

Twist it however you want,

so, fine AJP is a better "hitter" but what most people take from that is the better batter, and that's all you should care about

Its not like last year was the only year he showed anything, he's had some rough years in the past but also some really good ones, AJP has been more consistent with the batbut Soto has shown himself to have far greater peak ability

I believe a lot of his struggles in the last couple years stem from injuries and inconsistent ABs

 

[romeo212000]

It's definitely one of them though.

Far more interested in OPS.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Might be no more than idle speculation, but Ruiz strikes me as an appealing addition:

Hot Stove Talk: Carlos Ruiz - Dallas Texas Rangers Blog - ESPN Dallas

He had a bit of down year last year, but he's had some pretty big years.

 

[PDay8810]

Might be no more than idle speculation, but Ruiz strikes me as an appealing addition:

Hot Stove Talk: Carlos Ruiz - Dallas Texas Rangers Blog - ESPN Dallas

He had a bit of down year last year, but he's had some pretty big years.

I'd like to see Ruiz in Texas. I would think that becomes real possibility if we lose out on mccann

 

[jta4437]

Might be no more than idle speculation, but Ruiz strikes me as an appealing addition:

Hot Stove Talk: Carlos Ruiz - Dallas Texas Rangers Blog - ESPN Dallas

He had a bit of down year last year, but he's had some pretty big years.

Plays really good defense is my draw to him, and he has a competent stick, even in a down year he would make a pretty solid time share with Soto

If they had someone who could play catcher in an emergency, then playing both at the same time becomes a possibility, if need be

 

[WilltheThrill]

I have no problem at all with Soto as the primary C provided that significant offensive upgrades are made at other positions and they sign a competent backup for him. As long as Soto is not being counted on for any heavy lifting in the batting order, he's more than capable of putting up solid 8-hole stats. He loves playing here, he calls a solid game, the pitchers seem to work well with him, and his defense is above average. Combine all of that with a decent OBP and double-digit HR's and I'm fine with him if McCann chooses somewhere else.