What about trading Donaldson? Would free up some $$$ for Kimbrel.
What about trading Donaldson? Would free up some $$$ for Kimbrel.
This doesn't make sense. JD is twice the hitter Inciarte is. The eye says that Riley is passable in LF, while Inciarte's defense has actually regressed. I don't think you trade JD, on a one year contract, so you can move somebody who is passable in LF (where you stick guys without a position) to his natural position, which, in turn, causes you to play a guy who is 35% worse than the league average hitter while also playing poor defense.
This doesn't make sense. JD is twice the hitter Inciarte is. The eye says that Riley is passable in LF, while Inciarte's defense has actually regressed. I don't think you trade JD, on a one year contract, so you can move somebody who is passable in LF (where you stick guys without a position) to his natural position, which, in turn, causes you to play a guy who is 35% worse than the league average hitter while also playing poor defense.
I think Riley is great and I think he has to play. That being said, 3 errors in 20 chances in LF doesn't pass the eye test. Maybe he improves with more time there, but right now he is not a good defensive outfielder. Inciarte is going to return, and as long as Riley is hitting, will find a place on the bench. However, definitely expect him to be a late inning defensive substitution.
Interesting to note that Donaldson played some catcher earlier in his career. Given that McCann is hitting .167 against lefties maybe try the Donaldson @ catcher against lefties and then Riley @ 3B in those games. Heck even Donaldson is only .222 against lefties so no matter what you have Riley play 3B against lefties.
The issue is what to do against righties as agree he has a long way to go before he is a serviceable outfielder from a fielding perspective.