Ronnie D-O-Double Jizzle for Luna
I think this a Tony-driven move, which just further irritates me. Basically, Walt saw that Luna would not be started, so he traded him for essentially the same player with a veteran reputation. Thank God it gets Miles out of the lineup everyday. Now we'll just have to wait and see how Luna turns out in Cleveland.
Here's a little more nonsense for LaRussa. "I think he has a chance to be a special player and he's still learning." Tony, if you thought he was so special why didn't you play him? Whatever.
So fine, Belliard should be an upgrade at second base. And whether Luna is just a utility player verses a starter is yet to be seen. Baseball Prospectus sees Luna over 2006-2008 0.2, 1.6, 3.6 VORP player. Of course, Luna is soundly beating that projection in limited duty with an 8.9 VORP. As for Belliard, his VORP projections are 14.8, 14.9 and 13.6. Currently, his VORP is 15.8. That's only behind Roberts, Iguchi, Cano and is ahead of other names like Mark Loretta, Mark Grudzelaniek, Placido Polanco, Adam Kennedy and All Star Jose Lopez. (Currently, Miles's VORP is 0.1...yeah.)
Defensively, according to The Fielding Bible by John Dewan, Belliard is above average. With the +/- ratings, in 05 he had a +20, tied for 3rd with Grudzelaniek and Hudson. He was a +1 in 04 and -3 in 03...He is especially good at making plays to his right and has a good arm. As I mentioned earlier, he is a big upgrade at turning 2. Miles had a .401 GDP percentage over 3 seasons, 25th out of 25 regulars. Belliard .531, good for 7th out of that 25. He was 5th in 05, with a .589 DP%. I don't know the numbers, but I can tell you by watching Aaron Miles has been garbage at turning the double play, and it's hurt this team considerably. According to ZR, Ronnie doesn't fare as well.
Is this a bad trade? I dunno. It just sends Walter back to the drawing board this winter for a second baseman. But, hey...Miles is done as a starter!! We'll wait and see what Hector does now. My gut tells me Luna could be decent, but I'm still not sure he's a regular in spite of his hot hitting this year. Wishy washy minor league stats, and he's had his share of mental lapses. (Throw home, NLCS, anyone?) I wish him the best in Cleveland. The keystone door just keeps revolving.....
I'm wondering if Belliard might go the the Red Sox for Loretta, in maybe a 3-team trade, with other players involved, including to/from the Cardinals. I've been trying to think about who/what that might be, but haven't come up with a good trade idea yet.
It just seems like Loretta is a better fit. Guess we'll soon see.
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Scratch that. Will Carroll at BP says that the Sox are interested in Lugo at 2B, with their AAA 2B, Dustin Pedroia as their backup.
I still wouldn't be surprised to see Belliard get dealt again, via a multi-team deal.
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I don't think they're comfortable enough with Miles as an everyday 2B to do that. With Luna gone, that leaves only Spezio as another alternative. It looks like Walt's going to go the after-deadline route to acquire a pitcher, if they do that.
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