OnlyBucs

1.Ave: .261 OBP: .357 SLG: .411 OPS: .768 TZ: -8

2.Ave: .268 OBP: .353 SLG: .413 OPS: .766 TZ: -3





3.Ave: .253 OBP: .323 SLG: .493 OPS: .816 TZ: +4



Stat lines #1 and #2 are for Pirate first basemen Josh Bell in 2018, and John Jaso in 2016, respectively. Remarkably similar except for their Total Zone Total Runs Fielding Above Average where Jaso was 5 runs better defensively!



Stat line #3 is C.J. Cron's from 2018. Not only does Cron provide significantly better power numbers which one should expect for the position, but he also provides 12 runs better defensively than Bell.



Regardless of whether one believes Bell will rebound to the offensive production he showed in his rookie season, the Bucs should try to bring in Cron. The defensive improvement alone would be a huge plus especially for our young pitching staff. If Bell doesn't rebound at the plate, he is essentially a worse fielding version of John Jaso, and who wants that going forward? If Bell can hit, he belongs in the outfield or at DH. We need a legit first baseman.

5773676F6A060 wrote: 1.Ave: .261  OBP: .357  SLG: .411  OPS: .768  TZ: -8

2.Ave: .268  OBP: .353  SLG: .413  OPS: .766  TZ: -3





3.Ave: .253  OBP: .323  SLG: .493  OPS: .816  TZ: +4



Stat lines #1 and #2 are for Pirate first basemen Josh Bell in 2018, and John Jaso in 2016, respectively. Remarkably similar except for their Total Zone Total Runs Fielding Above Average where Jaso was 5 runs better defensively!



Stat line #3 is C.J. Cron's from 2018. Not only does Cron provide significantly better power numbers which one should expect for the position, but he also provides 12 runs better defensively than Bell.



Regardless of whether one believes Bell will rebound to the offensive production he showed in his rookie season, the Bucs should try to bring in Cron. The defensive improvement alone would be a huge plus especially for our young pitching staff. If Bell doesn't rebound at the plate, he is essentially a worse fielding version of John Jaso, and who wants that going forward? If Bell can hit, he belongs in the outfield or at DH. We need a legit first baseman.   






Yep

7C7D6677612126120 wrote: 1.Ave: .261  OBP: .357  SLG: .411  OPS: .768  TZ: -8

2.Ave: .268  OBP: .353  SLG: .413  OPS: .766  TZ: -3





3.Ave: .253  OBP: .323  SLG: .493  OPS: .816  TZ: +4



Stat lines #1 and #2 are for Pirate first basemen Josh Bell in 2018, and John Jaso in 2016, respectively. Remarkably similar except for their Total Zone Total Runs Fielding Above Average where Jaso was 5 runs better defensively!



Stat line #3 is C.J. Cron's from 2018. Not only does Cron provide significantly better power numbers which one should expect for the position, but he also provides 12 runs better defensively than Bell.



Regardless of whether one believes Bell will rebound to the offensive production he showed in his rookie season, the Bucs should try to bring in Cron. The defensive improvement alone would be a huge plus especially for our young pitching staff. If Bell doesn't rebound at the plate, he is essentially a worse fielding version of John Jaso, and who wants that going forward? If Bell can hit, he belongs in the outfield or at DH. We need a legit first baseman.   






Yep


Yep x 2.

5571656D68040 wrote: 1.Ave: .261  OBP: .357  SLG: .411  OPS: .768  TZ: -8

2.Ave: .268  OBP: .353  SLG: .413  OPS: .766  TZ: -3





3.Ave: .253  OBP: .323  SLG: .493  OPS: .816  TZ: +4



Stat lines #1 and #2 are for Pirate first basemen Josh Bell in 2018, and John Jaso in 2016, respectively. Remarkably similar except for their Total Zone Total Runs Fielding Above Average where Jaso was 5 runs better defensively!



Stat line #3 is C.J. Cron's from 2018. Not only does Cron provide significantly better power numbers which one should expect for the position, but he also provides 12 runs better defensively than Bell.



Regardless of whether one believes Bell will rebound to the offensive production he showed in his rookie season, the Bucs should try to bring in Cron. The defensive improvement alone would be a huge plus especially for our young pitching staff. If Bell doesn't rebound at the plate, he is essentially a worse fielding version of John Jaso, and who wants that going forward? If Bell can hit, he belongs in the outfield or at DH. We need a legit first baseman.   








We are all in agreement. Bobster, give NH a call and get it done. He doesn't want to talk to me anymore.

735E53424554430300310 wrote: His defense (and I use the word loosely) is unacceptable. He can't throw.


Agreed. I know he came up as an OF, but his throwing motion at first base is scary shaky. Can't imagine him trying to get it to the infield or home plate from the outfield.



But I like the guy, so I really hope he figures it out. . . at first.

Cron has only hit 30 home runs once and now all the sudden he's Hank Aaron. Players typically gain more power as they move into their late 20s. Cron never hit more than 16 until he turned 28. Bell hit 27 home runs when he was 24.



I'd give Bell some time.

0F030A07104C160B0F0D160A1B505222050F620 wrote: Cron has only hit 30 home runs once and now all the sudden he's Hank Aaron. Players typically gain more power as they move into their late 20s. Cron never hit more than 16 until he turned 28. Bell hit 27 home runs when he was 24.



I'd give Bell some time.


I'd give him at least another full season before I even think about making a decision on his future.

Bell deserves more time, but that doesn't mean the Pirates should ignore possible upgrades, which Cron would certainly be defensively, while providing at least as much power as Bell. If Bell is the hitter some believe he is, then let him prove it while competing for a spot in the field either at first base or in the outfield. As we were painfully reminded during the Pedro Alvarez years, the NL has no DH.

Twins scooped him up today.