We spun up a little debate in yesterday's comments about the merits of Eugenio Velez vs. Andres Torres, though if you step back it seems like a grand exercise in hair-splitting. C'mon, Lefty -- arguing over which fifth outfielder is better? Yawn. I'm off to surf LOLcats on the company clock!
Hold on, Bippy. This is important. You need to realize that two-thirds of the Giant outfield is a) over 35 or b) seriously ouchie-prone or c) also a backup infielder or d) not the guy you want patrolling LF with a one-run lead late in the ballgame, and then you need to realize that the other one-third of the Giant outfield is a young guy who said he discovered plate discipline in Puerto Rico this winter, buried under a big pile of tostones.
In other words, the fifth outfielder might easily become the third-and-a-half outfielder. The Giants want the best one possible who brings the following skills:
* Good defense? Torres definitely. Some reports say he's the Giants' best defensive outfielder, period. If you believe in UZR and acknowledge Torres's small major-league samples, his numbers look very good. One of Velez's MCC nicknames is Baron Ironglove Von Pickoff, which tells you about the public perception of his defense. Reports this spring such say his D is getting better, but it's not going to be better than Torres.
* Getting on base? If he's brought into a close game, even just for defense, chances are the backup outfielder will get an at-bat. And what's better late in a close game than getting on base? We all know about Velez's OBP ineptitude. His atrocious plate discipline even brought this comment from Bruce Bochy after yesterday's Cactus League game:
Velez, who started in right field and saw three pitches the entire game, over three at-bats. He offered at each and grounded out three times, once on a bunt. "That's not going to work," Bochy said. "He didn't even realize he did it."
Andres Torres is no on-base machine, but last year he showed a lot of patience from the right side. Throw in his earlier MLB numbers from 2003-2005, which are overall horrible, and his career OBP as a right-handed batter is still .330. Not great, but better than Velez.
* Stealing a bag? Last year Torres was 6 for 7. He wasn't very good earlier in his career, but perhaps he's become a wiser basestealer. Velez is 30 for 41 career. Not a bad percentage, but he should be able to steal bases simply by blinking. I'd prefer the savvy veteran who only goes when he should. Did I mention Velez's nickname was Baron Ironglove Von Pickoff?
* Power? Torres absolutely crushed LHP last year. Can he do it again? It's only fair to point out his BABIP last year was an unearthly .400 against lefties. But he's always hit lefties hard, career MLB SLG is .519. In the minors, it was .475.
* Staying healthy? A-ha. Finally Velez might have the advantage. Torres went on the DL twice with leg injuries last year, and as a 32-year-old he's not likely to get much healthier.
One more point: OGC mentioned yesterday that Velez has an option left, but not according to MLB Trade Rumors. Doesn't matter, though. I would risk losing Velez to waivers. In fact, I'll wager any of youse that if the Giants release him, he will not be on another major-league roster to start the year.
