I'm in a rush and won't be around tonight, but while I have a minute:
Ken Griffey Jr., 2009: .215/.324/.408, .221 BABIP
| BABIP | ||
| BIP | 2003-2008 | 2009 |
| Grounder | 0.204 | 0.128 |
| Fly | 0.117 | 0.117 |
| Liner | 0.696 | 0.723 |
Difference: -9 1B, grounders, +1 1B, liner
Ken Griffey Jr., 2009, adjusted*: .236/.342/.430,.249 BABIP
* assuming no park factors, which isn't right, but this gets close enough
Griffey's speed now is probably lower than his average speed over the six years previous, so maybe I shouldn't regress that grounder BABIP all the way up to .204, but this is more of an approximation than anything else, with the conclusion being that, while Griffey's no world-beater, his true talent at this point is higher than his batting line.
I haven't decided what I think about the possibility of Griffey coming back in 2010, but should that end up happening, he could fill a role. Outside of the clubhouse.
0 recs | 25 comments
I'm fine with him as a bench bat/occassional DH if and only if we have another bench bat with defensive value in the OF.
I’d really prefer he retire.
Aaron Campeau - October 1, 2009
I'm pretty sure I'd rather he retire too
But if he’s okay with ending his career as a sparingly-used bench bat, then hey, whatever.
Jeff Sullivan - October 1, 2009
Ditto.
If he wants to come back for 500K to start at DH at home against RH starters then whatever, he’s probably worth it in the cloubhouse/fanbase/etc
Matthew - October 1, 2009
Actually I would be fine with him being platoon DH at home and PH on the road.
You can cycle RH position players when you’re facing a LH starter and do the same with LH position players against RH starters on the road. That way he’s not just a wasted bench spot and in fact he is providing some value.
Aaron Campeau - October 1, 2009
Safeco's newest and most popular hot dog vendor in 2010: Ken Griffey, Jr.
Gihyou - October 1, 2009 via mobile
Like his knees could handle that.
Mariner John - October 1, 2009
It's not like...
…he doesn’t have any experience…
PositivePaul - October 2, 2009
Seems about right.
Poochie - October 1, 2009
The fact that Griffey originally joined the 2009 Seattle Mariners under the pretense that he would regularly patrol the OF
And that he then did no such thing is that all the evidence I need to believe he’s willing to be humble and accept a(n even greater) reduced role. There are much worse options than Griffey as a platoon bat for 2010. I’d be happy to take him back for such a role.
katal - October 1, 2009
At some point...
Wouldn’t he rather just be home with his kids?
b_rider - October 1, 2009
The team can do better.
mark sobba - October 1, 2009
Depends on opportunity cost
I really want to see the best team playing at home. If Griffey is playing instead of a better LH option at DH at Safeco then I’m against this. If we’ve got a right-handed DH who gets most of the AB’s, then I’d be ok with seeing Griffey play at home vs. RHP’s due to the park factors.
But I think b_rider makes a good point…I’d be surprised if Griffey would want to go another season for only ~200 AB’s + hugs and tickles. If he comes back I assume it will be our regular LH DH. We can do better in terms of on-field performance.
short - October 1, 2009
His home performance has been pretty awesome to date
While his road stats are enough to make me want to cut out my heart with a spoon. I’m sure it’s been mentioned on here before, but Griffey at home is actually still a decent product. I guess this really is the house built for Griffey.
I’m all for bringing him back to be a pinch hitter and occasional DH against righties at home. He’d be well worth the million bucks plus incentives in my opinion.
Bodhizefa - October 1, 2009
The Griffey signing was, all things considered, a stroke of genius
Make the casual fanbase happy with the Griffey smokescreen while making shrewd baseball moves to help improve the actual product on the field (Putz trade, Branyan, getting rid of Betancourt).
I’d have no problem with another year of Griffey, sparingly used of course. That’s partially an effect of watching the Mariners sign Miguel Cairo to a major-league level contract, but I digress.
cwel87 - October 1, 2009
Home/road splits over a sample as small as Griffey's season barely mean anything
Jeff Sullivan - October 1, 2009
Ken Griffey, Children's Ambassador and Titan of Tickles?
msb - October 1, 2009
You traitor.
abender20 - October 1, 2009
I prefer he didn't come back
But I’d be willing to support him coming back in a very reduced, bench-platoon type role. Still prefer somebody who can play in the field though.
MT Olson - October 1, 2009
The guy is clearly out of shape.
If they do bring him back, I suppose they could try to put him on some type of rigorous training program that, at the very least, will make him slightly more mobile on grounders. Then if he breaks during the training, he’ll be able to have that one send off at bat that everyone wanted anyway.
CapSea - October 1, 2009
They can't.
If the guy cannot even play the field for one game without his knee acting up…
Matthew - October 1, 2009
Upper body?
Rather than improve his leg strength, he simply reduces the force on his legs? It wouldn’t be to make him faster, it would simply be so that he labors less when he tries to run. Plus there are some fitness machines that, while they are less beneficial, are also less stressful on knees and joints.
I don’t really expect any of this, nor even any improvement in his athletic prowess if he did do it, but it does seem like one of those things they should try.
CapSea - October 2, 2009
Ouch Jeff, that last line. Man you're hard.
Sam Regens - October 2, 2009
Sorry, dumb me, I read it wrong.
Sam Regens - October 2, 2009
We should definitely bring him back because he has been packing the stadium
with all of his loyal fans down the home stretch here.
Sec 108 - October 2, 2009
I'm guessing...
…there were more fans at my high school homecoming football game last night than there were at Safeco.
PositivePaul - October 2, 2009
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