Villar getting benched the last 4 games...

[TURBO]

...anyone have any insight as to why he has been benched when he was actually starting to hit again?

 

This just seems odd to me.

 

He makes a game changing mistake in CF 4 games ago, an unfamiliar position that he shouldn't be playing anyway, and suddenly he rides the pine for 4 straight games?

 

At a time when our offense needs a boost, which he had been providing up until that point, then he gets benched?

 

I have been scratching my head at a LOT of Counsell's moves this season, which have been magnified due to the fact that we are in a playoff chase. It was easy to overlook his decision making process when we had no chance to compete before this year, but what has gone on this year leads me to wonder if he is the guy to take us to the next step in the future...

 

I have almost zero confidence in him anymore, one dumb decision after the next. Same thing happened with my opinion of Yost, and RRR. The better our teams played, the more their poor managing was magnified.

[pacopete4]

The handling of Villar has been questionable at best.

[SomewhereInTime]

I mean where are you going to put him? Can't start him in CF after what happened the other day.

[LouisEly]

They're at the point where they cannot have the mistakes of anyone learning CF, and Walker is the better option at 2B. Nowhere for him to play.

 

But Counsell doesn't seem to want to use data to make decisions, so may decisions are questionable.

[pacopete4]

With Thames struggling, Walker could play 1B and Villar at 2B.

[pacopete4]

With Thames struggling, Walker could play 1B and Villar at 2B. Perez had a blunder in RF today, so I guess we should never see him again.

[JohnBriggs12]

Wrigley is a tough OF with the wind blowing in. As for 2B, he's the 4th best 2B on the roster.

[SomewhereInTime]

Wrigley is a tough OF with the wind blowing in. As for 2B, he's the 4th best 2B on the roster.

 

defensively sure. I'll take his bat over Sogard and Perez right now.

[Never Outhustled]

Villar is 2 for his last 10 with a couple of infield singles.

[OnTheBlack]

Wrigley is a tough OF with the wind blowing in. As for 2B, he's the 4th best 2B on the roster.

 

defensively sure. I'll take his bat over Sogard and Perez right now.

 

 

I also wouldn't write him off as the 4th best defensive option there. He was a SS up until last year. You have to take his defensive metrics from less 100 starts at 2nd with a grain of salt. It takes a little while to adjust, especially a position like 2nd that's so difficult to play.

[SomewhereInTime]

Yeah I suppose a lot of his struggles were early on when he was getting used to the position. He's been better lately.

[OnTheBlack]

Villar is 2 for his last 10 with a couple of infield singles.

 

I think this goes beyond the "small sample size warning." He's also 5 for his last 16. Also....he's fast. Being able to beat out ground balls is part of his game. I don't know why you'd knock him for that.

 

I don't really have a strong opinion on who to play at 2nd base right now because I think we've got several good options, but I do hope that we at least stick with Villar in the future.

[markedman5]

I'm ok with Walker against righties and Perez or Villar against lefties.

[rickh150]

We have Walker on the team. Sogard is a better defender. I feel for guys whose playing time lessens, but we are trying to win, right? .220 hitter with defensive issues and huge ? on bases, strikes out a bunch.

[brewcrewdue80]

Theres just better options than him at the moment. Walker is a big veteran addition at the position Villar happened to play, moving him to a backup role. As to 1st base move with Walker, Id rather have Jesus or Thames in the lineup at 1b. This wouldnt have been an issue had Villar batted well this season. He hasnt been consistent to rally on, and Walker will be.

[jerichoholicninja]

So now every other week we are flip flopping on our feelings about Villar?

[rickh150]

I have two strong opinions for this team.... no more Garza in rotation and no more Villar leading off at 2B.

[newrivervalley]

Best place for Villar would be DH in American League. No place for him in field.

[Devinep]

Best place for Villar would be DH in American League. No place for him in field.

 

Except DHs should be good hitters

[3and2Fastball]

Villar in the 2nd Half: .288/.306/.415

 

Thames in the 2nd Half: .212/.294/.404

[rickh150]

Villar in the 2nd Half: .288/.306/.415

 

Thames in the 2nd Half: .212/.294/.404

 

 

So Aguilar should play more. Walker could play 1B a day a week.

[OnTheBlack]

Villar in the 2nd Half: .288/.306/.415

 

Thames in the 2nd Half: .212/.294/.404

 

 

So Aguilar should play more. Walker could play 1B a day a week.

 

Aguilar 2nd half-.207/.278/.402

 

So maybe Villar at 2nd and Walker at 1st is the best option right now. Though I still feel like Aguilar has hit the ball hard in the 2nd half. I don't have the stats to back me up other than a .240 BABIP, just going off memory here.

 

 

After the Nelson injury, they're gonna need a lot more offense and then hope someone can put together a nice run in his stead. Maybe Guerra can get back to last years production.

[3and2Fastball]

Aguillar 2017 vs LHP: .307/.374/.523

 

Villar at 2B, Walker at 1B vs RHP

Walker at 2B, Aguillar at 1B vs LHP

 

Seems painfully obvious

[pacopete4]

Aguillar 2017 vs LHP: .307/.374/.523

 

Villar at 2B, Walker at 1B vs RHP

Walker at 2B, Aguillar at 1B vs LHP

 

Seems painfully obvious

 

Yep. This is what it should be for the majority of games but for some reason if Villar plays, Sogard has to as well. People complain about Villar leading off but he's a better option there than Perez, Thames or Sogard.

[KeithStone53151]

Aguillar 2017 vs LHP: .307/.374/.523

 

Villar at 2B, Walker at 1B vs RHP

Walker at 2B, Aguillar at 1B vs LHP

 

Seems painfully obvious

 

Yep. This is what it should be for the majority of games but for some reason if Villar plays, Sogard has to as well. People complain about Villar leading off but he's a better option there than Perez, Thames or Sogard.

 

I'll agree with you here. Villar tends to see a lot of pitches, which is good in the leadoff spot. He has been better, and has game-changing speed. I think he's improved enough to be a good leadoff hitter down the stretch.