Please Explain Willie Harris' Career and How it Has Been Allowed

by David G on Aug 13, 2011 2:42 AM EDT

in less that 100 words. That is my assignment to all of you. I've spent the last 20 minutes or so perusing his baseball reference page. I'm sure he's a great teammate, and I get his outfield defense was really good once upon a time. But isn't there a point where you have to hit if you are an outfielder? His moderately ok walk rate does not justify his longevity as a major leaguer. I'd really like someone to explain it to me, as I watch him get starts at 2b over a guy like Josh Satin, who has just ripped up AA and AAA this year. Please explain how Willie Harris' 2b ability warrants major league starts, especially based on his last 2 years of playing. I look forward to the answers.

Here is Wille Harris' baseball reference page..if you take away his 2008 season, wow is he bad. There's not much else to say: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harriwi02.shtml

This FanPost was contributed by a member of the community and was not subject to any vetting or approval process. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions, reasoning skills, or attention to grammar and usage rules held by the editors of this site.

Tweet Comment 24 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Alderson's version of moneyball

by bob c on Aug 13, 2011 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

veteranz grission

see: Alex Cora

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Aug 13, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

Less than 100 words? Lemme try, but I can't guarantee it's less; around 100, though

Net positive UZR over the last couple of years, with position versatility including CF ability. The man never was an offensive force, but was good with the glove, and is/was a prime defensive substitution/pinch runner guy. Bat potential, theoretically, was there- from 2008-2010, he hit 30 HRs, and got on base at .340, .364 and .291 (with a .199 BABIP) clips. Going into the season, who thought he’d be so bad? He’s stuck around this far this year for reasons I don’t know. Neither glove nor bat have been there. In a season like this, though, I’d rather see Harris on the roster longer than necessary than start the arbitration clocks of younger players who theoretically could do the job unnecessarily early.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Aug 13, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

less than 100 BDMF

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Aug 13, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

That's 122!

Close enough!

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Aug 13, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

lol I wasn't counting the numbers

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Aug 13, 2011 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I wanna say something about a fanshot, but I can't remember.

Anyway, perceived good d and speed makes up for his lack of hitting and power, and the walk rate is nice. Basically, past performance clouds manager’s judgement.

by Evan_S on Aug 13, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

100 words?

sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks

How do you like them home run apples?

by KaaMets on Aug 13, 2011 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

He used to be Endy, but traded off some average for walks.

His D disappeared last year and I’m guessing Sandy was gambling for a rebound. Honestly, I think he was a placeholder for Captain Kirk or Fmart since Hairston or Beltran could always backup CF. Kirk got hurt and FMart has had zero progress from last year so we got stuck with him for the whole year.

by FrancoTAU on Aug 15, 2011 1:28 AM EDT reply actions

In Haiku form

versatile fielder,
bats left. On base same as league.
Diving grabs beat Mets.

by goquakers on Aug 15, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

~.350 is league average?

That can’t be accurate

by Mike Clemente on Aug 18, 2011 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

or in Fes form:

old, overpaid provides unproven mystical leadership,
has grissioin, is left-handed
you just have to fill up the roster, right?

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Aug 15, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

he's almost exactly replacement level for his career

even last year, arguably his worst year, his fangraphs WAR was 0. The fact is that 0-WAR players have value. In this case, $800,000 on the open market, and while yes it is easy to find 0-WAR players on the cheap (who I will now call Willie Harrises) who are not Willie Harris, ours happens to be the Willie Harris. Awhile ago, we had a Willie Harris named Joe McEwing, although he could play short, and we also had a Willie Harris named Alex Cora. In short, we will always have Willie Harris on our team, and he should not play very much in years where our team is not decimated by injury. Alas, we are snakebitten, baby.

by robotoverlord on Aug 15, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions