I love Josh Hamilton and I hope we sign him. However, if he can't resist temptations in Texas imagine how bad it could be in southern California. I would only sign him to a 3 or 4 year contract.
Sign a druggie (yes, he does drugs) and Ethier has a bad arm? Too much partyin' boy, I think. I mean you're entitled to your opinion for sure...but Ethier is not a guy to run on...common knowledge. And Josh just can't totally walk away from his old ways...remember Steve Howe? Too little too late. Is it worth paying up front for him when the short side coud pop up so easily? Look at Manny...at least we know that Hamilton is down with dope. Manny was a surprise. We'll be paying him forever...
Andre Ethier's defense: No errors in 2011. Fielding Percentage: 1.000. (243 PO + 8 assists=251 Total chances). Only 1 error in 2010. http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/6481/type/fielding/andre-ethier You don't move Ethier out of RF because of his defense - it's hard to beat perfect. If you move him, then it's to make room for a 30+ HR man. And, NO to Hamilton. BZ gives all the reasons.
Ugh, I hate to get really analytical here but Fielding percentage and using errors is not a good way to judge his stats. It doesn't take much of watching Dre, NZ as the most hilarious critic, that the reason he won't make many "errors" is cause he moves two steps in every direction for the ball He has very limited range, and takes bad routes He's not Adam Dunn in RF, and yeah he has a good arm, but he's Jeff Kent in RF... And I mean 37 year old Jeff Kent
agreed fielding percentage also doesn't factor in balls he didn't/should have gotten to dre has a great arm but not the most athletic rf
We all saw Shawn Green in RF...who was absolutely Crazy glued to the fucking spot. One of the worst I've ever seen. Ethier is much the same..he is like Kent out there, especially coming in on balls...horrible. He has improved on his lateral movement I feel, and made some good sliding catches last season. But his arm, which is what I thought we were really talking about, is great. Probably not as flat out powerful as Matt's, but pinpoint accuracy, consistently.
Jeff Kent? I think you're describing the ol' Hee Sop Choi syndrome: Lead boots, no range, but also no errors. Diving without ever touching his glove to the ball. But Ethier is a competent RF'er. His fielding stats show he does not make bozo plays out there. If he dances around out there, so be it. He doesn't drop it or wing it into the stands. He's perfect in that regard. Certainly not worth replacing because of defense. Like I said, if your going to replace the guy in RF, better do it where it counts: because there is HR power available.