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The Case for Fred Lewis

I personally believe the Giants should keep Fred Lewis and here is why.  True he may not be the best outfielder in the game, but he should get better with some work.  For years we have all screamed that this team has never had any speed, and Fred is fast.  He has some pop in his bat (9hrs, which on this team is like 30 right now).  Now most people want 30+ from the corner outfielders, but I give you Adam Dunn as an example, low .200s for average and high strikeouts per AB.  Fred makes contact.  He steals bags at a high rate (20 for 27).  He has 6 errors with 9 outfield assists, leads the team in that category.   One know I will give is that he is 27.  A lot older for a first time full-time player, but that is how the Giants have always done it, see Aurilia and Feliz.  I think he will be a Randy Winn-type player (another underappreciated Giant right now, that may be a post for later).  Look every team needs guys like these.  You aren't going to have all-stars at every position and you need guys who will steal a base, track down a ball in the gap, bunt for a single and even take you out of the yard if you make a mistake.  Fred is that guy.  Randy Winn is that guy too.  These guys get overlooked because there isn't that one superstar on this team to carry the Giants through the tough stretches. 

I am writing this because I have seen a few posts and/or comments wanting to trade him and I always ask myself "trade him for what?"  generally you are going to get like for like, so let's say we get prospects.  They will probably be Fred's equivalent, except no major league experience.  Fred now has a year under his belt.  The other thing that frustrates me is I see and hear a lot of fans saying we don't have any homegrown talent.  But as soon as one gets to the Bigs we want to trade him.  Looking at the non-pitching talent that has been brought up in the last few years, there is a reason Fred has been the only one to stick.  Ortmeir has flamed, Schierholtz isn't ready and may never be, Velez has been surpassed a few times since he has been up, etc., etc., etc. 

The other case is, in all probability Randy Winn isn't coming back next year, if he makes it through August of this year.  Fred could move over to right-field and you can put your big bat in left.  I would rather have speed to cover triples alley in right than a big guy over there.  Plus the Phone Booth's right field is one of the toughest in baseball and I wouldn't want a big-bat type of guy, who probably wouldn't be good in the field, that combo is rare and the Giants ain't getting one anytime soon.  So you move Fred to right, he will make his mistakes, but will learn, you sign a big-bat for left and you have somewhat solved your power problems.

So McCoven I ask you, is my logic right?  Would you do something differently?  If you would trade Lewis, to who and for what (in this case prospects don't count because they are unproven)?  Names in the trade would be good and you reasoning.

I would like this to be a semi-serious discussion please.

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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I don’t see a whole lot of clamoring to trade Fred.

And, just saying, Fred strikes out a lot too. That’s one of the concerns people have with him – that he strikes out too much to sustain a decent batting average.

I like Fred a lot and would like to see him remain a Giant. He’s definitely the best position player our system has developed since Bill Mueller (I think.)

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 14, 2008 3:42 PM PDT   0 recs

yeah

Is anyone advocating trading Freddie? I personally like him because he’s homegrown and has become a solid big-leaguer, which is more than I thought he would do.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 14, 2008 3:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i agree with you here

i saw him with the grizzlies here in sac against the river cats and he looked lost. i didn’t have high hopes. i am suprised is where he is. i guess maturity and experience does help.

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 14, 2008 4:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, writing fanposts about opinions that don’t exist on this board as though they do exist on this board is the new Matt Cain Won’t Make It Guys Give Up Already.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Aug 14, 2008 4:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

see my post below

the neifichicken had posted a month or so ago. then tell me nobody feels that way.

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 15, 2008 10:30 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Considering that specific trade suggestion that NeifiChicken made up =/= wanting to trade Lewis.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 15, 2008 10:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

there were others

in his post that agreed with the idea. it probably helps if you read the post. and as i have said in this particular post (a few times at that) the consensus on neifi’s post was about 50/50 in favor of trading. so i came up with this post to give my reasons why we shouldn’t trade him.

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 15, 2008 10:37 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I did read the post. I argued with NeifiChicken about Dallas McPherson for a pretty long time. No one was saying “WE MUST TRADE LEWIS!” they were saying, “Well, if we got that sort of return for him + Molina + etc., that would probably work out well for both teams.”

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 15, 2008 10:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ok clearly we aren't talking about

the same thing. when did i ever say someone has said “we must” trade fred lewis? once again, his post put out the idea of entertaining a trade, and ONCE AGAIN, my post was meant to give reasons why we shouldn’t trade him. and i even opened it up to a discussion for those who are in favor of the trade to give me reasons why we should. i guess all of this has been lost in translation. so let me clearly state: I DON"T THINK ANYONE SAID WE MUST TRADE HIM. please re-read what i have said in all of my comments in this post. and you may have been a part of the ones that were against the thought of trading him in neifi’s post, but there were those who were in favor of it. so again, this post was a rebuttal to neifi’s post. now that i have explained my position in kindergarten terms, can we please move on.

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 15, 2008 10:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Okay, I just don’t think there was any need to write a rebuttal to Neifi’s post. That was a purely hypothetical trade and we all discussed it from a purely hypothetical perspective and the trade didn’t (and won’t) happen and we all moved on.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 15, 2008 11:04 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

thank you

oh king of fanposts. if you would please forward me the latest and greatest posting laws, i would be happy to abide by them. i will say my seven Hail Mary’s and pray for forgiveness.

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 15, 2008 11:07 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

helpful hint

stop being a douche

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 15, 2008 11:09 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

um

hi pot, i’m kettle

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 15, 2008 12:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol angry

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 15, 2008 11:15 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah!

Everyone knows you’re the queen of fanposts.

Well, maybe behind howie.

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com and on it I make jokes about things.

by groug on Aug 15, 2008 11:25 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This is getting silly

Everyone needs to just chill out and have a glass of cold, refreshing milk.

Farewell, Ray. We'll miss your smile and your sugar. Welcome, Steve Hammond "Eggs". Throw strikes.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Aug 15, 2008 11:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

With Nate Schierholstein in Beijing, what is a thirsty McCovenite to do??

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 15, 2008 11:18 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Travis IshiCola?

by rotorueter on Aug 15, 2008 11:22 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lolcano

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 15, 2008 11:26 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Some kind of carbonated refreshments version of a Travis Ishimackawa?

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Aug 15, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Milk gives me a stomachache :(

(And so does the lactose-free milk)

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 15, 2008 11:23 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What about milkshakes?

by xanthan on Aug 15, 2008 11:26 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

jp’s brings all the boys to the yard

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 15, 2008 11:27 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

milkshakes are cool.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 15, 2008 11:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I like malts better, but you have to use the powerded malt. Liquid malt is as evil as the Dodgers.

by tyrannoman on Aug 15, 2008 11:54 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fred is a pretty average outfielder, and there is tremendous real value in that. He probably has more value to us as a player than as trade-bait, and if that is actually the case, we should keep him.

by rotorueter on Aug 14, 2008 3:43 PM PDT   0 recs

who is against Fred Lewis?

do you also like babies?

I think most of us like Fred Lewis and feel that he is a good player right now with the chance to get a bit better. I also find that most people around here like him on a personal level and are rooting pretty hard for him to succeed.

by FluLikeSymptoms on Aug 14, 2008 3:48 PM PDT   0 recs

I think you might be surprised to learn that Lewis is a pretty good OF. He is ranked as the 2nd best LF in the game right now — between Carl Crawford and Johnny Damon - by Dewan’s +/. He’s also ranked well in RZR.

by xanthan on Aug 14, 2008 3:49 PM PDT   0 recs

Auto formatting FTL.

“by Dewan’s +/-” shouldn’t be crossed out.

by xanthan on Aug 14, 2008 3:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Where to you get these +/- numbers, btw?

by Evan on Aug 14, 2008 3:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bill James Online has them updated regularly. It’s worth the $3 bucks a month.

by xanthan on Aug 14, 2008 3:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Xanthan=milk

Why buy the cow when we can get the milk for free?

by rotorueter on Aug 14, 2008 4:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i saw baycityball.com written on a men’s room wall.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 14, 2008 4:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

4 A good time

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 15, 2008 8:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i see what you did there.

AAAA

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

by daveinexile on Aug 15, 2008 8:22 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you implying that xanthan is only a AAAA guy? That’s bush league man.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 15, 2008 8:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m the Scott McClain of STATS!

by xanthan on Aug 15, 2008 8:25 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Longevity, a good attitude, funny, and my second best interview evar! Wait that was Scott McClain. I guess you’re okay too.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 15, 2008 8:31 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m not just okay, I’m pretty okay!

Who was the best interview ever? I’m going with Geno.

by xanthan on Aug 15, 2008 8:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Tim Alderson was the best interview ever as far as quality of writing. We talked about breakfast cereal and the political climate of Cuba too, all off the record of course. McClain was cool because he was willing to talk about being in the minors for so long and playing in Japan and answer everything honestly.

Geno was good, as was Alex Hinshaw (that’s what she said). Sergio Romo was really open and talkative which I appreciate. My most fun interview was Darren Sack, actually. We had each other laughing for most of the discussion.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 15, 2008 8:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

no beatting arround the bush with ya today.

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

by daveinexile on Aug 15, 2008 8:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

“bush league” may not be what a guy is looking for, if he’s calling a number on a men’s room wall…

by tyrannoman on Aug 15, 2008 8:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Depends on the…upkeep of that area, friend.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 15, 2008 9:00 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Regarding the upkeep of the area, I generally just keep the area up.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Aug 15, 2008 12:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol boner

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 15, 2008 2:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Does that mean Bill James is the cow?

That’s just weird.

by Evan on Aug 14, 2008 4:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

*shudder*

Farewell, Ray. We'll miss your smile and your sugar. Welcome, Steve Hammond "Eggs". Throw strikes.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Aug 14, 2008 4:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

there has to be a King Pin reference in here some were …

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

by daveinexile on Aug 15, 2008 8:05 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nate Schierholstein?

by rotorueter on Aug 14, 2008 6:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

BAGHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 14, 2008 6:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m udderly confused

Zooperstars, they quack me up!

by Goofus on Aug 14, 2008 10:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’d rather not thinking about lactating males though…

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 15, 2008 8:25 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you write for a major newspaper?

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN

by zenbitz on Aug 14, 2008 3:49 PM PDT   0 recs

Underperforming Lewis Sent Down, Replaced by Elephant Foot Umbrella Stand

“I got it outta one of those catalogs you get on the plane,” Bruce Bochy said. “I thought it would be a hoot!”

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 14, 2008 3:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Angel Villalona: Rush Fan? Probably.

by AngelintheInfield on Aug 14, 2008 4:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

um no

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 14, 2008 4:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

On a team as starved for offense as the Giants, clamoring for his trade would be silly.

Providing natural gas with every post

by Goofus on Aug 14, 2008 3:52 PM PDT   0 recs

Unless we could magically turn him into a thirdbaseman version of himself, which is incredibly unlikely.

by rotorueter on Aug 14, 2008 3:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

probabilities
The other case is, in all probability Randy Winn isn’t coming back next year, if he makes it through August of this year.

There is a chance that Randy will get dealt, either soon or in the offseason. However, I’d say we’re talking about a 10-20% chance. He’s most likely to start in the OF for us next year.

by BigO on Aug 14, 2008 3:53 PM PDT   0 recs

i will cry.

Bengie Molina: stretching doubles into singles since 1998.

by jasomack on Aug 14, 2008 4:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hold your tears

Maybe there is a better chance than I figured. I’d still say it isn’t “probable” that Winn will go.

by BigO on Aug 15, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Since Feddie is a fan fav around these parts, “The Case for Fred Lewis” is about as controversial as “The Case for Good Beer”

Zooperstars, they quack me up!

by Goofus on Aug 14, 2008 4:00 PM PDT   0 recs

Heh. “The Case for Christmas Morning”

by rotorueter on Aug 14, 2008 4:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

does it taste great?

or is it less filling?

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 14, 2008 4:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I wish your for was an of.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Aug 14, 2008 4:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Now that I think about it, “The Case for Good Beer” wouldn’t be as popular as “The Case of Good Beer”

Zooperstars, they quack me up!

by Goofus on Aug 14, 2008 4:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

if it was a case OF beer, we’d be happier because that would be better and we’d like it more.

Bengie Molina: stretching doubles into singles since 1998.

by jasomack on Aug 14, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Budweiser makes that case with every vat of beer they produce. Thank god for the wonderful craft breweries on the West Coast.

by tyrannoman on Aug 14, 2008 7:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This was the post I had seen originally

How about trading Fred Lewis?
 by NeifiChicken on Jul 30, 2008 2:41 PM EDT

i would say it was 50/50 on the idea. which is what go me thinking of this fanpost. i just wasn’t able to get to posting it until now.

www.myspace.com/cynemamusic.com

by Cynema the Band on Aug 14, 2008 4:00 PM PDT   0 recs

Yeah, I remember that fanpost, but most of the responses were against trading him.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Aug 14, 2008 4:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

it wasn't because of anti-Lewis sentiment

I just felt the idea I threw out there brought some very promising talent back to the Giants. In my opinion Lewis is a good player, but I think he is at peak value right now. I don’t think he is going to improve next year and might even be due to regress a bit (still at a .366 BABIP with a 18% LD%)

The Giants shouldn’t be opposed to trading any player on the big league roster outside of Cain and Lincecum, if the price is right of course.

That being said, Lewis is our best offensive player, but that speaks more to the state of our offense than anything

www.wazzel.com (prove your sports knowledge if you can)

by NeifiChicken on Aug 14, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

“The prices is wrong, bitch”

-Happy

Littered campgrounds, folding chairs. Feed Doritos to the bears.

by TheBigLeBowker on Aug 14, 2008 8