What Do You Expect From Chase Headley?
by faketeams on Jun 16, 2008 8:15 AM EDT
in Baseball
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The San Diego Padres finally got comfortable that top hitting prospect Chase Headley will not qualify as a Super Two and will activate in time to make his 2008 major league debut at Yankees Stadium on Tuesday. (NOTE: Headley was up last season and accrued a little service time. That is why the Padres would have had to wait longer than the end of May to bring Headley back and avoid Super two status.)
No sooner was this announcement made than I received a very interesting trade offer in a redraft NL-Only 5x5 league. I drafted Headley before the season started with the hopes he would break camp with the Padres, and, if he didn't, he'd be up soon enough that I could use a bench spot. An NL-only format with weekly moves makes using a bench spot or two on D.L./minor leaguers much easier to do.
What was the offer that made me stop? Cincinnati Reds' rookie OF Jay Bruce in exchange for Headley and Chicago Cubs SS Ryan Theriot. For those of us who did not own Jay Bruce when he was recalled a couple of weeks ago, we are only left with the great impression his hot first week gave - 15 for 26 with 3 HRs and 2 SBs. He has appreciably cooled with a subsequent 11-46 with just one more HR.
The question is whether the cooling is permanent or just a temporary lull. A lull makes a Headley/Theriot swap worth the risk. A "permanent cooling" (read: the rest of this season) tilts the reward part of the risk/reward equation in the offering team's favor. What would you do?
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ESPN.com's Answer Guy
Does it matter?
Should I drop David Murphy for Chase Headley?
Wes PadgettDave: I know it’s difficult to pass on the hype of a young rookie call-up, but I would stick with Murphy for now. The just-promoted Headley is an attractive option and will certainly succeed as the Padres’ new everyday left fielder, but the chances of him outperforming David Murphy from here on out is pretty slim.
Don’t get me wrong. Headley was hitting very well at Triple-A Portland (.305 average, 14 homers, 40 RBIs, 49 runs, .939 OPS), and you have to figure he is going to get plenty of playing time over such below-average outfielders as Jody Gerut and Justin Huber. But the Rangers’ Murphy is a much more attractive option now through the remainder of the season. He has been as equally productive on the road this season as he has been at his favorable home park, and he has been stealing bases, too—although not nearly as much as we would like. Simply put, Murphy appears to be a safer bet going forward, and I’d hang on to him.
There is also a Jay bruce question. Click through to see that answer. I like that answer a lot more.
by faketeams on Jun 16, 2008 8:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Steve Gardner from USA Today on Headley
To me, it is an easy decision – drop either player without second thought.
Winston Salem, NC: Chase Headly is getting the call-up soon. Should I grab him and drop either Russell Branyon or Edgar V. Gonzalez, both who have been playing well of late?
Steve Gardner: If you’re in a keeper league, there’s no question. Headley has been hitting very well at Triple-A. For the balance of this season, it’s a little closer call just because we don’t know how steep Headley’s learning curve will be. However, I think you have to take that chance because we have a pretty good idea what to expect from Branyan and Gonzalez doesn’t have much power upside.
by faketeams on Jun 16, 2008 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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