Quote:
Originally Posted by habernac
I have a hard time blaming the manager. Is he supposed to go up there and take their at-bats for them? These guys are pros, they get paid well. they shouldn't need a coach to motivate them. The bats are failing this team, plain and simple. I have quietly backed Wells but I'm now in the camp of "we paid the wrong guy $17 million to play in the outfield". Rios has been fantastic, too bad it hasn't rubbed off on VW.
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Rios is proving now he is a better hitter than Wells is, he can play CF, and has a much better arm (and comparably range too). He is already the best LF in the game according to defensive stats, which is definitely believable.
I'm really worried about this when Contract time comes around: "So, JP, where is my 17 million then?"
Is it motivation though? Or is it simply a case of misjudging the potential of certain players? I don't mean to pick on Wells again, but when he was struggling horribly to begin the season 2 years ago, (both him and Lilly), both were asked what they needed to do to get back on track. I'm paraphrasing from their exact quotes, but Lilly, at least was saying the right things about going back and looking at film, tweaking issues with his mechanics and really making some adjustments. Wells on the other hand, replied with "I'm not really sure what is wrong, balls aren't falling". To the same extent me made the same quote this year, when he had the abboration 4/5 game or whatever a month or so ago, where he said he had no idea why he struggled before - but hopes hes back on track now.
Anyways, you can draw your own conclusions to the dedication these guys seem to show, but if there is a problem, you should be in the video room looking at film, and in Vernon's case, the problem is obvious - don't swing at letter high garbage every single AB and get an infield popout.
Given Wells consistancy/track record, it wasn't a good idea to give him the money. I've said that before. But I really do hope he improves - I don't want the Jays Payroll to be crippled with an uncompetitive, overpaid team, with a giant albatross in CF.