Braves Acquire Greg Norton
by gondeee on May 5, 2008 9:36 PM EDT
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PrintIt will be interesting to hear some of the comments from players about our new infielder/pinch-hitter. Apparently, this is the guy we’ve been looking for since spring training -- you know, the pinch hitter who is supposed to strike fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers. While I don’t know if any pinch hitter would really fit that mold, I’m fairly certain that Greg Norton does not.
Yes, he’s got some pop. Yes, he’s a veteran at this point in his career. Yes, his middle name is Blakemoor.
At 36 Norton is likely on the downside of his career, and he’s never really been used as a primary pinch-hitter. Even this year he’s only had one pinch-hit appearance. But the Braves must see something in Norton that leads them to believe that he will be a good (or better) major league pinch-hitter. He is a career .235 (68-for-289) pinch hitter -- a bit lower than his overall career average of .253 -- so I kind of have to continue to wonder what makes the Braves think Blakemoor is any better than Wes Helms or Rob Mackowiak or Jayson Werth -- all similar comps by age to Gregory.
They have to hope that Norton buys into being used mainly as a pinch hitter (again, something that he’s never exclusively been in his career). They also have to hope that he can make that adjustment, and that his swing is one geared towards being able to come off the bench.
Heck, depending on what we eventually give up, this may just be one of those, "we’re taking a flyer on him" trades. I have added confidence because we acquired him from
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in all fairness
He played most of his career in the AL and let’s face it, there really isn’t much call for pinch hitters there. He isn’t great but as a left-hander, his career OPS is almost .800. He’s can play first, third, and the outfield, has good on base skills, hits for a decent average, and hits for power. He was off last year because of two surgeries at different points but he should be a perfectly fine bench bat. I think you’re a little too down on him.
Whether or not he’s spent his career in the AL or NL, and regardless of the difference in the need for pinch hitters between the leagues, he’s likely going to spend his time in Atlanta being primarily a pinch hitter. My point that he hasn’t really done that, and “that” should be the cause for some concern is certainly a valid one, and it should lead one to believe that we “may” not have gotten the right player for the role we want him to fill. Certainly nothing in his past performance suggests that he can fill that role - contrary to your unfounded assertion that he “should be a perfectly fine bench bat”. Once again, you completely miss the point - I’m beginning to wonder if you have a reading problem or a comprehension problem. Stats? What are those?
Holy shit...
...I had a college professor named Porter Blakemore, and he had one of the best beards I’ve ever seen.
I’m freakin out man…
My main hope
is that he just sucks and that allows us to only have to give the Mariners cash, because honestly I don’t see what he’s really going to add. I feel he has the same ceiling as Julio did at the end of last year was it? I mean that was a sentimental pick, but I think he’ll wind up being a poor to mediocre bench bat who we ditch once some of the youngins are ready to be pulled up. As for the Mariners front office, they are easily one of the worst in baseball. I can’t fathom what they smoke, but it must be some good stuff because they always make bad moves.
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