The David Freese/Kolten Wong debate has been brewing for months for the Cardinals. Ever since Freese got off to a slow start, hitting just .163 in April and Wong turned on the heat with a .375/.420/.615 line in May for AAA Memphis.
Last week the Cardinals finally promoted their second baseman of the future, which left the future for Freese in question.
The immediate impact is that Freese will lose considerable playing time the rest of this year, but the bigger question is whether this will be the last season Freese spends with the Cardinals.
Freese is still the hometown hero, the 2011 World Series MVP and will always hold a special place in Cardinals fans hearts, but, as with most players, it comes down to "what have you done for me lately?" and in Freese's case, its not much.
Freese is hitting just .266/.343/.382 on the season, a far cry from the .293/.372/.467 line he put up last year. He has just 6 homers this year compared to 20 last year. He is hitting only .234 with RISP compared to .275 last year.
His production has certainly gone down hill and, with an offense that was sputtering, it was time to make a change. Wong provides the Cardinals with some much needed speed, gives the team better overall defense and his offense should be comparable to what Freese has done this year.
Bottom line, if Freese had put up similar numbers this year to what he did last year, we wouldn't be having this discussion. But the fact is that he is not and if Wong can prove he's major league ready, the Cardinals will likely try to move Freese this offseason.
LETS NOT GO OVER BOARD ALL OF A SUDDEN HE HAS HIS UPS AND DOWNS BUT THEY ALL DO, CAN WONG PLAY SS JUST A THOUGHT
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE TYPE IN ALL CAPS IT IS SO ASTHETICALLY PLEASING!!!!!
Deletei dont think a team would put a lefty at short
ReplyDeletewhat? He HITS left THROWS right....watch the game
ReplyDeleteI suspect, unless Wong just absolutely catches fire (which he has not done thus far) you may see a platoon, of sorts, next season. Then, the Cardinals will decide if they want to move Freese/Wong mid-season, or possibly let Freese walk in FA (noting that if he loses the competition, he probably will have minimal trade value). It's interesting, everybody has Wong penciled in as the long-term 2B, and he is a legit prospect, but he has yet to prove himself a major league player.
ReplyDeleteHoliday had some slumps and is payed a much elaborate salary. He has risen from his downfall. Freeze has incredible potential. Give him a chance.......
ReplyDeleteI believe that this will be his last season unless he has a tremendous playoff series. Remember how green Carpenter was last year? Now, he may be rookie of the year. Carpenter is a natural at 3rd and if Wong doesn't cut it, a second baseman is easier to find than a 3rd baseman. I also believe Beltran goes to the AL as a DH and if Adams loses more weight and develops some muscle tone, Craig is your Rightfielder.
Delete