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Chris Woodward doesn't get much respect. As fantasy owners prepare for their drafts, and check out the ESPN correspondents' pages, my Inbox gets crowded with Jays questions, and Woody's by far the #1 topic on their minds. (Wells and Hudson round out the top three). There's a good overview of the SS, and a refreshing lack of Jay-bashing by Bob Elliott, in the Sun:

"Last year was a combination of Lopez regressing and Woodward improving," Jays manager Carlos Tosca said. "Woodward was far more ready in all aspects. He was better taking signs whether at the plate or in the field. He has a better understanding of the game."

Since I traded Bartolo Colon for Woodward in the TRHL, you already know how I feel. (It's a salary cap league; I also got Randy Winn and saved some dough). I've told a few people to expect 500 AB -- his durability remains suspect -- and .275-22-75, but you guys may have other ideas.
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Pistol - Thursday, February 13 2003 @ 08:28 AM EST (#96385) #
"We were 2 1/2 months into the season, with 200 at-bats and I was hitting .190," Woodward said. "I remember looking at the stats, thinking I can go 50-for-50 and only be hitting .240."

Apparently Rickey Henderson's been teaching Woody math.
Craig B - Thursday, February 13 2003 @ 10:28 AM EST (#96386) #
Geez, Kent, did the guy you trade Colon to also beat you up and take your lunch money? You got robbed... this other guy must be quite the deep and analytical thinker. I can see him now... a tall, strapping young man, with a deep, booming voice, wheeling and dealing his way to another league championship.

I guess in DMB keeper leagues, as in life, some trade for Colon, Mike Lincoln and Jose Jimenez, and some are just getting by.

;)
Craig B - Thursday, February 13 2003 @ 10:41 AM EST (#96387) #
Seriously, though, Woodward...

I'm unconvinced, but hopeful. His numbers at AAA have been excellent; slugging .466 at Syracuse (incidentally, his numbers on waymoresports.com seem to be wrong) with a career average of .290 there is some pretty good slugging. I think expecting a .275 average and 22 home runs out of a guy with a bad K/W ratio is a little much, particularly since it's doubtful he'll be playing every day (Bordick has to play sometimes, and Woodward is unlikely to dislodge either the man on his left or the man on his right).

I just hope Woodward can start 130 games, hit like his career numbers, maybe raise his OBP a few points even at the cost of some slugging, and improve against lefties. If he does that and his defense doesn't slip, he will be a success. 260/320/420 would be quite a success as far as I'm concerned, although he's shown he has more power than that.

It's certainly possible, though, that Woodward like a lot of players will *add* power as he gets older, and while he won't likely have the range to play shortstop anymore in a couple of years, if he can get on base some more and add power he might be able to move to third base (a position to which he'd be well-sutied) if Hinske has to move across the diamond.
_Richard - Thursday, February 13 2003 @ 12:50 PM EST (#96388) #
I admit I'm biased,Woodward is my favourite Jay.It's because he's a late bloomer,married to a Canadian and seems like a solid guy.

Personally I think he's legit.Basically I think he'll continue to duplicate his Syracuse number's which is a rather large sample size.Woodward had the unfortunate circumstance of playing for an over-bearing coach,Jim Fergosi and a weak G.M.,Gord Ash.As a 23-24 year old player he had no business being slotted into a major league utility role.Young players need to play everyday.Riccardi is a believer in this policy.Phelps and Hudson were brought up only as regulars.I believe Werth and Cash will be held back until they can play most everyday.
_Jacko - Thursday, February 13 2003 @ 02:09 PM EST (#96389) #

It's certainly possible, though, that Woodward like a lot of players will *add* power as he gets older, and while he won't likely have the range to play shortstop anymore in a couple of years, if he can get on base some more and add power he might be able to move to third base (a position to which he'd be well-sutied) if Hinske has to move across the diamond.


Woodward is skinny as a rake. He's listed at 6-0, 185, but I have my doubts about that.


IMO, he could put on 20 pounds of muscle without losing any range in the field...

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