I don't get it

by Otacon on Sep 24, 2005 6:49 AM EDT

Why are people so high on Royce Clayton? I was reading through official D'Backs message board(not a big fan of it, distorted views and bias. You know the usual but it's kind like a car wreck you know) and someone posted this on Clayton:

"You guys do realize that $3mil for a pretty good veteran is not a lot, right?"

Wow. Clayton has a bad on base percentage, doesn't get a lot of extra base hits, strikesouts a lot, and despite Thom and Grace's praises, isn't the outstanding fielder as he is made out to be. Apperently, he has been on a tear after the AS break. What? Clayton? The funny thing is he WANTS to get paid a $3 million next year because he's so good. Ridicoulous. Quite frankly, I fail to see why Cintron or Andy Green are not starting these last few games or this whole year in fact.

Come on give me your opinions.

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Clayton

The thing is the D'Backs haven't had a really good shortstop in the franchise before so they have nothing to compare against.

by William K @ AZ Snakepit on Sep 25, 2005 1:49 AM EDT reply actions

True....

....and we arent likely to have anyone to write home about anytime soon if we keep running Royce Clayton out there.

by Englishdback on Sep 25, 2005 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Santos, Upton, Drew

the dbacks are looking for a place holder until the rookies disappoint the way that CJ has.

by andrewinnewyork on Sep 25, 2005 6:00 PM EDT reply actions

You know

the more you crow about Jackson not producing, the more crow you will eat when he outproduces the rest of the Diamondbacks. Giving up on him so easily is foolish.

by Otacon on Sep 25, 2005 7:09 PM EDT reply actions

C'mon, I'm just ribbing him

If mo can get away with tearing Luis Gonzalez up all year, CJ can take a little friendly nudges. He's fine, he's going to be fine, it's never easy to produce when you're hyped to the moon and called up in August, etc. etc. I haven't given up on the kid.

Now, Jeff Francouer, him I've given up on.

by andrewinnewyork on Sep 26, 2005 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I must admit...

After having spent the last few years hearing how Jackson is the saviour of the franchise, I was hoping for better than a struggle with the Mendoza line. I'm fairly certain Otacon's right...but would have been happier had he continued to rake like Francouer!

by Jim McLennan on Sep 26, 2005 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

Clayton's abilities

There's a few things which I think work in Clayton's favour:

He hits well late in the season. Over his entire career, he averages .237 and .236 in April and May, but .271 in August and .281 in September. I think this is what people tend to remember, especially during the off-season.
He's been good in the clutch this year, hitting over .300 (second only to Tony Clark) with runners in scoring position. This impresses people.
Defensively, he may have limitations ("past a diving Clayton"), but he is also capable of some flashy web-gems, which also stick in people's minds.
He is perhaps the only Diamondback recognisible purely by his hair-style. No, really! This instant connection appeals to people - see also Counsell's unique batting stance. People like this kind of character.

For what it's worth, I think Clayton has done his job adequately this year, given we didn't have many other options (remember how awful Cintron was in 2004?). That's not the case now, with the rise of Green and the imminent arrival of Drew, but I can still see Clayton getting re-signed for 2006. That'll be a waste of money, and a shame for Andy Green, but just as long as it's not a multi-year deal, I can probably live with it.

by Jim McLennan on Sep 27, 2005 7:05 PM EDT reply actions