Thoughts: Jose Lopez, Unhappy Camper?
by Conor Dowley ~ March 2nd, 2010
It seems as though maybe Jose Lopez’ switch from second to third base is not going too smoothly. Reports indicate that he looks rough on the hot corner, and now it sounds as though he’s not that happy about the situation. To hear Jose say it, he’s not comfortable over at third yet, and not being comfortable seems as though that makes him “mad” when he’s playing on the field.
As has been brought up around the blogosphere, Lopez fits the theory of a third baseman fairly well. Decent instincts, better moving laterally than in a straight line, and an arm more than capable of winging the ball across the field. How well he can charge a bunt has yet to be seen, but we can hardly expect him to be Adrian Beltre in that regard. However, theory and reality can be two different animals, and so far they are very different indeed. To be fair, this experiment is only a week old, and has a long ways yet to go before we might see it in a real game.
This apparent unhappiness coupled with Mike Salk’s recent observation that the front office isn’t thrilled with Jose’s weight doesn’t seem to be a good indicator as to his longevity with the organization from here on out. It’s long been thought that his dead-pull swing from the right side and inability to take walks would make him a better fit in another organization, and that process may finally be hastened if Jose can’t get things together.
Another item working against Jose at third is the Beltre Factor. After five years of Mariners fans marveling at the wizardry Adrian Beltre put on at the hot corner night after night, even a very good performance by Lopez will look pedestrian at best. And if he struggles there, at all? The fans will be all over him like Carlos Silva on a buffet spread.
Other thoughts:
Like Jon, I was very impressed by Robles the other day. Very eager to see how he develops this year….. The bullpen battles should be interesting this year, with Sean White, Kanekoa Texeira, and a handful of minor leaguers all vying for the same spot…. The Rainiers announced their plans to redesign Cheney Stadium, and the early images are impressive. Check it out…. The forgotten man in the Mariners’ pitching staff picture seems to be Luke French, but it seems as though he’s quietly having a solid spring so far. Reports have it that his arm looks better in his bullpen sessions than it ever did in his M’s tenure last year, supporting Jon’s “dead arm” theory. If French winds up in Tacoma, he could wind up in a “first arm up” type of role in the event of an injury.
13 Responses to Thoughts: Jose Lopez, Unhappy Camper?
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moethedog
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I can’t help but think that the Figgins to 2nd/Lopez to 3rd move was done in some way to forcethe Lopez situation. It doesn’t make sense otherwise to move one player to a position he has never really played and another to a position that isn’t his best. When you add the Ackley situation and his seemingly very impressive debut this spring it makes less sense to move Figgins to 2nd. So, either Lopez goes back to 2nd soon, or he goes to some other team, perhaps for less than Mariner fans had once hoped for.
It may be that Z is higher on Tui than we’ve thought or that the braintrust has decided that Ackley is ready now (or 25 games into the season), as well.
But if Lopez doesn’t go back to 2nd soon…..then I think he’s going to be gone soon.
Keith
section331
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:46 pm
“The fans will be all over him like Carlos Silva on a buffet spread.”
And may God have mercy on his soul.
Seriously, though, the weight thing comes kind of out of nowhere. Not *technically*, since anyone with a pair of eyes could see the evidence, but it’s never really been talked about until just now. I like Lopi, but I’m not giving him long with us, at this rate. I hate to say it, but the more I think about it, the more I think Baker might be right; the Lopez-and-others-for-Adrian-Gonzalez thingy might be in our immediate future.
Not that I would complain about Gonzalez, because hey, he wasn’t even supposed to BE here today.
http://towrowrow.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/brianohalloranclerks.jpg
Jon Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Is Baker doing the Gonzo talk on his little Live! program? Just wondering because I haven’t seen anything about it on his blog lately.
The Lopez+++ for Gonzalez speculation is also popular at MC/SSI, though I just can’t for the life of me see why Lopez would be someone high on San Diego’s wish list.
section331 Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:00 am
He actually mentioned it on Brock & Salk yesterday while I was out doing yardwork – if memory serves (I was doing several things at once), he did mention it yesterday during his chat, but he didn’t spend much time on it at all. He says he’s surprised that Lopi’s still here at all, but knows the team couldn’t move him. Baker says he thinks that Adrian will be here early in the season because the Pads will be out of it quickly this year…that’s not verbatim, but it’s pretty close….
section331 Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I was tired when I wrote the above, but meant to agree with you. Also, we have like three first basemen, going after AG doesn’t make a lot of sense for us in general, in my opinion. The Pads are gonna trade their best player for a second baseman who couldn’t be moved in the regular offseason? If this actually happens, it will either further cement the Zduriencik-is-God idea, or fully demonstrate exactly how badly-run the Padres organization really is… :/
positivepaul
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Drayer on the radio tonight mentioned that the report of Lopez (the AP article linked here) being “unhappy” was completely wrong and way overblown. She made it known that the national reporter who was there misinterpreted Jose’s comments, saying that he didn’t have the full context. Someone who follows the team day-in, day-out could tell you that he’s the type of player that really likes to play happy and with enthusiasm — in a comfort zone that he feels confident about. In her conversations with Jose on the subject, she got the impression that unhappiness w/the position switch wasn’t the issue. He’s very much giving it his all, and if it doesn’t work out it won’t be because of a lack of effort. He’s enthusiastic about the possibility, but just not playing with the joy he normally does because he’s uncomfortable (which is, of course, alluded to in this article). It’s definitely not an unhappiness because he feels like he’s being betrayed/let down by the team/forced to move to 3B because he’s getting bigger, etc. It’s a subtle distinction, of course, but it’s an important one.
positivepaul Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:16 pm
By “Completely wrong and way overblown” I’m overstating “not entirely accurate.” Don’t want to misrepresent Shannon’s comments. The AP writer (she mentioned his name but it slips my memory now) does indeed hint at this, but Shannon said that’s all it really is. She wanted to make sure that people didn’t misinterpret this story as “Jose is unhappy with the move to third” which isn’t the case at all. He’s just not happy in the sense of being confident and comfortable, and that’s all…
Jon Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Shannon knows best. She’s definitely more in tune with the team than any other non Mariner, and she seems to have an especially good relationship with Lopez.
FWBrodie
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:49 am
The thing that annoys the hell out of me about Jose Lopez is that he is either completely stubborn or just plain stupid. I mean, how many times is he going to show up to camp having gained weight when he was asked to get into better shape in the offseason? How much coaching does he need on pitch selection and plate discipline? I see no reason to believe this guy is ever going to take the next step with his game without cheating the process by switching to a park with a short fence in left field. He has talent, he’s just too lazy, stubborn, and dumb to harness it.
Felix (not to compare their levels of talent BUT) is an example of a guy that was on the cusp of moving up into the next tier of players and was willing to put in the work and make the necessary sacrifices to do it. When the M’s put him on a diet and told him to control his emotions and stop trying to throw it by everyone he committed to it and became a Cy Young caliber starter. Lopez has had opportunities to turn himself into an All-Star level second baseman and has continued to blow it off. I’m so tired of it.
Mekias
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:03 am
I haven’t seen pictures of Lopez this Spring. Is he fatter than the end of last season? Is he carrying more muscle? Salk’s article just said that they thought his weight was one of the reasons for the move. Not if he was carrying more weight or, if so, where he was carrying it.
Changes and trying new things can be scary for a lot of people. Not only is Lopez being asked to try something completely new but he can’t be feeling particularly appreciated right now. All offseason people have been talking about trading him and how he wasn’t a fit for the M’s and now the team has just insulted his 2nd base play by forcing this move. Obviously Jose brought some of this on himself but it can’t be a good feeling when it seems like no one wants you.
mw3
March 3rd, 2010 at 7:13 am
Had Lopez gotten a P90X system as a present five years ago he could still be playing shortstop. As it stands now the only position Lopez is agile enough to play well is first base so if he wants to cash in he better lose weight or really be able to walk fifty times this year.
Walrus
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:10 am
Conor,
If these responses are any indication about how the Seattle fans feel about Lopi, Lopi is already in the kitchen plated…and just waiting for the buffet to start.
Jon Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:13 pm
But are the M’s fans that are found on the blogs a fair representation of Mariner fans? I would think not.