I am having a terrible time choosing between my two options for vLH pinch-hitter of the bench.  We're pre-spring training right now, and I have all my starters set up, all my defensive replacements, but I have two 1B/COF guys as options for that 25th spot on the roster, and I just cannot choose.  One of them needs to go down to AAA.  Any insights, anyone?

Chris Spivey:  http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3137880

Scott Mullen:  http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=2591640

Mullen.  Unless you can think of a situation where you really need a strikeout off the bench.

By next season you'll need a third, better option altogether.

Posted by dedelman on 12/31/2011 8:08:00 AM (view original):
Mullen.  Unless you can think of a situation where you really need a strikeout off the bench.

By next season you'll need a third, better option altogether.

+1

You're not swayed by the fact that Spivey has hit 55 HRs in 700 ML at bats?  His HR superpower is what has me doubting. 

Spivey has 0 contact. I wouldn't want him in a game winning AB with that.

Yeah, Spivey is feast or famine.  Mullins gives you more consistency (AVG and OBP), though less power.  You want your pinch hitters getting on base, especially for an NL team where he's most likely going to be hitting for the pitcher.

Spivey stinks.  And he'll ground into about a jillion DP's with that speed.

Just release him and let him be somebody else's headache.

Looks like you went with Mullen but I take it back.  Cut Spivey, send Mullen down to AAA and bring up either Aybar or Martin, probably Martin.  Those guys could actually help you in the field, too.  Both hit lefties pretty decently.  Both are maxed out as far as development so they won't get hurt by bench time.

And get Romano up 20 games into the season.  You have and interesting situation there.  Romano is a very good MLB guy right now.  Probably something like a .275-.340-.500 (ish) player with a a great COF glove who will be a decent 2B in a year or so, and there he will have a All-Star bat.  But you have M. Martin in LF. He's a .310-.400 type guy with almost no power, as you know.  Javier, in RF, over-produces according to my eye, because of his crappy Contact #.  I can't believe he's never had an injury with his 45 Health #, which is already declining. He's due to break several bones.  I would dangle him as trade bait, I think. 

Interesting lineup decisions are out there.