Gentry's offense is worth 1.5 WAR if he plays 650 PA against 70% RHP and 30% LHP. Add that to his defensive value. Any way you choose to look at it, Gentry is a 4.5 WAR or better centerfielder.

I do not believe in platooning a 4.5 WAR centerfielder, althought I do think that Martin should play. I would put Martin in RF.

As I said before, I agree. I think the problem is with the sample size, not the metrics. He has a little over 1,000 innings. You need probably 3,000 innings to draw firm conclusions about defense. But a UZR/150 of 30 would make Gentry among the best defenders of the UZR era. I could see him saving 20 to 30 runs over the course of a 150 game season if he could stay healthy. That's nothing to sneeze at. Combine that with good baserunning and he's a nice player IF he can get on base, which is a big if against RHP.

^That's awfully optimistic for a player that boasts a career 88 wRC+. He provides elite defense and speed. No bat. You can project him out as much as you want, but according to your estimates - you have him rated as a better player than Elvis.

Furthermore, do you really want a player to receive 650+ PAs sporting a slash line that is platoon worthy at best?

Obviously, this is not directed at RFan

Either you guys believe in advanced statistics and WAR or you dont. Gentry is a good test of ur mettle.

Those of us who only look at slash lines only look at offense. If a player derives most of his value from DEFENSE, then you are skewing your analysis badly, when you look at only offense!

^LOL

WAR is based on a combination of factors not contained only in the traditional slash line. Wins are the goal, not offense.

You're new here, aren't you?

I'm a big Gentry fan as I stated. But I think 1.5 WAR from Gentry's offense is a real stretch. I did a back of the envelope calculation. And based on his career stats, if Gentry had 70% PAs against RHP, his wRC+ would be around 80. That's 20 points below the avg. CF. I'm guessing that's at or below replacement level. Of course, Gentry might improve against RHP. But I don't think you can bank on that.

So, letting two of your best hitters walk and replacing them with a catcher and DH with a comined age of 73, adding little pitching, and starting with our best prospects in AAA is quietly getting it done. I get all of the long-term short-term stuff, but I have to believe there is more to come.