Researching Altherr and Williams

[rog]

Now that the Phillies have signed Carlos Santana to play first base and lead guitar,  moving phenom Rhys Hoskins to left field, with Odubal Herrera in center field, the Phillies have an extra corner outfielder in either Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams.

I'll have to research them, and I hope others will too.  I think Altherr is the guy to target.  Williams appears to be a very poor fielder.

For those who think Brandon Belt is overpaid at $16 million per season, Brandon has the higher career batting average and slugging percentage of the two, with Santana enjoying a slight edge in on-base percentage.  Both are excellent fielders.  Belt is two years younger.

Santana just signed for 3/$60, which appears to average out to $20 million per season.  No salary depreciation for Carlos.  Maybe a record per season for a .249 hitter?

[rog]

For those of us who are bemoaning the Giants' total lack of deals this far this off-season, the Phillies' just making deals with Santana, Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek. But remember, when it comes to wins, they don't ask how, they ask how many. And with deals, they don't ask how many but how good.

Altherr is controllable through 2021. Aaron did something we Giants fans have to love -- In September he hit the first grand slam ever given up by Clayton Kershaw. With nearly 4000 innings pitched, Jim Palmer holds the record for never giving up a grand slam. Matt Cain is among the leaders, never giving up a grand slam in the 2000+ innings he pitched as a Giant.

Altherr projects as a decent fielder, although his arm seems to point toward left field. He has played some center, but doesn't appear to be the fine fielder the Giants are looking for there. Perhaps he could hold down center until Steven Duggar is ready.

Altherr increased his hard-hit balls and hit more flies, leading to 19 homers in 372 at bats this past season. That extrapolates to 26 homers in 500 at bats and 31 long balls in 600 trips.

In addition to Altherr's grand slam against Kershaw, he hit two homers and drove in four runs just a few days later. Aside from those two games though, he hasn't done much damage against the Dodgers.

Altherr has piqued my interest. The Giants seem to be examining almost all avenues, so they must be paying attention too. Do the Giants have what the Phillies need? Both teams are said to be looking at third basemen. Maikel Franco has hit 49 homers for the Phillies the past two seasons, but his OBP has been just .306 and -- wait, let me dig for it -- .281.

Maybe the Giants could pull off a three-way deal in which they yielded Jeff Samardzija and change and got back both Altherr and Franco? Franco would need to get on base more, although his .235 BABIP last season suggests he should improve his average. His BABIP in the minors was a normal .303. Doesn't walk much though he strikes out very seldom for a power hitter either.

Franco came up well-touted. He might be worth a gamble. Altherr looks like he would be worth a try, although he too certainly comes with risk, primarily for a low batting average and not getting on base enough.

Comes down to price. If guys are slam dunks, they simply aren't available -- at least not without strings.