Why So Taguchi Should Be Released

When the Phillies signed OF So Taguchi this offseason it seemed like an excellent move by GM Pat Gillick to solidify the bench and replace OF Michael Bourn who had just been traded to the Houston Astros. Despite being 38 years old, Taguchi had a reputation as an excellent pinch-hitter and defensive outfielder. He had just come off a very good season as a part-time player for the St. Louis Cardinals and he appeared to be a good fit for the 5th OF role off the bench. However, over the first three months of the season, Taguchi has been, by far, the worst position player on the team and he looks to be done as a professional ballplayer. The gentlemen at Baseball Prospectus predicted this and we all should have too. They wrote, "Taguchi has lost enough steps in the outfield to make him a marginal bench player. He can no longer play a credible center field, and you'd like your corner men to have either more pop or more speed than he does. Released in December, Taguchi was signed by the Phillies, who will use him as a defensive replacement for Pat Burrell and an off-day center fielder for Shane Victorino. They could have done better." The Cardinals knew it, Baseball Prospectus predicted it, and now the Phillies are getting to witness it. So Taguchi, who had a fine career as a Japanese import, is finished. To emphasize, here are his numbers for the past 2 seasons:

2007: 89 of 307 (.290 avg), 3 HR, 30 RBI, 7 of 11 in SB, .350 OBP, .718 OPS
2008: 13 of 63 (.206 avg),--0 HR, 4 RBI,--1 of 1 in SB, .286 OBP,...556 OPS

Even worse are his woes in the field even when compared to the man he is replacing most of the time, LF Pat Burrell.

Pat Burrell (LF) - 592 Inn, 6 Assists, 0 Errors (in 112 chances), 1.000 FPCT, 1.70 RF, .891 ZR
So Taguchi (LF) - 69 Inn, 0 Assists, 2 Errors (in 18 chances), .889 FPCT, 2.09 RF, .800 ZR

Other than a slight advantage in Range Factor, Burrell has actually be far superior to his supposed defensive replacement. Even more disturbing, while Taguchi has only been charged with 2 errors, he has made several more bad reads that have led to runs scoring. When you make Pat Burrell look like a great defensive outfielder, something is very seriously wrong with your game.

So, while its sad to watch the demise of a baseball player, Taguchi is hurting this team with his play. Something needs to be done and it needs to be done soon. Taguchi should be released and the Front Office should start looking at its options.

1. Bring up SS Jason Donald from AA Reading - While Donald is not a one for one replacement for Taguchi as they don't play the same position, he is a versatile IF and he has a good bat and okay speed. Both UT Eric Bruntlett and UT Greg Dobbs can play the corner OF positions credibly so this move would make sense. Donald give Manuel another option off the bench who can spot Feliz, Rollins, or Utley when they need a day off. Donald is a 24 year old Eastern League All-Star who is batting .298 with 9 HR/36 RBI in 66 games played. He has posted a .390 OBP and is 8 for 10 in stolen bases so far this season. He also hits leftys very well batting .322 against them with a .437 OBP/.911 OPS.

2. Sign/Trade for a Veteran Outfielder - There are several guys that could be had rather cheaply or they could even kick the tires on a guy like OF Kenny Lofton. Lofton was a good player even last year at age 40 posting a .296/.367/.781 AVG/OBP/OPS with 38 XBH, 38 RBI, 23 SB and 87 R in 494 AB. Lofton has reportedly turned down offers from both TB and CWS to play because of the money offered and left the Phillies on a somewhat bad note after his one year stay with the organization but he could still help a ballclub with is abilities.

Either option would be better than the current status quo and something needs to be done.