Don't Play DeRosa in Left Field

Some reports suggest that if the Giants sign Mark DeRosa, they plan to play him largely in left field.  This would be a probably stupid idea.

DeRosa has value at third, not as a corner outfielder.  DeRosa’s OPS numbers the last three seasons were .791, .857 and .752.  The first two of those seasons were performed playing in Wrigley Field half of the time.  Wrigley is a great place to hit.  Even last year split between St. Louis and Cleveland, DeRosa played in better hitters’ parks than he’ll play in in San Francisco.

The odds that DeRosa would have an OPS of .800 over a full season in either 2010 or 2011 playing his home games in San Francisco is extremely slim.  Even an .800 OPS really isn’t good enough from your players playing in left field.  Without the DH, National League teams in particular need to get as much offense as possible out of the left field slot.  There’s no way DeRosa will cut it.

The same is true for first base.  DeRosa only has value playing 3B and 2B, and other positions as necessitated by injuries.

As bad as the Giants’ offense was last year, it won’t be any better in 2010 with DeRosa starting regularly in left field.