Lopes vs Garner

[Outta Leftfield]

Ok, we've debated Murray vs Garvey. Now how about Lopes vs Garner?

I got Lopes in the auto-draft, and still have him post-waivers. I have never used him before, but I am strongly considering keeping him. I usually like at least a 2 at 2B, except that I sometimes go for Dave Johnson who has that one monster year and hits pretty well in most other years. Lopes looks like he could also deliver with the bat, and while he lacks Johnson's power he does have great speed and could be a good leadoff man, esp vs LHP. Plus I've seen him dominate in his big 1979 year.

However, Garner is available (as he very often is). He costs just a little more money, is a 2e21 instead of a 3e20, and he also has pretty good speed. I've used Garner a few times but never with any great enthusiasm, and even his best year can be underwhelming offensively. Still, he has better defense at a key position, and he's often a more balanced hitter, while Lopes seems to do most of his damage vs LHP. (I do have Ken Boswell as a possible platoon option).

So who would you take--Lopes or Garner? Here's a link to the team in case you want to see the context. (BTW, this is my bad-draft 70s Tournament team, which only got 11 of the players I drafted. It seems to have shaped up via waivers and frenzy.)

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/70s/team/team_other.html?user_id=69106

BTW, I've decided to try a cheap Wock / Stinson platoon at C, by the way, which has allowed me to afford both J R Richard and Gaylord Perry.

[chess2899]

My opinion (which doesn't count for much in my mega-slump) is that they are about the same. I have had Garner and he seems to under produce every time. I would rather have Tony Taylor, who despite the worse defense, always hits .300 for me and saves me a couple million$$$. Lopes has more strength vs lefties, but I don't think we see enough left handed pitchers in the 70s to make him a worthwhile choice.

So, OL! Pick either one and stick him in the 9th batting position and just accept mediocrity. Or, pick up Tony the Tiger, stick him in the 9th position and pocket a couple cool million bucks that you can use to upgrade elsewhere.

Yoda taught me well. 8-)

[voovits]

I've never used Lopes, and I've had Garner only 1 time before. I had his best season and he underperformed a little.
I'm not really a huge Lopes fan because of the heavy lean to the left side.
Also when it comes down to it, if I have 2 relatively equal players, and we're talking about the SS or 2B position, I will definitely lean toward the better defense.
I have Garner on my team as my starting 2B for round 3 of the player championship and I'm feeling comfortable putting him out there every day.

[The Senators]

I wish I could say I had Garner...OH, we're not talking about Jennifer Garner?
I did use Lopes once in Wrigley and he was devistationg against lefties and pretty average against righthanders. I have never even used Garner so maybe I'm overlooking something. He seemed to be a little too expensive for what he does.

[Barbie Girl]

[color=white:15f101fb8b][/color:15f101fb8b]

[JONCHUCKERY]

Lopes probably has more value, especially in a bomber park. You can get away the diff in D in that type of park. I've seen Lopes hit 40HRs in Fenway...in general Lopes will be on base much more and steal more bases making him more valuable especially at the top of the order..

Here's a nice season from Garner on what I consider to be my best team ever even though they lost in the finals...
Garner, Phil '77 R 2B 2e21 604 94 162 28 7 30 78 39 90 35 8 18 .268 .316 .487

Here's the Lopes line...
Lopes, Davey '79 R 2B 3e20 594 135 184 37 2 40 117 86 96 50 13 14 .310 .402 .581

[Larryrickenbacker]

Howdy,

Just something to consider: How is your division stocked with respect to Lefty SP? Lopes just doesn't balance up vs. RHP good enough for me. Don't forget that these are only the comments of a career .505 mgr. ;)

Eggman

[Outta Leftfield]

My division has one staff with six cheap SPs, four of them lefties. The other two have one *SP lefty each. I guess that works out to maybe 35-40% lefties in the division--which is on the high side. One of the other divisions has 6 of 16 lefty starters, but the other division has only 3 lefty starters, all of whom are on the same team. Overall, I'm guessing Lopes might see 30% to 35% lefties, which is about average.

I've been looking at how Lopes has performed in some previous leagues and what's clear is that Lopes's 1979 year (the one cited by jmc316) is a monster—far beyond what the .836 7L might suggest. Otherwise, he's kinda ordinary. Garner will be solid but probably isn't ever going to give you a breakthrough year offensively. Also, Tony Taylor is already taken in this league.

I have to say I'm tempted to roll the dice and see if I get Lopes's big '79 season. If not, I could switch to Garner or use Lopes as a cash cow to upgrade elsewhere. What do you think?

[JONCHUCKERY]

Here's a little more as to how I look at it...

Secondbase in the 70's game outside of Grich & Morgan is a position of get on base, steal bases, and score...Garner has one card that should get you above a .350 OBP, Lopes has 5...I've had Lopes score 95+ runs on his worst card, I got Garner's 2nd best year and hitting 30 HRs with Bench72, Parker77, Morgan76, and McCovey70 around him he only mustered 94 RS in 600+ ABs

I just don't feel the best of Garner even gets you any better results than Lopes 2nd or 3rd best cards while Lopes can at least get you a monster season.

[PillPop]

I had Garner once and dropped him.

If you're leaning Lopes, go Lopes. I've got Lenny Randle, who's a 4 at 2B, hitting well for a reasonably hot tournament team. I've never played a 4 at 2B in my life and I may just start doing it more often.

How's the rest of your defense? If you're worried about Lopes, make up for him somewhere else. More and more, I think 70's is an offense-oriented game, moreso than BTT80's, and you need to play hitters whenever you can.