What would you do?

Having seldom played the actual SOM game, I do not have the best handle on the importance of fielding. That being said I try to keep my "4"s to a minimum-sticking them at 1B and 2B and have never had worse than a 4(+1) in LF. Until now.... I am wondering what other people would do in the following cases. I have, pretty much, decided to go with Frank Howard in LF, but I would be very open to being convinced that that is not a good idea.

versus righties-

1B: 1973 McCovey - 966 2L OPS
LF: 69/70 Frank Howard -962 2L OPS 4(+3)
DH: some good Blomberg

or

1B/DH: 2 of above Mccovey/Howard and Blomberg
LF some 750 OPS 2(-2)


versus lefties:
1B: 1973 McCovey - 966 2L OPS
LF: 69/70 Frank Howard -962 2L OPS 4(+3)
DH: 78 Auerbach- 958 5L OPS
SS: 2nd or 3rd worst Harrelson

or

1B/DH: 2 of Mccovery, Howard and Auerbach
SS: 2nd or 3rd worst Harrelson
LF some 750 OPS 2(-2)

or
1B: 1973 McCovey - 966 2L OPS
DH: 69/70 Frank Howard -962 2L OPS 4(+3)
SS: 78 Auerbach- 958 5L OPS (4e28!)
LF some 750 OPS 2(-4)

The LF in question happen to be Gormon Thomas and Bonds, who are in heavily weighted years. They both have the upside that they could be very good against relievers but, lets assume for the moment they are just generic 750 OPS guys. Its a very expensive platoon and I normally would just use Bond and not spend the money on Thomas (and I still might) but, for the moment, I can sfford it.

You do fine without my advise, but 4s in the corner OF positions are fine when you hit on big years (900+ ops). I would not hesitate to play Howard in LF (or 1b) in one of his big years. I platooned Blomberg in RF on a 113 win team to get his bat in the lineup. Maybe have a 2 or 3 for a defensive sub.

I've also haven't played the SOM card game with advanced fielding. However, at one time someone posted a fielding chart on the message board and I was shocked at the difference in the outfield between 3 and 4. It looked like a much bigger difference than between 2 and 3. So, I really try to avoid 4s. Interesting that you play a 4 at 2B. I would almost never do that, but obviously it can made to work. Nonetheless, good years of McCovey, Howard and Blomberg must be in the lineup. I'd try to trade Blomberg, but then, I've never had Blomberg on one of my teams. The bottom line for me, if I can keep the same overall run differential, I'd prefer to sacrifice hitting to get better defense/pitching.

If someone links to a fielding card, we could calculate a good estimate of the cost of a "4" in LF. Then compare that to an estimate of the hitting difference between Blomberg vs a selected left fielder that would replace him in the lineup.

Thanks for the feedback.
For the record, I am currently going with Howard in LF. I am NOT putting a 4 at 2b/3b, I just listed it as one of the options. It is actually Harrelsons good year against righties-but TERRIBLE year against lefties. Still I would sooner put a 4(+3) over a mediocre 2(-2) in LF before I put a 4 at SS over a terrible "2".

Also, I have used a 4 in LF ALOT- probably a majority of my teams. It is the (+3) arm together with the 4 fielding that scares me. ITs bette than a 4(+2) in RF though, right?

Use Howard in LF. Get a cheap caddy for late innings if you're concerned. A huge bat will make up for the weak throwing arm.