70s 2nd Basemen: Grich for $9 mil

Howdy,
I've had mixed results with Grich the few times I've had him on my roster (always "pitcher's" parks). He seems best suited to divisions/leagues that have more than their fair share of Yankees stadium and / or Tiger stadium teams, that is, he's tilted fairly heavily toward Lefty pitching. One could make a similar statement about Davey Lopes..
Barring his worst card, Grich seems to produce RBIs, very good OBP % (as 2nd basemen go) and of course, elite "leather". Weigh in with your thoughts on Grich!

Not a big fan. I never know where to place him in the batting order. Regardless of whether I want to bat him second, clean-up, fifth, sixth, or seventh, there always seems to be someone else on the team more suited for that lineup spot.

Not a big fan. I never know where to place him in the batting order. Regardless of whether I want to bat him second, clean-up, fifth, sixth, or seventh, there always seems to be someone else on the team more suited for that lineup spot.

That is a really good point, Paul. I have not yet used Grich in the 70s because the price tag scares me, even though I love defense and OBP from my players. When I do try him, I would think either leadoff or #5 hitter would be his best spots. His OBP is ideal for leadoff, and he runs the bases well enough even though he isn't going to steal a ton of bases. Grich doesn't hit-an-run well enough to be an ideal #2 hitter, doesn't hit for high enough average or power to be #3 or #4 (except for 79 card), and it seems silly to put a $9 million player in the #6 or #7 spots.

Though many I think will say Grich is not worth the money, I am one who actually likes him. His batting average will often be lower than you would like, but he usually make up for it with a high OBP. I disagree with the statement about him not being an ideal #2 hitter, that's where I bat him the majority of the time. Yes I think he is a little overpriced, but still worth it IMO. It's more than just the hitting that he brings to the table.

By my metrics he is overpriced but not by too much. .. I have noticed several of the veterans who almost always have winning teams like to use him. He does it all, especially for the 1970s. I have never used him (in the 1970s) but since a lot of guys like to bat him second I am assuming his double play chances are low...??

Many think Grich should be a Hall Of Famer and I don't think I would disagree (his early work was before my time). I would really like to see Alan Trammell get his due and be elected to the Hall.

You mentioned Davey Lopes,... who doesn't like Davey Lopes?? But for the same reasons you mentioned he is almost always available and I think he is overpriced compared to others at the position. I think both Grich and Lopes are both about a million dollars too much. Though in the right situation, or if other guys have failed you and Lopes or Grich is available why not take a chance. ....Lopes is available in my 1970 League that starts tonight, I wish I could use him, but where? He is too expensive to just play DH vs. LHP and I am not going to start him at 2B against RHP. I like the way he played he just got tagged with a high salary.

You mentioned Davey Lopes,... who doesn't like Davey Lopes?? But for the same reasons you mentioned he is almost always available and I think he is overpriced compared to others at the position. I think both Grich and Lopes are both about a million dollars too much. Though in the right situation, or if other guys have failed you and Lopes or Grich is available why not take a chance. ....Lopes is available in my 1970 League that starts tonight, I wish I could use him, but where? He is too expensive to just play DH vs. LHP and I am not going to start him at 2B against RHP. I like the way he played he just got tagged with a high salary.

My first couple 70s leagues I went with cheap options (Julio Cruz and Felix Millan) at 2nd. In my current league, I tried a different strategy, and ended up with Lopes as my 2nd baseman.

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/1127793

I would say he's been worth the 4.27M tag and then some. I'm a little surprised at the power, and he's hitting 40 points higher on the road, and only about .250 against RHP, but I'm still using him as my leadoff hitter. He's leading the league in steals by a ton, has almost 120 runs scored (132 games in). Don't see what's not to like.

I think Grich is totally a hitting park player and don't really want him in a pitching park. Mediocre BA, high OBP and double figures in HR's every year let him earn his salary in a hitting park, as opposed to a pitching park where he is losing his # HR's with a .230 BA. He is a guy who will usually produce runs and RBI but it sometimes isn't flashy, as opposed to some who put up a lofty BA but are lacking in production. One advantage is if you want him you usually don't have tom draft him high. Not many great "1" 2b options after Morgan. Many say the same thing about Morgan and his high price tag, but I'd take Joe every time. I don't think Grich is quite an ideal 2nd hitter vs rhp's. Sometimes it's a stretch to bat him at the top of the order vs rhp's, but he dues have a knack for production. On a few of his cards you can really bat him anywhere vs lhp's, as he's very good.

Howdy,

For my current 70s team, an injury reveal shows Grich to be having his '72 card; his 2nd worst, which is an OPS. of .773
I'm gonna keep him and see what happens. I admit that his back-up Paul Popovich is tearing up lefty pitching and playing good "D" at 2nd (Pauly's a "2"). I'm also becoming a fan of Catcher Duke Sims!