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Gary Armida's Blog

Team Gritty Stuck

Posted on January 25, 2013 at 12:57 PM.

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Kirk Gibson gave baseball fans one of the most everlasting moments in the game�s rich history. The image of him limping to the plate during game one of the 1988 World Series is one of those moments where fans remember exactly where they were when it happened. The swing, Dennis Eckersley�s incredulous look as the ball sailed over the fence, the limp, the fist pump, and Tommy Lasorda jumping out of the dugout are as clear today as they were 25 years ago. That moment was one that inspires great narratives about the will of a man to do something great even when he is hurt. We glorify those moments; we should glorify those moments. It was a moment that can never be taken from Kirk Gibson and one that is representative of the attitude he displayed throughout his 17 year career.

The downside of that moment was the over-glorification of Gibson�s attitude. Every announcer would say that a player had a �Kirk Gibson-like� attitude, meaning that the player showed his emotions, slammed bats, ran everything out, crashed into walls, had a dirty uniform, and looked downright suicidal if the team lost a game. Everything from late 1988 through perhaps 1990 was all about the Kirk Gibson attitude. Over the years, that attitude has been redubbed to phrases such as gamer, gutty, grinder, gritty, and the best of all--a baseball player.

In truth, it is easy to like those types of players. The guys who dive, who seem to run everything out, and who attack the water cooler with a bat after a strikeout make fans believe that the players care as much as the fans do. But, to expect that type of attitude from every player in Major League Baseball is unrealistic. People are different in how they show emotion and how they conduct themselves; baseball players are no different.

But, the Gibson-like attitude has made a comeback over the past three years as Gibson has seemingly transformed the Arizona Diamondbacks into that type of team. His General Manager seems to have bought in as well. With yesterday�s trade of Justin Upton, the Diamondbacks are now going to be, according to their GM, a team of grinders. GM Kevin Towers made the proclamation after trading away his 25 year old franchise player for a package of less talented, but, in his words, gritty players.

"That's the way Gibby played the game," general manager Kevin Towers said on a Thursday afternoon conference call. He expanded that comment by stating, �That's how we won in 2011. Justin was a part of that team. We kind of like that gritty, hard-nosed player. I'm not saying Justin isn't that type."

Actually, it is exactly what Towers is saying about Upton.

The uber-talented Upton didn�t have a great 2012 season, which fit in well with the entire team as the Diamondbacks failed to live up to expectations after winning the division in 2011. Coincidently, that 2011 Division title was thanks in large part to Justin Upton�s breakout year during which he finished fourth in the MVP voting. But, last season, the Diamondbacks regressed and Upton was the scapegoat. His production did fall and there were incidents of not running hard, but he was hardly to blame for the pitching staff ranking 9th in ERA and ranking 12th in strikeouts. But, the Diamondbacks finally decided to trade a player who is just getting into his prime years for a package that didn�t include the Atlanta Braves top prospect.

One has to wonder when Gibson will be running the gritty drill. Perhaps it will be after batting practice. Maybe it will be after PFP�s.

It would be great if all players were able to play like the Diamondbacks described. But, that�s unrealistic because of the 162 game season and for the simple fact that all humans are not wired that way. Gibson played hard, there is no taking that away from him. But, in his 17 year career, he played in 150 games or more just twice. In fact, he only topped the 100 games played list eight times during his career. Gritty and gutty are great when they are on the field, but when a player misses over 1,000 possible games, that is a big deal. The players that the Diamondbacks have brought in this year: Cody Ross, Martin Prado, Cliff Pennington, Eric Chavez, and Eric Hinske have had quality seasons. But, Ross has topped the 150 games played mark just twice in eight seasons. Prado has eclipsed 150 games just once in four full-time seasons. Pennington and Chavez have injury histories and Hinske has been a role player for a number of years now.

Even that point isn�t the most important. Having players who look like they care shouldn�t be more important than talent. Style should never trump substance. By Towers� explanation, it could be assumed that Robinson Cano or so many players who seem to make things easy couldn�t play on the 2013 Diamondbacks. Cano is an interesting case as he is 30 years old and easily the Yankees� best player. He also happens to be the best second baseman in the sport. But, he is the type of player who makes everything look easy and one who smiles through just about every situation. He isn�t emotional at all. Heck, Derek Jeter isn�t emotional on the field save for a fist pump after a good play. Yet, nobody is questioning his �grittiness�.

The concept is foolish and the fact that Kevin Towers is trying to sell the concept is even more foolish. If Towers felt that Upton wasn�t Gibson�s type of player or that the Diamondbacks would be better because of a trade, he has every right to trade him. But, he didn�t get maximum value and is instead trying to sell the idea of building a team of Gibson�s. The simple fact is that the 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks are less talented than they were last year and in 2011. They just rid themselves of a 25 year old outfielder who has an .835 OPS, 147 doubles, 28 triples, 108 home runs, and 80 stolen bases in his first five-plus seasons as a Major Leaguer.

They gave Upton away for a decent starting pitching prospect, a 30 year old hitter who is a year away from free agency, and a couple of fringe prospects. In no way does that make them better. Further complicating the deal is that if they do re-sign Martin Prado, he�ll likely cost them, at least, $20 million to $25 million over the next two seasons. Add in his expected salary around $7 million for 2013 and you have a cost that is almost equal to what the Braves will be paying Justin Upton for the next three, prime seasons. Is grit worth paying the same amount for a player who is entering his 30�s, not as productive as the younger Upton, and is likely to regress?

Bad trades are made all the time. It is why the hot stove season in Major League Baseball is nearly as interesting as the regular season. Sometimes the seemingly bad trades do work out, but in this case, it doesn�t look remotely possible that the Diamondbacks will get proper value for their former young star. A gritty player is fun to watch and has a way of connecting with fans. A group of gritty players is also fun to watch. Their uniforms get dirty and they always seem to be in games. But, a group of elite, talented players win more games. And, that�s the point, isn�t it?

The Arizona Diamondbacks will be an interesting team in 2013. They have what looks to be a deep pitching staff. They have a top prospect in Adam Eaton ready to go. They have Paul Goldschmidt, a player capable of hitting a ball out of any park. Jason Kubel is coming off of a career year. Aaron Hill is a solid second baseman. They have defensive wiz shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius primed to become a starter. If he can�t, gamers such as Cliff Pennington and John McDonald ready to go. Miguel Montero is a good offensive catcher. There is some talent on the roster. But, they will finish in third or fourth place in the division. That has nothing to do with grit. It has everything to do with not having as much talent.

Who knows, maybe if they run the grit drill enough, they�ll win more games. But, smart baseball fans know that doesn�t happen. Perhaps the Diamondbacks should stop trying to sell it that way.

Sound off OS: Are the Diamondbacks better now than they were with Justin Upton?

Gary Armida is a staff writer for Operation Sports. He also writes baseball at fullcountpitch.com. Join the conversation on twitter @garyarmida.

Comments

# 1 HighCmpPct @ Jan 26

Definitely not, just as the Bravos aren't better with Upton than they were with Prado and Chipper. Just more small teams trading talent for less than it's worth. I mean I can understand that you want to trade them before they just leave and you get nothing, but a trade like this could have been made any time this season even if Upton got off to a slow start. But what IF he did get off to a 2011 esque start? There's no telling what you could have gotten for him.

# 2 KGIY94 @ Jan 26

In most cases I'll take the "lazy talented" player over the stereotypical "scrappy" guy.

# 3 Gary Armida @ Jan 26

@KGIY94: I agree with you there. Like you said, in most cases.

@HighCmpPct I agree with your point about selling for less. But, I do disagree about the Braves not being better. I love Chipper and he is a Hall of Famer, but I do think the Braves are better with Upton, Upton, and 3B platoon than they are with Chipper, Prado, and Bourn. Maybe it's shuffling the deck a bit, but I do see the Braves improved there.

# 4 teebee @ Jan 26

Team to watch in that division is SD; just loaded with players with both talent and grit; now that is the perfect combo

# 5 HighCmpPct @ Jan 27

OK I definitely didn't say anything about Bourn LOL!! I like Justin but I just don't have a lot of faith in BJ. I mean he's got great talent no doubt, it just seems like he isn't consistent with it. IDK maybe his brother can get him into a better work ethic.

# 6 Gary Armida @ Jan 27

@HighCmpPct HA! I can definitely agree with you about BJ as inconsistent. I do think he's overrated in many ways. But, he does add power to their lineup.

@teebee They are an interesting team when you think about their 2nd half. My only concern is that everyone is anointing Chase Headley a star based on one tremendous half year. He was so much of their offense.