How long term of a solution is Fred Lewis?

[rarefind]

The guy has been an absolute force at the top of our lineup, his combo of pop and speed is an asset to the team. What is really impressive is that he is batting .305 for the season on a blue jays team who preaches pop over obp. Fred is batting .474 over the last five games and he doesn't appear to be playing over his head at this point anyway.

He is 29, so the question is:

Does he fit in long-term with this teams plans, is he a piece moving forward for the future?

Is he a small piece (utility of) of the future as he was in sf before he was traded?

Is he better fit being swapped for prospects?

I think Fred Lewis fits this team perfectly for the future as an every day player. Still can't believe we got this guy for $75,000. Here's to hoping this thread won't jinx his hot play as of late.

[tsherkin]

Well, he's hitting .387 baBIP, so there's likely to be some regression. With his current season, his career average is .363 baBIP, though, so it won't be a lot if it does happen.

He's a piece that can be around for a while. I like that he keeps Lind mostly as a DH instead of a fielder, because Lewis is obviously a better fielder and he's a speedy guy to have on the bases. Cheap-ass acquisition, too, which is awesome. There isn't any real reason I can see not to want to have him around.

[Michael Bradley]

I get the sense that next season Bautista will be brought back to play 3B, Lewis will play the outfield, and Encarnacion will be non-tendered or traded. The Jays have no one ready to step in at RF so Lewis is a nice stop-gap option who can hit from the left side, and Bautista is probably better defensively at 3B than EE.

I doubt he is long-term though.

[Hoopstarr]

I don't think Lewis' arm and range are good enough to play RF. They're barely good enough to play LF. That said, the same goes for Snider.

[The_Hater]

Lewis isn't a corner OF but he's serviceable on a rebuilding team like this one. Long term, I view him more as a 4th OF who can play all 3 spots and come in as a pinch runner/defensive replacement in the late innings like a Reed Johnson.

[Randle McMurphy]

I don't think Lewis' arm and range are good enough to play RF. They're barely good enough to play LF. That said, the same goes for Snider.

Snider is much better in both areas, and has more room for improvement too.

I don't see Fred Lewis as a full-time starter long-term. He's never been able to hit lefties consistently prior to this year and his defense isn't particularly good.

[kavan]

Lewis is safe until Snider gets onto a tear. I think Lewis stick around for a while and then I see Lind maybe one day at 1B. Snider is a solid out fielder and very young I see him splitting time but it kind of sucks they are both leftys hard to see who gets to play and who doesn't. Are bullpen was are Ace in the hole last year this year not so much. Maybe move Lewis if he keeps his hot hitting for relief, but if you do that we don't have a single lead off hitter who fits the roll.

[Hoopstarr]

I don't think Lewis' arm and range are good enough to play RF. They're barely good enough to play LF. That said, the same goes for Snider.

Snider is much better in both areas, and has more room for improvement too.

Not according to the UZR/150 numbers and his still loopy routes. His arm is good for a LF but not for RF. And as he gets older, he'll actually have less range because of his body type. His fielding prime is probably the next 2-3 years.

[Randle McMurphy]

I don't think Lewis' arm and range are good enough to play RF. They're barely good enough to play LF. That said, the same goes for Snider.

Snider is much better in both areas, and has more room for improvement too.

Not according to the UZR/150 numbers and his still loopy routes. His arm is good for a LF but not for RF. And as he gets older, he'll actually have less range because of his body type. His fielding prime is probably the next 2-3 years.

Not exactly a huge sample size with the UZR/150 numbers. I'd prefer to give him an actual full season in the majors before deciding conclusively on his defensive value. What I do know is that his arm is visibly stronger than Lewis' and he's also only 22. I think his fielding prime will last quite a bit longer than 2-3 years.

[Randle McMurphy]

Lewis is safe until Snider gets onto a tear. I think Lewis stick around for a while and then I see Lind maybe one day at 1B. Snider is a solid out fielder and very young I see him splitting time but it kind of sucks they are both leftys hard to see who gets to play and who doesn't. Are bullpen was are Ace in the hole last year this year not so much. Maybe move Lewis if he keeps his hot hitting for relief, but if you do that we don't have a single lead off hitter who fits the roll.

Just bench Encarnacion. There is no reason for Snider to split time on this team.

[OldNo7]

Cito wont bench EE because he already hinted that EE makes a fair chunk of coin so should be playing to earn it. Not good reasoning but oh well.

I dont know how long The New Crime Dog is going to be around for, but I like him.

And kavan - we have one of the best prospects in baseball at 1B in AAA right now, so that wont be Lind's long term position. He is stuck at DH for the rest of his life.

[EZ]

I think Brett Wallace will have a good chance playing 3rd base next season. There would be a dilemma with Snider and Bautista. Maybe move Lind to 1st, and have Bautista as DH? I like that Bautista can play multiple positions, and see him as a relatively affordable asset with good value.

[jalenrose#5]

Everybody please get it through your heads, Lind is not a 1B..lol. Brett Wallace was moved to 1st base for a reason...to play there for the Blue Jays.

When Snider gets back, EE will get benched or traded and Bautista will move to third. EE will play against lefties and they'll sit Snider or Lewis then.

When Bautista is a FA in the offseason, if he continues hitting like this, will vault himself into a Type A FA, and will command a salary the Jays will probably not be willing to pay. They'll take the compensatory draft pick and run. EE will have his role back in the offseason barring a trade or something exceptional happening.

If I was the manager that's exactly what I'd do.

As for Lewis, he's easily a good gamble to play for the next 2-4 years while he's in his physical prime. He's not exactly the best long term option, but for an Organization with practically no outfield prospects other than maybe Eric Thames and Jake Marisnick (who are about 2 and 3 years away at least), then Lewis is the prototypical guy I'd want...reminds me a little of a left handed Shannon Stewart.

[SargentBargs101]

kenny wilson??? would have been nice if we drafted mike trout the guy is tearing it up... five tool player

[ItsDanger]

Lewis is a 4th outfielder in the long term. In the short run, he's a useful player. If we are building towards serious playoff contention, we need an upgrade from Lewis. So, its not a long term solution. Maybe 1 more season.

[nbrapsguy]

Lewis is a 4th outfielder in the long term. In the short run, he's a useful player. If we are building towards serious playoff contention, we need an upgrade from Lewis. So, its not a long term solution. Maybe 1 more season.

This.

Lewis would be the perfect 4th outfielder, can give LF and CF regulars some days off. Can come in if they get injured.

He would be ideal in this role. I hope that he resigns with the Jays for this reason.

[CapeCrusader]

Well getting pretty much nothing for him...hes already done enough for us. But like most of you, hes prob going to be a short term deal and at best be 4th in our OF unless he becomes a crazy player.