Why Is Figgins STILL a Thirdbaseman??

[The Q]

The way teh Halos are handling Wood is downright criminal. He could probably sue them for sabotaging his career at this point.

With all those injuries in the OF they had, Figgins shoudl've been in the OF and Wood at 3B.

[Nastradamus]

How's Wood defensively there? Also, what do you do when the OFs come back off the DL, change Figgins' position for the second time? If anything I say they should have put Wood in the OF to let him get some ABs. Bottom line though, if he was deserving of playing time, the Angels would have no problem getting him into that lineup.

[The Q]

How's Wood defensively there? Also, what do you do when the OFs come back off the DL, change Figgins' position for the second time? If anything I say they should have put Wood in the OF to let him get some ABs. Bottom line though, if he was deserving of playing time, the Angels would have no problem getting him into that lineup.

Wood had the glove to play SS (but he's big and lost some range as he filled out) his glove and arm are fine at 3B.

That was exactly my point tho, he hasn't gotten a chance so we don't know if he belongs or not.

[Nastradamus]

Wood has the physical talent to learn to play 3B, but that is a MUCH different thing than being able to currently field the position at the major league level. He got passed up by not only Aybar but even Maicer Izturis because he outgrew SS and is not an able defensive player at the position. 3B makes more sense for him because of his build and his history at SS, but its not a simple transition. Many doubted A-Rod could make this transition for the very same reason, even though he is a fantastic athlete who had a great glove at SS.
Wood is basically Mike Jacobs as a hitter and he doesn't currently have a position that he can field on an every day basis. He doesn't understand how to be a professional hitter. He strikes out too much, he can't handle breaking stuff or top pitchers and he is impatient. He can crush a fastball with the best of them and he could be a top 3B or OF defensively one day, but right now, he has little to offer a contending team. He would be better off if he could get 500 major league ABs while also playing the same position every day, but the Angels aren't in position to have one of their everday players be a developmental project. If he were a Royal or Pirate, then the argument would be more legitimate.

The thing is, the Angels under Mike Scioscia(sp?) play a very particular style of basketball. Its almost NL ball. They emphasize good defense and they do a lot of hit and runs, moving runners up, sac flies, stealing bases, bunting etc. You have to be a smart hitter and good defender or you are a liability to the overall goal of the team.