Nick Punto: The Other Eric Bruntlett
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, December 05, 2008 01:29 PM | Comments: 15
Posts
The Minneapolis Star Tribune has confirmed the Phillies’ interest in infielder Nick Punto.
It’s been talked about much already, so it’s short and sweet. Punto is a former Phillie who provides superb defense, but a questionable bat. In 2007 he was horrendous at the dish, but bounced back with an OPS over .700 in 2008. At best he’s a slight upgrade from Eric Bruntlett, but why would you need two Bruntletts on the same team?
Posts: 0 Geoff
first mark loretta, now nick punto..whats wrong with eric bruntletT hes not much worse than either of those two and jason donald cant be that bad…this could be a smokescreen to keep other teams distracted while they move in on lowe….otherwise, it makes no sense..
Posted: 01:48 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 Paul
Why not Jason Donald instead?
Posted: 02:03 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 Michael
I think the rationale is that with Feliz and Utley coming back from injuries, the Phils may need Brunlett and Punto to play 2B and 3B. It is also a hedge against Jason Donald having issues at 3B, which is where the Phils would like to have him start full-time in 2010.
I could envision a platoon of Greg Dobbs and Bardelli (sp?) in left field for 2009, taking Dobbs out of the 3B solution (and probably rightfully so) for next year.
Assuming Jason Donald proves he can play 3B, I would expect to see him in the majors a little later in the year.
Posted: 02:07 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I think Punto is supposed to be a better defender than Bruntlett.. and maybe they want to shift Bruntlett to the OF where he played at the end of last season
Posted: 02:24 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 NC Jason
I understand everyone’s disgust (and most of the time deservedly so) of ESPN and Baseball Tonight, however Punto is an automatic web-gem every night. The guy can play defense and he is capable playing third or second. My line of thinking is if Dobbs or Bruntlett moves to LF – then you need another INF – even taking Donald into consideration.
Posted: 02:32 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Punto is probably better defensivly than Feliz and he can play all 3 IF positions and play them well. He can be PH, he can fill in for Utley and bat 8th until he comes back. He’s a switch hitter and he can steal a base. I think he’s all around better than Bruntlett. If they did sign him I’d assume Bruntlett moves to the OF full time.
His bat is average at best, but he’s the perfect bench piece. I think it would be a great move personally, and the only logical move I see the Phillies making until they re-sign Moyer.
Posted: 02:38 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
What type of deal could Punto get? Sounds good, but doesn’t seem like an absolute priority.
Posted: 02:47 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 Chuck P
If the Phillies sign Lowe, they won’t be able to spend any big money on a LF. If they’re really making a run, they need to have some contingency plans in place. They might have to have Feliz split time with Dobbs at 3B for the first half of the season (while he regains his strength) and then maybe they can move Dobbs back into LF when Feliz is ready to go full time (where he would likely split time with Jenkins). Until Chase gets back, your lineup would look something like this: Vic, Rollins, Dobbs/Feliz, Howard, Werth, Jenkins/Bruntlett, Punto/Donald, Ruiz. I like Donald, but you cannot depend on him as an everyday player… you have to have a plan. If they wanted to avoid this, they would need to sign an everyday LF and Bruntlett could assumably play 2B if need be.
Posted: 02:50 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 GM-Carson
I straight up compared Punto to Bruntlett earlier this week on this breakdown of the rumor.
Posted: 05:00 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 Drewdacri$
Donald will not be called up to be a bench player. He MIGHT be called up to play 2nd while Chase is on the DL but I doubt that too.
Mark Loretta is by far better than Punto and Bruntlett. He’s a career .300 hitter, he doesn’t strike out and he can fill in at any infield position should anything happen to any of the starters. Whether he can find a starting job somewhere else is a different story.
Also, Bruntlett doesn’t necessarily have to be on the 2009 if either Loretta or Punto are signed. He can be non-tendered.
Posted: 05:06 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 KM
Good point . . . one Eric Bruntlett is quite enough – give Donald a chance.
Posted: 05:48 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 mike
Can someone tell me how offering jamie moyer would have hamper there salary felixability. That what Amaro said they were offering 8 million how much do you think he could have receive? That statement is stupid
Posted: 10:25 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 mike
Talk about stupid, look at my grammer. Sorry hit button before reading.
Posted: 10:26 PM on December 5, 2008
Posts: 0 metsblow4show
Nick Punto is a HUGE ugrade over Bruntlett. Just take a look at their career fielding percentages at each infield position. Punto has far more experience and his fielding percentages blow Bruntlett away. Punto is a switch hitter, is a far superior base runner, has a better bat and he can grow a REAL BEARD ! I woulld sign Punto, decline Bruntlett arbitration and let him sign a AAA contract with the Muts.
Posted: 03:17 AM on December 6, 2008
Posts: 0 Brooks
No one seems to remember why Punto was let go from the Phils?
Attitude was the key reason, attitude, for not much else
Punto went with Carlos Silva to the Twins for the Milton the Monster (who made over $10,000,000 last year.. lets see, divide that by 8 wins – ahh, a cool $1.25 mil per win last year – oops, Milton was hurt last year, he had no wins! He had 8 wins in 07 and 8 wins in 06 – after signing a monster contract with the Twinkies..) sorry – I digress here.
Punto is not a fit.
See what Donald can do, home grown, inexpensive, lots of upside.
As much as we need a righty, spending what Boros is seeking – a 5 year deal for a 35 yr old pitcher???? What was it, $90 mil??
Keep digging Rubin!
Posted: 06:43 AM on December 6, 2008