[ayaghmour2]

The Outfielders (Stats include all games with the Cougars. Games and Zone Ratings segmented in position order at the front. Includes all primary outfielders or players with 10 or more games in the outfield. Some were already shown in the infielders)
CF Joe Davis (6 G, (5), 21 PA, .167/.476/.250, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB, 82 OPS+, -0.1 ZR)
LF Mack Deal (103 G, (16), 387 PA, .320/.384/.420, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 16 SB, 94 OPS+, +0.1 ZR)
LF John Dibblee (101 G, (88), 428 PA, .359/.404/.473, 2 HR, 71 RBI, 1 SB, 111 OPS+, -8.9 ZR)
LF Dick Fessel (82 G, (10), 115 PA, .327/.373/.485, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB, +105 OPS+, -1.3 ZR)
CF/LF/RF George Jordan (111 G, (74/50/2), 391 PA, .281/.339/.410, 7 HR, 54 RBI, 12 SB, +80 OPS+, -3.3/+0.2/-0.5 ZR)
CF Bob McCarty (96 G (96), 349 PA, .288/.351/.372, 0 HR, 37 RBI, 1 SB, +75 OPS+, -0.8 ZR)
LF/RF/CF Art Panko (51 G, (38/7/1), 168 PA, .313/.366/.469, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 1 SB, 100 OPS+, +0.6/-0.2/-1.1 ZR)
RF Ed Rhoden (6 G, (6), 17 PA, .167/.412/.250, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 65 OPS+, +0.5 ZR)
RF/LF Vince York (150 G, (149/2), 717 PA, .368/.412/.533, 15 HR, 115 RBI, 9 SB, 126 OPS+, -4.5/-0.5 ZR)

The outfield has a lot of uncertainty, with the only locked in starter Vince York as John Dibblee (although unlikely) could technically retire once the season ends and our platoon of George Jordan and Bob McCarty out in center didn't work out.

Starting with York, he had an excellent first full season, hitting .368/.412/.533 (126 OPS+) with 15 homers, 115 RBI's, and 9 steals while being worth an impressive 5.1 wins above replacement while walking more (50) then he struck out (45). We don't give out Rookie of the Year awards, but it would be hard to not consider York a finalist for the award. He also finished fourth in the league in average. The only weakness about York is his defense, a weakness for most of the outfielders we have.

Dibblee is another weak defender, but even at 42 he's still an amazing hitter who finished the season with a 111 OPS+, 71 RBI's, and a .359/.404/.473 batting line. There's no telling how long he can continue to be an effective hitter, so Mack Deal will definitely see more time in left field as the infield is full currently. Behind Deal, Panko and Fessel will likely make the bench in case Dibblee falls apart midseason. Mike Smith is down in AAA as an extra insurance option or one of McCarty or Jordan can slide over from center. Neither of them had a good offensive or defensive season, but you would assume they would do better in left then they did in center.

I'd love to pick up a new center fielder, but with top prospect Joe Johnson sitting in AA, it's hard to try and acquire a long term piece when he is everything you look for in a future starting center fielder. He's an elite defender and hitter who can change the game at any moment. He could be up in the majors at any time next year and right ahead of him is another youngster in Tom Thomas who reached AAA and will be added to the 40-Man roster in the offseason. He doesn't have much experience, but he could work his way into the center field mix as well.

I'm hoping to add at least one outfielder in the offseason, but it's hard to find an affordable rental type player in a league without free agency. I might just have to stick with what I have and hope for improved performance from Jordan and/or McCarty if Johnson isn't ready.