Selling High On Derek Norris

Sep 23, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Derek Norris (36) hits a single against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, being an Oakland Athletics fan is a tough task.

There is heartbreak, confusion, and piles and piles of analysis to wade through. But one thing being an A’s fan has taught me is how to view these move optimistically.

Derek Norris was everything the A’s are about. He had heart and passion. His beard looked like the beard and A’s player should have. He was given an opportunity and he ran with it.

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Before the All-Star Game he batted .294/.402/.477 with eight home runs, drew 36 walks, and struck out 41 times in 235 plate appearances. But after the All-Star Game he dropped off significantly. His slash line was .245/.314/.324 and he managed just  two home runs, 18 walks, while striking out 45 times in 207 plate appearances.

In all, his 2014 line read nicely: .270/.361/.403, 10 home runs,  55 RBIs, 54 walks, and 86 strikeouts. Those final numbers were greatly influenced by his .311 average and .393 OBP vs. lefties. His wRC+ was against lefties was 148 and 106 against righties, both above average.

Norris had a very nice season and was deserving of his all-star nod. Injuries really cut him short as the season wore on.

But Derek Norris is also a very flawed player.

His -3 defensive runs saved was 22nd in baseball among catchers with 500 innings or more. Runners stole 60 bases in 72 chances against Norris.

Catcher is a position where defense is very important, as evidenced by the way the Kansas City Royals ran wild in the wild card game. The A’s were virtually helpless against their elite speed in the late innings.

To compare, Josh Phegley, who will likely take Norris place in the lineup, had a +2 DRS rating in less than 90 innings last season. And his minor league numbers suggest he’s no slouch with the bat.

Selling high on Derek Norris makes sense.

Oakland general manager Billy Beane did not settle when it came to the return from this trade, either.

Jesse Hahn is a very talented young starting pitcher whose repertoire is similar to Sonny Gray’s. He should find his way into the rotation through the maze of options.

At 25-years old, he had a late start to his pro career because of Tommy John surgery shortly after he was drafted in 2010. He didn’t pitch until 2012.

In 10 starts in double-A in 2014 Hahn’s ERA was sub-2 and his FIP was below 3. He struck out nearly a batter per inning, but had issues with walks.

In 12 major league starts in 2014 it was a similar story. Hahn pitched to the tune of a 3.07 ERA and 3.40 FIP with a higher K/9 than in double-A. He still struggled with command, issuing nearly four walks  per nine innings.

According to Fangraphs, Hahn had the best changeup in the major leagues last season.

Twitter seemed to think the A’s are getting a very good pitcher in Hahn, as well as R.J. Alvarez, who the San Diego Padres had received earlier this year for sending Huston Street to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Experts, industry folk, and fans will all look to Oakland’s MLB-best 7 all-stars and the ensuing collapse and declare it a tragedy. I, on the other hand, look at with optimism.

Actually, I think the truck load of all-stars Oakland sent to Minnesota was the best thing that could have happened to the Athletics.

It showcased Oakland’s best players without revealing their biggest flaws.

Josh Donaldson was worthy of his start at third base in the all-star game, but his throwing accuracy was a concern.

Yoenis Cespedes once again showed off his massive power. What people didn’t see were his explosive strikeouts and careless defense in left field.

Jul 8, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics all-stars from left to right third baseman Josh Donaldson (20), catcher Derek Norris (36), left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52), starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29), starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26), relief pitcher Sean Doolittle (62) and first baseman Brandon Moss (37) holding their jerseys before the game against the San Francisco Giants at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Moss has some monster home runs under his belt. They helped mask his age and breaking down body.

With Norris we saw his terrific eye and skill to hit lefties. But his lacking defensive abilities went under the rug.

Instead of players whose age and inabilities were catching up with them, Beane brought in young talent, ready to contribute today, and eager to be the next Athletics success story.