Carlos Gomez or Jerry Owens!!!

[Wright stuff]

Now that Carlos Gomez has the job in Minnesota, would you rather have him or Jerry Owens on your team?

[Wright stuff]

Any take guys!!!

[GFunkEra21]

you can't steal 1B, so I wouldn't want either!

[Soxcess11]

honestly, I don't know much about Gomez. But I do know quite a bit about Owens. He has a nice little track record of high averages in AAA and has led the majors in infield hits this spring, which only helps a speedster more. He stole 32 bases in about a half of year last year, and he is the everyday leadoff hitter and CF for the Sox this year. I think he could put up Juan Pierre type numbers, think 300 AVG, 40+SBs

[Wright stuff]

Thank you Soxcess11! I grabbed Owens on the FA list last week...

So you think that this is a great pickup for speed, but I also think that his 2008 line could look like this at the end of the season... .275AVG 5HR 100R 40RBI 45SB. Do you think that I am too optimistic or this is realistic?

Thank you!

[Soxcess11]

I think that line should be easily realistic. My only concern is that if he doesn't play well he'll begin to lose playing time, but I think he'll be okay, plus he's Ozzie Guillen's type of ballplayer. I think that AVG will be closer to 300, but other than that, I think all of those numbers are attainable, if he can stay on the field.

[roid_popper]

No offense, but I have a feeling Soxcess's opinion here is a little one-sided. Anyone familiar with Gomez? From what I have read, neither guy is expected to have big power or RBI numbers, but both have great speed. The question on both is whether or not they get on base enough to showcase that speed and then get knocked in for runs.

Here is the latest on each from CBS Sportsline:

Owens led major-league rookies with 32 steals and batted .267 overall in 93 games last season, but his average against lefties was .235. His on-base percentage wasn't great, either, at .324, so he's making a concerted effort to take more pitches. "Ozzie's big on that stuff and it's understandable," said Owens, batting .429 this spring. Consider the potential Rotisserie star a sleeper at this point. You won't get much more than steals and runs scored, but those steals could be affordable on Draft Day.
(Updated 03/18/2008).

Gomez hit .286 with a homer, six RBI and 10 stolen bases this spring. Gomez is officially an uber-sleeper in mixed Rotisserie leagues because of his speed, so pick him up as a reserve if you have room.
(Updated 03/24/2008).

...and this from Rototworld:

Carlos Gomez-OF- Twins Mar. 24 - 9:12 am et
Gomez figures to struggle at the plate and will be miscast as a leadoff hitter, but has the speed to swipe 50-plus bases if he plays every day and is suddenly a very nice fantasy sleeper.

50-plus steels sounds nice, huh?

[siQ_innovation]

Gomez was said to have "Jose Reyes-like speed" when he got traded from NY to Minnesota and Owens has set out a goal to steal like 70 bags this year or something to that extent. Both guys are great runners but virtually, that's where their line ends. Neither hit for serious power and their averages won't be the prettiest sight to look at. But if i remember correctly, Owens had some injury problems last season and that might be the thing that holds him back from being a serious bag-stealer. At this point, I might choose Gomez over Owens.

[hwiggen]

I like both of these guys as SB specialists this season.
Owens should steal 40+ bases this year but he'll be sat or pinch hit for against tough lefties.

[dc928]

Compare to both of them, I rather have Willy Tarvarlos or Michael Bourn at lesat they get the job set. Owens and Gomes might lose their job due to competition, especially Owens.