Should they keep him for 2013, or cut bait? What do guys think about his career, so far?....

I think he'd be a decent regular if he played in a different park. Keep him...

Depends on the role in my opinion
Keep him as the starter - NO
Keep him as a 4th-5th OF - yeah sure - he's athletic, can play all 3 OF positions and is an average to good hitter outside PETCO (.275) - That sounds just like a role player to me

sounds like you and Brian are kinda saying the same thing, in a way. We could name a long list of guys that have some thru SD, and put up numbers indicative of them being better hitters in other ballparks.

Off the top of my head, that season that Mike Cameron had in 2006..22 homers, 83 ribbies, easily translates to 100 plus ribbies in a hitters ballpark. He had 34 doubles, 9 triples. Id like to see a chart, showing where a lot of those doubles/triples would've landed in hitter friendly ballparks.

..the reason Im beginning to think that they should keep Will is because ALL of our OFers, right now, are guys that know what the DL looks like...even Deno'. That being the case, a Venable is useful..serviceable. Not outstanding, but he'll serve the same role that a guy like Gomes or a Laynce Nix did for Cincy.

..Maybin, has probably been the biggest disappointment this season. I was confused about why he wasnt playing well, until I accepted the fact that he seems to be pretty injury prone. Sometimes Ive gotten the feeling, when I see him recovering from one of those really physical catches that he's ACTING like he's hurt for some kind of dramatic effect. But maybe he REALLY is someone who gets banged up, more than we know.

Will got something over a million bucks to play here this season...even next year he wont be that expensive, unless they just believe that they can spend that loot on something more thn him. And then you have a kid in Amarista who can play all 3 OF spots as well.

I think Will could stay or go, and no one will blink. We'll all be like, "ok, well...he got his shot at a full time gig, and he never made hay, so off he goes".

As you may know I am not getting to see many games this year because of work stuff - I do DVR and try to catch some - so I am not seeing every game with the new guys

is Amarista a capable OF'er... is he just a guy you CAN start there to give a starter a day off, but what about if someone gets hurt for 2 months - is he an everyday OF'er....

He's certainly not the prototypical looking corner OF'er.....LOL
Did he have a problem in CF recently misplaying a ball?

Yea, he misplayed a ball in CF, but is capable there....he's not an everyday CF. But I do think he could play RF, everyday. I think at his core, he's an everyday 2nd bagger. But overall, he is the quintessential 'super utility' guy.

It will be interesting to watch as he gets more AB's under his belt...

Cut bait.
The problem is Black will not be able to resist 'giving him one more chance'....and one more...and

Like the movie Moneyball. The GM need to get rid of him so the manager can't start him.

I'm keeping Quentin, Deno & Maybin as of now. Everybody else can come to spring training.

The play he misplayed even regular Centerfielders have some problem with. The ball was hit right at him and he took a couple of steps in and then had to run back on the ball. I think with some time playing CF he would learn to read those type of balls better. Young player mistake compounded with playing a position he doesn't play often. Pretty forgivable IMHO

Yea, there is this fascination that Black has with his athleticism, that puzzling given how often he struggles or is injured.

I think they believe that his "eventual" breakout, will have some tremendous impact on the team. Again puzzling...and to boot, you had a gap hitting, guy in Aaron Cunningham, who to my mind, did EVERYTHING him Will did, minus some power. And he had wayyy better at bats, than Will.

But Black just would not let the kid play enuf...so consequently, his batting average suffered, and made him vulnerable to not playing much and/or getting traded.

On second thought, Im beginning to think we should take our chances with a guy like Hermida...

I agree...

The key to Venable getting at bats is that there has not been a clear cut better choice. When they get a true right fielder push will come to shove on Venable. Until then he is a border line guy hanging on.

I don't see it that way at all.
Deno has out hit Venable three years in a row - from both sides of the plate.
And any difference in defense is very marginal at best.

It has always been this pre-concieved notion that Venable was going to develop into this
5-tool player. And I guess he is, it's just that stealing a base is his #1 tool, and hitting for
average is his #5 tool.

Deno hasn't out hit Venable against right handed pitching in their careers and our outfield is very right handed.

I actually agree with Field and others. Venable is a + outfielder, he plays all 3 positions well, he can run, pinch hit, pinch run, bunt etc. He's not a 3rd outfielder, he's a 4th/5th outfielder.
You wont find a better backup outfielder than Venable defensively.
If they swing a deal for someone more talented then it makes sense to trade him.

Denorfia is a decent hitter, he plays the field with heart, but he sure isnt Venable in the outfield. Put Deno in CF and its a mess.

yea, he's got that delayed steal down....thing is, you cant steal first. And thats really what his predicament boils down to. He cant hit, basically.

I think Venable could be a starter in a small park at any outfield position. Here, he's a 4th or 5th outfielder. I like Demo more, but they may choose to keep the left handed bat if they bring in another right handed outfielder because Quentin and Maybin are also righties. They could also bring back Kotsay if they like Deno more and need to choose one.

FYI

In 2012 Deno has higher BA against RHP than Venable, and way better against LHP.
In 2011 Venable hit better against RHP. Deno better against LHP. A true platoon situation
In 2010 They hit the same against RHP. Deno way better against LHP.

Over the last 3 years: (ML)
Deno .271 .277 .294
Venable .245 .246 .242

I understand the need for a left handed bat. I just don't think it has to be Venable,
and when the season starts next year - I don't think it will be.

Cunningham just DFA'd hitting under .200

I'd be okay with Deno as the 4th outfielder with Kotsay and Amarista as options. That's assuming that we get a starting RF. I'm not convinced we'll get one.