Lineup

[Guest]

And what's the benefit of the optimized lineup v. the one we're going with? I can't imagine it's larger than the margin of error, especially since we're projecting the entire season at this point.

[Rob]

And what's the benefit of the optimized lineup v. the one we're going with? I can't imagine it's larger than the margin of error, especially since we're projecting the entire season at this point.

 

I'm sure that you would concede that if we knew our projections about everybody were spot on 100% accurate and that somehow, in some freak coincidence, we needed to squeeze an extra two runs out of lineup to be guaranteed a playoff spot, it'd probably make sense to move Castro down.

 

And since I'm only arguing the technical point of it (even going so far as to say I'm glad Castro is batting 2nd in my initial post), I really don't see the need to argue exactly at what point the picture becomes blurry enough that player development concerns (if they exist) override it.

[imb]

We're going to max out at like 85 wins this year anyway. I want Castro to get as many practice ABs as possible before the games mean anything. Bat his ass leadoff for all i care

[Sammy Sofa]

And what's the benefit of the optimized lineup v. the one we're going with? I can't imagine it's larger than the margin of error, especially since we're projecting the entire season at this point.

 

I'm sure that you would concede that if we knew our projections about everybody were spot on 100% accurate and that somehow, in some freak coincidence, we needed to squeeze an extra two runs out of lineup to be guaranteed a playoff spot, it'd probably make sense to move Castro down.

 

And since I'm only arguing the technical point of it (even going so far as to say I'm glad Castro is batting 2nd in my initial post), I really don't see the need to argue exactly at what point the picture becomes blurry enough that player development concerns (if they exist) override it.

 

Fair enough. I get what you're proposing and normally would lean towards preferring that, but with someone like Castro I'd rather see what he can do sooner rather than later. Just put him where you want him to be down the line and leave him there.

Edited March 31, 2011 by Sammy Sofa

[AlwaysaCub]

We're going to max out at like 85 wins this year anyway. I want Castro to get as many practice ABs as possible before the games mean anything. Bat his ass leadoff for all i care

 

+1.

 

Let him get as many ABs as possible so he can develop b/c he's the future.

[squally1313]

Re: Castro

 

I think the number of at-bats argument is pretty worthless. It's 100% obvious he's going to be our starting shortstop the entire season....so taking out the chance of injury, we're talking about the difference between 730 plate appearances and maybe like 680, 690. Is anyone really worried about that? Let's remember that someone his age should be in like AA right now. I think he's going to get plenty of at bats, regardless of where he hits.

 

That being said, I still want him in the 2 spot vs 7 or 8. Why? I want his goal at the plate to be to get on base. I know it sounds simple, but I think we all agree that his biggest offensive weakness right now is patience. I don't want him in the 7 or 8 spot thinking that he's the team's last chance to make a difference before 2 automatic outs. I want him at the plate working the count, feeling the pitcher out, and trying to get on base for the heart of the order. Just hope Quade avoids the constant hit and runs or having him bunt, and I think that's the best spot for him.

[Sammy Sofa]

Hey, 50 more PA is 50 more PA.

[hawkeyecub]

Re: Castro

 

I think the number of at-bats argument is pretty worthless. It's 100% obvious he's going to be our starting shortstop the entire season....so taking out the chance of injury, we're talking about the difference between 730 plate appearances and maybe like 680, 690. Is anyone really worried about that? Let's remember that someone his age should be in like AA right now. I think he's going to get plenty of at bats, regardless of where he hits.

 

That being said, I still want him in the 2 spot vs 7 or 8. Why? I want his goal at the plate to be to get on base. I know it sounds simple, but I think we all agree that his biggest offensive weakness right now is patience. I don't want him in the 7 or 8 spot thinking that he's the team's last chance to make a difference before 2 automatic outs. I want him at the plate working the count, feeling the pitcher out, and trying to get on base for the heart of the order. Just hope Quade avoids the constant hit and runs or having him bunt, and I think that's the best spot for him.

 

I agree with this. Combined with him getting better pitches to hit in the 2 spot rather than 7th.

[TommyJohn]

Anyone else think Ramirez should be batting 3rd? He's the veteran with the most balanced offensive numbers in terms of AVG, OBP, and SLG. Move Byrd down and shift everyone up.

 

Fukudome

Castro

Ramirez

Pena

Soto

Byrd

Soriano

Barney

Pitcher

[DivineBovine]

Yeah, was waiting for someone to bring up Byrd. I know it's early, but he's sucked so far. If the Bosox can move down Carl Crawford after a few games, why not move Byrd down for a bit.

[davearm2]

Yeah, was waiting for someone to bring up Byrd. I know it's early, but he's sucked so far. If the Bosox can move down Carl Crawford after a few games, why not move Byrd down for a bit.

This may sound nitpicky but the BoSox moved Crawford down temporarily, hoping to get him to calm down and relax at the plate.

 

It's not like they decided after 2 days that the guy they gave $140M actually isn't cut out for the role they had in mind for him.

 

Conversely most folks here want Byrd moved down permanently.

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, was waiting for someone to bring up Byrd. I know it's early, but he's sucked so far. If the Bosox can move down Carl Crawford after a few games, why not move Byrd down for a bit.

This may sound nitpicky but the BoSox moved Crawford down temporarily, hoping to get him to calm down and relax at the plate.

 

It's not like they decided after 2 days that the guy they gave $140M actually isn't cut out for the role they had in mind for him.

 

Conversely most folks here want Byrd moved down permanently.

 

Of course. Because there are better hitters on the team.

[Guest]

If Marlon Byrd was actually Carl Crawford in disguise, I'd let him continue hitting third.

 

But he's not and he shouldn't.

[TommyJohn]

If Marlon Byrd was actually Carl Crawford in disguise, I'd let him continue hitting third.

 

But he's not and he shouldn't.

 

Damnit.

 

Someone should really tell Quade.

[Northside Blues]

Hey, 50 more PA is 50 more PA.

 

Because that approach worked so well with Corey Patterson.

[Rob]

Hey, 50 more PA is 50 more PA.

 

Because that approach worked so well with Corey Patterson.

 

Dusty was actively trying to change Corey from a power guy to a "slap the ball on the ground and use your speed" guy.

[Tarver]

Hey, 50 more PA is 50 more PA.

 

Because that approach worked so well with Corey Patterson.

 

Not comparable. The org was actively trying to retrain Patterson to be a "leadoff hitter", altering his approach instead of just letting him continue what was working. It wasn't to get him more ABs.

[treebird]

Hey, 50 more PA is 50 more PA.

 

Because that approach worked so well with Corey Patterson.

 

corey patterson should've been hitting 3 in AA rather than 2 in MLB. i don't think this is comparable at all.

[Sammy Sofa]

Hey, 50 more PA is 50 more PA.

 

Because that approach worked so well with Corey Patterson.

 

Because Castro and Patterson are comparable players and have had comparable histories.

[SouthSideRyan]

Come on, Starlin's neither black nor a CF. The correct comparison is Ronny Cedeno