Monday a.m. stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 2, 2009 10:10 AM CST
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PrintNot much out there today.
Richard Durrett runs down what he thinks the lineup in 2009 could be.
My guess, for what it is worth:
Kinsler
Young
Hamilton
Cruz
Blalock
Byrd
Davis
Salty/Teagarden
Andrus
Byrd and Cruz could flip-flop, but I think they are going to want to split out the lefties in the middle of the lineup.
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that works for me
except i would still like to give Andrus some time in AAA with Vizquel getting some playing time for the first month
Another one bites the dust! And another one, and another one, and another one bites the dust!
Murphy would factor in as well
I would assume
Another one bites the dust! And another one, and another one, and another one bites the dust!
I agree
That doesn’t really change my question though. Being too left handed means that your preferable lineup has too many lefties in it (presumably even against LHP).
by Brett Perryman on Feb 2, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions
Well I think the issue
is that 2 backups (Cat and Murphy) are both LH. When you need to give a regular a day off it becomes a problem i suppose.
I dunno, I see your point too.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 2, 2009 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
Rangers play in a ballpark built for LHB
having a lineup that leans too heavily to the left isn’t really a problem right now, and IMO you could put another lefty or two in there and it still wouldn’t be a problem.
"drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes."
"i do believe we could have 4 30 start pitchers in the rotation."
-- both these genius remarks brought to you by our resident guru, bigsteve
Let's not forget..
.. that Hamilton, Blalock and Davis all hit well against lefties last year.
Hamilton, Davis, and Blalock
Would be preferred 3,4,5
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
The good news is
…within a couple of years Hamilton, Smoak and Davis will probably be the three best hitters, so you’ll have a switch-hitter in the middle or wherever you want him. And then the complementary hitters who should go two and six (Kinsler and Young) are both RHB. As long as their young players develop well, everything should fall into place nicely.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 2, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
ahem
I think you forgot to mention a certain masher that may well be a better hitter than both Davis and Smoak.
Hint, his picture is over there —>
"drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes."
"i do believe we could have 4 30 start pitchers in the rotation."
-- both these genius remarks brought to you by our resident guru, bigsteve
And don't forget about the possibility of Maximus being in there.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
thank you
thank you very much.
"drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes."
"i do believe we could have 4 30 start pitchers in the rotation."
-- both these genius remarks brought to you by our resident guru, bigsteve
lol, yeah
I read what you wrote right after I said that……. my bad.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
singing the praises of the MaxRam
no need to apologize for that!
"drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes."
"i do believe we could have 4 30 start pitchers in the rotation."
-- both these genius remarks brought to you by our resident guru, bigsteve
I don't think its a question of quantity
But all our lefties should be in the middle of the lineup which isn’t ideal to have 3 lefties back to back in the heart of the lineup. By spreading them out then you have this problem of a guy like Davis hitting 7th instead of 4th or 5th where he probably should be.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Ugh
First off, read some old threads. Quantity has been discusses as an issue at great lengths.
Second, as I said below, your alternatives are to hit all three b2b and to put RHB in between each of them. The correct answer is a compromise. Let two of them hit b2b and put a RHB in front of the other if necessary, but if, say, they are your three best hitters, you DON’T put TWO RHB in front of Davis just to stagger every spot. Now, if they all start struggling against LHP like they did as young hitters, fine. But that is a different reality than we seem to face now.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 2, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
as you say
alternating hitters not an absolute necessity. People way overthink this lineup stuff.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Yeah
Until a guy like John Rheinecker comes out and kills a rally by getting your 3 and 4 hitters out late in the game. Then everyone wants to hang the manager for making such a dumb decision like hitting lefties back to back.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
But you know
The number of times that will come up is way less than the number of plate appearances you’re giving up to lesser hitters by being a slave to the righty-lefty alternation.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
John Rheinecker
shouldn’t dictate lineup choices. Guys like him are usually the worst pitcher in the bullpen. You don’t manipulate your lineup out of fear of John Freaking Rheinecker.
"drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes."
"i do believe we could have 4 30 start pitchers in the rotation."
-- both these genius remarks brought to you by our resident guru, bigsteve
No you shouldn't
But it happens. Because exactly what I said happens. You have a rally going late in a game and you are excited because the heart of the order is coming up and then they bring in their worst pitcher. But its a guy who gets lefties out. And all of a sudden that rally is over and you lose that game.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
If you are really convinced
a pitcher is going to get your guy out you might, you know, pinch hit.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
the problem is that the bats on the bench can't hit lefties either
so you’re better off sticking with your lineup and not bringing in a PH
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
By that logic
there is no reason to not hit the lefties high in the order, because they do hit lefties.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 2, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
Because LOOGYs suck against right handers. They’re called lefty specialists for a reason. If you alternate, you force the manager to use a lefty pitcher vs a righty hitter which is good for the hitter, or to only use a lefty for one batter which taxes the bullpen and increases the chances a bad pitcher taking the mound.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
Byrd or Cruz
hitting in the clean up spot? Man, this is going to be a really long season.
Excuse me stewardess, I speak Jive.
clean up spot is overrated imo,
It doesn’t matter who is there if the rest of your lineup is solid, which it looks like to me.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
If only Hicks could see that we need hitting.
Scott Feldman for 2009 AL Cy Young
Scott Feldman for 2010 AL Scott Feldman
is that sarcasm
if not, i think you need to do some research
Another one bites the dust! And another one, and another one, and another one bites the dust!
Wait a second
Your lineup doesn’t have Clay Buchholz in it.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Feb 2, 2009 10:21 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
He was a SS in JUCO, are you guys thinking about converting him back to cover the gap between Andrus and MY?
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
I never thought about that...
Hamilton moving to RF, Byrd going to CF and Murphy starting in left, I thought, squeezed out Cruz. But there’s the mighty DH spot to platoon our outfielders through. And once we trade Hank, we’ve got a rotating door at DH. That is unless Max comes out on fire
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
Hank is untradeable at this point.
JD had better hope he is on fire & healthy up until the trade deadline.
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
why people think
Blalock is a commodity is beyond me: a chronically injured position player who played 1 month last year, 1/2 yr before that, and who can only be trusted to DH to remain healthy. He really only valuable to us as we don’t have any other clear DH candidate, it allows max to stay at catcher, and he might have trade value at the deadline but not before that.
Yeah, I've never understood it
and I never understood why they bothered exercising his option when he really doesn’t bring all that much to this team now that he can’t play 3B. I think there were better options on the FA market.
Get off my lawn.
I don't think anyone
saw the FA meltdown that was on the horizon. Should they have? Maybe so?
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
Yeah I agree
who knew you might be able to get Dunn on a 1yr 5-7mill contract?!
Flop Davis and Blalock...
and put Vizquel in for Andrus for a month or two and that is what I want to see.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Blalock and Davis aren't getting flip-flopped
Blalock is a vet. Davis still has to prove himself. That’s why Davis was hitting 8th last season.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 2, 2009 10:24 AM CST up reply actions
Didn't say it would happen...
just that that’s how I’d like to see it.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Not yet
I think it’s better to see if Davis gets hot and then move him up in the order instead of him hitting 5th, gets cold and moves down.
My preferred lineup
Kinsler
Hamilton
Young
Blalock
Salty/Tea
Davis
Byrd/Cruz
Murphy
Andrus/Vizquel
Won’t happen though.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
Why
Hamilton 2nd? Any particular reason?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 2, 2009 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
It’s easier to get the hitters that are vulnerable to lefties separated.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Feb 2, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions
OK
But you don’t want Hamilton to have more RBI chances?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 2, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
I don't think he'll lose that many
afterall he’s now hitting more often each game and will have more PAs.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Feb 2, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
BTW
BBTIA gave me the idea about Hamilton second.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Feb 2, 2009 10:43 AM CST up reply actions
Do you really want Blalock and Hamilton back to back?
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Feb 2, 2009 10:27 AM CST up reply actions
of course I do,
both are offensive threats. With Kins and Young on base, one of Hammy/Blalock will get them home.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
LOOGY
Historically Hamilton and Blalock have hit worse against lefties and having them together is inviting the opposing manager to bring out a LOOGY to face both of them. If you put a hitter between the two that can hit lefties well, then the LOOGY will only face one batter which is better for the Rangers.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Feb 2, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions
And if there is a problem with that,
put Byrd in between them. He gets on base enough.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
That would be my second choice
especially if Byrd is the starting center fielder.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Feb 2, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
good point
I probably should have switched Byrd and the catchers.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Feb 2, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
byrd and murphy
have to split time. you don’t take ABs away from Cruz, especially if he has found his groove
Another one bites the dust! And another one, and another one, and another one bites the dust!
I think the Rangers
are worried more about the lefties back to back than anything else because Blalock nor Cruz are neccesarily guarantees with the bat. I think they go into the year with this lineup,
Kisler
Young
Hamilton
Cruz
Blalock
Davis
Murphy
Saltalamachia
Elvis
Its harder to justify putting in a lefty to face your 6 and 7, so I think they will take that chance, plus I think Murphy is just the better player, hands down.
This is our year.
http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/1/29/739765/the-socket-joint-rotator-c
by FormerLSBUser on Feb 2, 2009 10:41 AM CST reply actions
Why?
As mentioned, the lefties in Adam’s lineup aren’t huge liabilities against LHP, and three-quarters of their games will be against a right-handed starter. So worst case you bring in a loogy and Hamilton and Blalock both have to face him or something? We/they are way overthinking that component if we’re going so far to avoid b2b lhp as a technicality that inferior hitters are consistently hitting higher than they should.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 2, 2009 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
I've made a similar point in the past
It seems overkill to structure the lineup so as to avoid our two best hitters facing Ron Mahay (or someone like that) in the 7th inning.
"drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes."
"i do believe we could have 4 30 start pitchers in the rotation."
-- both these genius remarks brought to you by our resident guru, bigsteve
agreed
You have to put your best lineup out there and use your_ bench_ to manage a series that has a lot of LH starters or relievers.
Z, if it came down to Byrd, Cruz or Murphy starting in left, who would you like to see there?
finding a way to flip catt
for a RH bat would make the bench more capable in that regard.
Could you get Mahay in a trade for Cat?
They are both on the last year of their contract and you have a reliable lefty in the pen in case BGL isn’t healthy and Gabbard isn’t effective in the pen role.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Feb 2, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
It's close for me
I think you have to try to find out how good Cruz is in 2009. If he can make consistent contact he’s a starter, period. If not, I could see any number of arrangements that would be pretty close in terms of effectiveness.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 2, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
2009 Lineup
Andrus/Vizquel
Kinsler
Hamilton
Young
Davis
Byrd/Cruz
Blalock
Salty/Tea
Murphy
Good mix of right/left….
No way
should andrus or vizquel be leading off
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 2, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
That
is a turrible lineup.
Simply turrible.
Scott Feldman for 2009 AL Cy Young
Scott Feldman for 2010 AL Scott Feldman
Balt. just traded for Rich Hill
PTBNL…for those like me who thought it was worth the bag of bones to acquire him.
Based on Hanks's history..
I might set it this way:
Kinsler
Blalock
Young
Hamilton
Davis
Cruz
Murph
Tea/Salt
Andrus/Vizquel
Cruz or Murph could be Byrd as well.
If memory serves(maybe not) wasn’t Blalock very good as a #2 in his first couple of years before he decide he should become a HR hitter?
"Who died and made you King?"
I love Blalock in the 2 hole, personally.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
i knew someone was going to say that
In reference to how good the Steelers have been in their history: "No one is even close to them."- Steal Home
What about Micheal Youngs history?
Hes a career 311/359/462 out of the 2 hole. The only other spot in the order hes had any kind of success is the 8 hole but its been 5 years since he hit that low. Plus his skills work really well out of the two hole much better than Blalocks IMO. Young puts the ball in play, which allows you to work the basepaths using hit and runs if you choose. He gets on base better than Blalock. So I would leave him in the 2 spot right in front of Josh.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
We haven't yet truly seen what Blalock is capable of
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
Really?
What more do you need to see?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
His performance in the two hole.
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
Well I saw quite a bit to end the season
I would like to see if it can be sustained.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
I bet you did.
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
Not just me.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
Young should bat
either 2nd, 7th, 8th or 9th.
Scott Lucas’ take on RW lineup comments.
http://rangers.scottlucas.com/
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
So....
Who’s going to Denny’s for a FREE Grand Slam tomorrow?
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
I thought about it
there’s one not far from my office….
my coworkers weren’t interested though, even in free food. Something is wrong when people turn down free food.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 2, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions
I think a lot of people thought it was a joke.
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
I think it might be
too crowded, but I’m interested. Do you work near that Dennys at Plano Parkway and Preston?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I might go to the one on
Tollway & Frankford, much closer to me.
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
David Murphy for Craig Hansen
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
where is the love for David Murphy?
guy gets 74 RBI’s in only 415 AB’s!!! A full season might have approached 100, oh and play pretty solid D at all 3 OF positions. Maybe, just maybe, he should be playing almost every game.
Be careful throwing out RBI stats around here..
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
Who should be benched to make room for him?
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 2, 2009 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
I'm just saying
I think you can leave Hammy in CF for one more year, I strongly endorse giving Cruz every chance in the world to finally be the man in RF, but if after 2+ months he sucks again, then you can for sure fill the spot there. If Cruz succeeds and I hope he does, then put Murphy in left and let Byrd be your 4th OF. I’m fine with a platoon between the two of them depending on what hand the opposing pitcher is throwing from, but assuming Murphy gets all the AB against righties, that should be about 475-500 AB’s. I for one would like to see that. Plus I think that it would be good business for the Rangers to try to trade Byrd at some point before the deadline as I would venture that he would be very attractive on many fronts, he’s cheap, only one more year, plays good D all over the OF and a great clubhouse guy who will hit for decent average. If that happens, I’d like to see what Murphy could do the rest of the way against all pitchers, just to find out what we have in him.
If he is a guy who needs to platoon with a righty, so be it, but if he is a Rusty Greer type of guy (allow a little latitude on this one please) then I would like to find that out as well and find it out this season.
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