The Dangling Conversation, Part IV - We Speak of Things That Matter And Words That Must Be Said
Rincewind: So who should bat leadoff?
Hugo: Hmmm. With the Jays’ current personnel, no one is really suited for the leadoff role. Early in his career, Aaron Hill showed some glimpses of possibly developing towards the role (he OBPed .342 over about 2/3 of a season as a 23-year old, which is quite a good sign for such a young middle infielder in his first taste of major-league ball, and boosted that to .349 the following season), but his more recent performance and both his and the team’s statements suggest that he’s not the man for the job right now. Conversely, Marco Scutaro has been lousy at getting on base throughout his career -- he did a halfway respectable job of it last season (.341), but not good enough to lead off for a good team. Alexis Rios and Vernon Wells have batted leadoff in the past, but neither one is particularly adept at reaching base either. Rios did steal 32 bases (75% success rate) last season, but unless he significantly improves his OBP from last season (.337), that won’t really do. Rios and Wells are needed to drive in runs anyway.
The best Jays at reaching base are
Of course, if the Jays get Furcal, it’s a moot point – he’s the leadoff man, with the speed, the switch-hitting, and a .352 lifetime OBP. But I would bat Rolverbay (awesome!) in the 2-hole.
Rincewind: Rolverbay? Sounds like a bad rock band. “Direct from
The good part to me is that Overbay wouldn’t feel force to try to hit for power, I don’t think that is his strength. I think he is better off to be allowed to work the count and not have to swing for the fences. Putting him in the middle of the order and expecting he to drive in 100 runs is not going to work. If he leads off, then hitting 15 to 20 home runs is a bonus.
I did like Inglett batting at the top of the order but since he is unlikely to have a role on the team next season. Would you be strongly against Inglett playing DH if we don’t sign someone? Furcal would be a great pickup, especially because he would keep Scoot out of the leadoff spot.
Hugo: Haha sorry for stealing your thunder there, but I am glad to hear we agree. Inglett was good at the top of the order against righties, but I don’t like him in the DH role on an everyday basis. I think he’ll get his at-bats, since he will be backing up a lot of positions and injuries will be inevitable. He might be a better leftfielder than Lind anyway, so it’d likely be Lind at DH and Inglett in leftfield.
Rincewind: My worry is, no way does Cito have Overbay/Rolen leadoff. So without Inglett having a spot in the lineup, I’m expecting that we will be treated to Scoot as a leadoff man. If the Jays were to pick up Hardy or Greene I have no idea who Cito would use. We will have to come back to this question closer to the start of the season.
Comments
I think...
If the Jays sign Giambi, maybe Vernon Wells could lead off, maybe he might be someone like Bobby Bonds leading off.
The Trade-Maker
by dasox313 on
Nov 20, 2008 6:09 PM EST
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If one of Rios or Wells was to lead off
I’d prefer Rios.
"He almost has to start. Do you believe in miracles?"
by Torgen on
Nov 20, 2008 7:20 PM EST
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Id prefer Overbay
with Rios hitting second
by SuckaMD on
Nov 20, 2008 11:10 PM EST
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only against righties, though, right?
"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman
by hugo on
Nov 21, 2008 6:46 AM EST
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right
but that would be most of the time. I actually didn’t realize just how useless Overbay was against lefties last year until I just looked it up (.540 OPS?!?!?!?). Guess we should add platoon first-baseman to our off season wish list, though I guess Bautista will do (.885 OPS v LHP last year), but he wouldn’t be a good replacement as leadoff hitter (.339 OBP v LHP).
by SuckaMD on
Nov 21, 2008 8:55 AM EST
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we
cannot afford to give Lyle another 170 plate appearances against lefty pitching this season, last year was a disaster. I’m don’t love Bautista by any means, but almost anything would be better than that. Lyle has been acceptable against lefties over his career (.728 OPS career) so maybe he’ll bounce back, but I wouldn’t count on it. If he’s lost a little bat speed or his swing has gotten just a bit longer, it would show itself against lefties because pitch recognition takes just a little longer. I know you can’t platoon everyone, but the Jays just cannot afford 170 plate appearances of .540 OPS from their first baseman.
"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman
by hugo on
Nov 21, 2008 9:17 AM EST
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