May 22, 200719 yr I can't stress enough totally hypothetical.. im not suggesting or advocating it, I just what your knee-jerk first response when seeing it. So lets say fredi pulls this lineup out: SS Hanley CF Hermida LF Cabrera RF Willingham 1B Jacobs 2B Uggla 3B Boone C Olivo First response.. go:
May 22, 200719 yr My first thoughts are how much the pitching staff will struggle with an OF like that. No range at all at the corners or in CF. That defense would cost us more games then the slight improvement in the offense would help us.
May 22, 200719 yr I asked about Hermida in CF before and somebody mentioned something about his hips prevent it. I'm also pretty sure Willingham doesn't have a strong enough arm to play RF everyday. And Cabrera+Willingham in the OF...would have to consitute one of the worse corner deffensives of all time. Might aswell sign Alex Sanchez back to round it out. I'm all for that offensively, but got to remember deffensive issues. I wonder how Boone would do in LF though. I believe he bought a outfield glove this past offseason. He's lost a step, but I'm sure he could still cover good ground. Not sure how strong his arm is though. Not that I'm suggesting we replace Willingham with Boone, but when Willingham gets spelled, might be something that should be considered.
May 22, 200719 yr Gathright is having a great season biding his time in AAA. One look at his walks vs Ks and it becomes immediately obvious he's become the selective hitter people hoped he would. If you're looking for a bonafide CFer who won't cost a mint and could really be a tablesetter, he's your guy. That and he covers a huge amount territory which improves the defense big time.
May 23, 200719 yr Outfield defense isn't nearly as important as infield defense. We'd be a much, much, better team with that lineup. No questions asked.
May 23, 200719 yr Outfield defense isn't nearly as important as infield defense. We'd be a much, much, better team with that lineup. No questions asked. I don't doubt either of those points, but outfield defense is important enough to make a big enough difference to negate the benefits we would reap from that improved(on paper)offense.
May 23, 200719 yr I agree that infield defense is more important but you can't neglect outfield defense, expecially with how spacious our ballpark is. And it's not like Boone has one crazy bat. He's been real good this year, I'm not trying to put him down. But he had a .677 OPS in 2005 and .684 in 2006. And it's not like they're small sample sizes, he had 511 and 354 ABs respectively. If he continues likes he's be doing: great, I'd love it. But realistically I do expect a drop off. I think he'll be better then he was the past two years, but not "This guy has got to be in the lineup even if it means killling our OF defense" better.
May 23, 200719 yr I agree that infield defense is more important but you can't neglect outfield defense, expecially with how spacious our ballpark is. And it's not like Boone has one crazy bat. He's been real good this year, I'm not trying to put him down. But he had a .677 OPS in 2005 and .684 in 2006. And it's not like they're small sample sizes, he had 511 and 354 ABs respectively. If he continues likes he's be doing: great, I'd love it. But realistically I do expect a drop off. I think he'll be better then he was the past two years, but not "This guy has got to be in the lineup even if it means killling our OF defense" better. Good points. The way the outfield is shaped in Joe Robbie, one could make the argument that CF is the most important defensive position on our team. I was thinking the same thing about Boone too, the guy has been pretty awful the past couple of years. That is why I wrote that that offense is only an improvement right now on paper,might not be reality.
May 23, 200719 yr I think it's an absolutely terrible idea we don't need to risk Hermida in CF Cabs wouldn't leave the INF again Hammer is finally solid in LF Boone isn't an everyday player anymore
May 23, 200719 yr I'm also pretty sure Willingham doesn't have a strong enough arm to play RF everyday. Hammer actually has a pretty strong arm. Granted hes no Vlad, but I personally saw him in St. Louis one hop it to home plate from damn near the wall and the throw was spot on(of course, you know who couldnt hold onto the ball...but thats neither here nor there).
May 23, 200719 yr SS Hanley RF Hermida 3B Cabrera LF Hammer 1B Jacobs 2B Uggz C Olivo CF Alf / Reggie This should be the line up, also when do we get de Aza back? :confused
May 23, 200719 yr Fastest way to cause discontent in Miguel Cabrera=putting him back in the OF. well, he can take out his frustration on the pitches he sees when he bats. :thumbup
May 23, 200719 yr Miguel will be fine at 3B. He has the potential to tops in the league there. No reason to move Hammer out of LF, unless its to 1B in the offseason and another LF comes along. Our CF situation sucks and will continue to suck. Nothing inherently wrong with that. If the big wigs think the team has a chance to compete, they will make a move for one. In theory.
May 23, 200719 yr I think it's an absolutely terrible idea we don't need to risk Hermida in CF Cabs wouldn't leave the INF again Hammer is finally solid in LF Boone isn't an everyday player anymore bingo. my lineup: CF Abercrombie (it's working right now) 2B Uggla SS Ramirez 3B Cabrera RF Hermida 1B Jacobs LF Willingham C Olivo Pitcher
May 23, 200719 yr The lineup I'd go with, everyone back healthy: 1. RF Hermida 2. SS Ramirez 3. 3B Cabrera 4. LF Willingham 5. 2B Uggla 6. 1B Jacobs 7. CF De Aza 8. C Olivo
May 23, 200719 yr That's just silly. We need a centerfielder, we don't need to go moving people around. Anyway, I'd go with 1. Hanley SS 2. Hermida RF 3. Cabrera 3B 4. Jacobs 1B 5. Hammer LF 6. Uggla 2B 7. De Aza CF 8. Olivo C
May 23, 200719 yr The lineup I'd go with, everyone back healthy: 1. RF Hermida 2. SS Ramirez 3. 3B Cabrera 4. LF Willingham 5. 2B Uggla 6. 1B Jacobs 7. CF De Aza 8. C Olivo I'd move Jacobs above Uggla but I like how good Ramirez is doing with Cabrera behind him.
May 23, 200719 yr I think it's an absolutely terrible idea we don't need to risk Hermida in CF Cabs wouldn't leave the INF again Hammer is finally solid in LF Boone isn't an everyday player anymore
May 23, 200719 yr I think it's an absolutely terrible idea we don't need to risk Hermida in CF Cabs wouldn't leave the INF again Hammer is finally solid in LF Boone isn't an everyday player anymore :thumbup
May 23, 200719 yr Neither Cabrera or Hermida should be moved. Hermida in CF is a horrible idea and Cabrera is finally beginning to gel at third base. And Uggla leading off is plain stupid just because his bat is hot. And Ramp, your avatar is awesome.
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