No matter who you bat in front of Hanley, they are going to get some good pitches to hit. I'd rather put Hermida there because he has a lot higher potential than Baker. I suppose Cantu is gonna bat clean up again with Uggla batting fifth. Either way you look at it, Hanley still has a chance to get on base in front of Cantu and Uggla.

I don't see why everybody's freaking about about bonifacio leading off. Our leadoff hitter is gonna be Maybin while bonifacio sits on the bench, and when he does start, he will most likely be hitting at the #2 spot behind Maybin, thus dropping Baker down the lineup.

I don't see why everybody's freaking about about bonifacio leading off. Our leadoff hitter is gonna be Maybin while bonifacio sits on the bench, and when he does start, he will most likely be hitting at the #2 spot behind Maybin, thus dropping Baker down the lineup.

I agree, this is much ado about nothing. It's extremely safe to say that Bonifacio isn't going to knock anyone out of the starting lineup to start the year.

I don't see why everybody's freaking about about bonifacio leading off. Our leadoff hitter is gonna be Maybin while bonifacio sits on the bench, and when he does start, he will most likely be hitting at the #2 spot behind Maybin, thus dropping Baker down the lineup.

 

 

That's fine.

As long as he's not starting everyday, or for the majority of the days, for that matter.

Baker is the #2 hitter.

 

-He's patient

-He gets on base

-He makes contact, for the most part...considering this is a team that K's a lot, Baker's the best option here.

 

If you see / hear Hanley's quote, he talks about how there's more pressure on him this year b/c he now, along with Cantu and Uggla, will be counted on to drive in runs. Then he also says it's the job of the #1 / #2 hitters to get on base for them (something Baker showed all last year that he can do better than anyone on this team, not named Hanley). Of course, Hanley mentioned Bonifacio (someone who shouldn't be hitting 2nd any time soon b/c he's the opposite of what I just said about Baker).

 

 

Fully agree with that. Baker is deffinetly the right fit for the #2 hole, if he can hit like he did last year.

 

If Hermida can live up to his potential, I can see him moving into the 2 spot in may or june. I remember when he hit in the 2 behind hanley last year for a little while, he was doing great.

 

A first five of Maybin, Baker, Hanley, Uggla, Cantu looks great to me.

not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but according to this mlb.com article hanley expects to drop some of the weight he gained by opening day.... http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

 

"An offseason priority for Hanley Ramirez was conditioning himself to be ready to play every game.

 

So the Marlins All-Star shortstop put himself through a stringent workout program, lifting weights and swimming four to five days a week. After hitting the scales on Sunday afternoon, Ramirez said he weighed 224 pounds. He is listed at 200 pounds in the team's season in review guide for 2008.

Ramirez said by Opening Day on April 6, he expects to be about 210 to 215 pounds. "

not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but according to this mlb.com article hanley expects to drop some of the weight he gained by opening day.... http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

 

"An offseason priority for Hanley Ramirez was conditioning himself to be ready to play every game.

 

So the Marlins All-Star shortstop put himself through a stringent workout program, lifting weights and swimming four to five days a week. After hitting the scales on Sunday afternoon, Ramirez said he weighed 224 pounds. He is listed at 200 pounds in the team's season in review guide for 2008.

Ramirez said by Opening Day on April 6, he expects to be about 210 to 215 pounds. "

210 215 sounds good. A little more pop but keeps some speed.

I really dont have a good feeling about Bonifacio...

 

and hanley gaining so much weight? I dont like...i mean i like the thought of him hitting 3rd, but i dont like his speed being affected.

 

Also its better to try hitting hanley 3rd now than sometime during the season.

but that mofo better be a true #3 hitter (meaning not hitting like s*** with RISP)

 

one more note: if hanley uses roids...im going to shoot him.

Baker, and no offense to him at all (I'm excited that we'll have a good young catcher), will not maintain a .370 OBP over the course of the year. Few catchers can. The season is too long. Playing time too inconsistent. Frequent minor injuries.

 

When you're looking for a 2-hole hitter, the spot that has the second most plate appearances on the team and is called to serve the roles of situational AND run producer, AND secondary leadoff batter, you want one of your better and more dynamic hitters in the spot. Baker did well last year, but he can't offer the speed at the position. It's doubtful he'll have the power. And his situational hitting is far from proven.

 

The 2-hole hitter is not simply a situational hitter spot. It's too important of a position.

Why would you be mad if he is on the juice? That's a good thing! He's sacrificing his life span for your team!

Everybody-don't worry about Hanley putting on all that weight. As soon as the season starts and as soon as he is playing on those hot Florida days he will be down to his average weight. He will be leaner and stronger and even if he sheds some pounds (and he will by sweating) he will be faster. Nobody should worry that he put those pounds on, unless of course he is on the juice. I'm not worried.

Hanley looked very big to me at fanfest, definately bigger from last years.

 

As for the whole lineup, I agree 100% with batting

1 - Maybin

2 - Baker

3 - Hanley

 

Assuming Maybin doesn't run into trouble with consistency early on, I see no reason to go a different way. Baker isn't just the best OBP guy besides Hanley on the team, but I'm pretty sure he has the longest ABs of anyone on the team. He just makes all kinds of sense.

 

For all those harping on about Hermida, I'd be fine to see him bat #2 on Baker's off days, but I think he needs to perform well consistently for a little while before (and if) he takes that spot over full time. But based on Hermida's performance last year, there's no reason in the world to bat him #2.

If Hanley ends up at 210-215 by opening day and the 10-15 pounds gained come from muscle, then I think he will probably keep his speed. If anything, he could be even faster.