Red Sox Infield

[elsrbueno]

This is a bit of a broad topic, I have a lot to discuss here:

 

Bellhorn out at least 2 weeks:

 

The good: Youk gets more playing time. I really like Youkilis.

 

The bad: Our backup infielder is Ricky Gutierrez?!? Ouch.

 

Pokey out at least 1 more week, possibly 3.

 

Ouch again. Imagine if the Sox have an infield of Mueller, Cabrera, Reese, Mientkiewicz....

 

Best infield defense in the AL? I have to say it would be among the best.

 

Is Gutierrez enough? I can't imagine this team's happy right now carrying ONE backup infielder.

[sarasoxfan]

come on, bellhorn, out, who cares. I wont miss the mandatory two strikeouts a game, and his fielding has been a disaster.

 

The best news is that it prohibits that dork francona from need less juggling. Bill can play second and Youk, gets in the game.

 

This is good news for a change.

 

Now if only someone would brake Embree's kneecaps, then we could limit Francona's obssession with using the worst guys on the team and we actually be able to make a run at this thing.

[elsrbueno]

Sara,

No matter how much you dislike Bellhorn, you can't think he's worse than Gutierrez! Can you?

[Sizzlin22]

Damn I like bellhorn seems every time we look like we might go on a huge tear something like this happens.

[elsrbueno]

I like Bellhorn too. This certainly is no excuse if we start losing, because Mueller will be fine at second and Youk is a solid player...

 

But we've got to get these guys back ASAP!! The bench (with Gutierrez as the only backup) is NOT satisfactory (in my opinion).

 

Might we see Gabe Kapler play some third base?!?

[Songfromthe60s]

POLL

 

Stick with Gutierrez

Call up Crespo

 

in my mind the both suck equally as bad so....i dont care

[noonanberg]

I am a big fan of Belhorn, but that injury was his fault. He should've turned his back into it instead of trying to move out of the way and taking it off his hand. Anyway, Kapler at third probably won't happen because then we'd have to put Millar in right which is just stupid. The infield now is fine with me. Belhorn's return will obviously shake things up, but what we have going right now is the second best infield we could field (in my opinion). I too also like to see Youk getting more playing time.

 

 

 

 

SIDE NOTE: McCarty is awesome!! Loved the three run bomb. Let's hope Francona puts him in the lineup more so he can ride that momentum.

[elsrbueno]

Noony,

I too like McCarty. With Mientkiewicz here in Boston, he will suffer playing time, but he's another one of those guys who plays the game the right way.

 

I dont think the Kapler @ 3B will happen either, also because the Sox can't afford to let him make mistakes on the job.

[sarasoxfan]

I despise bellhorn and think he really really sucks-the strikouts alone are a drag ion the offense, and the hands of stone are a drag on the defense. We are a much improved team without him. Youk in the line up and Meuller at second is a step up. Period. Levae them there and watch what happens. I will admit admit that Gutierrez is not bellhorn, but pokey will be back soon. Crespo is worse than all of them. I like Youk in there and this opens that up.

[elsrbueno]

Sara,

From what I heard on WEEI a couple days ago, it will probably be at least 2 weeks until we see Bellhorn or Pokey back on the field. I will be happy to see both back.

[batstats]

Bellhorn leads the team in strikeouts and he bats second. Anyone else see a problem with this?? Granted he gets 1 more at bat typically than the 6-9 hitters, but come on now. We need him on base. I for one feel he is an average fielding second basemen with a lower than average plate disipline. We will greatly benifit without him eating up our precious outs the next few weeks.

 

I would like to see Pokey back too for his defensive presence, but not for his bat.

 

Elsbueno- You keep jumping on Gutierrez, but you haven't really seen him play. He has spent a good deal of time in the majors and is adjusting offensively to the big leagues. Hes not bad in the field

[yeszir]

Guttierez is a much better choice than crespo in my mind. Sure he's only had limited at bats with the sox (12), but he is hitting .308 in those 12 at bats. Sure he hit .175 in 63 ab with the mets before coming to us. But do you remember what crespo was hitting? .165 in 79 abs! He's a career .192 hitter, Guty is up there in the mid 200's.

 

I didnt really mention Bellhorn because he's injured.

[Zenny]

Mark Bellhorn and questionable plate discipline don't belong in the same universe. HE LEADS THE AMERICAN LEAGUE IN WALKS! What the hell else do you want from a guy at the top of your lineup? He has a .375 OBP. Besides, what the hell is the difference if he strikes out or pops up or grounds out or flys out? The 1 or 2% chance that a player is going to make an error? Please, I'll take the strikeouts if they come with the walks and power any day of the week.

[RedSoxRooter]

Originally posted by Zenny@Aug 4 2004, 04:54 PM

Besides, what the hell is the difference if he strikes out or pops up or grounds out or flys out?

Possibly a run. That can never happen if he K's. Bellhorn, believe it or not has grown on me. But I never want him up in a key situation unless the bases are loaded and less than 2 out. If he walk, way to go Bellhorn. If he K's, he's Blowhorn.

 

Sure, he makes you throw strikes because he walks, but if you throw strikes, you're bound to K him. He's only a starter because A) he takes advantage of a leagues weak pitching and B ) the real starter is hurt.

 

I'll still take Pokey and his D over Bellhorn and his walks any day of the week. But again, Bellhorn's not bad. He'd be a great player, off the bench, late as a pintch hitter to draw a walk/take pitches (with power). And those players are important and he's good at it. He just K's way, way, wayyyyyyyyy too much as a regular.

 

Bellhorn's one saving grace is that the Sox have a ton of infield defense. An infield of Menkewhatever, Reese, Cabrera and Mueller could give the Sox the best infield defense of any playoff contenter. We may not need that much for the regular season, so Bellhorn may get his at-bats. Though, come playoff time if the Sox are lucky enough, expect to see Reese more than Bellhorn.

[batstats]

Originally posted by Zenny@Aug 4 2004, 04:54 PM

Mark Bellhorn and questionable plate discipline don't belong in the same universe. HE LEADS THE AMERICAN LEAGUE IN WALKS! What the hell else do you want from a guy at the top of your lineup? He has a .375 OBP. Besides, what the hell is the difference if he strikes out or pops up or grounds out or flys out? The 1 or 2% chance that a player is going to make an error? Please, I'll take the strikeouts if they come with the walks and power any day of the week.

WHAT POWER? Its either a walk or a strikeout for the most part with Bellhorn. What does it matter if he reaches first on a walk? Chances are hes going to be stranded at first anyhow with the way this team is with runners on. He needs to help himself and hit doubles, tripples, and HR's. Walking just doesnt do it with this team, and batting him second is just plain stupid. He should be hitting closer to the bottom of the order, making his walks more valuable, as the top of the order will have a better chance of knocking his lazy ass in from first

[Zenny]

Originally posted by batstats@Aug 5 2004, 07:32 AM

WHAT POWER? Its either a walk or a strikeout for the most part with Bellhorn. What does it matter if he reaches first on a walk? Chances are hes going to be stranded at first anyhow with the way this team is with runners on. He needs to help himself and hit doubles, tripples, and HR's. Walking just doesnt do it with this team, and batting him second is just plain stupid. He should be hitting closer to the bottom of the order, making his walks more valuable, as the top of the order will have a better chance of knocking his lazy ass in from first

This power- http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/battin...0&hand=a&pos=2b.

 

Fifth among 2B's in doubles, tied for 3rd in homeruns and the 4th best OPS. What more do you want out of a middle infielder?

 

Also, why is it his fault if the rest of the team strands him? I guess we should just give up and not put runners on base anymore because the team is so incompetent, huh?

 

What sense does it make moving him down? He gets on base for Manny and Ortiz. He sets 'em up, they knock 'em down. It's a perfect combo.

[noonanberg]

I couldn't agree more. Where's the power? Have you not been watching? His batting numbers are better than those of Reese, Crespo and Gutierrez combined. We were pretty successful last year with Todd Walker and Belhorn is the equivalent if not a little better. And Zenny's right, Belhorn gets on base enough that Ramirez and Ortiz have someone to drive in. Where would Pokey or Crespo be batting, oh, right, #9 in the order.

[elsrbueno]

I have to agree with Zenny (as usual). Bellhorn has been VERY productive at the plate this year. Definately on par with Walker last year as far as his power numbers...

 

and his on base percentage is awesome. Sure, from a #2 hitter you'd LIKE to see less strikeouts...But Bellhorn is in the top 5 second baseman in most offensive categories. That's saying something.

 

I had a thought: What about Mientkiewicz hitting #2 sometimes? He seems to be a contact-style hitter who walks about as often as he strikes out....just a thought.

 

Anyway, Bellhorn strikes out a lot, but he's still a very good offensive player (in my opinion) ESPECIALLY for second base.