SS and CF

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Youkilis would be a sick leadoff man given his on-base percentage. If we get Taveras I don't want him leading off.

[BoSox Rule]

gosox613, you're wrong. You need to stop before Plump embarrasses you. Read Moneyball or Mind Game or somethin.

[Plumpamania]

Youkilis would be a sick leadoff man given his on-base percentage. If we get Taveras I don't want him leading off.

 

My thoughts exactly. Loretta in an OFF year had a .360 OB%, which for those whom don't know and accept batting average as the universal, is very good. Taveras' .291 BA is good, but his .324 OB% is not. Youkilis and his .364 OB% is very solid. Damon had the same OB% as both Loretta and Youk. Renteria didn't. So I think Loretta and Youk at the top only improves our offense.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

1. Youkilis, 2. Loretta.

 

Youkilis because he is "the greek god of walks" and has a ridiculous OBP and Loretta because he's just flat out the best 2-hole hitter in baseball. Along with Marcus Giles.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

I can just imagine:

"Top of the first, folks. Nobody out. Loretta on first, Youkilis at second. Torre is signaling the intentional walk to Ortiz. Manny comes to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out. Manny swings..."

[Plumpamania]

I can just imagine:

"Top of the first, folks. Nobody out. Loretta on first, Youkilis at second. Torre is signaling the intentional walk to Ortiz. Manny comes to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out. Manny swings..."

 

It's a great thought isn't it?

[gosox613]

gosox613, you're wrong. You need to stop before Plump embarrasses you. Read Moneyball or Mind Game or somethin.

why, do they say that speed is not valuable? just wondering

[KeepTheFaith1229]

why, do they say that speed is not valuable? just wondering

 

 

It is valuable. It puts pressure on the defense especially on ground balls. But if you are a great base stealer with a low OBP, well, you can't steal first base.

[gosox613]

It is valuable. It puts pressure on the defense especially on ground balls. But if you are a great base stealer with a low OBP, well, you can't steal first base.

actually, you cant steal first base unless you strike out so....

 

haha

 

edit: even that isnt a steal

[Beckett95]

CAREER OBP

2006 possibility

1. Youk---.376 (in 287 ab's) (in 152 ab's with Pawtucket last year he had an obp of .459)

2. Loretta---.365

 

2005

1. Damon---.353

2. Renteria---.345

[riverside sluggers]

what is certain: Youk and Loretta will help fill the void left by Damon and Renterria.

 

That being, 2 players certainly capable of getting on base before the best 1-2 punch in baseball. Expect 90+ Runs scored season for the both of them.

[ksushi]

Speed at the top is one stategy, but I'd like to know when the last time the Red Sox ever utilized speed was. The smart money is on the sox putting youk at lead off unless they acquire a lead off hitter you can't turn down. OBP is very valuable if you have either more OBP behind it, or someone who can put a charge. Look at the yankees, jeter doesn't have blazing wheels, very smart baserunner but nothing incredible with speed. Bat a-rod behind him and it doesnt matter.

[Beckett95]

this is what is see as the best possible lineup so far

 

youk

loretta

ortiz

manny

nixon

lowell

varitek

alex gonzalez

CF (Matos, Reed, i dont think theres anyone else available)

[KeepTheFaith1229]

this is what is see as the best possible lineup so far

 

youk

loretta

ortiz

manny

nixon

lowell

varitek

alex gonzalez

CF (Matos, Reed, i dont think theres anyone else available)

 

Nixon before Lowell and Tek????

[guapo34]

why, do they say that speed is not valuable? just wondering

 

I don't think that anyone, with half a brain, has ever said speed is not valuable. The criticism isn't of speed, but as Plumpamania aluded too earlier of getting caught stealing. I don't know the exact numbers, but essentially the argument is that unless a runner is successful a certain percentage of the time, and it differs depending on game situation, they are hurting the team by attempting a stolen base. In the long run, if your team gets caught stealing 27% of the time, they will score less runs than if they never tried to steal those bases. Again, I don't know the exact numbers, but they are higher than most would expect, and most teams score less runs by trying to steal bases than they would if they attempted less steals.

[guapo34]

Nixon before Lowell and Tek????

 

Against righties, sure. Over the last 3 years, which includes his big years, lowell has a .752 OPS against righties. Nixon has put up a .847 Ops, and varitek an .804.

[ORS]

I pretty sure Taveras isn't even on the market. Sure, Houston would trade him if the package was right, but since they aren't looking to move him, anyone interested in Taveras would have to really grab their attention.

 

That said, Plump et al are right. You want to put people on base as often as possible for the best 3/4 in baseball, and Youk and Loretta will set the table much more often than Quick Willy. The Sox don't run, so speed in the leadoff spot is much less important than actually getting on.

[gosox613]

Leadoff aside,he would be a good choice for CF; he might be on the block because the astros signed another CF, preston wilson, which means they have a surplus of OF.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Leadoff aside,he would be a good choice for CF; he might be on the block because the astros signed another CF, preston wilson, which means they have a surplus of OF.

 

 

They best be startin' Chris Burke.

 

 

 

 

If not, we'll be happy to have him. :thumbsup:

[ORS]

Leadoff aside,he would be a good choice for CF; he might be on the block because the astros signed another CF, preston wilson, which means they have a surplus of OF.

I think Wilson's days as an every day CF are slipping by. I'd expect Houston to slot him in COF role and move Berkman to 1B.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

They've got Taveras, Burke, Lane and Wilson. Who goes? (Berkman will play first)

[ORS]

They've got Taveras, Burke, Lane and Wilson. Who goes? (Berkman will play first)

And Lamb (1B/COF). That's 5 OF, but Burke is utility player. I think that gives them depth they'd be comfortable with.

[Plumpamania]

And Lamb (1B/COF). That's 5 OF, but Burke is utility player. I think that gives them depth they'd be comfortable with.

 

I agree, and again we don't need Willie ".666 OPS" Taveras. Plus, as ORS has said, the Astros have good depth, and Preston Wilson will be playing LF, Taveras CF, Lane RF, Berkman 1B.

 

So yea. . .

[KeepTheFaith1229]

I agree, and again we don't need Willie ".666 OPS" Taveras. Plus, as ORS has said, the Astros have good depth, and Preston Wilson will be playing LF, Taveras CF, Lane RF, Berkman 1B.

 

So yea. . .

 

 

 

So Burke will be on the bench?!?! That's a crime.:thumbdown

[gosox613]

So Burke will be on the bench?!?! That's a crime.:thumbdown

Not really; .248 avg, 5 hr, 26 rbi, .309 obp

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Not really; .248 avg, 5 hr, 26 rbi, .309 obp

 

 

Did you watch the playoffs last year?

[ORS]

Did you watch the playoffs last year?

Did you watch Carlos Beltran this year? What a player does over a 162 game season speaks volumes more than what they do for 4 weeks in October.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Did you watch Carlos Beltran this year? What a player does over a 162 game season speaks volumes more than what they do for 4 weeks in October.

 

 

The Astro curse.

 

I still think Burke is a great player, though. Beltran is a great player too, just was way overpaid and hit a slump last year.

[gosox613]

The Astro curse.

 

I still think Burke is a great player, though. Beltran is a great player too, just was way overpaid and hit a slump last year.

There is no way you can really think that Burke should be started from just his postseason numbers, which were good, but not mindblowing.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

There is no way you can really think that Burke should be started from just his postseason numbers, which were good, but not mindblowing.

 

It's not just the numbers. He had a lot of clutch hits.