The lineup I'd like to see

[Wells]

Now that we have all 9 positions filled and assuming Youk starts at 1B, here is the lineup I'd like to see on opening day:

 

Crisp

Youk

Ortiz

Manny

Nixon

Varitek

Lowell

Loretta

Gonzalez

 

anyone else have ideas on how they think the 2006 lineup is gonna shape up?

[riverside sluggers]

Recently after the Crisp signing the Red Sox had released the projected lineup through NESN

 

1. Coco Crisp cf (S)

2. Mark Loretta 2b ®

3. David Ortiz dh (L)

4. Manny Ramirez lf ®

5. Jason Varitek c (S)

6. Mike Lowell 3b ®

7. Trot Nixon rf (L)

8. Kevin Youkilis 1b ®/JT Snow (L)

9. Alex Gonzalez ss ®

[nueva]

I like your lineup river. But maybe it should go lowell,trot,vtek other than vtek,lowell,trot. My opinion take it for what it is.

[riverside sluggers]

I respect your opinion too. But that wasnt my own lineup I had envisioned. As I had said the Red Sox released this lineup that was reported on NESN. I like it, putting Lowell in between 2 proven 20 HR players

[nueva]

Well. Instead of having the best 1-2 punch in the league(Manny and David) we could have the only 1-2-3-4-5 punch in league all hitting 20+ hr's. Boy that would be sweet!

[riverside sluggers]

We will see, this is just the projected lineup. Spring training will decide that. Whatever it is, Im pumped

[MC Hammer]

Well. Instead of having the best 1-2 punch in the league(Manny and David) we could have the only 1-2-3-4-5 punch in league all hitting 20+ hr's. Boy that would be sweet!

Sorry but not even close

 

Damon

Jeter

Arod

Sheffield

Giambi

 

Theres a chance for 100-200 HRs just out of their top 5.

 

 

NOTE: Guys I know we got Coco and we're all excited, but lets stop pretending he's going to make this lineup better than it was with Damon.

[riverside sluggers]

we realize that nor did we specifically mention that, but hey im more comfortable having him for the long term sense. Crisp is on the ascent right now, no denying it

[jsinger121]

Recently after the Crisp signing the Red Sox had released the projected lineup through NESN

 

1. Coco Crisp cf (S)

2. Mark Loretta 2b ®

3. David Ortiz dh (L)

4. Manny Ramirez lf ®

5. Jason Varitek c (S)

6. Mike Lowell 3b ®

7. Trot Nixon rf (L)

8. Kevin Youkilis 1b ®/JT Snow (L)

9. Alex Gonzalez ss ®

 

this is the lineup that you will see come the start of the season.

[MC Hammer]

we realize that nor did we specifically mention that, but hey im more comfortable having him for the long term sense. Crisp is on the ascent right now, no denying it

I'm also more comfortable with someone who I know can be the long term answer in center, but it sure seems like everyone thinks this lineup is going to be better than it was last year. I think Loretta, could be, a huge upgrade over what we got out of Rents in the 2 hole last year, but Coco is an obvious step back from Damon, so if anything it evens out.

 

I'm just saying lets not get too excited.

[Americal Man]

The key to hits 5th will probably depend on how Lowell looks in ST. If he looks like he has found his power stroke again (assuming he wasn't a juicer), he may be hitting 5th. Plus, that has the potential of giving tek a little more rest - he will have to catch fewer games this year so he doesn't experience a fade like last year.

 

crisp and Loretta (who also had an off year due to injury) have the potential to be good table setters for the core of the lineup. Now, with the probable signing of Gonzalez, a 4th outfielder and the bench are the only thing to be finalized. Obviously I'm counting on foulke being healthy and can assume his role as the closer although they do have some other options. looking like a good ST with no major distractions other than Tubby (who I hope will stay and pitch for us)

[MC Hammer]

Obviously I'm counting on foulke being healthy and can assume his role as the closer although they do have some other options.

Trust in Keith Foulke is the last thing I have.

[Wells]

Sorry but not even close

 

Damon

Jeter

Arod

Sheffield

Giambi

 

Theres a chance for 100-200 HRs just out of their top 5.

 

 

NOTE: Guys I know we got Coco and we're all excited, but lets stop pretending he's going to make this lineup better than it was with Damon.

 

Coco Crisp in 2005: .300(avg), 16(HR), 69(RBI), 86(Runs), 15(SB.), .810(OPS)

 

Johnny Damon in 2005: .316(avg), 10(HR), 75(RBI), 117(Runs), 18(SB.), .805(OPS)

 

biggest difference is runs scored obviously.. other than that it looks pretty even IMO... plus Crisp won't allow as many extra bases as Damon is going to allow with the Yanks.. Crisp should be asking for 4 years @ 48MM if that's the case

 

MFY's

[riverside sluggers]

Crisp did have the edge over Damon in extra base hits, and most of his games were in a pitchers park as well.

 

Crisp- 62

Damon- 51

[MC Hammer]

Coco Crisp in 2005: .300(avg), 16(HR), 69(RBI), 86(Runs), 15(SB.), .810(OPS)

 

Johnny Damon in 2005: .316(avg), 10(HR), 75(RBI), 117(Runs), 18(SB.), .805(OPS)

 

biggest difference is runs scored obviously.. other than that it looks pretty even IMO... plus Crisp won't allow as many extra bases as Damon is going to allow with the Yanks.. Crisp should be asking for 4 years @ 48MM if that's the case

 

MFY's

I'm a Red Sox fan you jackass. I just don't love every single move we make and try to pretend like my favorite team is the best team ever.

 

The other different between Cocoand Johnny is K/BB ... Coco is nearly 2-1 K/BB while Johnny is a little over 1-1. It may not seem like a big deal but when your leadoff hitter is striking out twice as much as he's walking you're in trouble.

[Americal Man]

MC,

i think we are all going to pleasantly surprised as we watch coco develop into a very good lead-off hitter. he is just maturing as a hitter and joining a new team in a ballpark that should be kind to him - most of his power and hits are from the left side - his ops is .869 hitting lefty.

[Hammer]

MC,

i think we are all going to pleasantly surprised as we watch coco develop into a very good lead-off hitter. he is just maturing as a hitter and joining a new team in a ballpark that should be kind to him - most of his power and hits are from the left side - his ops is .869 hitting lefty.

 

I would have to agree with you col. coco's got a chance to be a hugh home run threat with the short porch we have in right field...and should he decide to go opposite field, he could be peppering the monster all day...Papa Jack must be very excited about this kid...I'm gonna take a wait and see attitude about this line up per say...ST is around the corner and my biggest concern is to see a happy ready to go Manny heading out to the field with his stick...still alot to speculate...

[MC Hammer]

MC,

i think we are all going to pleasantly surprised as we watch coco develop into a very good lead-off hitter. he is just maturing as a hitter and joining a new team in a ballpark that should be kind to him - most of his power and hits are from the left side - his ops is .869 hitting lefty.

I agree. I dont know if I said it here or not, but I know I said it on my radio show. All you have to do is look at Coco's numbers and you'll see that he is going to have his break out year this year. His stats have steadily increased every year he's been in the league, and putting him infront of Loretta, Manny, and Papi ... his numbers can only get better.

 

I have all the faith in the world that Coco will do just fine in the leadoff role this year, and hopefully get himself ready for a few years of leading the Red Sox offense.

[Americal Man]

wonder if he can drag bunt....

 

hammer,

welcome back.

[MC Hammer]

wonder if he can drag bunt....

 

hammer,

welcome back.

I don't know maybe thats an inside joke, but Coco plays small ball well.

[Americal Man]

mc,

no inside joke, just wondering. haven't heard much about his speed down the line. we haven't had a good drag bunter since remy - another part of the game that has passed us by.

[MC Hammer]

mc,

no inside joke, just wondering. haven't heard much about his speed down the line. we haven't had a good drag bunter since remy - another part of the game that has passed us by.

Since the trade talk really got going between the Guardians and Sox I've been talking to my friend, and Guardians fan, about Coco. He said that he was their best small ball player. He can bunt for a hit, or a sac. He can fly down the line. And he's a good baserunner, and base stealer, although the Sox won utilize that.

[Americal Man]

damon was too beat up at the end of his time with us and he was no longer a major threat to steal a base. depending on how well loretta can handle a bat, we may see a bit of small ball out of tito although it is not his forte. still, it could make a difference in how we do this year if they take advantage of coco's base stealing ability. be a welcome change to the plodding of the past.

[MC Hammer]

damon was too beat up at the end of his time with us and he was no longer a major threat to steal a base. depending on how well loretta can handle a bat, we may see a bit of small ball out of tito although it is not his forte. still, it could make a difference in how we do this year if they take advantage of coco's base stealing ability. be a welcome change to the plodding of the past.

It's not like Tito just has a vendetta against base stealers ... he just doesn't want to take the bat out of Manny or Papi's hands. I think he'd rather get Manny an AB with Coco on first than with no one on and an out.

 

That being said I'd like to see them atleast open up the offense a little and steal some bases. If Coco is able to keep his Steal % up I'd have no problem sending him every time he gets on base.

[YAZMAN]

damon was too beat up at the end of his time with us and he was no longer a major threat to steal a base. depending on how well loretta can handle a bat, we may see a bit of small ball out of tito although it is not his forte. still, it could make a difference in how we do this year if they take advantage of coco's base stealing ability. be a welcome change to the plodding of the past.

 

This is so true. And how many times last year did Damon hurt his shoulders making defensive plays? At least three.

[Americal Man]

Damon never had a solid two hole hitter that would allow Tito to run him. bellhorn - k-horn - could not be depended on and by the time Cora/tony g went into that spot Damon was dinged up. this year things may be different and with two new players in the 1-2 spot it could work. only another month until we can start to draw some early conclusions....

[elsrbueno]

It's not like Tito just has a vendetta against base stealers ... he just doesn't want to take the bat out of Manny or Papi's hands. I think he'd rather get Manny an AB with Coco on first than with no one on and an out.

 

That being said I'd like to see them atleast open up the offense a little and steal some bases. If Coco is able to keep his Steal % up I'd have no problem sending him every time he gets on base.

 

That's pretty much a Red Sox organizational philosophy-- get a guy on base for the big bashers in the middle. I agree with you once again-- Tito can't be blamed for not sending guys.... My guess is that the word came down from above Tito to be less agressive.

 

I'd LOVE to see a Sox team like the Marlins of 03 or the Angels of the past few years. Very agressive, tons of speed. Although I love stats and understand the significance of the fact that it might not make mathematical sense to take the risk, I also believe in putting some serious pressure on the other team's defense.

 

Especially considering that we'll be playing the Yankees 19 times. If you've got some speed on first you will be able to go first to third on a single 9 times out of 10 with Sheffield, Damon, and Matsui's arms out there. With Posada behind the plate, they should be able to steal a lot too.

 

I don't see it happening, but I'd do cartwheels if it did.

[Americal Man]

Running on matsui and damon is no problem - I seem to remember sheff throwing out manny in game three of the ALCS when he treid to go from 1st to 3rd an a papi single to right

[Hammer]

wonder if he can drag bunt....

 

hammer,

welcome back.

 

thanks col, glad to be back...interesting thought...coco is fast...coco is a switchy....if he can run as fast as our last lead off hitter.......whoooooooooooooouh!!!!

[Americal Man]

I suspect he is fast. wonder who will manning the windmill at 3rd base this year....