Lineup When Coco Returns

[Papelbon58]

Right now the offense seems to be fine. How do you think the lineup will be when Coco returns. It will change a lot of things. Personally, I think Youk should hit number 9 so he can kind of continue his current role. Also what will the outfield PT be like.

[DrewDaGreat]

I say Gonzo hits 9 because he's a terrible hitter.

 

Youk should not be batting that low, he'll hit somewhere between 6 and 8 IMO.

[Papelbon58]

but Youk is not necessarily an RBI man that should hit between there, he is an OB% guy, and the second time through the lineup, he would basically be hitting leadoff

[rbreg7]

I believe it will look something like this:

 

1: Coco Crisp, CF

2: Mark Loretta, 2B

3: David Ortiz, DH

4: Manny Ramirez, LF

5: Trot Nixon / Wily Mo Pena, RF

6: Jason Varitek, C

7: Kevin Youkilis, 1B

8: Mike Lowell, 3B

9: Alex Gonzalez, SS

 

I really like the look of this lineup. Coco and Loretta could make one of the best combos at the top of any lineup in the American League. Ortiz and Manny, of course, will be who they have been forever. Nixon and Pena will add a nice power threat behind Manny, and Tek will hopefully pick up the average a little bit. Youkilis will be a "second leadoff" behind Varitek, with Lowell cleaning up in the back of the lineup. Gonzo is the nine guy with the bunt and steal threat.

[Papelbon58]

i'd switch Lowell and Varitek

[Beckett95]

1: Coco Crisp, CF

2: Mark Loretta, 2B

3: David Ortiz, DH

4: Manny Ramirez, LF

5: Trot Nixon / Wily Mo Pena, RF

6: Mike Lowell, 3B

7: Jason Varitek, C

8: Kevin Youkilis, 1B

9: Alex Gonzalez, SS

[DrewDaGreat]

1: Coco Crisp, CF

2: Mark Loretta, 2B

3: David Ortiz, DH

4: Manny Ramirez, LF

5: Trot Nixon / Wily Mo Pena, RF

6: Mike Lowell, 3B

7: Jason Varitek, C

8: Kevin Youkilis, 1B

9: Alex Gonzalez, SS

 

This is what I think will happen.

[TheKilo]

I'll give it a shot...

 

 

1. Coco Crisp, CF

2. Mark Loretta, 2b

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Mike Lowell, 3b

6. Trot Nixon/Wily Mo Pena, RF

7. Jason Varitek, C

8. Kevin Youkilis, 1b

9. Alex Gonzalez/Alex Cora, SS

 

 

Once Coco gets back I'd really like to see Lowell in the 5 spot, I think he's dangerous enough to protect Manny. Varitek needs to be dropped down a bit due to his struggles.

 

Youkilis batting 8th provides a LOT of depth.

[Beckett95]

Right now the offense seems to be fine. How do you think the lineup will be when Coco returns. It will change a lot of things. Personally, I think Youk should hit number 9 so he can kind of continue his current role. Also what will the outfield PT be like.

i dont get why people say someone else should bat 9th, so they can contribute more. If this was so, pitchers in the NL wouldn't bat ninth. Gonzo is like a pitcher hitting. The worst hitter on the team in almost all circumstances bats last.

[mtbykr]

Okay, this hasn't been done so i will give it a shot. This is what i think will happen because of tito's history.

 

 

1. Coco

2. Loretta

3. Tizzle

4. Manram

5. Trot

6. Tek

7. Deuce

8. Youk

9. Gonzo

 

 

 

and then for Pena:

 

1. Coco

2. Loretta

3. Tizzle

4. Manram

5. Deuce

6. Tek

7. Pena

8. Youk

9. Gonzo

 

Should be fun!

[SuperManny]

As of right now Tek is the second worse hitter in the starting lineup - he really should be batting 8th but I doubt Tito will move him there because hes the captain. Lowell should be batting 5th at this point - he leads the team in SLG.

 

Assuming Coco leading off this is my lineup:

 

Crisp

Loretta

Ortiz

Ramirez

Lowell

Youk

Nixon

Tek

Gonzalez

 

-I dont expect this lineup at all though as I see Trot staying in the #5 spot. Youk actually has just 5 less RBI's than Manny which is crazy since he has AGonz batting in front of him. I agree with mtbykr on the lineup that will actually happen.

[Beckett95]

Youks hitting first tonight and Coco's hitting 8th

 

wonder if this is just a little experiment or if Tito plans on keeping it like this

 

might not be a bad idea having coco hit 8th or 9th for awhile untill his 100% healthy and playing well again

[Papelbon58]

its almost definitely a way to ease Coco into the lineup, not put much pressure on him

[monstah27]

Sounds good. Thanks Beckett95, your talking about tonights lineup reminded me to turn on gamecast.

[redsoxrules]

Youks hitting first tonight and Coco's hitting 8th

 

wonder if this is just a little experiment or if Tito plans on keeping it like this

 

might not be a bad idea having coco hit 8th or 9th for awhile untill his 100% healthy and playing well again

 

i dont like the idea , dont get me wrong youk has done a fantastic job leading off, however id prefer crisp leading off cause of his speed

[TheKilo]

i dont like the idea , dont get me wrong youk has done a fantastic job leading off, however id prefer crisp leading off cause of his speed

 

 

Crisp's speed doesn't matter as much on this team.

 

I'd rather see Youks on base ahead of Ortiz and Manny than Alex Gonzalez.

[Papelbon58]

put him 9th! Youk that is, Coco leadoff

[redsoxrules]

Crisp's speed doesn't matter as much on this team.

 

I'd rather see Youks on base ahead of Ortiz and Manny than Alex Gonzalez.

 

crisp speed does matter it keeps double plays away and gives an extra shot for ortiz or manny to deliver, not to mention if he gets on the ninth inning he can steal second to put himself in scoring position for papi and manny

[SuperManny]

crisp speed does matter it keeps double plays away and gives an extra shot for ortiz or manny to deliver, not to mention if he gets on the ninth inning he can steal second to put himself in scoring position for papi and manny

 

How does it give Manny or Ortiz an extra shot? I would think Youk getting on base more often than Crisp would give them an extra shot since Youk will be on base more often, extend innings more often, and make less outs. I understand the speed argument but the Sox can also pinch run with willie harris once Youk walks in the 9th as well you know.

 

Crisp had a .345 OBP last year compared to Youk's OBP of .400 over his career and .437 OBP this year. It doesn't matter how fast the runner is when Manny and Papi are hitting 80 HR's a year and for those 80 HR's I would like more runners on base which will happen with Youk in front of them instead of Crisp.

[RoyNHSox]

It really sucks that Coco broke his finger on that slide early on this year. I’ve noticed that at times he’s still wearing it wrapped up so I’m guessing that he’s still not 100%. I’m beginning to think this is almost a write off year for him offensively with the possible lingering injury.

 

For his speed factor alone I’d like to see him in the leadoff spot, but his offensive numbers simply don’t justify moving him back any time soon. For July he’s been slumping big time to the point the looks lost at the plate sometimes.

 

At the beginning of the season I was psyched that the Sox got Coco: for his speed, his bat, and his glove. But right now he’s been a disappointment at the plate. He makes the plays in the field, largely due to his speed, but I wouldn’t say he’s a top level OF’er either. I’m hoping that he gets back to form soon and can put the first half of this season behind him.

[example1]

It really sucks that Coco broke his finger on that slide early on this year. I’ve noticed that at times he’s still wearing it wrapped up so I’m guessing that he’s still not 100%. I’m beginning to think this is almost a write off year for him offensively with the possible lingering injury.

 

For his speed factor alone I’d like to see him in the leadoff spot, but his offensive numbers simply don’t justify moving him back any time soon. For July he’s been slumping big time to the point the looks lost at the plate sometimes.

 

At the beginning of the season I was psyched that the Sox got Coco: for his speed, his bat, and his glove. But right now he’s been a disappointment at the plate. He makes the plays in the field, largely due to his speed, but I wouldn’t say he’s a top level OF’er either. I’m hoping that he gets back to form soon and can put the first half of this season behind him.

 

Yup. I agree 100%. I think Crisp warrants some patience and sympathy. Fortunately all of the pieces are in place on this team (defensively) so that he simply has to come and play hard and it will be fine. Right now this guy is not hitting like everyone knows he can. He will again eventually. Fortunately, he plays balls-to-the-wall day in and day out so even when he's playing poorly he's not losing my respect.

[redsox71490]

Until Varitek returns to his normal offensive form, I'd have the lineup like this (with Crisp)

 

1) Youkilis 1B

2) Loretta 2B

3) Ortiz DH

4) Ramirez LF

5) Nixon RF (Pena vs. LHP)

6) Lowell 3B

7) Varitek C

8) Crisp CF

9) Gonzalez SS