Kapler or Wily Mo?

[RoyNHSox]

i hope he can get 75-100abs in pawtucket

some serious serious hands on work on his patience

 

he did show signs of being able to go the other way or up the middle

theres no hurry in my opinion to get him back

 

I said this as well in the other WMP thread, that this is basically the best opportunity the Sox will have this year to work on WMP’s hitting and fielding. He wasn’t really expected to add that much to this year’s team makeup as he was picked for his future potential. If the Sox do decide to work on his fielding at 1B then Pawtucket is the best place for that in particular.

[seabeachfred]

Once he starts rehab I believe its either 20 days or 20 games before he has to be activated.

 

If he is getting good instruction and getting plenty of at-bats that could be just enough for him to get ready for his return to the Red Sox. One more thing, though. It is important for him to be batting near the t op of the lineup so he gets as many at-bats as possible. Hitting him sixth or seventh will not do the job; he has to hit between second and fourth to get an extra at bat a game. :D

[Cocos Disciples]

second to fourth?

[schillingouttheks]

No, BETWEEN second and fourth. Meaning third. Second and fourth was not included.

[Sizzlin22]

the way it looks at this point, Kapler is here to stay,

If anyone is here to stay it's Pena we didn't trade Arroyo just to get rid him, he's a young kid who could turn into the next big power hitter. Harris hasn't seen playing time in forever he's gone.

[BoSox21]

if WMP can handle first base at the major league level, that's definitely the ideal situation. WMP backs up Youk and we waive bye bye to Harris. then we can also have situations where WMP plays first and Youk can play 3rd to give Lowell a break

[seabeachfred]

Schill, I worded it wrong and you bailed me out. Thanks. He should bat second or third in the lineup. That guarantees him an at-bat in the first inning of every game, and could mean an extra 20 or so at-bats while he is rehabbing at Pawtucket.

[RoyNHSox]

*bump*

 

I am baffled with how Tito has used WMP and pitching matchups since he’s returned from the DL. Specifically how he’s used Kapler over WMP against the LH starters they‘ve faced over the past 5 games. How is WMP supposed to get AB’s when he’s getting passed up on all of these prime opportunities? Wasn’t he supposed to be the right handed platoon with Trot?

 

Is there some question of his health not 100%? I know he ran out of time in AAA (20 days) to rehab. Is it a question of his defense? He’s never going to improve sitting on the bench.

 

It’s been suggested it’s more Tito’s attachment for certain players (e.g. Millar) that’s calling the shots, in this case it’s Kapler. Or more generally his preference for vets over lesser experience.

 

I’m just wondering if I’m missing something here that would help make this more sensible.

[jsinger121]

It's embarassing that Francona is giving a mediocre player in Kapler at-bats over a superior player like Pena. Not saying Kapler shouldn't be on this team but he shouldn't be getting this much playing time.

[MC Hammer]

It's embarassing that Francona is giving a mediocre player in Kapler at-bats over a superior player like Pena. Not saying Kapler shouldn't be on this team but he shouldn't be getting this much playing time.

Well why don't you call him and tell him. You normally talk as though you have an inside connection with the Sox, so why don't you use it instead of bitching here.

[riverside sluggers]

It's embarassing that Francona is giving a mediocre player in Kapler at-bats over a superior player like Pena. Not saying Kapler shouldn't be on this team but he shouldn't be getting this much playing time.

 

Barry Zito is starting tonight so I hope to see Wily Mo out there against him

[CrespoBlows]

Well why don't you call him and tell him. You normally talk as though you have an inside connection with the Sox, so why don't you use it instead of bitching here.

 

What the hell?

 

He's just stating his opinion that Pena is better then Kapler.

[Mr Crunchy]

based on what

distance of foul balls hit??

 

i dont like what i see in pena and i surely didnt like watching arroyo going 8 innings of 1 earned against the mets the other nite

 

someday pena may hit 50 hrs for us

that time isnt in the near future and

i tremble at the thought of this guy in right field full time hitting behind manny unless the idea of ramirez shattering the bb record appeals to you

[VJCPatriot]

And why would it be a bad thing for Manny to shatter the walk record? That would boost his OBP considerably and allow Sox hitters behind him to drive in more runs.

 

If I recall correctly Barry Bonds did something similar, setting records for walks, en route to his historic homerun years, steroid allegations aside.

[Mr Crunchy]

you'd rather see manny walk 200xs and hit 20hrs with 75 rbi than doing what hes doing now??

[schillingouttheks]

And why would it be a bad thing for Manny to shatter the walk record? That would boost his OBP considerably and allow Sox hitters behind him to drive in more runs.

 

If I recall correctly Barry Bonds did something similar, setting records for walks, en route to his historic homerun years, steroid allegations aside.

Wait, wait, wait. You're saying that the bottom of the order is going to drive Manny in? No. Manny's job is to hit homeruns, and drive the leadoff and number 2 guy in. That's why he's the cleanup hitter. Any time your cleanup hitter gets walked 200 times he becomes useless.

[Dana Kiecker]

You could always flip flop the two of them.. If the walks bother you that much...

[SCM33]

Is there really any question anymore?

 

Plain and simple, the guy is going to be a monster. He looked very, very good tonight.

 

I think the next couple of weeks will determine Trot Nixons future here......thats if the decision has not already been made.

[gosox920]

i would try to let all three of them start a few games and see wo has made the most progress.

[jsinger121]

i would try to let all three of them start a few games and see wo has made the most progress.

 

what is that a joke. pena is the superior player to both nixon and kapler and can be a huge difference down the stretch if francona does the right thing and play him.

[Papelbon58]

i would try to let all three of them start a few games and see wo has made the most progress.

trot and gabe are not progressing, they are regressing, Trot is injured, and Kapler's purpose is being served, to be in the clubhouse. Wily Mo is the starter

[seabeachfred]

Schill, they may move Wily Mo up to fifth spot in the order now. We can still worry about his strikeouts if we wish and he will strike out, but he is doing it less and less and he is hitting for both average and power. He had one great game last night. I don't want to add any more pressure to the guy but I think they can take a chance and put him in the #5 hole starting tonight. If he does what he's capable of doing and what he has already done in his limited appearances, he can give us a devastating 3-5 combo unmatched in the Big League and at the same time give Manny some protection just in case they decide they want to pitch around him.

[RoyNHSox]

Keep in mind too that WMP just had surgery on his hand and likely doesn't have all of his power back yet. Wait till he does…wow. This guy has more upside than Kapler or Trot have right now in their careers. All he needs is now is regular playing time.

[Mr Crunchy]

trot may have started his last game in boston

what the f***??

twice in 2 years he gets dl'd for swinging and missing late in the season

and in 04 he blew his back out driving from nc to ft meyers??

 

good bye trot

hello wily mo

 

so now the savior gets the chance everyone wanted him to have

this could be either theos moment in the sun or his death knell

 

too bad he couldnt pitch eh??

[seabeachfred]

Keep in mind too that WMP just had surgery on his hand and likely doesn't have all of his power back yet. Wait till he does…wow. This guy has more upside than Kapler or Trot have right now in their careers. All he needs is now is regular playing time.

 

Very true Roy, but it didn't seem to bother him last night---and that's just my point. We now need this guy in the fifth spot in the order. We know he has light tower power and we can now bat three of the best power hitters 3-5 that could be unmatched in the league.