Who will be the Sox's #2 hitter in the line up for 2007

[hoke3182]

I see ideas of putting Youk and Lugo next to each other, but I question it's usefullness. If Lugo wants to steal bases, putting Youk behind him or in front of him won't help that much, IMO. Say Lugo bats in front of Youk and gets on base. Even if he steals second, Youk would probably just walk, and the steal would be negated. Now if we still had a contact hitter like Loretta, we could work a hit and run.

 

Now say we put Youk in front of Lugo. If Youk draws a walk and gets on base, Lugo won't be able to steal at all unless he gets a hit and moves Youk to third or home.

 

Here's my line up:

 

Youk

Lowell (would have been Nixon or Loretta...second best OBP)

Ortiz

Manny

Lugo

Varitek

Crisp

Pedroia

Drew

 

Say Youk and Lowell get on base. You got Ortiz up and Manny protecting him. If anything were to happen, Lugo would get full command to run the bases. Varitek doesn't walk a lot so you could possibly have a hit and run or just a steal. Then you have more speed and then a guy that hits line drives. Finally you got Drew protecting them if they get on base. That way we don't have a wicked weak bottom order.

Are you serious, you'r the only one I've seen with Lowell 2nd Drew 9th and Lugo 5th. Thank god you're the only one that said that.

[jacksonianmarch]

that is pretty crazy.

[Ray10]

I don't see anybody other than Youkilis hitting 2nd in the lineup.

[seabeachfred]

I don't see anybody other than Youkilis hitting 2nd in the lineup.

 

Youk would be the wisest choice to hit second for a number of reasons. Strangely, one might be because who follows him. I don't think Francona wants someone running while Papi or Manny are up at the plate and if Coco was in that position you can bet he would be tempted to go. Coco is a pretty damn good base stealer as most of you know. Youk would also be more likely to work the count so Lugo could steal from his leadoff spot, but it makes sense to me not to have runners going when you have the best 3-4 combo in baseball ready to hit. Youk, though, must cut down on his strikeouts, and with a full season under his belt I think he will be a better hitter for us this season.

[scaffolds]

Youk would be the wisest choice to hit second for a number of reasons. Strangely' date=' one might be because who follows him. I don't think Francona wants someone running while Papi or Manny are up at the plate and if Coco was in that position you can bet he would be tempted to go. Coco is a pretty damn good base stealer as most of you know. Youk would also be more likely to work the count so Lugo could steal from his leadoff spot, but it makes sense to me not to have runners going when you have the best 3-4 combo in baseball ready to hit. Youk, though, must cut down on his strikeouts, and with a full season under his belt I think he will be a better hitter for us this season.[/quote']

 

Fred; Youkilis instead getting better in 2006 he got worst, and like i have posted before now that Al managers have a book on him they will know his weakness which they didn't early last year.

[hoke3182]

Fred; Youkilis instead getting better in 2006 he got worst' date=' and like i have posted before now that Al managers have a book on him they will know his weakness which they didn't early last year.[/quote']He played 115 games before last year, wouldn't managers already have a book on him. And that was 300 at bats so I think what Youk has showed us is what we're gonna get. A 275 avg, 10-15 hr, 60-70 rbi, and the key 380 OBP.

[scaffolds]

Actually Youkilis played 44 games and 79 at bats in 2005, not enough to get a book on him. If Youkilis could play a middle position a high OBP would be great, but he play a production position and don't produce enough.

[a700hitter]

He played 115 games before last year' date=' wouldn't managers already have a book on him. And that was 300 at bats so I think what Youk has showed us is what we're gonna get. A 275 avg, 10-15 hr, 60-70 rbi, and the key 380 OBP.[/quote']No power, no speed, lots of K's, good OBP (but this fell in the second half) and an average glove.

[seabeachfred]

Fred; Youkilis instead getting better in 2006 he got worst' date=' and like i have posted before now that Al managers have a book on him they will know his weakness which they didn't early last year.[/quote']

 

Scaffolds, I read where Youk is undergoing a rigorous off season workout schedule to get stronger for the full season. Remember, last year was his first as a regular with the Sox and with the physical and mental pressure on him he could and did wear down. Besides, the AL managers saw him some in 2004 and 2005 and should have had a book on him by 2006. I think Kevin will be better this coming season, something like 290-16-75. Just my opinion.

[example1]

I'm convinced that Youkilis will have a tremendous year. I'm predicting .292, 16 HR, 84 RBI.

 

EDIT: Didn't see the prediction above me, sorry. I predict more RBI.

[a700hitter]

Scaffolds' date=' I read where Youk is undergoing a rigorous off season workout schedule to get stronger for the full season. Remember, last year was his first as a regular with the Sox and with the physical and mental pressure on him he could and did wear down. Besides, the AL managers saw him some in 2004 and 2005 and should have had a book on him by 2006. I think Kevin will be better this coming season, something like 290-16-75. Just my opinion.[/quote']I just don't buy the "worn down" theory. He's not a pitcher. It's night like he is an under-weight player that couldn't maintain his weight throughout the course of the season. Position players that have bad second halves in their first year are usually the victims of league pitching adjustments. If he starts slow in 2007 and doesn't make an adjustment, he will have a very short career in Boston.

[hoke3182]

No power' date=' no speed, lots of K's, good OBP (but this fell in the second half) and an average glove.[/quote']Red Sox manager Terry Francona has seen enough of Lugo to know what type of leadoff hitter he now possesses.

 

"We're trying to win, we're trying to score a lot of runs," Francona said. "Julio's job is basically to score a ton of runs. However he does it, we'll take it -- whether he hits doubles, whether he chips in and hits a home run every once in a while, whether he steals 40 bases. ... If he's on base and [Kevin] Youkilis gets on base, and you bring David [Ortiz], Manny [Ramirez] and [J.D.] Drew up, we're in pretty good shape." I have to believe Youk's batting second. If he sucks bring it up in June but till then this conversation should be done.

[a700hitter]

What about Erstad as a lefty first baseman to platoon with Youks. He could also play CF if Crisp still sucks.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6375674

[example1]

I think erstad would be a solid addition. He's a good veteran presence and has won in the past, he'd be good for some of the younger guys.

[a700hitter]

What's the state of his health?

[BSN07]

He's running and has been doing baseball activities for like 3 weeks now. And he just started jumping. Might be a good idea to platoon him, but we either need to give Youk the chance to prove he can be solid for a full year or get someone who can.

[riverside sluggers]

What about Erstad as a lefty first baseman to platoon with Youks. He could also play CF if Crisp still sucks.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6375674

 

Unless the Sox open with an 11 man pitching staff instead, yes it could be done. But Hinske is still on the team and trade talks about him have simmered, he is currently the backup 1st baseman/3rd baseman/5th outfielder

[TheKilo]

So why the f*** would people want singles hitter Darin Erstad on the team?

[a700hitter]

So why the f*** would people want singles hitter Darin Erstad on the team?

Unlike the singles hitting Youklis, Erstad is a great fielding first baseman and a pretty good back up in CF. He has more speed that Youkilis.

[TheKilo]

Unlike the singles hitting Youklis' date=' Erstad is a great fielding first baseman and a pretty good back up in CF. He has more speed that Youkilis.[/quote']

 

 

I'll do this for the sake of argument. Since Erstad was hurt last year, I'll use his '05 stats.

 

153 Games

7 HR

66 RBI

.273 BA

.325 OBP

.371 SLG

.696 OPS

OPS+ of 89

 

That's AWFUL for a corner infielder. Youkilis, in 2004, had 7 home runs in 72 games.

 

Youkilis '06:

 

147 Games

13 HR

72 RBI

.279 BA

.381 OBP

.429 SLG

.810 OPS

OPS+ of 108

 

While he was not spectacular in '06, he definitely had a better season than Darin Erstad. People need to get off his jock for being a punter at Nebraska and realize he's a guy you DO NOT WANT on your baseball team.

 

Oh, and their range factors for playing first base?

Youkilis '06: 8.69

Erstad '05: 8.82

 

Not that much difference.

[jacksonianmarch]

Unlike the singles hitting Youklis' date=' Erstad is a great fielding first baseman and a pretty good back up in CF. He has more speed that Youkilis.[/quote']

 

not anymore. Word is, he has a bionic ankle.

[scaffolds]

Scaffolds' date=' I read where Youk is undergoing a rigorous off season workout schedule to get stronger for the full season. Remember, last year was his first as a regular with the Sox and with the physical and mental pressure on him he could and did wear down. Besides, the AL managers saw him some in 2004 and 2005 and should have had a book on him by 2006. I think Kevin will be better this coming season, something like 290-16-75. Just my opinion.[/quote']

 

Fred; Youkili's problem isn't not one of how strong he's or will be, the problem its bat speed and his its very average, bat speed doesn't improve with how strong the hitter is, your predicting numbers are VERY and again Very optimistic.

[jacksonianmarch]

Youk will hit .280 10-15HR 60-70RBI and get on base between .370-.400. He fits your situation perfectly.

[a700hitter]

I'll do this for the sake of argument. Since Erstad was hurt last year, I'll use his '05 stats.

 

153 Games

7 HR

66 RBI

.273 BA

.325 OBP

.371 SLG

.696 OPS

OPS+ of 89

 

That's AWFUL for a corner infielder. Youkilis, in 2004, had 7 home runs in 72 games.

 

Youkilis '06:

 

147 Games

13 HR

72 RBI

.279 BA

.381 OBP

.429 SLG

.810 OPS

OPS+ of 108

 

While he was not spectacular in '06, he definitely had a better season than Darin Erstad. People need to get off his jock for being a punter at Nebraska and realize he's a guy you DO NOT WANT on your baseball team.

 

Oh, and their range factors for playing first base?

Youkilis '06: 8.69

Erstad '05: 8.82

 

Not that much difference.

I'm not saying that Erstad is great. He is a better fielder than Youk. Range factor aside, and has better range than Youk, he has insane hands and great footwork. He had much better speed than Youk before his injuries, but I don't know what he's got left in his legs. He can play the OF, including CF. Youk cannot. He's a known quantity with an 11 year major league resume. Youk, on the other hand, may only be the ballplayer that he was in the second half of last year, in which case Erstad would be a nice insurance policy.

[TheKilo]

I'm not saying that Erstad is great. He is a better fielder than Youk. Range factor aside' date=' and has better range than Youk, he has insane hands and great footwork. He had much better speed than Youk before his injuries, but I don't know what he's got left in his legs. He can play the OF, including CF. Youk cannot. He's a known quantity with an 11 year major league resume. Youk, on the other hand, may only be the ballplayer that he was in the second half of last year, in which case Erstad would be a nice insurance policy.[/quote']

 

Having Darin Erstad on your team makes your team worse. There are better options htan Darin Erstad. For example, a sack of dogshit.

[a700hitter]

Having Darin Erstad on your team makes your team worse. There are better options htan Darin Erstad. For example' date=' a sack of dogshit.[/quote']I am just worried that Youklis might end up being a sack of s***.

[hoke3182]

Youk will hit .280 10-15HR 60-70RBI and get on base between .370-.400. He fits your situation perfectly.

I don't know if your saying that sincerely or because your a Yank's fan, but I agree.

[hoke3182]

I am just worried that Youklis might end up being a sack of s***.

Why you getting on Youk's s***, he plays hard every game and gives you all he's got. He may not be the best ballplayer, but he isn't a sack of s***.

[a700hitter]

Why you getting on Youk's s***' date=' he plays hard every game and gives you all he's got. He may not be the best ballplayer, but he isn't a sack of s***.[/quote']Is Youk on this site? How am I getting on him? I appreciate that he plays hard, and I hope he succeeds beyond anything predicted by scouts. However, he has little physical talent, a slow bat, an average arm, below average speed, and below average power. His only plus was his OBP which fell precipitously during the second=d half last year. I don't believe that this had to do with being worn out, but more to do with the pitchers figuring him out. If that is the case and his average and OBP fall, he will be a sack of s***. It would be good to have a contingency plan. Our infield is looking very weak offensively. I think we need an upgrade at 1B and we should use Youk in a package to get us a pitcher.

[hoke3182]

Is Youk on this site? How am I getting on him? I appreciate that he plays hard' date=' and I hope he succeeds beyond anything predicted by scouts. However, he has little physical talent, a slow bat, an average arm, below average speed, and below average power. His only plus was his OBP which fell precipitously during the second=d half last year. I don't believe that this had to do with being worn out, but more to do with the pitchers figuring him out. If that is the case and his average and OBP fall, he will be a sack of s***. It would be good to have a contingency plan. Our infield is looking very weak offensively. I think we need an upgrade at 1B and we should use Youk in a package to get us a pitcher.[/quote'] How is trading youk for a pitcher an upgrade at first. Who's gonna play first? And what upgrade at first would we realisticly get?