Cora to get more playing time?

[TedWilliams101]

Well, after today, Cora has really been tearing the cover off the ball. He's now hitting .360 with 2 HR, 7RBI, 2 triples, 2 game winning hits, and is playing great defense. Do you think Tito will having him starting more often? With Pedroia in such a bad slump, I can't possibly see how Tito coudln't at least platoon Cora and Pedroia, if not giving Cora more playing time at this point. I know it very early in the season, but with the way Cora is playing and Pedroia being in a slump, I can't possibly see a better way to strengthen the lineup and hopefully light a fire under Pedroia's ass. Then again, this could potential screw-up Pedroia even worse. He is having trouble finding his swing and confidence, so loosing his starting job could make things worse. But honestly, I'd rather put a better team on the field day to day than worry about how a slumping rookie might react to the move.

 

This being said, I also realize that Cora probably isn't going to keep up at this pace, but he always seems to really help the team win every time he plays, whether it be a spectacular defensive play, a sac bunt, or even a big fly. I just can't see how you can keep him benched (as in backup) as your second baseman is struggling mightely.

[CrespoBlows]

If he can't take a little set back that he caused, then he can't make it in the bigs.

 

Play Cora until his bat cools off.

[BoSox21]

I can't possibly see a better way to strengthen the lineup and hopefully light a fire under Pedroia's ass. Then again' date=' this could potential screw-up Pedroia even worse. He is having trouble finding his swing and confidence, so loosing his starting job could make things worse. But honestly, I'd rather put a better team on the field day to day than worry about how a slumping rookie might react to the move.[/quote']

 

Jesus Christ, my dog just took a s*** in the backyard that knows more about baseball than you, apparently.

 

"hopefully light a fire under Pedroia's ass". you honestly think Pedroia is lacking motivation right now? Finally realizing his dream of starting for a big league ballclub has caused him to slack off?

 

"He is having trouble finding his swing and confidence". do you not understand that there's a learning curve involved with going from minor league ball to the big leagues that requires more than 100 at bats to get through?

 

this is the type of thinking that gets us f***ed up the ass when we give up on the Josh Bards, Cla Merediths and Anibal Sanchezs of the world.

 

Alex Cora is a nice player in his role. He's tremendously valuable as a utility infielder but he isn't gonna bat .360 all year. The guy has a career batting average of .244 and if you give him 400 ABs in a season, thats about what he's gonna give you.

 

The upside of Pedroia is much greater but he needs time and people need to appreciate the fact that this kid is able to learn how to hit at this level in the 9 hole on a team that has the best record in baseball.

 

Over the last two weeks, Tito has given Cora and Pedroia about the same amount of starts and the current platoon is about as far as he should bend on this issue.

[TedWilliams101]

I'm in no way saying that we should "give up" on Pedroia. For the record, I also hated when Theo traded Bard and Meredith for Mirabelli, I thought it was a stupid trade that was a knee-jerk reaction by Theo after a bad game or 2 behind the plate with Bard.

 

You obviously didn't read my whole post, because I specifically said that Cora isn't gonna keep hitting this well. But the fact remains that he is, and he is getting clutch hits and getting the job done, while Pedroia is not. I absolutely understand that it will take time for Pedroia to develope, but to tell you the truth, I'm not sold on him either. I'd rather put a better lineup out there day-to-day, (also not weakening our lineup with Cora) than worry about Pedroia not getting his time to develope. Remember too that Pedroia had over a month with the club at the end of last season after we out of contention and he didn't do anything. I'm not sold on him being MLB ready.

 

For the record, I also thought it was a mistake to not re-sign Loretta. He is a profession guy who did a good job for our team last year. I didn't like the fact that we were relying on Pedroia and didn't really have a back up option other than Cora if he didn't do well. I'll give it time, but again, I'm not sold on Pedroia. In my book, you really gotta earn your playing time on a team like ours. I thought that Loretta should have been back with us and they could have brought Pedroia up a few times to the bigs or use him if Loretta or Lugo got injured. But remember, I don't think Pedroia will ever be a big impact player. It would be one thing if a big prospect was slumping, but were not talking a prospect here. I have always had my doubts on Pedroia's MLB capabilities.

 

The guys you listed above, Bard, Meredith, Sanchez; those where all prospects. Pedroia never was a true prospect. If hanley ramirez, ellsbury, the guys above, etc were struggling, then i might be more inclined to keep giving them playing time. But with Pedroia never really showing that he had the tools to be an impact MLB player, I don't have as much patience with him. That being said, I don't want him to be traded, but I wouldnt mind if Cora got more playing time then him. With no one else to play 2B, he obviously woudnt be sent to AAA. But I am not sold on Pedroia ever being more than average. He is a bottom level prospect at best, so I think he should be treated like one. I think some people tend to think to highly of him. He really doesn't have any +tools and certainly hasn't shown any yet at the MLB level. He has played some good defense however. But yes, it is too early too really judge him, so he does need time. Part of my question though, is how much time should we give him? If he hasn't found his way out of his slump and doesnt get more consistant by All-star break (worst case senario baring injury), what do you do?

[Cityofchampions33]

Jesus Christ, my dog just took a s*** in the backyard that knows more about baseball than you, apparently.

 

"hopefully light a fire under Pedroia's ass". you honestly think Pedroia is lacking motivation right now? Finally realizing his dream of starting for a big league ballclub has caused him to slack off?

 

"He is having trouble finding his swing and confidence". do you not understand that there's a learning curve involved with going from minor league ball to the big leagues that requires more than 100 at bats to get through?

 

this is the type of thinking that gets us f***ed up the ass when we give up on the Josh Bards, Cla Merediths and Anibal Sanchezs of the world.

 

Alex Cora is a nice player in his role. He's tremendously valuable as a utility infielder but he isn't gonna bat .360 all year. The guy has a career batting average of .244 and if you give him 400 ABs in a season, thats about what he's gonna give you.

 

The upside of Pedroia is much greater but he needs time and people need to appreciate the fact that this kid is able to learn how to hit at this level in the 9 hole on a team that has the best record in baseball.

 

Over the last two weeks, Tito has given Cora and Pedroia about the same amount of starts and the current platoon is about as far as he should bend on this issue.

 

That's exactly how I feel on this subject. Furtehrmore if you sit Pedoria for Cora your not only going to be underwhlemed by the everyday production of Cora, but your hankering a greater talent in Pedroia, who will give you hat Cora gives you and more when he reaches his prime.

He's in the 9 hole so he can be lost between Manny and Papi, and is in a spot where we don't really need him. Are we in 1st place? Do we have the best record in baseball? Yes. So what's the problem? Let Pedoria figure it out, we're in no hurry.

[TedWilliams101]

I agree to an extent COY, but I honestly don't think Pedroia will ever amount to anything. Lets face it, he has no + tools. Hes not know for great defense, he doesn't have power, but he isn't a great contact hitter, and he has average speed at best. I want to give him time to show us what he has, but not give away our 9 spot when we could get better production right now out of Cora or possibly someone else. What I'm really concerned with is the long run, I honestly don't know if he will be anything more than an average 2B. If thats the case, do you really care all that much about protecting him and keeping him a sox, or look into upgrading the possition? Yes I know that it is way to early to really be judging him as a MLB player, but his performance so far this season, a long with last, does beg the question. In no means are we desperate at all. I'm just looking at one of our struggling players. If anything, its good news that this is one of our only concerns right now for the team.

[EvilDonut]

I agree to an extent COY' date=' but I honestly don't think Pedroia will ever amount to anything. Lets face it, he has no + tools. [b']Hes not know for great defense[/b], he doesn't have power, but he isn't a great contact hitter, and he has average speed at best. I want to give him time to show us what he has, but not give away our 9 spot when we could get better production right now out of Cora or possibly someone else. What I'm really concerned with is the long run, I honestly don't know if he will be anything more than an average 2B. If thats the case, do you really care all that much about protecting him and keeping him a sox, or look into upgrading the possition? Yes I know that it is way to early to really be judging him as a MLB player, but his performance so far this season, a long with last, does beg the question. In no means are we desperate at all. I'm just looking at one of our struggling players. If anything, its good news that this is one of our only concerns right now for the team.

 

Off of the top of my head didnt he win all defensive something or other in college?

 

And if he isnt a good power hitter and isnt a good contact hitter, how the hell did he amass a 300+ average in the minors?

[a700hitter]

No one is giving up on Pedroia, but it can't be helpful to his psyche if he contnues to play and hit .180. He needs to sit for awhile.

[BoSox21]

The guys you listed above' date=' Bard, Meredith, Sanchez; those where all prospects. Pedroia never was a true prospect.[/quote']

 

Pedroia was never a true prospect? The Red Sox don't hand over starting jobs to guys they think are gonna be career minor leaguers. and SI rated him as one of their top prospects to watch this season. So everyone thinks he's a highly-touted prospect except for you

[Mr Crunchy]

when pedroia lives up to all the hype and all the potential he possesses he will become

 

mark loretta

 

the tito work with cora has been awesome

since we got cora tito seems to plug him in and the boy plays all star baseball

he isnt a full time player,he is better than the dudster

[MANNYHOF24]

I say play Cora until like Crespo said earlier he cools off. When you have a hot bat you ride it. I am not sold that Pedroia is ever going to be that good, but I suppose you have to give him a chance to play a little more. If he doesn't respond at all this season then they better be looking for another fix at 2nd base this offseason.

 

For the time being I really do like Cora at second though. He is an above average defender and he can handle the bat very well. Sure he may not hit .300, but if he gets consistent playing time, he could probably hit around .270, maybe hit 8-10 homeruns and drive in 50-60 runs. He improves the infield defense, and he is a solid situational hitter IMO. Right now with a runner at 3rd with less than two outs, I feel most confident that other than Ortiz right now, Cora is the guy I want at the plate. He just knows how to play and help the team win ballgames.

[BoSox21]

whats more annoying than a thread you dont agree with? two threads on the same topic that you dont agree with going at the same time

[ANiMAL]

Why play Cora everyday? He is hitting the way he is because Tito lines him up against pitchers he has been successful with. If Cora plays everyday, he will look just like Pedrioa with his average.

[TedWilliams101]

You do realize Cora never had a hit in Yankee stadium until yesterday, off the Yankees Ace. I think it's more than just a favorable matchup. Cora is playing really damned good right now while Pedroia isn't.

[BSN07]

The biggest issue I see with Pedroia is hes the size Mighty Mouse and swings like hes Manny. The guy needs a smaller bat, a shorter swing and to not drop to his f***ing knee after every swing.

[MANNYHOF24]

whats more annoying than a thread you dont agree with? two threads on the same topic that you dont agree with going at the same time

 

The only problem with your stance is the fact that Pedroia has done nothing so far in the majors to back up your opinions, and that Cora doesn't hurt the team when he plays. I agree that we have to see what Pedroia can do, but so far in the 2 months we have seen so far, he hasn't shown much ability to hit big leauge pitching.

 

Edit- You must live a boring life if you can't stand people you don't share the same opinion as you. I personally think it is more interesting to see what people on the opposite side of the spectrum have to say.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

The biggest issue I see with Pedroia is hes the size Mighty Mouse and swings like hes Manny. The guy needs a smaller bat' date=' a shorter swing and to not drop to his f***ing knee after every swing.[/quote']

 

So true...

 

Dustin...you're NOT a power hitter. You're NOT going to be a power hitter. Your job on this team, and any team in the future, is to play a solid second base and bang out some singles and doubles. We expect you to hit situationally...as in, if there's a runner on second and no outs, you put the ball on the ground to the right side and see to it that the runner moves over. Should you hit a homerun sometime while trying to make solid contact, fantastic...but just like Manny isn't going to drop down a bunt, you shouldn't be swinging for the fences.

 

I appreciate his spark...but he's gotta know his role and his body and realize its capabilities.

[Mr Crunchy]

hes 5'6 175lbs and thinks he has the power of f***ing barry bonds

why someone hasnt bitch slapped him into the mindset that he isnt nor will he ever be a power hitter is beyond me

[rician blast]

i think he needs to swing like that to get the ball out of the infield

[a700hitter]

The kid is an average major leaguer at best. At worst, he is a bust.

[mosox]

The hot hitter has to be in the lineup. Tito must play Cora at second tonight against Oakland.

[BoSox21]

The kid is an average major leaguer at best. At worst' date=' he is a bust.[/quote']

 

why? because of what he's done in the majors? did you know the great, heralded rookie Alex Gordon is hitting .167?

[redsoxrules]

The hot hitter has to be in the lineup. Tito must play Cora at second tonight against Oakland.

 

exactly ... cora needs to stay in the lineup while he's hot , not just a few games here and there , he needs to stay there for a few weeks

[adam123]

gotta give cora some more time hes a great

[MANNYHOF24]

gotta give cora some more time hes a great

 

Cora? A great? Are you serious?

[adam123]

He just really has a knack at getting hits crafty guy . you have to go with guy who is hitting .

News flash dustin is not .got to go with cora till he runs dry .

[TGov]

hes 5'6 175lbs and thinks he has the power of f***ing barry bonds

why someone hasnt bitch slapped him into the mindset that he isnt nor will he ever be a power hitter is beyond me

 

Now is that Barry Bonds on roids or Bonds not on roids? haha...

 

Give him some time, he's still adjusting, he plays good D, and he swing hopefully will get smaller cause it's way to f***ing big, he'll never hit anything... why do you think he's in the 9 hole...

[TGov]

He just really has a knack at getting hits crafty guy . you have to go with guy who is hitting .

News flash dustin is not .got to go with cora till he runs dry .

 

News Flash to who? we all know he's not hitting... but how do you expect him to get out of his no hitting slump, he's gotta fight his way out of it by getting more ABs...

[adam123]

I just dont think the kid is ready . I really think we made a mistake to not bring back loretta for 1 season . He was solid all season . I like pedria but just think he needs lil more seasoning in AAA

[adam123]

any one see alex gonzales ripping it up hitting 355 with reds .damm i want him back