Let's Talk Batting Order

[BoSox21]

I admit the difference is negligle' date=' as such, you need a tie breaker. What's better than ST for that? Lowrie is at about .425 to Ellsbury's .300 right now, plus Lowrie has a credible excuse for last season (wrist injury). If something changes, then change the lineup, but this is what I do right now.[/quote']

 

Ellsbury is far more of a base-running threat than Lowrie so if they're gonna pump out similar OBPs, the edge goes to Ellsbury. Either way, I wouldn't have either at the top, instead going with Drew.

[BSN07]

Ellsbury is far more of a base-running threat than Lowrie so if they're gonna pump out similar OBPs' date=' the edge goes to Ellsbury. Either way, I wouldn't have either at the top, instead going with Drew.[/quote']

 

I wouldn't totally be against that. But I don't see Drew being the base running threat Ellsbury is, or even Lowrie. I think Drew would produce best in the 2 or 3 slot in the lineup. But that's just personal opinion.

 

With Manny gone, this would have been a great time to try new things in the lineup, but I guess we will see.

[BoSox21]

Yea, but the key is that Drew gets on base a hell of a lot more than either guy and Pedroia will move him over often enough

[Dojji]

Drew is an RBI bat though.

[BoSox21]

Lowrie had 25 doubles and 46 RBIs in 260 ABs last year, not bad production from the 7 hole

[ORS]

I get where your coming from. But using ST as a tie breaker?:dunno:

 

I think they will let Ellsbury go for the first month- 2 months of the season. And if nothing has changed, they could change the lineup around.

 

 

But this is coming from someone who is on record numerous times saying I believe Ellsbury will be a force to be reckoned with eventually:D So please take my comments with a grain of salt.

ST at least gives us an idea of how one is swinging the bat right now. All I said is that is how I would start the season. In light of new evidence, I'm open to change.

 

Ellsbury is far more of a base-running threat than Lowrie so if they're gonna pump out similar OBPs, the edge goes to Ellsbury. Either way, I wouldn't have either at the top, instead going with Drew.

This assumes equality. Given the tie-breaker I used, I don't assume they will be equal at the start of the season. Drew gets a decent amount of XBH's, so I'd want him hitting with the table set rather than setting it. That said, I can get on board for his OBP at the top.

[das11209]

Isn't Tek supposed to be mostly a mentor this season - hopefully that will mean we will see Kotts more often in the line-up.

 

Someone needs to tell Tito that of course..

[BSN07]

Isn't Tek supposed to be mostly a mentor this season - hopefully that will mean we will see Kotts more often in the line-up.

 

Someone needs to tell Tito that of course..

 

Tek might have been in the mentor role is the Sox had brought in a top Catching prospect. The fact the didn't and Kott is the back up, I would imagine Tek will resume his normal role and be pinch hit for a little more often.

[Cocos Disciples]

If he was meant to be a mentor, he'd be a coach. He's the starter at this point.

[a700hitter]

If he was meant to be a mentor' date=' he'd be a coach. He's the starter at this point.[/quote']Plus Kottaras is not the future. He is very mediocre. My recollection is that his slow release makes Tek look like IRod in his prime.

[TheKilo]

Who cares? Varitek doesn't throw anyone out either.

[rhet]

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Ortiz

Youk

Bay

Drew

Lowell

Lowrie

Kottaras

[Gom]

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Ortiz

Youk

Bay

Drew

Lowell

Lowrie

Kottaras

 

I'd switch Youk and Ortiz.

[Dojji]

I'd switch Youk and Ortiz.

 

The only way I'd do that is to justify batting Drew second. That's the only way you concievably get Papi to accept it.

[Redguitar985]

Here's mine:

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Ortiz

Youk

Bay

Drew

Lowell

Lowrie

Varitek

 

Pretty straightforward, I think that's how most people see the lineup.

[rhet]

Here's mine:

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Ortiz

Youk

Bay

Drew

Lowell

Lowrie

Varitek

 

Pretty straightforward, I think that's how most people see the lineup.

 

I watched Kottaras very closely this spring and think he could be ready. He has a nice power stroke. Sox could start him against righties and Tek against lefties.

[Dojji]

Kottaras will have to earn his place over Varitek by working very hard and taking advantage of his opportunities. Varitek has a lot of advantages in prestige and credibility with the management. I'd love to see him pull it off though, Kottaras rising to the occasion as a potential starting catching is one of my best case scenarios for the team.

[riverside sluggers]

Something I liked seeing in the batting order for yesterdays game. Bay batting in front of Lowell

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2009/03/31/siding_with_drew_for_5_hole/

 

Tito has confirmed that Drew will be the 5 guy

[jacksonianmarch]

Kottaras will have to earn his place over Varitek by working very hard and taking advantage of his opportunities. Varitek has a lot of advantages in prestige and credibility with the management. I'd love to see him pull it off though' date=' Kottaras rising to the occasion as a potential starting catching is one of my best case scenarios for the team.[/quote']

 

the only way Kottaras takes over at catcher is if Varitek is even worse than his putrid 08.

[BSN07]

the only way Kottaras takes over at catcher is if Varitek is even worse than his putrid 08.

 

Which is not out of the realm of possibilities.

[rician blast]

Which is not out of the realm of possibilities.

 

I'd say it's well within the realm of possibility, if not probability...I feel Tek will bring a whole lotta suck to the Sox this year.

[Redguitar985]

So as of now, is Kottaras Wakefield's catcher? I wonder if this will be a tough year for him because he will have to show he can handle the knuckleball and become Varitek's successor.

[Cocos Disciples]

He has caught Zink in AAA; not sure how similar the knuckleballs are, though.

[riverside sluggers]

He also caught a knuckleballer while in the Padres system

[Dojji]

Not vary. Zink's is faster and doesn't move as much. On the other hand, Kottaras has always had a reputation for very soft hands, so I don't think we'll have too many problems. I'm more worried about between Kottaras' weak arm and Wakefield's slow pitches, it'll be easier than ever to steal bases in Wakefield games.

[jacksonianmarch]

Kottaras is known for soft hands? Stop trying to pump him up. He is a butcher behind the plate. The good thing about him taking on the knuckler is that even the best catchers look silly trying to catch that thing, so they can live with his defensive insufficiencies so long as they get patience and some pop from the plate.

[TheKilo]

Kottaras is known for soft hands? Stop trying to pump him up. He is a butcher behind the plate. The good thing about him taking on the knuckler is that even the best catchers look silly trying to catch that thing' date=' so they can live with his defensive insufficiencies so long as they get patience and some pop from the plate.[/quote']

 

Pot, kettle, etc

[BSN07]

Pot' date=' kettle, etc[/quote']

:lol: This is the case with Jacko so often

So as of now' date=' is Kottaras Wakefield's catcher? I wonder if this will be a tough year for him because he will have to show he can handle the knuckleball and become Varitek's successor.[/quote']

 

Kottaras is not Varitek's successor, the team is still going to look for a long term solution, unless Kott comes in and owns the league. So not a likely scenario.

[Dojji]

Kottaras is known for soft hands? Stop trying to pump him up. He is a butcher behind the plate. The good thing about him taking on the knuckler is that even the best catchers look silly trying to catch that thing' date=' so they can live with his defensive insufficiencies so long as they get patience and some pop from the plate.[/quote']

 

Whatever you want to believe. He's been known for years as a solid reciever, the bad defensive rep is a result of poor throwing mechanics.

[diony]

He has caught Zink in AAA; not sure how similar the knuckleballs are' date=' though.[/quote']

 

Not very similar, Zink stinks.