Here's a crazy thought...

[dustcover]

While waiting for the MLB All Star extravaganza to conclude, that we might be able to get back to serious baseball on Friday night, to firm up the lineup while awaiting the 'laser show' to recover and resume his stellar play at 2B, how about putting Mookie back at 2B, his original position, and leave J.D. in LF, Benny in CF, and J.B.J. in RF?

 

Then, of course, Moreland and Pearce, could rotate at 1B per lefty righty situation, and odd-man-out at DH, or where called for Swihart at DH.

[Carbo-Diem]

I had the same thought a while back and the response was "less than enthusiastic". Vaya con dios.

[a700hitter]

While waiting for the MLB All Star extravaganza to conclude, that we might be able to get back to serious baseball on Friday night, to firm up the lineup while awaiting the 'laser show' to recover and resume his stellar play at 2B, how about putting Mookie back at 2B, his original position, and leave J.D. in LF, Benny in CF, and J.B.J. in RF?

 

Then, of course, Moreland and Pearce, could rotate at 1B per lefty righty situation, and odd-man-out at DH, or where called for Swihart at DH.

And rotate Nunez and Holt among the IF positions and LF. People will freak out about moving Mookie to 2B. I don't think it is such a bad idea. Second base is his natural position, and with the Utley rule, the injury danger on the double play turn has been greatly reduced. I think it could be argued that it would be our strongest offensive lineup and best defensive alignment.

[Station 13]

You're crazy dustcover. You don't take a MVP and toss him around.

[notin]

Mookie is fine where he is. Why are people hoping to re-arrange this lineup in order to get Blake Swihart or some “odd man out” at bats at DH?

[moonslav59]

Mookie is fine where he is. Why are people hoping to re-arrange this lineup in order to get Blake Swihart or some “odd man out” at bats at DH?

 

I would not even think of moving Betts to 2B, if Nunez and Holt both got hurt and Pedey does not come back, but it wouldn't be Swihart getting more ABs. It would likely be Moreland & Pearce playing FT and not platooning at 1B with guys like Nunez or Holt getting some time at DH or spelling people while they DH.

 

I hate the idea.

[jacksonianmarch]

It’s not like Betts is faking it out there, he’s quite possibly the best defensive OFer in baseball. You don’t move him

[illinoisredsox]

It’s not like Betts is faking it out there, he’s quite possibly the best defensive OFer in baseball. You don’t move him

 

And if he's not the best, he certainly is in the conversation.

 

Mickey Stanley not withstanding, you don't move gold glove outfielders to the infield (and Stanley was pretty much a desperation move). We KNOW what Betts can do in right (and even center). We have no idea how he would be at 2nd. I'm sure he'd be passable, but he hasn't played but a handful of games there since he came up, and a pennant race is no time to experiment.

[jacksonianmarch]

And when you experiment you run the risk of injury, which would be catastrophic to Boston

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I don't support the idea, not so much because of Betts, but because Martinez belongs at DH and isn't a strong defensive OF. By making this move, you weaken the OF defense, but you add offense. However: Runs scored through Improved Offense

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

And if he's not the best, he certainly is in the conversation.

 

Mickey Stanley not withstanding, you don't move gold glove outfielders to the infield (and Stanley was pretty much a desperation move). We KNOW what Betts can do in right (and even center). We have no idea how he would be at 2nd. I'm sure he'd be passable, but he hasn't played but a handful of games there since he came up, and a pennant race is no time to experiment.

 

 

Nice pull on the Mickey Stanley reference, I was going to use it as well.

 

I'm in the camp that you don't change the best defensive OF in the game. 2nd base is a hole but it's not a desperate situation.

[Emp9]

I think the idea is crazy now. It’s been too long. Back when Betts was called up and the following year I’ve mentioned this idea. The sox obviously wanted him to concentrate solely on being an OFer as it was a new position for him. And given the success he’s had out there, it’s hard to argue that they should’ve done anything different. I’ve learned to let it go.

[notin]

Here's the thing

 

If you move Betts to 2B and Martinez to OF, and Pearce to a 1B platoon, you have 3 options for DH.

 

!. Holt

2. Nunez

3. Swihart

 

Putting Holt or Nunez at DH means you have decided to make the infield and outfield defense weaker with the exact same players in the lineup..

 

Putting Swihart at DH means the Sox have weakened the defense and benched Holt/Nunez in order to get more at-bats for Swihart.

 

The only way it remotely makes sense is to put Pearce at full time DH, but even then the upgrade simply isn't worth it.

 

I'm not seeing the logic at all...

[FredLynn]

While waiting for the MLB All Star extravaganza to conclude, that we might be able to get back to serious baseball on Friday night, to firm up the lineup while awaiting the 'laser show' to recover and resume his stellar play at 2B, how about putting Mookie back at 2B, his original position, and leave J.D. in LF, Benny in CF, and J.B.J. in RF?

 

Then, of course, Moreland and Pearce, could rotate at 1B per lefty righty situation, and odd-man-out at DH, or where called for Swihart at DH.

 

I agree with the title of the thread.

[Kimmi]

I don't support the idea, not so much because of Betts, but because Martinez belongs at DH and isn't a strong defensive OF. By making this move, you weaken the OF defense, but you add offense. However: Runs scored through Improved Offense

 

Post of the day.

[Dojji]

While waiting for the MLB All Star extravaganza to conclude, that we might be able to get back to serious baseball on Friday night, to firm up the lineup while awaiting the 'laser show' to recover and resume his stellar play at 2B, how about putting Mookie back at 2B, his original position, and leave J.D. in LF, Benny in CF, and J.B.J. in RF?

 

Then, of course, Moreland and Pearce, could rotate at 1B per lefty righty situation, and odd-man-out at DH, or where called for Swihart at DH.

 

he hasn't practiced at the position in over 3 years now. I think he could probably figure it out, but there's no denying that relearning the position would hurt his productivity and possibly even result in injury.

 

I've speculated about this before too, but at the moment Betts is providing far too much value right where he is for me to be excited about messing with him.

 

That said, if it worked the result would be a brilliantly productive second basemen, there was never anything wrong with his ability to field second base, he was pushed out of second by the existence of Pedroia who's not here right now. It absolutely COULD work, and the upside would be ENORMOUS considering what he can do with his bat.

 

Betts is one of the best offensive right fielders in the game, putting that kind of production at a middle infield position would be a massive advantage, But it wouldn't come without risk, and the team won't likely decide to take a risk of that nature.

[Maxbialystock]

I would not even think of moving Betts to 2B, if Nunez and Holt both got hurt and Pedey does not come back, but it wouldn't be Swihart getting more ABs. It would likely be Moreland & Pearce playing FT and not platooning at 1B with guys like Nunez or Holt getting some time at DH or spelling people while they DH.

 

I hate the idea.

 

So do I. Mookie actually has a pretty good arm and great range in right field. My guess is it's a better fit than 2b.

[dgalehouse]

If it was the N.L. , with no DH , it would make more sense. As it is , it really doesn't accomplish anything.

[Spudboy]

Don't f*** with what works.

[notin]

If it was the N.L. , with no DH , it would make more sense. As it is , it really doesn't accomplish anything.

 

Not true. It makes the defense worse...

[mvp 78]

It’s not like Betts is faking it out there, he’s quite possibly the best defensive OFer in baseball. You don’t move him

 

If he was just average, you move him. However, his defensive prowess in RF would get cut off at the knees if you move him to 2b.

[dgalehouse]

Not true. It makes the defense worse...

Obviously. I wouldn't consider making the defense worse an accomplishment. As I said , in the N.L. , it might be worth it.