WS Road Games--who makes room for JDM?

[notin]

Big guy like Travis Shaw turning Double Plays, and he never played the Position, before this year, and you don't think Mookie cant handle it. Shaw has played a total of 39 games at 2nd before Post-Season, and the Brewers are OK with it.

 

And did the Brewers wait until the World Series to try this out?

[moonslav59]

My guess is Mookie starts one game at 2B, JBJ sits one game and Beni sits one vs a lefty.

 

We'll have a hell of a PH'er on the bench those games.

[cp176]

I would absolutely be stunned if Mookie plays one inning at second base during this World Series. I don't think that we are apt to see any types of changes from what has been fairly successful to this point. i like JBJ just as much as the next guy but I'm thinking that he will sit down when we don't have the dh position to use. We'll scrape by once again I think. lol Hey I have been stunned before though.

[Kimmi]

That's what I said-in my most recent comment on this, at least.

 

Well that's because you are a wise man, Mr. Bell.

[Kimmi]

2,000 innings plus hours and hours of practice at 2B plus pre-season games.

 

Mookie has been spending more time this week practicing at 2B. If if comes to that, he'll be ready.

[Kimmi]

I'm with you on this. JBJ is a great centerfield presence while Beni has made some significant LF plays against the Astros. Clearly all three are better than JDM in the outfield in range and probably break on balls. i agree that Cora is in the best position to make that decision and I will be satisfied with whatever decision he makes. I also note that the Sox have coaches meeting to preplan what they will do and they use the best ideas from very capable baseball people.

 

It's not like Cora and his staff take these decisions lightly. As much debating as we do on this forum about where to play JD, you can bet that they have discussed every pro and con that we have, and then some. The team is in good hands.

[Kimmi]

It is tough losing one. I’d rather they gave Martinez a few innings at first this year and tried him there...

 

Once Hanley was DFA'd, it probably would have been worthwhile to have JD start taking some reps at first base.

 

At the moment, I'm not willing to give up Pearce's or Moreland's defense at that position. Pearce, in particular, has been outstanding with those stretches.

[moonslav59]

I would absolutely be stunned if Mookie plays one inning at second base during this World Series. I don't think that we are apt to see any types of changes from what has been fairly successful to this point. i like JBJ just as much as the next guy but I'm thinking that he will sit down when we don't have the dh position to use. We'll scrape by once again I think. lol Hey I have been stunned before though.

 

Prepare to be stunned.

[bosoxmal]

Firat base is the obvious move.

 

Also interesting; What about Devers? I wouldn't bench him either!!! The Dodhers starting pitching is heavy on lefties isn't it? I don't care who is pitching, I would rather see this kid at the plate right now than Nunez or anyone else. He's been "coming" fast!

[sk7326]

Firat base is the obvious move.

 

Also interesting; What about Devers? I wouldn't bench him either!!! The Dodhers starting pitching is heavy on lefties isn't it? I don't care who is pitching, I would rather see this kid at the plate right now than Nunez or anyone else. He's been "coming" fast!

 

Devers has had a terrific postseason and has earned the chance to start. There is not much defensively separating him and Nunez and Devers' bat is much better. Devers' performance against the best competition has been very enouraging.

[OH FOY]

And did the Brewers wait until the World Series to try this out?

 

Right, Traded for Schoop, couldn't hit. Put back a 6'4" 230 pound Player, who had Zero experience at 2nd ever, and 39 games was the difference. Talk about taking a chance. So your saying he forgot about everything, in a Position, that he was groomed for? And you think 39 games before Play-offs was the difference? Have to disagree there. If Mookie played 2nd steady, he would win Gold Glove, or probably best 2nd Baseman in Baseball, Defensively. He wont need no 39 games.

 

EDIT: When asked by Sean McAdam, " It's been awhile to get comfortable (second). But, I've done it my whole life, so I'm sure a Ground ball or so, I should be OK."

Edited October 21, 2018 by OH FOY!

[OH FOY]

Cant have JBJ sitting in Dodger Stadium, (huge Outfield), I'm betting he plays CF, and Mookie plays 2nd. JDM in Right. Take 2 in Fenway, easy decision. Edited October 21, 2018 by OH FOY!

[cp176]

Prepare to be stunned.

 

Hey I'm ready. I would be ok with it as well. I've been reading the articles. Stunned - surprised - basically the same for me. Maybe I should have said surprised. I think that I am going to have the opportunity to do something that I have dreamed about since I was 4 years old - attend a World Series game.

[jacksonianmarch]

It’s not whether he could do it or not. It’s whether he gets hurt or if the ball finds him in a clutch situation and he cannot make the play. The Dodgers are a really good, experienced and deep team. Dispatching then won’t be easy, and putting someone at 2b who hasn’t played it in many years is not a great recipe for success. That being said, I get the point of it. Subtract an offensive minus and keep the core of your lineup in the lineup. It’s risky

[OH FOY]

Many years your funny. Like he is an old man, Mookie can play 2nd in his sleep. No Problem. Seen him play it. He's a very, very good 2nd Baseman. Has the arm, quickness, and range. Pedroia can play 1 position, Mookie can do a lot things. That's why he's a MVP. Great athlete. Edited October 21, 2018 by OH FOY!

[Larry Cook]

Our lineups need to be based on a lefty and righty opposing pitcher,

[moonslav59]

Our lineups need to be based on a lefty and righty opposing pitcher,

 

Except at 1B and maybe at 3B, I'm not sure that will play into the who sits when JD plays the OF.

 

Maybe we choose to sit Beni vs a tough lefty, but both Beni and JBJ hit righties better.

[Emp9]

Mookie has been spending more time this week practicing at 2B. If if comes to that, he'll be ready.

 

I also heard that Betts takes 2B reps before every game during the regular season. I wouldn’t know. I don’t get access to any pre-game warm-up stuff, I only get most of the actual games themselves. Only going by what I’ve heard.

[Emp9]

It is tough losing one. I’d rather they gave Martinez a few innings at first this year and tried him there...

 

Me as well. I feel right now is a bad time for that, but I’m am hoping for JD trying 1B next season. If only for 20 games or something. Idk.

[dgalehouse]

The poster known as dustcover suggested moving Mookie to second base a couple of months ago. As I recall , he was pretty roundly ridiculed . Hardly anyone though it was a good idea. He was even called " crazy." I guess things have changed ? Maybe apologies are in order ?

[Hitch]

The poster known as dustcover suggested moving Mookie to second base a couple of months ago. As I recall , he was pretty roundly ridiculed . Hardly anyone though it was a good idea. He was even called " crazy." I guess things have changed ? Maybe apologies are in order ?

 

 

I still think it's a crazy idea. He's the best RF in MLB and there's more chance of a bad injury at 2nd base. There's no reason to move him long term.

 

But for 3 games to get JD's bat in there? Sure.

[Bellhorn04]

The poster known as dustcover suggested moving Mookie to second base a couple of months ago. As I recall , he was pretty roundly ridiculed . Hardly anyone though it was a good idea. He was even called " crazy." I guess things have changed ? Maybe apologies are in order ?

 

Nah. We're just talking about 3 World Series games here, maximum.

 

By the same token J D Martinez, would not be playing right field for 3 games straight if it wasn't for these special circumstances.

[moonslav59]

Players are often moved to unfamiliar roles in the playoffs, and besides, 2B is not all that unfamiliar to Betts.

[Emp9]

The poster known as dustcover suggested moving Mookie to second base a couple of months ago. As I recall , he was pretty roundly ridiculed . Hardly anyone though it was a good idea. He was even called " crazy." I guess things have changed ? Maybe apologies are in order ?

 

I’ve suggested it every year (except maybe this season- I gave up) even before when Mookie was still in the minors during the talk of calling him up. I called it “Pedroia Insurance”. I’ve never thought it was CRAZY crazy. After winning 2 GGs in RF, I can see a small argument that it’d be a tad crazy. I think Betts is a superior athlete and I wouldn’t put anything past him. I still think a lot would have to happen for the Sox to go this route ( bad stuff, like getting shut down by LA’s SP-ing). So yeah, I’ve never been opposed to the idea, I just wish the organization considered it a long time ago.

[notin]

Players are often moved to unfamiliar roles in the playoffs, and besides, 2B is not all that unfamiliar to Betts.

 

Examples?

[dgalehouse]

At the time of dustcover's suggestion , we had Nunez struggling mightily at second base. Now , we have a top notch second baseman in Kinsler. So we are saying it was a crazy idea then , but a good idea now in the most important games of the year ?

[OH FOY]

JD Martinez last year after Trade to Arizona played every game in RF. Even when they played the Twins in 2 games, he played RF. After Trade, Arizona went 44-28 with him in RF. Edited October 22, 2018 by OH FOY!

[notin]

JD Martinez last year after Trade to Arizona played every game in RF. Even when they played the Twins in 2 games, he played RF. After Trade, Arizona went 44-29 with him in RF.

 

But AZ played almost all of their games without a DH. They didn't play him n RF until they got to an AL park and then suddenly switch him to, say, third base...

[Emp9]

At the time of dustcover's suggestion , we had Nunez struggling mightily at second base. Now , we have a top notch second baseman in Kinsler. So we are saying it was a crazy idea then , but a good idea now in the most important games of the year ?

 

That’s true, I get your point. And some of that was not wanting to break up arguably the best defensive OF in baseball for long stretches at a time. I would think that we’ll see how Kinsler (& Nunez) look in the first two games before anything like that happens.

[Bellhorn04]

At the time of dustcover's suggestion , we had Nunez struggling mightily at second base. Now , we have a top notch second baseman in Kinsler. So we are saying it was a crazy idea then , but a good idea now in the most important games of the year ?

 

It's only an idea now because we can't use a DH in LA so JDM has to play RF. It's just a matter of trying to keep JBJ's and Beni's bats in the lineup over Kinsler's.

 

It's being reported that the Red Sox are at least considering the idea, so they don't think it's entirely crazy.