TedWilliams101

I think the idea of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" tends to much to the idea of playing not to lose. The Sox should always play to win. They should always play tough, agressive, and always look to improve. Thats how you win. The reason why people say that is because they fear losing. They don't want to change anything in fear it might cool off the team, etc. Thats playing not to lose (or wanting to play not to lose). Thats not a great philosophy.

If anything, I think it would be a confidence booster. He is hot right now, and for the best team in baseball to move a rookie to the leadoff spot right now would be telling on how he is playing. And of course I would put Lowell in the 5 spot expecting him to cool off a bit. Right now he is on pace to hit 32 HR and 133 RBI. If he cools off, he could still easily drive in 100 runs and hit 25HR. Thats far better than what Drew will do, even if he heats up.

Yea I think Lowell wont stay this hot, but the fact remains that he deserves to be in the 5 spot.

I'm not saying this is critical. Were playing great baseball. But you should try to put the best lineup on the field, and I believe that lineup would give us the best shot of putting up the most runs possible. The only move I REALLY hate is when Terry puts Lugo and Coco in the 1 and 2 spot. Thats just retarted. You shouldn't have 2 guys hitting under .240 with sub .300OBP in the top 2 spots in the lineup. Thats just dumb.

Schil, Have you totally forgotten about Mike Lowell? Mike Lowell leads the team in HR, RBI, and is second in slugging behind Ortiz (.579:.573). So actually, Lowell is the better 5 hitter. Youk has a higher OBP, and AVG, which makes him ideal to be in the 2 spot. So you move Lowell to the 5 spot, drop Drew down to the 7 spot, and move Pedroia to leadoff. 1. Pedroia 2. Youk 3. Ortiz 4. Ramirez 5. Lowell 6. Tek 7. Drew 8. Lugo 9. Crisp 1-7 in that lineup is solid. Lugo in the 8 has speed and some pop. Crisp also has the potential to turn it around. And there would be a lot of speed in the bottom of the order. Lugo has shown that he can drive in some runs, so putting Drew in front of him might give him opportunities because Drew does walk a lot. I think moving Drew down in the lineup makes the bottom a little stronger/more patient. But most importantly, you want the guys who get on base the most in the top of the lineup. Anyways, last time I checked, teams put their weakest hitter in the 9 hole. Coco would certainly qualify for that.

They suck. I don't want them in the top of the order. You put your 2 worst hitters in the bottom of the lineup. What you should be complaining about is that we have 2 struggling guys (not including drew) in our lineup.

If you care about OBP, then 1. Pedroia 2. Youk should please you. Pedroia: .308AVG, .394OBP,.433SLG. Also, with runners on, a staggering .372AVG, .500OBP, .512SLG, 10RBI. And thats in 43 at-bats. Thats the type of production I like out of my leadoff hitter. Then Youk:.354AVG, .427OBP, .561SLG, and with runners on, .381AVG, .442OBP, .571SLG, 25RBI. Combined: .331AVG, .411OBP, .497SLG. With men on; .377AVG, .471OBP, .537SLG, 35RBI. But the way you would like it: 1. Lugo 2. Drew Their combined numbers are much weaker: Lugo: .230AVG, .291OBP, .337SLG. With runners on, .267AVG, .313OBP, .413SLG, 28RBI in 75 at-bats. Drew: .226AVG, .346OBP, .316SLG. With runners on, .208AVG, .370OBP, .306SLG, 16 RBI in 72 at-bats. Combined: .228AVG, .319OBP, .327SLG. With runners on, .238AVG, .342OBP, .360SLG, 44RBI. Lets review and compare. (Higher stats are in bold) Pedroia/Youk: .331AVG, .411OBP, .497SLG. With men on; .377AVG, .471OBP, .537SLG, 35RBI. Lugo/Drew: .228AVG, .319OBP, .327SLG. With men on; .238AVG, .342OBP, .360SLG, 44RBI. Looks like your Argument, Schillingouttheks, supports Pedroia/Youk. You were arguing OBP, well Pedroia/Youk combine for an OBP 92 points higher. Thats a big difference.

Don't put Drew in the 2 spot. Please. You don't strengthen a lineup by moving up a slumping hitter. It just doesn't make sense. I also don't like the idea of having a weaker hitter leading off just because you don't want the bottom of the lineup weaker. You should always put the best hitters at the top of the lineup. You want your best guys getting the most at bats. I agree that a 8-9 of Lugo and Coco would suck, but I think it's worse to have Lugo leading off. Lugo simple doesn't get on base enough to worrent a spot at the top of the lineup. You want your best hitters (average wise) and guys would get on base a lot in the top of the lineup so that your big boys can knock them in. And Lugo in the bottom of the lineup does give it a bit of pop. He has driven in runs, so maybe that would be good for the bottom of the lineup. But I don't like giving guys who are struggling to hit and get on base a spot at the top of the lineup. Thats not how you drive in runs.

If they do anything, they better keep Manny. Manny is too good of a hitter (and clutch) to replace with a Jones, Hunter, or Ichiro. I'd love to see Manny in LF, Jones or Ichiro in CF, and Drew in RF. By the time Ellsbury is ready, either Manny will be done with his contract, or JD would have been traded (cause he sucks) and they could move their aging CF to a corner and put Ellsbury in CF. I'm not worried about keeping a spot for Ellsbury. I'll ask you this. Would have rather have a stacked OF in 08 and maybe have to make moves to fit in Ellsbury in the future, or deal with a thin or less talented OF that is just waiting for Ellsbury. I sure would want the first scenario.

The point of the leadoff hitter is to set the tempo of the game, but just as important, is to get on base for the big hitters (in our case, 2-3-4-6). Lugo isn't getting on base for the big guys to drive him in. Thats one of the biggest needs of a leadoff hitter (and 2 spot too). Thats why I would like to see Pedroia leadoff. He is getting on base (.394OBP) and that gives Youk, Ortiz, and Manny a chance to drive in runs. Thats what its all about.

Yep. I agree we shouldn't make any huge changes (big trades, etc), but its common sense to try and put the best lineup on the field. Right now, I think the lineup could be stronger.

But he isn't getting on base. Drop him in the lineup. The leadoff spot is essential.

Yea it was pretty poor sportsmanship, but then again, Arod doesn't say anything if the Jays didn't screw up a routine pop-up.

I would have to agree with BudLight, but I also think its because he is a Yankee. It just seems like it's acceptable for a Yankee. Their class ends with their dress code. Arod just needs a loving home that isn't the Yankees. All the Yankees care about is winning, but not how they win, I really do think that the franchise and fans accept bad sportsmanship if it means a victory. I don't think you would see Arod acting this way if he was in beantown.

I'd let Pedroia leadoff and drop Lugo to 8th. Pedroia is doing a great job so far, .308AVG, .394OBP, .433 slugging. He has pop, works the count and takes walks, and he has driven up his average past .300. Lugo, on the other hand, is just terrible. .230AVG, .291OBP, .340SLG. You want a leadoff hitter who works the count, gets on base, and has a little bit of pop and some speed. Lugo only has speed. You can't steal or get driven in if you don't get on base. It's a simple as that. A sub .300 OBP simply isn't cutting it as a leadoff hitter. He needs to be dropped in the lineup. Same with Crisp leading off. A good example was last night. Bases loaded no outs. Crisp was at the top of the lineup, and on an 2-0 count pops out. A leadoff hitter is the table setter. That isn't setting the table... (just an example of his overall performance) And I'd move Lowell to the 5 spot. Manny needs better protection. Lowell has been great all year while Drew has sucked. It's time to make the move.

Come on Paps. Jeez.

Get Pena outta there. Come on Paps. Nail it down.

Leadoff. High BA, works the count and walks a lot.

Hmm. Move Youk to leadoff and Pedroia to the 2 spot?

Pedroia for leadoff? maybe? haha.

Pedroia's 3rd hit of the game. He just keeps impressing.

Pena struck out on a ball 4 feet out of the zone. hahaha

Ahh. Relief. Now just Paps.

Oh no. Trot. You couldn't script this any better. Don't hurt your former team Trot. Please

Jeez. Come on. We NEEEDDDDD a DP here.