Dojji

No it isn't, unless you'd like to claim that McDonald is no less talented than Kalish. It would entertain me to see you defend that particular claim. Might want to have thought that analogy through just a bit more.

Having a strong, loaded lineup means that strong players who might do a great job in bigger roles if called upon will be playing near the bottom. Classic example is Scutaro this year. Brought in to be the #9 hitter but he's done a great job leading off. if our lineup had functioned like it should he'd never have been in position to prove that. but that doesn't magically mean he's sucked. point is I'm not that worried if a few players play below their ideal role as long as everyone is producing in the role they play. I'm not being some kind of evil Pedroia skeptic. I just like speed at the top of the lineup and Kalish has more of it. If he struggles, and he might, Pedroia makes one heck of a safety net -- or vice versa, although that seems less likely.

Is it ideal? Hardly. But even with Kalish's reported reverse splits, putting 6 leftes in the lineup limits your options, and batting Pedroia and Youkilis in that order isn't smart under those circumstances. Since I think Youks is the guy who needs to be hitting third next year for purely practical reasons, I'd rather load our best speed at the top of the order to set the table for him than treat *anyone* as if their place in the lineup is sacrosanct. Pedroia will be an asset no matter where he hits, there's no reason he has to bat second if it might make the team stronger if someone else did.

Yay bombastic posturing. Tell me, ORS, do you *actually* intend to offer anything else in this thread, or have you already thought it over and decided to be a complete pussy? Just curious cuz nothing you've put up so far is worth putting up with the nonsense and jerkitude so you could maybe save me some blood pressure and let me know to just put you on ignore for awhile.

You are seriously overselling your case here. That and the fact that there was absolutely no reason whatsoever to come in here with a tone this hostile in the first place really combine to inflate the Jerk Quotient of your last few posts. I can't tell you what to do but you may want to think about that. I don't think either Kalish or Pedroia loses that much value if they bat 6th. Pedroia's a 2B with great contact skills and 15 HR power, he can hit well anywhere in the lineup out of the 3 and 4 hole. He's a good 2 hole hitter, but that doesn't mean there's nowhere else he could be productive and effective. And taking nothing away from Pedroia, but let's not underestimate Kalish either. He's a great talent with a good eye and way more speed than Pedroia and a good bet for the top of the lineup -- down the road if not immediately. If he doesn't lead off or bat second at some point in his career it's because his power has developed enough to put him in the middle of the order. So let's not pretend what I'm proposing here is anything but a distinct possibility at some point this year.

Sure, but that doesn't change two facts: 1: The proposed lineup has six lefties 2: Putting two of your precious few righties back to back in a lineup with 6 lefties isn't smart.

because no one can ever have multiiple good reasons for doing a thing. Both reasons (that Kalish has a good OBP-speed combination skillset and Pedroia and Youkilis shouldn't bat back to back) are solid reasons to break that lineup down differently.

San Diego is a mid market. The ownership plays small, but that's an ownership decision, not a market one. if Hoyer demonstrates that the Padres can win, even that ownership might invest in its team.

On the other hand, a lot of midmarket teams could be in on him. This is a guy that fits the midmarket big park philosophy probably better than the big market one. I could see the Mariners or Padres surprising people by jumping into the bidding just because of how well a guy like Crawford plays into the kind of game those two teams seem to favor. I certainly expect the Tigers to ask, although I'm not sure if they have the resources to do more than that. The Orioles and Jays are also longshots worth thinking about.

Reddick and Doubront for Soria.

With 2-3 possible speedsters on the team between Kalish and possibly Ellsbury and/or Crawford you bat Pedroia down in the order.

That's 6 LHH's and 2 of the righties next to each other. If you're going to have that lineup, Peddy can't hit second. Gotta spread the righties around. Crawford Kalish Youks Gonzo VMart Papi Peddy Drew Scoot

because while he's having a down year for his standards he's still not a bad RF *this year* and the stats -- and his 112 OPS+ -- back me up on that one. There's a difference between having an off year and having a bad year. Drew is having an off year.

I don't buy equating RF and LF as "corner outfield." The standards for RF defensively are higher -- they have to be, especially at Fenway where RF is so screwy. It's like equating first and third base as "corner infield." Yeah you want your 3B to be a power hitter, but equating third base and first base in terms of what kind offense you expect from each position is patently ridiculous.

After a truly horrible first 2/3 of the season Josh Reddick looks like he's FINALLY gotten his feet under him at the AAA level. Last 10 games .452/.465/.786 So let's get the obvious out of the way... *winces at the continued lack of walks* There, now that that's taken care of, it's nice to see the guy making contact again, I was beginning to worry about him.

Even so, a .353 OBP and an .800+ OPS is nothing to sneeze at in a right fielder.

And yeah, in some ways this may be a "too early to tell" thing, but please don't just say that -- try to peer into your crystal ball and come down on one side or the other -- or, you know, the other. Take this as a "where do I see Kalish next year?" thread.

On one side, the kid looks at least as ready as Pedroia did in '06, has looked great in his limited chances in the bigs, and has shown every tool you could expect of him in AA/AAA. I think he could handle himself over a full season in the bigs, and just as importantly, I think Theo thinks he can handle himself in the bigs. He'd struggle and slump a bit but he's going to need to learn how to get through that anyway, so if you think he can get the job done in the outfield, there's no reason not to debut him next year. On the other hand, there IS an argument to be made for going into FA looking for Werth or Kalish, established veterans that can help the team as we try to get into the playoffs next year. Since it hasn't been less sure we'd even make the playoffs in a long time, going the safe route and bringing in a vet could save our season, and rookie growing pains could sink an otherwise playoff team if Kalish has a hiccup -- and by the time you'd know one way or the other, if you don't sign Werth or Crawford in the offseason, it would cost roster talent or high end prospectws to fix. Not sure where I come down, but I do like Kalish and believe in his potential longterm, so if Red Sox nation can stomach the prospect of a second bridge year if things go sour I think it's appropriate to take the chance on the kid -- who knows, with Ellsbury and Kalish burning up the basepaths at the top of the order this team could go forther than an old strikeout hitter like Werth or a very very talented but occasionally inconsistent guy like Crawford, could take us. And of course, there's a third option. Kalish is a potential 5 tool OF prospect who looks close to big league ready, other teams like those for some reason, and we have some holes to fill...

Yes! Bah bah, Patterson! If we need another backup CF, Kalish can serve and so can McDonald..

That was a great outing by Beckett. And yeah, Kalish is good. I love the way he's built, he gets wood on the ball, he runs, he defends, I love his arm, he has significant present power and the potential for more -- this kid could have it all, very easily. 13 minor league homers in ~300 AB's between AA and AAA, that's a ~18 HR pace -- and that's at age 22. This guy's at least Damon if he can get his feet under him in the bigs. Certainly this guy is *not* the kind of spray hitter Ellsbury is. The power is more than just a crystal ball guess, he can put some real muscle behind the ball right now.

Call him up when the team feels he's ready and not a second sooner. They know a heck of a lot more about the real situation than we do. They already made the mistake of trying to rush him back once and it cost Ellsbury another month on the DL. Take your time.

And if it happens, enjoy it, but don't go making stupid desperation moves to save this season.

If Theo encounters bad luck in the offseason, he's the starter next year.

Agreed. Shut him down for the year. It has to be about next year at this point, so get him healthy.

Because in Pawtucket, if he is in pain you can pull him from the game. Look, I'm sure Ellsbury is as antsy as you are to get back, but railing at Ellsbury or the Sox won't get him here any quicker. They're going to make sure he's ready before he comes back this time. It's as simple as that. I feel like I'm talking to a little kid who keeps asking are we there yet. If he was ready to come to Boston, HE'D BE HERE.