Dipre

Wait, is this the same Jose Reyes that has played 166 games combined the last two seasons, whose defense and offense are vastly overrated, and who would require a massive contract extension and prospect package to acquire? I'll keep Iglesias, who is cost-controlled and has a higher ceiling than people are willing to admit, thank you very much. Just put Lowrie's face on Iglesias' body while thinking about him and you'll see the light about his potential right away.

I don't understand how you can blow your load all over Reyes (who is injury-prone and massively overrated) and not be excited about Iglesias. He makes consistent contact and is playing in AA at age 20. At the very least he should become a league-average SS with superior defensive skills. Sometimes i just have to scratch my head at some of the things i read on this site.

But he can't hit lefties, and should sit against them, whether he's against the AL or NL. This is fact.

I'm extending an invitation to Kilo and Palodios. I'd love to wage war against them.

Because statistics don't account for the speed element in the context of manufacturing runs. They see every hitter in a neutral context as it pertains to OBP and SLG%, when over a full season, a speedy guy getting on base at a significantly lower clip than a towering slugger would probably score more runs via stealing bases, or scoring from second on a single or first on a double.

I never disagreed with the idea of Pedroia hitting third, i merely mentioned that what i posted makes sense even though my preference would be having an OBP hitter in the three spot, with Ellsbury and Crawford in the one and two spots. The point of me making that post was to show how having the two hitters with the best speed and base running ability in the first spot of the lineup would seem like the most logical and productive way to build a lineup, since, as stated in the article, those are the two spots in the lineup whose hits translate into more runs aside from the cleanup spot. It was a way to say no to Crawford hitting third or fifth, but yes to leading off or second, where his best weapon (speed) would be best employed. Notice when i say this: That's exactly what i meant.

Two words: BABIP normalization. Also, i can't help but feel you've posted here before.......but it's good to have someone who can create a statistically sound argument, so stick around!

I find the above post to be unintentionally funny. Specially since Desmond Jennings has played how many games in MLB?

Don't wash your hands, Pilate! You helped add fuel to the fire....shame on you!

Nope, because he's a tweener. He has excellent speed and defense, but middling power and OBP skills. I have stated several times however (understandable you haven't read that, since you're new here) that there's a legit chance he follows the career path of Johnny and develops mid-20's HR power to go with his speed, which would make him something else.

Allow me to explain the issue of hitting Crawford third or fifth instead of first or second in a more detailed manner. This is taken from an article in The Hardball times which details the nuances of lineup construction: This directly contradicts my idea that an OBP hitter should bat third, but it does make sense. The article does not mention the importance of speed (Crawford's specialty) in the manufacturing of runs, which is why the more AB's the guys who feature the most speed in the lineup directly impact the amount of runs scored as well, it's one of the main principles of the "lead-off hitter".

Good sir, i do not understand your fascination with Beltran, specially for this year. He has creaky knees, and we already have a RHH reserve outfielder who crushes lefties, can actually play the field, and makes far less money. Beltran has an .889 career OPS vs lefties, Cameron has an .866 career OPS against them. Is the .23 difference in OPS worth the hassle of going over the luxury tax to get a ballplayer who's likely damaged goods? Don't think so.

If you're going to stray away from power in the three, then OBP is the clear choice. But it's not nearly as bad as the idea to have him (Crawford) hit fifth IMO. The more i think about it, the less i like the Crawford signing.

BSN, fifth would be an even worse option than third, for several reasons: 1) It's an RBI spot. Crawford is a slap hitter. 2) There's a reason why lineups have been used the way they have been used for years, and part of that has to do with lineup protection. Notice Albert Pujols' IBB%, which has been significantly lower since the Cards got Holliday, it works in your softball team, but in real baseball the manager will put on whoever's ahead of Crawford ten times out of ten on base so they can face Crawford (who can't hit lefties) and even worse if he has Ortiz behind him (who can't hit lefties either) rendering the thought of hitting Crawford ahead of Ortiz worse than injecting your penis with cocaine. 3) Crawford's main asset is speed, speed is better utilized near the top of the lineup, where he will also have more opportunities to bat and create situations per day. I'm glad your double lineup idea worked in softball, but it doesn't seem so effective when applying it to the big boy league for a multitude of reasons.