cp176

midwifing the process? Has Swihart ever played third or for that matter first? If he continues to hit, Coach Cora is going to have to find a creative way of getting him some at bats for sure.

On the official Red Sox website

Ultimately there will be some decisions that have to be made. I have to think though that the potential for some poor infield play has to play a role in the front office thinking. Marrero looks like a very solid glove. Could have an impact on what happens to Holt as well as to Leon. It is a luxury to have 3 catchers two of whom are good but ...

This guy Cora just doesn't get it!!! I want some guy coaching this team who can teach our guys how to impact the ball plus pay extra attention to the Talksox Forum Board. lol

Bell - did you read the article I read? It was interesting.

Perhaps he thinks that he is our 5th best hitter or maybe he thinks that lineup construction isn't the big deal it is being made out to be here or maybe he just believes that this game is better suited to a blend of analytical info and old school concepts or maybe he is just his own man and will not be baffled by anyone's tiresome ********.

If you do know me Bell, you know that I am not likely to look this up! The perception that I have created for myself here is that I am not "all in" on analytical research thus in some minds that means that I could give two great big Maine toots about it. I think all of the positions on a baseball field come equipped with inherent danger. Not that it matters because I certainly can't quantify it but I do believe that Martinez is as likely to get injured making his way to the ballpark as he is by playing left field in Fenway. I thought that you would at least be happy that I figured out the auto correct! lol - If you have driven in Boston, you know exactly what I am saying.

stuff happens I guess - maybe left fielders are just numbskulls for the most part. And yes Bullhorn for sure Swihart would have been much safer if we had just left him behind the plate. lol - Hey now I see what that damned auto correct is Bellhorn!

I think that if he sees 40-50 games in left field he will be very happy.

I just read that Cora may in fact have JD hitting 3rd in the lineup. Is it possible that regardless of what the statistical evidence shows, that Alex Cora might know something about lineups and the game in general than preparers of the analytics?

The insinuation here is that I might not give any thought to defensive metrics and that is not right. The but is here that I would not make a definitive call until I actually saw him play. I certainly have not suggested ever that we break up our current outfield to play JD. I don't remember ever saying that you can know nothing about a player's potential to play a position until you have seen him play. I'm a little defensive here - I get that- but once again someone is trying to shape what I have written into what they want to hear. Oh well. I will just add that I just read an article in which Martinez actually said that one of the reasons he came to Boston was that he was going to get the chance to play in the outfield on occasion. And also this for the people who feel that it is predominantly about the analytics - Cora has recently said that JD may in fact hit third. No commitment being made at this time. If Martinez is one of our best hitters, why in the devil would Alex Cora say that he might occupy the 3 hole where according to some that is the spot saved for you 5th best hitter. He certainly has been schooled in all things analytical, I just don't get it.

Makes sense to me! I think that Cora can relate to both sides of the aisle.

It is great to see all of the stats that indicate what he has done. Now I am just ready to actually watch what he can do.

That is the way I would stack 3-4-5 but it would have 0 to do with the theory of having your 5th best hitter hit third. No one knows nor can really predict what any of these guys will do. You can certainly try to make educated guesses based on what they have done in the past. With respect to Hanley, I agree with him and what he said. He loves the idea of hitting in front of JD and one of the reasons is he believes he will see better pitches to hit. He has done this for a long time - I'm willing to buy into what he has to say.

Only because they traded Brentz.

Good to hear they are going to find the right place for Wright. Finally a real athlete out there!!!

bad hops getting spiked by opponents coming down the line or just getting run into running into or over your own pitcher getting run into by your second baseman or right fielder running into the stands or the dugout chasing foul balls oh hum - I could just go on and on

I know I know - but that is why I like Cora. He is fresh and new but he ain't going to throw away the old. We old bastards still got a chance here.

With Elsbury in the middle he would never have survived.

I got to tell you but I think that you already know - It has worked for all of the greatest who ever played any game.

I hope we get chance to see how bad he is. lol How many of you out there can honestly say that you have watched and scrutinized the way he plays in the field? Raise your hands.

Oh come on now - lots of people here agree with you. I agree with respect to most things baseball as well. What I do think about this though is that if a player thinks he is going to be a better hitter because of whatever people mean when they say "protection", he stands a better chance to hit. Believing that you can do something before you attempt to do it in my estimation is very important.

I agree with you. He just looks like he is stuck in Pawtucket. I think that it is very sad. I think that he probably could help just about any team.

lol - your glass just topped out!

I have full confidence in saying that if Swihart gets through the spring healthy, he will make this team. I really hope that they don't wind up trading him.