Eric Wedge proves once again that managers have no idea how to construct a lineup

[Slateman]

Oh absolutely!

Then you bat him 9th. Figgins was hurt last year. If he shows that he is healthy like in 2010, then his OBP and walk rate are good enough to bat leadoff. Or second. It doesn't really matter. Only reason I would take Figgins over Ackley in the lead off is that Ackley has a little more power. A double in the gap should score Figgins. Ackley is more likely to produce said double in the gap than Figgins.

Figgins
Ackley
Montero
Smoak

And yea, its bad. Sorry, just the way it is.

Bet you wish you had Mike Morse

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

This isnt a video game. You cant take a team icon and future Hall of Famer and tell him he's batting 9th after one mediocre season. He deserves the benefit of the doubt to see if it was mearly a down season, or if this really is the end of the line creeping up.

 

[FedEx227]

Especially if you're going to reward Figgins with a more premium spot in the lineup.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Exactly, its not like they acquired Rickey Henderson. Might as well just leave Ichiro in that spot if thw alternative is Figgins.

 

[Slateman]

This isnt a video game. You cant take a team icon and future Hall of Famer and tell him he's batting 9th after one mediocre season. He deserves the benefit of the doubt to see if it was mearly a down season, or if this really is the end of the line creeping up.

I don't disagree. But the condition was that Ichiro is, essentially, done. His OBP (by far his most valuable commodity) dropped almost 50 points. He doesn't get walks. He doesn't hit for power. His hits went down. His speed was the way he got on base. He's losing his speed.

Maybe it's not a video game, but it shouldn't be a matter of solely appealing to a fan base. If he continues to decline, he'll be hitting somewhere at .250-.260/.280-.300. You simply can't have a guy like that at the top of your order and expect to compete.

Obviously, it's dependent on spring training. If he's showing 2010 form, then by all means, hit him at the top of the order. But if he's continuing to decline, should he really be a number 1 or 2 hitter?

 

[FedEx227]

Exactly, its not like they acquired Rickey Henderson. Might as well just leave Ichiro in that spot if thw alternative is Figgins.

I wouldn't leave Ichiro there honestly. I like the idea of Ackley there or a higher P/PA guy. Ichiro is not a great leadoff hitter and his skills could get more use at a different spot in the lineup.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Despite the fact he is declining, the team lacks better options. Proof of that is the guy replacing him at leadoff.

Again, i'd bat him second. Smoak or whoever third, and Figgins 8 or 9.

 

[Slateman]

Then who bats leadoff?

 

[FedEx227]

Yes, that's what I was saying. Ichiro to 2nd would be ideal for his skill set and his ability to make contact. in fact he's basically a prototypical 2 hitter.

 

[FirstTimer]

Yes, that's what I was saying. Ichiro to 2nd would be ideal for his skill set and his ability to make contact. in fact he's basically a prototypical 2 hitter.

Disagree. If anything watching basbeall movies has taught me it's this:

1: Black CF. Fast.
2: Grindy white guy
3: Veteren with bad knees but "knows how to play"
4: Roided overweight white guy. Patchy facial hair, tobacco chewer. Scowels.
5: Can't hit for average. But when he connects. Always a HR. Think Glen Allen Hill or Wily Mo Pena
6-9. Never bat.

 

[FirstTimer]

Then who bats leadoff?

Ackley or the fastest black OF'er you can find.

 

[Slateman]

LOL, that would, technically, be Figgins

 

[FedEx227]

Joey Gathright is the prototypical leadoff hitter in that he isn't very good at making contact, strikes out a lot and doesn't see pitches, but if he eventually does get to first there's a good chance he'll get thrown out at 2nd because he's not really even a good base stealer.

 

[Slateman]

Joey Gathright is the prototypical leadoff hitter in that he isn't very good at making contact, strikes out a lot and doesn't see pitches, but if he eventually does get to first there's a good chance he'll get thrown out at 2nd because he's not really even a good base stealer.

Sure. If by prototypical you mean crappy

 

[FedEx227]

But he's both fast and black and can play CF.

Five tools perhaps.

 

[Slateman]

Again, Chone Figgins. Just saying ...

 

[NAHSTE]

I don't disagree. But the condition was that Ichiro is, essentially, done. His OBP (by far his most valuable commodity) dropped almost 50 points. He doesn't get walks. He doesn't hit for power. His hits went down. His speed was the way he got on base. He's losing his speed.

He's not done. He was basically the exact same player he always was last season minus a few outliers.

I'm writing an article about this right now actually so I've been doing some research, and his rate stats seem consistent with career norms. See no reason he can't bounce back, unless the bat speed thing is true. I don't think any of us know that for sure yet though.

Walk rate is the same as it has ever been. His OBP will always be tied to his BA and last year his BABIP was (coincidentally) around .50 points lower than career norms. But I'm sure that doesn't mean anything, right?

He's hitting line drives at the same rate, swinging at slightly more non-strikes, but not too far from his career norms, and he hit a lot of infield fly balls.

That last part might be tied to bat speed, and I'll try to verify that with video, but there's no telling how much an extra year of aging will affect his swing until we see him. Maybe he's in better shape, maybe he's in worse shape ... but I think his rate stats point to him being roughly the same as he always was in 2011, with worse results.

 

[Slateman]

He's not done. He was basically the exact same player he always was last season minus a few outliers.

I'm writing an article about this right now actually so I've been doing some research, and his rate stats seem consistent with career norms. See no reason he can't bounce back, unless the bat speed thing is true. I don't think any of us know that for sure yet though.

Walk rate is the same as it has ever been. His OBP will always be tied to his BA and last year his BABIP was (coincidentally) around .50 points lower than career norms. But I'm sure that doesn't mean anything, right?

He's hitting line drives at the same rate, swinging at slightly more non-strikes, but not too far from his career norms, and he hit a lot of infield fly balls.

That last part might be tied to bat speed, and I'll try to verify that with video, but there's no telling how much an extra year of aging will affect his swing until we see him. Maybe he's in better shape, maybe he's in worse shape ... but I think his rate stats point to him being roughly the same as he always was in 2011, with worse results.

His batting average will always be tied in to his ability to get infield hits. He's slower now, thus fewer hits.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

His batting average will always be tied in to his ability to get infield hits. He's slower now, thus fewer hits.

Im on my phone, and cant look it up, but I find this incredibly hard to believe.

Off the top of my head, I think he stole 40 bases last year, and was only caught 5 times. That's pretty much the same SB % he's had his entire career. And watching him play, he didnt look any slower.

 

[FirstTimer]

His batting average will always be tied in to his ability to get infield hits. He's slower now, thus fewer hits.

Thank you for showing you read literally nothing of what NAHSTE typed

:grandyman: