Boston Fans and Other Interested Parties, Help an Old Friend Out!

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 1:41 am

What do you see the Boston line-up looking like?

1 Elsbury LHB

2 Crawford LHB

3 Youk RHB

4 Gonzalez LHB

5 Oritz LHB

6 Pedroia RHB

7 Drew LHB

8 Lowrie SW

9 Salty SW

I don't like Pedroia at #6, but with all those lefty's? Neither Pedroia nor Crawford like to lead-off, so that pretty much limits the top unless Crawford concedes, then I guess you could put Crawford first, Pedroia second and drop Ellsbury to 8 or 9?

And what do you think...is there going to be a real competition between Lowrie and Scutaro?

Asumijet · Post by **Asumijet** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 1:55 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

What do you see the Boston line-up looking like?

1 Elsbury LHB

2 Crawford LHB

3 Youk RHB

4 Gonzalez LHB

5 Oritz LHB

6 Pedroia RHB

7 Drew LHB

8 Lowrie SW

9 Salty SW

I don't like Pedroia at #6, but with all those lefty's? Neither Pedroia nor Crawford like to lead-off, so that pretty much limits the top unless Crawford concedes, then I guess you could put Crawford first, Pedroia second and drop Ellsbury to 8 or 9?

And what do you think...is there going to be a real competition between Lowrie and Scutaro? Depend of the pitcher, but wouldn't Els, Ped, Crawford, AGon, Youk, Ortiz, Drew, Salti and Lowrie/Scutaro make the most sense? Switch RH/LH as much as possible?

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:35 am

Originally posted by Asumijet:

Depend of the pitcher, but wouldn't Els, Ped, Crawford, AGon, Youk, Ortiz, Drew, Salti and Lowrie/Scutaro make the most sense? Switch RH/LH as much as possible? This has been the suggestion by the local media.

As for Scutaro/Lowrie, I think because Lowrie can handle 3B and Youkilis has never played more than 150 games (playing 136 and 102 the past 2 seasons yet is still being drafted as a second rounder), Lowrie will fill the super-utility role.

There were mumblings that Scutaro could be had for bullpen help, but that is not so likely anymore.

Theo knows these things always have a way of working themselves out. Theo also doesn't have to assign playing time for projections, but I digress.

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:51 am

Ellsbury start the year hitting 9th.

Crawford, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz....you can fill in 6th - 8th.

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 4:11 am

When CHILDS speaks, people listen.

I actually agree with you Mr Childs. Better put down

the bowling ball this year and get back to doing your baseball homework. Reputation can only carry

you for so many years.

See you in Vegas.

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 5:26 am

Originally posted by Sack:

When CHILDS speaks, people listen.

I actually agree with you Mr Childs. Better put down

the bowling ball this year and get back to doing your baseball homework. Reputation can only carry

you for so many years.

See you in Vegas. I've been doing plenty of baseball work. Let see if it helps!

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 5:52 am

I agree Ellsbury SHOULD hit 9th. But early manager-speak has him still atop the order.

Crawford has said he will hit wherever Tito puts him.

And of all organizations, boston is the most likely to treat players as objects and not people and do what the numbers say, and that is hit Ellsbury 9th.

It comes down to believing what Francona has said or what the overall brass will determine.

And actually, I agree with Shawn that sense will win out.

From a fantasy sense, however, I don't believe the batting order alters the value of anyone but Ellsbury.

swampass · Post by **swampass** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:45 am

Originally posted by ToddZ:

I agree Ellsbury SHOULD hit 9th. But early manager-speak has him still atop the order.

Crawford has said he will hit wherever Tito puts him.

And of all organizations, boston is the most likely to treat players as objects and not people and do what the numbers say, and that is hit Ellsbury 9th.

It comes down to believing what Francona has said or what the overall brass will determine.

And actually, I agree with Shawn that sense will win out.

From a fantasy sense, however, I don't believe the batting order alters the value of anyone but Ellsbury. i think this year we are going to see a lot of different looks. this lineup is very flexible. there are 4 guys who could leadoff including jd drew who has done it before. i wont bother to speculate on the lineup vs lhp's but vs rhp's i like: ellsbury, crawford, pedroia, gonzalez, youkilis, ortiz, drew. i know another lefty lefty but you cant hit salty here in my opinion. salty after drew and then scutaro/lowrie.

the speed of ellsbury and crawford back to back in the first sounds devastating to me. hit and runs. double steals. all in front of a guy who doesnt care if he has 0 strikes or 2 strikes on him. no way i start any pitcher against this team this year. i bet a lot of starters wont make it out of the first. mark it down.

GO RED SOX!!

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:51 am

Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

Ellsbury start the year hitting 9th.

Crawford, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz....you can fill in 6th - 8th. Ortiz was one bad week from getting the boot out of boston. Now he's a yr older, batting 5th he's leading the league in LOB. 6th is easier to stomach. They want ELLS on top to replenish/maximize his trade value.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:00 am

I'm betting that Ellsbury hits neither first or ninth for Boston. Or second through eighth. Ellsbury and Scutaro could still be traded for the right name(s).

Injured goods, represented by Boras, both, equal a headache for Theo. Ellsbury has more value in a trade for a hard hitting right handed outfielder than contributing to the Sox.

Justin Upton could relax in that lineup.

CC's Desperados · Post by **CC's Desperados** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:03 pm

Originally posted by Quahogs:

quote:Originally posted by CC's Desperados:

Ellsbury start the year hitting 9th.

Crawford, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz....you can fill in 6th - 8th. Ortiz was one bad week from getting the boot out of boston. Now he's a yr older, batting 5th he's leading the league in LOB. 6th is easier to stomach. They want ELLS on top to replenish/maximize his trade value. [/QUOTE]12 Million says no!

Go back to counting your dollars bills!

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:20 pm

I agree that Boston may not be finished structuring their roster. I also agree that if the roster remains as posted here, you will see a lot of different looks during the season. The nine listed here displays a strong left handed bias to the lineup. Though you may see Darnell Mcdonald, and Mike Cameron (if healthy) spelling Drew and Ortiz on a frequent basis. In looking up the splits on Ellsbury and Pedroia, who's position in the lineup may be impacted most if Ellsbury leads off, I found a few surprises. In Ellsbury's two full seasons, his OBP and BA were higher against lefties. Pedroia in the last 2 seasons hit 27 HR's, 25 against righties. A conventional righty/lefty platoon doesn't appear to be applicable in the case of these two guys. I'm not going to even venture a guess as to how this will play out, but I will say with the utmost confidence that I pity the average righty that has to face this team

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:02 am

Everyone brings up good points.

I do not believe Elsbury gets traded because I just do not see Crawford really switching gears at this point in his career and saying "Pencil me in at lead-off, Coach" all year. Pedroia hasn't performed well in that role either, so Elsbury has too much value to the BoSox (unless they can trade him for a Posey or equivalent, if there is one).

Crawford is really not a #3 hitter either as he hits way too many ground balls, which do not hurt as much in the #2 spot as he is coming out of the best side of the batters box and if the LO hitter has speed with the 1B covering.

If, as Shawn and others contend Elsbury does hit ninth and Crawford does condescend to hit lead-off, that would be a nightmare for most opposing teams.

If Lowrie cannot beat Scutaro outright in spring training, you can right him off as another "failed" prospect.

Spring training will tell us more.

The Franchise · Post by **The Franchise** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:09 am

I actually think Ellsbury will hit 9th often, but Pedroia will be the one to hit lead-off and not Crawford. Yes, they will bat Crawford (2nd) and A-Gon (3rd) back to back.

I also believe that they are looking to reestablish Ellsbury's trade value. If they can find the right deal (Example: I think Reyes would be a good fit) Ellsbury will be gone and Kalish will be manning CF.

After this year Drew's contract expires and the Sox will find a RH hitting RF to balance a lefty heavy Lineup.

Present:

Pedroia

Crawford

A-Gon

Youk

Papi

Drew

Scutaro

Salty

Ellsbury

Future:

Reyes

Pedroia

Crawford

A-Gone

Youk

DH-TBD

RF-TBD

Kalish-Could switch to RF also

Salty

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:05 am

Pedroia had limited success last year in 50 AB at lead off, but look at 2009 and 2008. Still small numbers, but the numbers reek. I just do not see him as a lead-off.