Comments on: TB 4, BOS 2: Thanks Timlin

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:24:34 +0000

Here is the real quandry, from a purely defensive standpoint, would you rather have someone who cover a ton of ground with zero arm like Coco, or would you rather have someone who covers a less ground, but has a plus arm, ala Granderson, Sizemore, Hunter. Again forget offense for the sake of argument (those guys blow Coco away). I would personally rather have the latter, which is why I tend to disagree when people call Coco the best defensive CF in the game.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:19:54 +0000

It’s possible that you’re right, but on the same note, how many fly balls that advance runners wouldn’t have happened if there was even an average arm in center. I give coco as much credit as anyone for the ground he covers, but the arm is important too and I can’t just overlook it.

By: Mostly Running.

Mostly Running. — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:15:44 +0000

Bob-
I’ve been curious about this myself and have this question: how many plays this year can you think of where a runner has gotten an extra base off of CC because of his arm strength? I can’t think of a single instance and I’ve watched most every game. It seems like every “could be two” play Coco’s involved with he either makes the catch, closes so much ground he doesn’t need a 6 year old’s arm to get it to the infield, or is splayed out on the ground while someone else fields and throws the ball in.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:15:21 +0000

Coco is overrated defensively, he is a top tier defender, but he’s not as good as everyone thinks for one simple reason. Arm strength.

By: jimc

jimc — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:05:02 +0000

The way Papi has been swinging, he might should sit a little more and rest that weak wrist. I like Coco in CF and the 9 spot. His defense is invaluable.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:15:15 +0000

Ellsbury got jobbed in the 9th. And he hit a double in the last inning albeit after Tampa had scored. Drew needs to come back soon, he could easily handle the leadoff duties. Kotsay would be a better option leadoff than Ells or Crisp also. And Youk should not hit cleanup until he gets hot again. When drew gets back I think we should see this:
1. Drew RF
2. Pedroia 2b
3. Papi DH
4. Bay/Lowell LF/3B (these two are interchangeable)
5. Bay/Lowell LF/3b
6. Youk 1b
7. Kotsay CF
8. Lowrie SS
9. Catcher (They’re all so pathetic with the bat I won’t call them by name)

By: Colin

Colin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:37:09 +0000

Strong with the Force Tampa Bay has become. They may be a Skywalker, but Boston’s like fucking Yoda…older, stronger, wiser.
Let’s take these losses out on the hot Toronto and hope Tampa loses their cool. If I were Terry however, I’d have a nice chat with some of our batters, particularly Ellsbury. 0-6 (no walks or anything) is pretty pathetic.

By: cakey

cakey — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:03:47 +0000

Who does sean casey have to fuck to get an at bat?

By: Leo C.

Leo C. — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:18:40 +0000

Did anyone else notice that Pena came up in the fourteenth with a different bat? The only reason I noticed is because his normal bat has a flat top (you could stand it on end) but in the 14th, for some reason, he came up with a different bat (it was cupped at the end),,, gotta wonder about that one!

By: jimc

jimc — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:09:40 +0000

Also, I dont feel Jacoby or Coco are lead off material right now. We have a huge hole at # 1.