Comments on: Francona shakes up lineup, drops Ellsbury

By: marcos

marcos — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:09:52 +0000

I don’t know what it proves to Ortiz. But it proves that they’ll get more Ws without him for time being.

By: Evan

Evan — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:03:24 +0000

And how can be prove himself if he’s out of the lineup?

By: Paul Testa

Paul Testa — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:17:42 +0000

I thought it was illegal to have three righties in a row in a lineup. Is Tito looking at any serious jail time?

By: ralph

ralph — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:13:19 +0000

take out ortiz until he proves himself

By: marcos

marcos — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:08:06 +0000

I agree with you, though I don’t think Green is automatic. But Lugo is.

By: Evan

Evan — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:43:48 +0000

Interesting premise.
I like Jacoby 8 over Green at 9, though, because they’ll be more apt to let Ellsbury steal with a (near) automatic out behind him. If he was followed by DPed, etc. it would basically be the same situation… which would make it clear it’s a demotion which Tito is trying to debunk.

By: radiohix

radiohix — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:35:14 +0000

I agree with JVWALT on the fact that Tacoby should be batting 9th.

By: jvwalt

jvwalt — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:30:58 +0000

Actually, I agree with both Tessie’s Dad and Marcos. The top of the order hasn’t been the problem, and as long as Ells’ BA is so high, his lack of walks isn’t a terrible drawback. At the same time, it’s true that Pedroia is a better leadoff hitter.
The move I question is batting Ellsbury #8 and Green #9. If you’re going to drop Ellsbury, I’d rather put him #9 and effectively make him the second leadoff hitter.
And as long as we’re playing hypothetical lineups, think about Ellsbury as an unusual, but possibly effective, choice in the #6 slot: his high contact rate might produce a fair number of RBI and cut into the Sox’ LOB problem. And who knows: as a base-stealing threat in front of Papi (dropped to #7), Papi might see more pitches he can hit.

By: marcos

marcos — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:20:45 +0000

Pedroia is the best hitter on the team. Therefore he should get the most ABs.

By: Tessie's Dad

Tessie's Dad — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:17:43 +0000

In Tito I trust, but I don’t get this move at all. Sure, Ellsbury could take a few more walks, but I don’t see how giving him fewer ABs is going to help.
Our table-setters have been doing their jobs; that’s why we usually strand a pair in the firt inning. The troubles lie elsewhere.