Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kc61
If you think Cozart's placement in the lineup is a more important issue than ONE guy on the whole team batting .275 or better and THREE guys on the whole team OPSing .750, we have a sharp disagreement.
The Cozart thing has becomes a fetish around here. It's as usual. We pick a whipping boy, in some cases Baker, and can't get off it.
Yes, Cozart shouldn't hit second.
It's not the main problem.
Having more hitters would be better. But we can't control that. What we can do is stop batting the absolute worst hitter in the every day lineup in between the two best hitters on the team.
It is such a simple and easy thing to fix. Yet our manager (and other ones around the league too) simply can't do it. It becomes a "fetish" because the move is so simple to make and it would actually make a difference (allowing arguably the best hitter in the National League to hit with more men on base), yet it continues to not be fixed. Any answer of the every day guys is a better option than the one being used.
It is like trying to make a sandwich, but the first thing you lay on the plate is the lettuce then follow that up with both slices of bread then top it off with the meat and lastly the cheese. Sure, you can still eat it that way, but it would be better if you went bread, meat, cheese, lettuce and then bread.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles
2. You have ZERO clue if your supposedly optimal lineup would produce more or not. It's all conjecture because once it's tried for the first time...the variables have all changed. You can say that studies show that there's very little change for guys when they move to different lineup slots...but we could very easily have several of those exceptions. Personally, I'm getting sick and tired of the phrase "optimal lineup". IMO it's a myth.
You are demanding evidence in terms outcomes for this team, while I am arguing projections--which is all we have.
You are right, I am not a wog, and I cannot see the exact future outcomes of particular ballgames through the eyes of a raven, wolf or other animal.
What we do know is what the historical data suggests about run production :
1) hitters generally hit the same way wherever they are in a lineup -- at least over the long haul. So there is no "situational" advantage to having Cozart bat second due to his perceived role or strategy.
2) slotting your best hitters back to back at the top of a lineup most often results in more runs. That is, more AB's for good hitters + fewer outs made between good hitters = more runs for any lineup over a season.
3) when it comes to rooting for my favorite team, I'd like them to maximize all potential for run scoring that they can. When they don't do that in such a flagrant, mystifying way, I get frustrated.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dougdirt
Having more hitters would be better. But we can't control that. What we can do is stop batting the absolute worst hitter in the every day lineup in between the two best hitters on the team.
It is such a simple and easy thing to fix. Yet our manager (and other ones around the league too) simply can't do it. It becomes a "fetish" because the move is so simple to make and it would actually make a difference (allowing arguably the best hitter in the National League to hit with more men on base), yet it continues to not be fixed. Any answer of the every day guys is a better option than the one being used.
It is like trying to make a sandwich, but the first thing you lay on the plate is the lettuce then follow that up with both slices of bread then top it off with the meat and lastly the cheese. Sure, you can still eat it that way, but it would be better if you went bread, meat, cheese, lettuce and then bread.
I think the front office has a responsibility to improve the offense by making personnel changes. If you're going to present yourself as a WS contender, then don't back off when the chips are down.
This Cozart thing to me justifies the FO. It says, hey, no FO responsibility, they can't really do anything. Instead let's move Cozart from second. That's all we can do.
The cleanup hitter went down three months ago. It's been painfully obvious that the team lacks sufficient offense. There has not been one deal. Not one. Not even a Scott Hairston to platoon. Nada.
Fine, move Cozart down in the lineup, but the Reds are wasting a season by sitting still.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Like I tell my kids, take care of the things that are in your control because too many things happen that out of your control.
Moving Cozart out of the #2 slot isn't going to cure cancer or solve world peace, but it might help a little. What's wrong with that?
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Wonderful Monds
He's like a grandpa. Love the guy, but damn if he won't think of doing anything differently than his way of doing it.
I've said for years that Dusty seems like a great guy and I bet he's a super grandpa......but I don't want him managing my team in the playoffs.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
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Originally Posted by
Roy Tucker
Like I tell my kids, take care of the things that are in your control because too many things happen that out of your control.
Moving Cozart out of the #2 slot isn't going to cure cancer or solve world peace, but it might help a little. What's wrong with that?
What's wrong with it? It's insufficient. It's a tweak when more is needed.
As for your comment to your kids, it is wise. You are probably a great dad.
But it's not applicable. I don't see it being out of the Reds' control to improve the offense. Make a move. You're supposedly going for it. So go for it.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kc61
What's wrong with it? It's insufficient. It's a tweak when more is needed.
As for your comment to your kids, it is wise. You are probably a great dad.
But it's not applicable. I don't see it being out of the Reds' control to improve the offense. Make a move. You're supposedly going for it. So go for it.
Sure, make a move too. Make 2 or 3. Making the club better is not just one thing; it's a series of things if you"re serious about it. Do all the things you can. Embrace change and make it work for you. Like you said, go for it.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kc61
I think the front office has a responsibility to improve the offense by making personnel changes. If you're going to present yourself as a WS contender, then don't back off when the chips are down.
This Cozart thing to me justifies the FO. It says, hey, no FO responsibility, they can't really do anything. Instead let's move Cozart from second. That's all we can do.
The cleanup hitter went down three months ago. It's been painfully obvious that the team lacks sufficient offense. There has not been one deal. Not one. Not even a Scott Hairston to platoon. Nada.
Fine, move Cozart down in the lineup, but the Reds are wasting a season by sitting still.
How many difference makers get traded this early on?
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Downright comical tonight that an MLB manager pulled his No. 2 hitter for a pinch hitter, and it wasn't a left-on-left situation. Does that ever happen? It was almost an acknowledgement by Dusty that we're 100% right.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
At this point I wouldn't min seeing a Heisey / Xavier platoon at the 2 hole. Heisey is a pretty good fastball hitter and should see plenty of those batting in front of Votto. For whatever reason he hits RH better than LH throughout his short career too.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
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Originally Posted by
edabbs44
How many difference makers get traded this early on?
The great organizations in all sports find them.
And if not a difference maker, somebody better than Derrick Robinson or Donald Lutz.
A good righty platoon guy, when Heisey was out. A lefty bat with more power than XPaul. A veteran shortstop who can still hit the ball.
It's really unbelievable to me how forgiving this fan base is. They only seem to get angry when a precious prospect is traded. Ronaldo Torreyes, Dave Sappelt get traded, that's what gets their passion. Donnie Joseph.
You lose your cleanup hitter for most of the season, do something about it. Games like tonight get won with another bat in the lineup.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
I understand Mez's back was barking tonight, but my God it's tough to watch him attempt to play defense.
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
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Originally Posted by
reds44
I understand Mez's back was barking tonight, but my God it's tough to watch him attempt to play defense.
Shhhh, he had one good season at Triple A 2 years ago - he is the best!
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BluegrassRedleg
Downright comical tonight that an MLB manager pulled his No. 2 hitter for a pinch hitter, and it wasn't a left-on-left situation. Does that ever happen? It was almost an acknowledgement by Dusty that we're 100% right.
So Dusty makes the proper move, gets an RBI single out of it, and this is what is posted on here.
Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaantastic!
If by "acknowledgement by Dusty you're right" you mean Dusty knows that Cozart isn't a good hitter, than golly you're probably right!
Re: One simple fix that costs nothing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
reds44
I understand Mez's back was barking tonight, but my God it's tough to watch him attempt to play defense.
I usually agree. Tonight I was having more trouble watching him attempt to play offense.