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RedsManRick · 10-03-2011, 12:35 PM

My opening day LF & leadoff man is Dave Sappelt. I like Alonso, but if Sappelt can hit .280/.330/.400, Alonso would have to continue to put up that .900 OPS to make up the huge difference between them defensively. Given our pitchers' struggles, I'd prefer to err on the side of getting production from defense at this point.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I'm trading either Alonso or Votto this offseason, period.

If I had to pursue a FA, I'd be looking at Josh Willingham. He'd be a nice source of thump from the right side and could fill the cleanup spot. Of course, that still leaves us without a traditional leadoff hitter. I'd love to see Hanigan leadoff (it worked for the Rays with Jaso) if Sappelt wasn't in there. But Dusty values speed way too much to consider that - clogging the bases and all. And there's some merit to that. I would want guys ahead of Votto that can score from 1st on a double. I would just prioritize getting the guy on first base to begin with. So while I'd try it, I know it's not feasible.

My lineup with Sappelt:

Sappelt
Phillips
Votto
Rolen
Bruce
Stubbs
Hanigan/Mesoraco
Cozart

My lineup with Willingham:

Phillips
Rolen
Votto
Willingham
Bruce
Stubbs
Hanigan/Mesoraco
Cozart

Small sample size granted, but Phillips has made consistent improvements on making more, better contact and I think that showed in his BABIP this year. I think a .340+ OBP is a fair expectation and that makes him a solid candidate.

10-03-2011, 12:35 PM	#4
RedsManRick Stat Wanker Hodiernus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 14,921	Re: You are the GM... Left Field My opening day LF & leadoff man is Dave Sappelt. I like Alonso, but if Sappelt can hit .280/.330/.400, Alonso would have to continue to put up that .900 OPS to make up the huge difference between them defensively. Given our pitchers' struggles, I'd prefer to err on the side of getting production from defense at this point. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I'm trading either Alonso or Votto this offseason, period. If I had to pursue a FA, I'd be looking at Josh Willingham. He'd be a nice source of thump from the right side and could fill the cleanup spot. Of course, that still leaves us without a traditional leadoff hitter. I'd love to see Hanigan leadoff (it worked for the Rays with Jaso) if Sappelt wasn't in there. But Dusty values speed way too much to consider that - clogging the bases and all. And there's some merit to that. I would want guys ahead of Votto that can score from 1st on a double. I would just prioritize getting the guy on first base to begin with. So while I'd try it, I know it's not feasible. My lineup with Sappelt: Sappelt Phillips Votto Rolen Bruce Stubbs Hanigan/Mesoraco Cozart My lineup with Willingham: Phillips Rolen Votto Willingham Bruce Stubbs Hanigan/Mesoraco Cozart Small sample size granted, but Phillips has made consistent improvements on making more, better contact and I think that showed in his BABIP this year. I think a .340+ OBP is a fair expectation and that makes him a solid candidate. __________________ Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance. Last edited by RedsManRick; 10-03-2011 at 01:02 PM.