Out of Rowand, Uribe, or Harris, who is your choice. Granted, these aren't ideal options overall, but I have been making my case that Harris in the two hole is a bad idea. Ironically, I've been taking more heat than expected in another forum. So I pose the question here, is anyone satisfied with Harris in the two hole, even if it were a right handed pitcher?

I'd gotta say it's Uribe. Put Harris #9. That way you can still have your speed duo for those that are interested in that, and you get the better offensive guy higher in the lineup. "Reggie", as I call him, better brush up on his bunting, though, because Podsednik will hopefully be starting many games by getting on and stealing 2nd, and it'll be up to Uribe to get him over to 3rd with less than 2 out.

 

If he is unable/unwilling to do that, perhaps Rowand will have to be moved up, but I'd like to see him hitting in the 5 hole or so.

I'd go Uribe until Thomas is healthy. Once Thomas is healty put Rowand there and move Uribe to the 7 hole or somewhere. Assuming S Pod isn't in a slump.

I say Rowand because he's a more disciplined hitter. But what I don't understand is why Harris takes so much heat when Crede is clearly our weakest infielder.

I would also say Rowand because he is more of a basestealer threat then Uribe. I also think that Uribe would produce better later in the line up. Hollywood Harris is probably not a bad #9 hitter, and the way this is looking, I am prepared to go into the season with him. Being a #9 hitter, you are basically just a second leadoff hitter. Willie is fast and can steal somewhat, so #9 fits him well. All of this being said, we need Crede to have a solid year too!

i say we give that kid in double A a chance... Trevor Caesar, that guys got some promise and can play a good 2 bag.

I was originally gonna say Uribe because of his speed but Rowand actually was more successful at stealing bases than Juan. Their overall 2004 numbers are actually quite similar.

 

With Podsednik (hopefully) doing the damage at leadoff, I still think Uribe should start the season at #2 and Rowand should be closer to the heart. Willie at #9 should play under alot less pressure hopefully and also maybe Scott can teach him a thing or two about basestealing.

Out of Rowand, Uribe, or Harris, who is your choice. Granted, these aren't ideal options overall, but I have been making my case that Harris in the two hole is a bad idea. Ironically, I've been taking more heat than expected in another forum. So I pose the question here, is anyone satisfied with Harris in the two hole, even if it were a right handed pitcher?

 

 

You must be talking about WSI (I remember your moniker).

 

I'm one of the few that thinks Harris may turn out just fine BUT ..... at this point in time I would go with Rowand in the 2-hole. He should hit for a good average and he has enough speed to cut down on double plays. Some might bring up his inability to bunt well but I only see bunting situations on very few occasions, late in a game. In those situations, if bunting is so critical, you can pinch hit for him with a designated bunter.

Whoever is best at working the count as Pods will need a few pitches to steal. Because of this, the two man needs to be a fastball crusher. Once the base is stolen, bunting or hitting to the right side is needed. Is Uribe pretty much a pull hitter? Rowand is decent at bunting. Willie needs to improve bunting. I think much of the spring will be spent finding out who fits where.

I say Rowand because he's a more disciplined hitter. But what I don't understand is why Harris takes so much heat when Crede is clearly our weakest infielder.

 

Welcome to Soxtalk, and excellent first post ! I agree 100%.

 

One thing, though -- Harris shouldn't play 2B when a left-handed pitcher is the starter. Hell, put in Valdez at second against LHP's, but Harris can't start against a lefty...

Welcome to Soxtalk, and excellent first post  !  I agree 100%. 

 

One thing, though -- Harris shouldn't play 2B when a left-handed pitcher is the starter.  Hell, put in Valdez at second against LHP's, but Harris can't start against a lefty...

 

 

... which is why I believe we should get Cairo. He hits lefties well. The question is would he come here knowing he may well platoon?

... which is why I believe we should get Cairo.  He hits lefties well.  The question is would he come here knowing he may well platoon?

 

 

So much for that idea.

Rowand would probably be the best option, but he could be more valuable hitting 6 or 7 in the order, pretty sure the Sox had a really favorable record when he hit in those spots last season. If Uribe can hit for a high enough average, I say we stick him in #2 and put A-Row down at 6 or 7.

Someone mentioned Harris hitting #2 last week and I thought 'what a load of crap'. But in looking at what Ozzie may want, a top of the order like Pierre and Castillo, Harris might not be bad.

 

*He's patient, can work a count--which can give Pods a chance to steal.

*While Willie can't sac bunt, he can try bunting for a hit to move Pods from 2nd to 3rd--trying for a hit he usually put the bunt down in a good spot

*Can hit a groundball ball to the right side of the IF, moving Pods from 2nd into 3rd

*makes good contact, so the Sox could utilize hit + runs [as Willie has perfected the 4-3 GB out, w/ Pods in motion, willie may find more holes for his GB's as the 2B man goes to cover 2B

 

I still think uribe will start there. But if Harris improves his bunting and hits the ball w/ authority [instead of his weak GB's that can't make it through the IF] willie might not be bad vs RHP

Is it crazy to consider AJ for the 2 slot?

He hits for a high average, puts the ball in play, being a lefty probably means he puts the ball to the right side fairly often. I don't think he strikes out too much, but I'm not really sure about that. The only downside would appear to be the double play, due to the lack of foot speed.

What does everyone think? Should the Sox try AJ hitting 2nd in Spring Training to see how he does?

Is it crazy to consider AJ for the 2 slot?

He hits for a high average, puts the ball in play, being a lefty probably means he puts the ball to the right side fairly often. I don't think he strikes out too much, but I'm not really sure about that. The only downside would appear to be the double play, due to the lack of foot speed.

What does everyone think? Should the Sox try AJ hitting 2nd in Spring Training to see how he does?

 

It's not crazy but I think his foot speed makes Uribe or Rowand the more logical choice.

Is it crazy to consider AJ for the 2 slot?

He hits for a high average, puts the ball in play, being a lefty probably means he puts the ball to the right side fairly often. I don't think he strikes out too much, but I'm not really sure about that. The only downside would appear to be the double play, due to the lack of foot speed.

What does everyone think? Should the Sox try AJ hitting 2nd in Spring Training to see how he does?

 

 

not too bad of an idea there. lets look at it this way, the #2 hitter will see alot of fastballs and with the speed on the base with pods, you can make an argument on how the #3,4,5 hitter will be better with runners in scoring positions.

Is it crazy to consider AJ for the 2 slot?

He hits for a high average, puts the ball in play, being a lefty probably means he puts the ball to the right side fairly often. I don't think he strikes out too much, but I'm not really sure about that. The only downside would appear to be the double play, due to the lack of foot speed.

What does everyone think? Should the Sox try AJ hitting 2nd in Spring Training to see how he does?

Good average, low obp. He's more suited down in the order where he can drive in runs, he's a pesky guy and always drives in big runs when the game is on the line.

Is it crazy to consider AJ for the 2 slot?

He hits for a high average, puts the ball in play, being a lefty probably means he puts the ball to the right side fairly often. I don't think he strikes out too much, but I'm not really sure about that. The only downside would appear to be the double play, due to the lack of foot speed.

What does everyone think? Should the Sox try AJ hitting 2nd in Spring Training to see how he does?

 

Interesting thought. AJ is very selfless at the plate, and does what he needs to for the team. He doesn't strike out much and hits clutch and for a high average. His footspeed is the one thing that scares me though.

Pierz's footspeed is not even what bothers me about him batting in the two hole . He would not be the first slow guy to bat second. The thing that bothers me is his low obp. If he could get his obp up into the .350 range he would be an excellent chose because of how well he puts the ball into play. But i do not see him suddenly taking fifty walks in a season so i do not see him batting second for us.

think about it this way, aj will make the pitcher work, fouling off balls, working the count and with pods on base, you can see a pitcher having a 30 + pitch first inning alone.

Is it crazy to consider AJ for the 2 slot?

He hits for a high average, puts the ball in play, being a lefty probably means he puts the ball to the right side fairly often. I don't think he strikes out too much, but I'm not really sure about that. The only downside would appear to be the double play, due to the lack of foot speed.

What does everyone think? Should the Sox try AJ hitting 2nd in Spring Training to see how he does?

 

 

I have considered this possibility. His lack of speed would clog up the basepaths in front of our RBI men, so this is a no go, imho.

A.J also GIDP a lot. So I wouldn't consider him to be a #2 hitter. Uribe, Rowand or Iguchi if signed would be far better options.

A.J also GIDP a lot. So I wouldn't consider him to be a #2 hitter. Uribe, Rowand or Iguchi if signed would be far better options.

 

Bonds was a big reason for all those double plays. He was never one to ground into them very much before he was in san fran batting behind bonds.

Bonds was a big reason for all those double plays. He was never one to ground into them very much before he was in san fran batting behind bonds.

 

Pierz mostly batted 6th in SF's line-up so he did ground into many DP's this year. But IMO, it was just a bad year for him. His average was down, obp was even lower, and yes, his DPs did go up. I think a change of scenery, going back to the AL, and a fresh start to the Sox here should help him alot.