Presuming Dunn won't be here going into the 2015 season, what players should be available who are power-hitting lefties?

I tell you what, Stoney... If Andy Wilkins can stay healthy, he's gonna be an impact hitter.

Presuming Dunn won't be here going into the 2015 season, what players should be available who are power-hitting lefties?

 

Chase Headley.

Either Wilkins or my man Adrian Nieto. Or Chris Davis.

Either Wilkins or my man Adrian Nieto. Or Chris Davis.

 

A 3-4 combination of Abreu and Davis....

Thank you for starting this thread. A lack of a middle of the order left handed bat continues to be the most glaring flaw in the Sox organization. There isn't a single candidate at either the Major League, or Minor League level, who could realistically be expected to contribute any time soon. It's a shame that there probably isn't even a candidate to fill this void, in the upcoming Amateur Draft, and that's picking third, with likely all of the position players, from whom to choose!!

Edited March 31, 201412 yr by Lillian

A 3-4 combination of Abreu and Davis....

 

I think it moved.

Presuming Dunn won't be here going into the 2015 season, what players should be available who are power-hitting lefties?

 

Most realistic option without giving up a draft pick or paying a lot of money? Seth Smith. Can be the primary DH but also spell guys in left and right.

Edited March 31, 201412 yr by chisoxfan310

Thank you for starting this thread. A lack of a middle of the order left handed bat continues to be the most glaring flaw in the Sox organization. There isn't a single candidate at either the Major League, or Minor League level, who could realistically be expected to contribute any time soon. It's a shame that there probably isn't even a candidate to fill this void, in the upcoming Amateur Draft, and that's picking third, with likely all of the position players, from whom to choose!!

 

You know, there are these things we call trades.

Thank you for starting this thread. A lack of a middle of the order left handed bat continues to be the most glaring flaw in the Sox organization. There isn't a single candidate at either the Major League, or Minor League level, who could realistically be expected to contribute any time soon. It's a shame that there probably isn't even a candidate to fill this void, in the upcoming Amateur Draft, and that's picking third, with likely all of the position players, from whom to choose!!

 

A 3-4 combination of Abreu and Davis....

 

The problem is that if Davis proves he's for real, he's going to be unavailable.

Most realistic option without giving up a draft pick or paying a lot of money? Seth Smith. Can be the primary DH but also spell guys in left and right.

 

This is a realistic choice. Good call. He's a straight platooner, but we don't really want Viciedo in LF that much anyway, right?

I really would like to see Wilkins get a chance in the 2nd half of the year (or hell, even Black if he tears up AAA) just to see if either of them could be a legit option to fill this gap. Would be really nice to be able to pull a #5-6 hitter out of the minors for cheap.

This is a realistic choice. Good call. He's a straight platooner, but we don't really want Viciedo in LF that much anyway, right?

Viciedo's arm actually makes up for some of his deficiencies out in LF, or at least it did in 2012 before we adopted circus music as the team's official theme in 2013. He'll never have spectacular range out there but he's shown he could potentially be a tolerable fielder out there if he hits well enough to hold down the position.

Courtney Hawkins?

Courtney Hawkins?

 

Nope, he had a bad year at the ripe age of 19.

 

He's a bust.

 

He's also a righty.

Nope, he had a bad year at the ripe age of 19.

 

He's a bust.

 

He's also a righty.

lol

Nope, he had a bad year at the ripe age of 19.

 

He's a bust.

 

He's also a righty.

 

Though he probably wouldn't hit much worse than he did last year left handed.

Viciedo's arm actually makes up for some of his deficiencies out in LF, or at least it did in 2012 before we adopted circus music as the team's official theme in 2013. He'll never have spectacular range out there but he's shown he could potentially be a tolerable fielder out there if he hits well enough to hold down the position.

 

Benny Hill Theme to replace "Don't Stop Believin'"?

 

Yeah, you're right, he can fake it. I'm just saying I wouldn't mind seeing a Jordan Danks-ish defense guy out there instead against lefties when Viciedo would DH and Smith would be benched. Plus it's not too hard to find mediocre OFs that mash lefites -- the addition of a Smith/lefty crusher platoon might be a sneaky substantial upgrade.

Adam Lind...Adam LaRoche...Melky Cabrera...Seth Smith...Ryan Doumit...Victor Martinez

 

Kendrys Morales

Benny Hill Theme to replace "Don't Stop Believin'"?

 

Yeah, you're right, he can fake it. I'm just saying I wouldn't mind seeing a Jordan Danks-ish defense guy out there instead against lefties when Viciedo would DH and Smith would be benched. Plus it's not too hard to find mediocre OFs that mash lefites -- the addition of a Smith/lefty crusher platoon might be a sneaky substantial upgrade.

There are definitely interesting ways to make it work, but until we see some of these guys this year it's hard to know what the needs will be next year. Viciedo could get stuck in a part time role and be terrible at it, never catch his yearly 2 week hot streak, and wind up with a .600 OPS at the end of the season for all we know.

If the sox can trade for Mitch Moreland from Texas on the cheap, or if Texas dfa's Moreland in favor of giving Choice more playing time and then the sox claimed him, would'nt be too bad of a move.

 

can't really think of any other left-handers the sox could realistically get.

 

Was Brandon Allen left-handed? If so, maybe the sox can sign him to a minor league contract and see of they can resurrect his career.

There are definitely interesting ways to make it work, but until we see some of these guys this year it's hard to know what the needs will be next year. Viciedo could get stuck in a part time role and be terrible at it, never catch his yearly 2 week hot streak, and wind up with a .600 OPS at the end of the season for all we know.

 

 

Predictions which are equally likely to happen as that 1) you and "M" will be best board friends by the end of the year...with a mutual admiration society.

 

2) You will still have numerous opportunities to complain about defense and fundamentals not improving from 2013.

2) You will still have numerous opportunities to complain about defense and fundamentals not improving from 2013.

I'm expecting it now for a lot of these guys and I'll be more than willing to accept the "they're a bunch of rookies" excuse. But with Viciedo...we really do need to see progress in LF. He's been there long enough now that "initial struggles" ought to be overcome and if he's going to be a tolerable LF, he ought to start showing it.

It will be Andy Wilkins until we trade for Jay Bruce and he becomes our LF with Viciedo being our DH.