Lillian Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 I posted this is another thread, but it sort of got buried: In lieu of acquiring another outfielder, there may be a way for the Sox to productively platoon Eaton, Cabrera, Garcia, Thompson and maybe even Shuck. Although he's a switch hitter, Melky has been better in his career vs. RHP, with the notable exception of 2012. He's been better this year batting from the left side: .283 .330 .404 Dido for Eaton this year, with all of his power vs. RHP: .283 .368 .461 Avi has been better vs. LHP: .298 .353 .404 Thompson has the reputation of being better vs. LHP, We've seen it during his brief stint this year, and it was much the same at Charlotte: .314 .346 .483 Shuck has actually hit lefties better, in his career, even though he bats from that side. I hate the idea of platooning young players like Thompson and Garcia, because it slows their development. Nevertheless, if it could boost production, and get the team on base percentage up to a respectable level, it might be worth a try. Why not pick the best 4 of these 5 guys and platoon them in the 3 outfield spots, again of course, barring an acquisition? For example; Eaton and Thompson could platoon in CF, Avi and Melky could do the same in Left. Late inning defense could include both Eaton and Thompson, for Center and Right, with either Melky or Avi for the other corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 If the Sox enter 2016 planning on a 5 man situational handedness platoon, then I am going to be doing a lot of yard work next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lillian Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 12, 2015 -> 08:08 AM) If the Sox enter 2016 planning on a 5 man situational handedness platoon, then I am going to be doing a lot of yard work next year I can understand your pessimism, however being realistic, they are probably stuck with Melky's contract, Eaton is a bright spot, signed to a decent contract, and the front office loves Avi. Therefore, we are probably stuck with that outfield. Why not try to make the best of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 QUOTE (Lillian @ Sep 12, 2015 -> 08:15 AM) I can understand your pessimism, however being realistic, they are probably stuck with Melky's contract, Eaton is a bright spot, signed to a decent contract, and the front office loves Avi. Therefore, we are probably stuck with that outfield. Why not try to make the best of it? I think turning it into a year wide platoon based on which side you hit from is not making the best of it. The sox need to find players that can play, not piecemeal together random lineups every night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCCWS Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 12, 2015 -> 09:28 AM) I think turning it into a year wide platoon based on which side you hit from is not making the best of it. The sox need to find players that can play, not piecemeal together random lineups every night. Outfield defense has to be resolved. Either Melky or Avi needs to be a DH more than an outfielder. The Sox need to acquire an outfielder who can hit and defend. For example, Boston now has 3 young outfielders hitting above .280 all of whom are above average defensively. Maybe Hahn could get one of them and one of their young catchers in exchange for pitching. At the trade deadline, I has proposed Q for Bradley and Swihart + prospects but my guess is Boston won't do that now that Dombrowski has taken over and Bradley has exploded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago White Sox Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 QUOTE (SCCWS @ Sep 12, 2015 -> 08:43 AM) Outfield defense has to be resolved. Either Melky or Avi needs to be a DH more than an outfielder. The Sox need to acquire an outfielder who can hit and defend. For example, Boston now has 3 young outfielders hitting above .280 all of whom are above average defensively. Maybe Hahn could get one of them and one of their young catchers in exchange for pitching. At the trade deadline, I has proposed Q for Bradley and Swihart + prospects but my guess is Boston won't do that now that Dombrowski has taken over and Bradley has exploded. I agree we can't enter 2016 with Melky & Avi in the same OF. I'm fine with one of them in LF, but like you said we need a legit two-way player for RF. If you could find a taker for LaRoche (while eating half his salary), I'd be ok with rotating Melky & Avi between LF & DH next year. Unfortunately, I think we're stuck with him, which makes giving Avi another opportunity a tough proposition. If we're serious about competing next year, under no circumstance can we give LaRoche, Melky, & Avi the majority of the playing time in LF, RF, & DH. An upgrade is needed in addition to using Trayce off the bench against LHP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 QUOTE (Lillian @ Sep 12, 2015 -> 01:15 PM) I can understand your pessimism, however being realistic, they are probably stuck with Melky's contract, Eaton is a bright spot, signed to a decent contract, and the front office loves Avi. Therefore, we are probably stuck with that outfield. Why not try to make the best of it? Wouldn't shock me at all to see Eaton shipped this offseason. DJ acts like he's the worst defensive player of all time, and there was the issue earlier in the year with the organization being annoyed with his positioning. Who knows, maybe he's the type of guy who wears out his welcome quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDF Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 12, 2015 -> 02:08 PM) If the Sox enter 2016 planning on a 5 man situational handedness platoon, then I am going to be doing a lot of yard work next year funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDF Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 however for this subject only. i really have no opinion one way or the other, b/c this is strictly a advance stat question. but with the use of the advance stat, isn't it going toward that theory, of using the hitter who is better suited for a particular rh/lh throwing pitchers??? so with that, this is taking it to the next level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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