We need a big bat: discuss

[msgkings322]

Just looked at my first post in this thread, where I made a trade proposal.

Would Miami be willing to take a package with Belt and Crick and a couple others now that Belt is showing his potential? Would we want to do it?

 

[Mays-Fan]

This sums it up almost perfectly.

I still hope they get something better than the parade of suck to go in the outfield next to Pence and Pagan but I agree it won't be another big name especially if they do re-sign Tim and Hunter.

I started this thread before Belt's breakout. If that's for real, he's the new big bat.

Pagan CF (or LF)
Scutaro 2B
Belt 1B
Posey C
Panda or Pence
Pence or Panda
Crawford
Random LF
Pitcher

That's not a bad lineup. We do still have the where to put Belt problem once a week. He's gotta make do in left I think.

There's not much out there as far as bats that are FA's in 2014. No news there. However, here's one possibility that we could pay for a year until other options emerge:

Marlon Byrd Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com

Marlon Byrd - in 2013 with the Mets so far, he's 2.8 oWAR (19 HR, 67 RBI, .851 OPS). Plus, unlike a lot of FA's left, he doesn't kill you on defense (slightly positive dWAR the last few years).

Also, he's a RHH who could platoon with Blanco potentially.

 

[SF11704]

I like the line-ups that are being proposed. We all agree that the abyss is in LF. We need to fill it with somethuing reasonable .... but and there is always a but .... all of us have assumed that Panda returns to what we all wish for. We've all assumed that a contract year will bring it all back in line.

So, the question becomes .... if he doesn't find himself early on in the season .... how long do we wait before respopnding? He is a BIG piece of our puzzle. I think a lot will depend on the level of play of both the D-Backs and the Doyers.

 

[msgkings322]

I like the line-ups that are being proposed. We all agree that the abyss is in LF. We need to fill it with somethuing reasonable .... but and there is always a but .... all of us have assumed that Panda returns to what we all wish for. We've all assumed that a contract year will bring it all back in line.

So, the question becomes .... if he doesn't find himself early on in the season .... how long do we wait before respopnding? He is a BIG piece of our puzzle. I think a lot will depend on the level of play of both the D-Backs and the Doyers.

So you're saying our chances of winning the division will depend significantly on how well the other good teams in the division play?

 

[Mays-Fan]

This sums it up almost perfectly.

I still hope they get something better than the parade of suck to go in the outfield next to Pence and Pagan but I agree it won't be another big name especially if they do re-sign Tim and Hunter.

I started this thread before Belt's breakout. If that's for real, he's the new big bat.

Pagan CF (or LF)
Scutaro 2B
Belt 1B
Posey C
Panda or Pence
Pence or Panda
Crawford
Random LF
Pitcher

That's not a bad lineup. We do still have the where to put Belt problem once a week. He's gotta make do in left I think.

Also, looks like Pagan's rehab is progressing.

Angel Pagan rehab could move to Fresno soon - McCovey Chronicles

At least he'll get a month or so up here at the end, and we can get a good idea if he will be ready for next year, or whether we may have to get more "insurance" in the off-season.

 

[calsnowskier]

This sums it up almost perfectly.

I still hope they get something better than the parade of suck to go in the outfield next to Pence and Pagan but I agree it won't be another big name especially if they do re-sign Tim and Hunter.

I started this thread before Belt's breakout. If that's for real, he's the new big bat.

Pagan CF (or LF)
Scutaro 2B
Belt 1B
Posey C
Panda or Pence
Pence or Panda
Crawford
Random LF
Pitcher

That's not a bad lineup. We do still have the where to put Belt problem once a week. He's gotta make do in left I think.

I have actually been thinking about the lineup quite a bit lately.

Assuming no "major" additions to the offense for next year, this is how I would REALLY like to see it set...

Pagan CF/LF
Craw SS
Belt 1B
Posey C
Pence RF
Sandoval 3B
Scutaro 2B
RK / Pags / Perez / Brown / Dominguez / Random FA CF/LF
Pitcher

Craw is a bit more of a variable, so I would prefer to make sure he gets pitches he can work with. But he does put together very nice ABs. Scoots, on the other hand, is a full-bred MLB hitter. Moving him to the bottom of the lineup allows one more shot to knock in the big boys who are on base, or he turns into a catalyst to jump start the top of the order. He knows the strike zone so well, he does not need protection behind him to get on base. I actually would not be opposed to batting him 8 or 9, for the same reasons. I have him at 7 here because I would prefer some speed in the 8 spot for the P to sac over.

Sandoval may be a more productive hitter (at his peak) than Pence, but Sandoval is also a bad-ball hitter. He does not need protection in the order, but can provide protection. Making him the anchor of the "big boys" makes the most sense.