How do we use our biggest player?

by niallmack on Feb 10, 2006 2:32 PM PST

While I was reading http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/pinch-hitting-specialists-a-history/ this interesting history of the use of pinch hitting I got back to my thinking about how we can use Frank Thomas most efficiently. My thinking was that if he's a huge injury risk / good hitter when in, then getting him the most at-bats at crucial points in the game would be a benefit.

But Niall, having him hit behind Chavez will get Chavvy better pitches to hit!

Niall: Oh ya, well having him on the bench will prevent the other team from using left handed relievers in late innings.

But Niall having him in the everyday lineup will get him in the batters box the most while leaving him on the bench is a waste.

Niall: We can make the playoffs without him, so why not try and keep him healthy for the playoffs when we'll need him most!

Poll

How do we use the Big Hurt?

Always pinch hit for him, save him for playoffs.

1 votes

Throw him in at 1B his splits show he hits better when in the field.

1 votes

Fire the hitting coach and implement a player/coach deal so he can decide.

1 votes

Sit him on the bench Swisher is the man!

2 votes

FIRE MACHA NOW he'll never figure out what to do!!!!

20 votes

Start a few games a week, pinch hit in others.

75 votes

Always start him and hope for health.

23 votes

123 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

But Nial

We kick ass vs LHP, so why discourage them from using crappy LH relievers? The Rincon's of the World are at our doorstep!

In all honestly, I would bat Thomas 5th. Why? Because he might stay healthy batting later in the game, and because he is slow and will clog the bases.

Knowledge is Power, Ignorance is Bliss. But I have Blissful Power, because I have a lot of knowledge, I just forgot it all!

by Zonis on Feb 10, 2006 3:00 PM PST reply actions

My argument I guess

Was that if we use him kinda like the hitting eqivalent to the closer (with bases loaded throw him in there or in crucial point of a close game) he might be more useful over the course of the season.

"If you throw at someone's head, it's very dangerous, because in the head is the brain." -- Pudge Rodriguez

by niallmack on Feb 10, 2006 3:05 PM PST reply actions

No way...

Pinch hitting is very dificult. Hitters need to get in a groove. No way does he ever get in that with one AB a game..especially a high stress AB. He needs AB's to get going..one AB a game would ruin him

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Feb 10, 2006 3:56 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe ...

I figure the only smart way to use him is to start him about half the time and hopefully keep him healthy that way.

Perhaps this idea would work better if you cut that in half and saved him for pinch hitting duties the rest of the time ... no, you're right, he wouldn't get enough ABs to be worthwhile.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Feb 10, 2006 4:06 PM PST up reply actions

I agree....

Lots of starts mixed with a lot of days off.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Feb 10, 2006 4:34 PM PST up reply actions

His contract gives him money only if he plays

Sitting on the bench will
a) make him mad
b) save money
c) make it more likely he is on the playoff roster

As for getting into a groove, look at what he did last year in minimal playing time. He's one of the top pure 50 hitters ever, he's gonna hit.

"If you throw at someone's head, it's very dangerous, because in the head is the brain." -- Pudge Rodriguez

by niallmack on Feb 10, 2006 4:15 PM PST reply actions

not true ...

most of his incentives are in being on the roster, not in actually being on the field.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Feb 10, 2006 4:32 PM PST up reply actions

Yea, but he was starting in those games.

No MLB htter can truly thrive with one AB a game...esp one vs a nasty reliever brought in for that situation. No way

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Feb 10, 2006 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

Interesting suggeston

I voted for the first option, though.

And I'm still sticking with my prediction: that Macha, under direct orders from Beane, runs Thomas out there daily as the DH until Frank suffers a season- (and likely career-) ending injury around the middle or end of May.

Are you suggesting that Joan Baez and I share a basement apartment in Milwaukee? - Poppy @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 10, 2006 4:27 PM PST reply actions

Look at it this way, naill--

If your theory holds water, why do Vlad, Manny R., and A-Rod start so much? Because they're more valuable batting 4-5 times than they are batting in one crucial spot.

But to answer your question, I think the way we should use our biggest player is to just let him pitch every 5 days and have the bullpen ready around the 8th inning.

by Nico on Feb 10, 2006 6:32 PM PST reply actions

Those guys are in their prime

Huh, he's got fragile ankles. He's got a couple years left to reach 500 HR and contribute to a WS championship. Option 1 is clearly the way to go with our depth. This year, the hitters really should write themselves in the lineups. If anyone slumps, even Chavvy, he should sit until a favorable pitching matchup. Bat speed seems to be so critical to Frank because he's got such a good eye. Let's not wear him down or pine him. Macha needs to manage the rhythms and cycles of hitting streaks and go with the hot hand.

We have depth, now use it Macha.

by eshock on Feb 10, 2006 6:50 PM PST up reply actions

What you describe

sounds less like a hitting streak and more like PMS.

by Nico on Feb 10, 2006 6:54 PM PST up reply actions

Wow, Cant stand this idea.

You get out of slumps by workign and playing...not waiting for an easy pitching matchup. If you are in a slump, even the most average pitcher gets you out.

Sitting Chavy after a few 0-4's in a horrid idea in my opinion.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Feb 10, 2006 11:33 PM PST up reply actions