Kendall vs. Melhuse: The not-so-great dilemma

by Crosbino on May 12, 2006 5:24 PM PDT

Okay, I'm just preparing us for this debate, because it WILL happen soon:

How are we possibly going to justify sitting Adam Melhuse in favor of Kendall when Kendall finishes his suspension? You know Macha will just put Kendall right back in the lineup as soon as he's ready, but is there any justification for it?

Since Melhuse has stepped in for Kendall, he's:

4 for 12 with 2 homers and 4 RBI.

In May, he's hitting .318/.375/.682!

Small sample size and all that aside, there should be ZERO doubt that Melhuse is not only a superior hitter, but a FAR superior hitter. Whereas Kendall provides the hitting of a National League Pitcher, Melhuse is an actual offensive presence with real power. He should be playing every day! Even if he can't provide this level of offense for an entire season, he's bound to do far, far better than Kendall. At least with Melhuse, we have the CHANCE of a big hit, instead of a weak DP.

I guess I'm writing this diary because I know that Macha will put Kendall right back in the lineup and he'll go back to hitting those little dribblers to second base, and I can vent now BEFORE it happens.

So what do you think, AN? Will Kendall just slide back into the lineup with his sub .300 slugging percentage? Or will Macha shake things up and let Melhuse play?

(And don't talk to me about "intangibles" ... if that's all we can fall back on to justify Kendall's playing time, we're no better than Angel fans when they support THEIR Mr. Intangibles: Darin Erstad. We need to hold on to the moral high ground, people.)

Poll

Who will be the A's starting catcher when Kendall returns?

Kendall

75 votes

Melhuse

27 votes

102 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

i agree...

...but wouldn't the A's be embarrassed to bench someone that's getting paid $11mill...i think that's the problem...

by littleA on May 12, 2006 6:00 PM PDT reply actions

so

I'd rather be embarassed by my bench than my starters.

by chri5 on May 12, 2006 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions

do they get embarrassed?

by OaklandSi on May 12, 2006 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Embaressed?

It should be about wins. For god sakes MR. Steinbrenner was gonna send Giambi Down last year. Your right but it shouldnt be that way.

"Gig for Bean"

by Sheik on May 12, 2006 6:48 PM PDT reply actions

I'm all about starting Kendall

He calls a much better game than Melhuse and I'm confident that he'll return to at least a semblance of the hitter he used to be. That's not to say he's going to hit homers but slumps don't have any rhyme or reason--he's hit too well for too long to stay where he is.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by AinOz on May 12, 2006 7:21 PM PDT reply actions

calls a better game?!?

are u sure about that?

by Suck My Moneyballs on May 12, 2006 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Since when...

Since when did catchers stop looking in the dugout for the sign? Did I miss something? I only watch 500+ games a year and a catcher calling his own game is like a quarterback calling his own game! Kendall is the single most overrated and overpaid player in the game, and we are stuck with this clown.

I REALLY enjoyed watching Melhuse pound baseballs this week. The only pitcher who was confused was Blanton, and that's on him.

by AAAAAces on May 13, 2006 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Initially, we get a break:

I imagine Melhuse will DH over the weekend since F. Thomas can't play anyway. Then Tuesday we can slam our heads against the wall as Kendall plays while Melhuse sits, and we struggle to score runs.

by Nico on May 12, 2006 7:23 PM PDT reply actions

...cause

we did such a great job of scoring runs tonight, and all:)

(btw I happen to agree with you)

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on May 12, 2006 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

It is the game calling that Macha will use

to play Kendall over Melhuse. I would argue that both Zito and Haren have thrown good games with Adam behind the plate (and Haren was coming off a really bad game vs Cleveland) so he has shown he can work well with at least 2 of our SP. That should get him playing time w/ them at least.

by AsFanInLA on May 12, 2006 10:53 PM PDT reply actions