What would you do to improve against LHP?
by Athletic on Apr 20, 2009 9:08 AM PDT
80 comments
I don't know how many good options we really have, because our best players are mostly left handed hitters. Here is what I would for the time being, you can tell me if you think I am an idiot. First off I would bench Chavy right now against LHP until he gets it going and put Crosby in for him. I debated wheter or not I would bench Sweeney, I decided to keep him and move Cust to DH for the time being and put Buck in, because Buck will hit to the opposite field. Next I would put Nomah in for G, which would give G some much needed rest. Thats what I would like to see tested, to see if the A's can get something going. The nice thing about this would be once the starer is out of the game (if with the A's) Chavy and G could be put back in.
So here is how my lineup would look against LHP
1. Sweeney
2. OC
3. Holliday
4. Nomah
5. Cust (DH)
6. Suzuki
7. Ellis
8. Buck
9. Crosby
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Id start by telling Beane to
Mix in a RH bat in a draft every now and again. It seems like ALL our hitting prospects are LH.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
by Syphon on Apr 20, 2009 9:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cunningham, Carter, and Donaldson are all righties
and there are others who are a lot further away (say, Rashun Dixon and IIRC Brown) who are righties as well.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on Apr 20, 2009 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brown's a leftie (assuming you mean Corey)
Not that it really changes your argument. Leyja’s a righty too.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
by vignette17 on Apr 20, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure we have some.
But he have way more LH prospects.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
by Syphon on Apr 20, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is off the top of my head
but Doolittle, Cardenas, Barton, and Corey Brown (thanks again, vignette17!) are LH. Carter, Cunningham, Donaldson, and Dixon are RH (so is Petit, FWIW). Weeks is a switch-hitter; so is Powell; and again, FWIW, so is Pennington. I don’t know the A’s minor-league rosters nearly well enough to do an exhaustive run-down by memory, but is it really that big a problem that, say, Jason Christian or Matt Sulentic bat lefty? Even though each has some promise, the chances that either one will make any impact in the majors are still pretty slim. It’s not overall numbers that count so much as having some balance among the very few guys who could actually amount to something in the majors.
The 5 righties and the 3 switch-hitters I listed seem to me to be pretty good prospects, and more than balance out the promising lefties in the system.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on Apr 20, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Try doing this
list the hitters that have come up in the A’s minor league system and made the team. Then you will see a pattern.
Don't believe in yourself.
Believe in Me who believes in You.
by Zonis on Apr 20, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That they usually don't exist?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Apr 20, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a different issue and a different claim
“It seems like ALL our hitting prospects are LH.”
is not the same as
“The hitters that have come up in the A’s minor league system and made the team” form a pattern of being left-handed.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on Apr 20, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im counting Sweeny/Buck...
then Add in Giambi/Chavez/Cust… its LH overload.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
by Syphon on Apr 20, 2009 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does Ethier count?
"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra
by Cheezombie on Apr 21, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personally, what I do with LHP
is crouch down lower and scoot in closer and try to get hit or walk, ‘cause I sure can’t hit ’em!
As for the A’s… they’re professionals. I’m sure they’ll figure out something!
"The magical goblins who live in my shower told me that Bobby Crosby's gonna have a good year this year" - The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 20, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Jim Skaalen
What’s the over-under on the number of years this guy remains hitting coach for the A’s?
Every year the A’s bats seems to start slowly and the name of the unassuming hitting coach is dragged in the mud. Here’s to a preemptive “Save Jim Skallen!”
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Apr 20, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And for the millionth time
why is Sweeney still leading off against lefties? Someone else needs to lead off against lefties in my opinion. Not like we have alot of options but I’d like to see Geren at least try something different at the top of the lineup.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Apr 20, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I wouldn’t be surprised if Geren goes against “The Book” and bats Orlando Cabrera lead-off.
I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.
by franks a lot on Apr 20, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is something that's just too obvious
I’m literally dumbfounded that Sweeney is hitting leadoff against lefties. He shouldn’t be in the lineup at all against them. As the lineup is currently constructed, arguably our two worst hitters are 1 and 2 against lefties.
by CapgrasDelusion on Apr 20, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually Sweeney is the only lefthander that has done ok against lefties
by Athletic on Apr 20, 2009 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, in a 2 week period.
His ops against lefties last season was in the .500s
"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra
by Cheezombie on Apr 20, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and Buck has better numbers against lefties than does righties.
"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra
by Cheezombie on Apr 20, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In the majors, but not in the minors, and not last year
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 20, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lots of good points
First send down Raj Davis. The team needs a hitter so it does no good to have a back up OF who cant hit. Bring up Denorfia to bat lead off against lefties. Sit Sweeney and replace him with Buck. In the past Buck has hit lefties just not as much power. Sit down Cust who only walks against lefties. Dump Crosby and pick up Frank Cantalano who was released by texas. The guy is very good vs lefties.
by Arcman on Apr 20, 2009 10:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree with DeNorfia
Buck at least “has” power, Cust is basically our only decent hitter at the moment, and Crosby is not going anywhere……yet.
And you mean Cattalanato?
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Apr 20, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correction:
Catalanotto
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Apr 20, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Career .671 OPS vs lefties. I think Arcman meant someone else
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 20, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
heres the options
leave chavez/sweeney out of the lineup.
nomar was supposed to help but he cant stay healthy. now they are left w/ crosby..not good
geren has a man crush on rajai,a healthy cunningham wouldve been nice but settle for denorfia.
ellis has destroyed lefties before, but his hitting has declined…probably his shoulder is still weak.
basically there are any quick fixes available right now,. other than going w/ the inexperience and hope they improve
by Asfan4ever723 on Apr 20, 2009 11:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Simple
If they throw strikes, quit taking and digging a hole.
Be more aggressive and stop trying to walk way on base.
by Trainman on Apr 20, 2009 11:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Completely agree
This is very frustrating to watch(or listen and gameday mostly)!
Bobby Crosby = ground-out triple play...
by brian.only on Apr 20, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
sweeney ops vs lefties
is .562.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Apr 20, 2009 12:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It wasn't much better in the minors
something like .648, I think.
by CapgrasDelusion on Apr 20, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My lineup
CF – Denorfia
DH – Cust
3B – Nomar
LF – Holliday
1B – Giambi
SS – O-Cab
2B – Ellis
RF – Buck
C- Suzuki
I miss Chad God
by ChadGod on Apr 20, 2009 12:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
all the bat cust 2nd supporters
will love this lineup I personally dont like it…Nomar is good but is not good enough to bat third even against righties and again everyone who makes the bat cust 2nd argument and He shouldnt hit fifth in our weak lineup cuz when he gets on base there is no one to drive him in…Well this lineup puts Giambi in the same scenario exactly and as I keep reiterating last years stats indicate they are almost indentical players except Giambi has a better Batting average potential. Assuming that we dont have Denorfia on the team my lineup against lefties would be…
RF-Buck
SS-Cabrera (this isnt going away anytime soon)
1B-Giambi
LF-Holliday
DH-Cust
3B-Nomar
CF-Sweeney
C-Suzuki
2B-Ellis
Vs. Righties Id consistently have
CF-Sweeney
SS-Cabrera
1B- Giambi
LF-Holliday
DH-Cust
3B-Chavez
C-Suzuki
RF-Buck
2B-Ellis
by yawedout21 on Apr 20, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure Buck's much better than Sweeney vs lefties and his defense is a lot worse
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 20, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
interesting point
I think he is a bit better against lefties though
I miss Chad God
by ChadGod on Apr 20, 2009 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade L for R
Just a thought, but there’s probably a team or two out there that’s overloaded with RH outfielders and might like to swap for one of the As LH outfielders
by BlueMoon on Apr 20, 2009 1:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That is intriguing I'm not sure
He kind of reminds me of Milton Bradley the player not the person.
by Athletic on Apr 20, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's not a very good trade for the A's.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
by mikev on Apr 20, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why? Buck never plays.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 20, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sadly, you've got a point.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
by mikev on Apr 20, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I probably would too
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
by mikev on Apr 21, 2009 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
sweeney should never bat against lefties.
"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra
by Cheezombie on Apr 20, 2009 2:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok hows this
DFA Crosby, Davis
Call up Denorfia, Pennington (Why? Neither can hit, but at least Pennington can play Defense, and play SS, 2B and 3B).
Batting Line after name indicates AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS Split.
m = Minor League split is used
The stats used are Career Splits.
Lineup vs LHP:
R CF Chris Denorfia [.280/.366/.392/.758]
L RF Jack Cust [.227/.368/.427/.795]
R 3B Nomar Garciaparra [.311/.368/.529/.897]
R LF Matt Holliday [.297/.383/.497/.880]
L DH Jason Giambi [.267/.382/.469/.851]
S 1B Landon Powell [0.249/.356/.451/.807] m
R 2B Mark Ellis [.259/.352/.421/.773]
R SS Orlando Cabrera [.279/.343/.398/.741]
R C1 Kurt Suzuki [.217/.304/.321/.625]
Lineup vs RHP:
L RF Travis Buck [.261/.353/.438/.790]
L DH Jack Cust [.246/.390/.493/.883]
R LF Matt Holliday [.325/.385/.564/.950]
L 1B Jason Giambi [.294/.418/.559/.977]
L 3B Eric Chavez [.280/.361/.520/.881]
R C1 Kurt Suzuki [.290/.351/.398/.749]
L CF Ryan Sweeney [.286/.345/.391/.736]
R 2B Mark Ellis [.267/.331/.400/.731]
R SS Orlando Cabrera [.272/.315/.398/.713]
Don't believe in yourself.
Believe in Me who believes in You.
by Zonis on Apr 20, 2009 3:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I like the lineups
I would not DFA Crosby, with Chavy, and Nomah who get hurt every other day. I would send Rajai down, and call up Denorfia though, and I would bat Sweeney leadoff against RHP.
by Athletic on Apr 20, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can't send Rajai down
You have to DFA him.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Apr 20, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
+++ on both counts.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Apr 20, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Petit is a terrific defender
since his bat will never be good enough, don’t you think they should try playing him in 3rd and 2nd, and see if we can a nice cheap utility player?
by jahs34 on Apr 20, 2009 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you really impressed with Pennington's defense?
I’m not.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 20, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its better than Crosby's
and the A’s seem to refuse to play Petit, so I went with Pennington.
Who else is there? Chen is in Double A, and the rest of the infielders on the 40 man are 3B.
Don't believe in yourself.
Believe in Me who believes in You.
by Zonis on Apr 20, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Amazing as it may seem, I'd pick Crosby over Pennington or Petit.
Chen is playing 3B too, so I’m not sure he’s an option. Wimberly doesn’t hit well enough either.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 20, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
none of them can hit
at least Pennington, Petit, and Chen are better defenders.
Don't believe in yourself.
Believe in Me who believes in You.
by Zonis on Apr 20, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially Petit - seems like he's the one worthy of the gig
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Apr 20, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ya I'm not sold on Pennington or Chen's defense at SS, but Petit is supposedly
good…even though he didn’t really look good in his brief major league stint.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 21, 2009 6:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but Wimberly has the stirrups.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
by mikev on Apr 20, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I were in charge...
I’d cross my fingers and just hope everyone else in the division loses the same night.
by LVElephant on Apr 20, 2009 3:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
They're already doing that. They must respect your opinion.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 20, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hire Jeff Gilhooly?
Urban: Hold on. That cougar in the corner is TOTALLY checking me out. Should I send her a mimosa? Do I slip the wedding ring off and hope she doesn't see the tan line, or is she old enough to not care?
by ohtobe21likehuston on Apr 20, 2009 5:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What i would do
is make Holliday start hitting. That might help.
by BIGa's on Apr 20, 2009 5:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
agree
and make Duchsherer be healthy
by Future Ed on Apr 20, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and free kraut!
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
by iglew on Apr 20, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
where's the bring the big hurt back?
Just kidding…
by Arcman on Apr 20, 2009 9:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Just go with an all Switch-Hitting Lineup
That would be interesting to see
Can someone find the best switch hitters for each position?
A's fan, trapped in North Carolina!
by RJ2549 on Apr 21, 2009 5:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
C Matt Wieters
1B Lance Berkman
2B Brian Roberts
SS Jimmy Rollins
3B Chipper Jones
LF Nick Swisher
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Milton Bradley
How’s that?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 21, 2009 6:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shouldn't be hard to make that happen
We can dangle Hannahan and Rajai Davis as trade bait.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Apr 21, 2009 7:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Texeiria at 1B, Berkman at DH?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
by mikev on Apr 21, 2009 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DH isn't a position. It's a stupid idea that has been plaguing my fandom since 1973.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 21, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't Varitek a switch-hitter also?
A's fan, trapped in North Carolina!
by RJ2549 on Apr 21, 2009 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So I was looking at MLB.com
we are last in the league in Home runs with 3 and last in runs with 47 we are first in shutouts though with 3. It’s just really depressing:(
by Athletic on Apr 21, 2009 8:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
sadly that is A's baseball...
no matter how hard Billy tries it will never change.
by LVElephant on Apr 21, 2009 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
To an extent - Giambi kinda fell in his lap and Garciaparra is way past his best.
Holliday is the only offensive minded move he’s made that required Beane to think outside the box a little.
by OldhamA on Apr 21, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes
but beane wanted to contend this year without jeopardizing the future. i’m sure he could have gotten much more offensive firepower, just decided against it
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
by travdog6 on Apr 22, 2009 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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