Comments on: A’s get Carbrera!

By: OhioA

OhioA — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:43:25 +0000

I know his last few years havent been the greatest, but has everyone completely written off Croz? I would think Cabrera would have to earn the right to start, especially since Bobby finally stayed healthy for a season. And from everything I am reading and seeing, Bobby is raking right now, so why pencil in OC already?

By: maryville_stl

maryville_stl — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:49:12 +0000

I think the lineup should go:

Sweeney
Cabrera
Giambi
Holliday
Chavez
Ellis
Cust
Suzuki
Buck

While Giambia isnt the prototypical 3 hole… putting him there allows for a lineup without three lefties in a row.

By: ptothet

ptothet — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:30:21 +0000

I think Cust would be good in the 2 hole, although not a typical number two hitter. His OBP is comparable to the average 2 spot, because of the enormous number of walks he receives. I think that he would benefit greatly from hitting in front of Holliday, and that could help him cut down the number of strikeouts, as pitchers are more hesitant to throw breaking balls in close counts. However, he is not a good number 2 hitter in terms of his speed, and his ability to move runners over. I was thinking he might be a big double play risk, and this required some thought. Last year he flied out 43 times, and grounded out 43 times. And of course he struck out 197 times. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt, especially because if you don’t put cust in the two hole, you end up with three lefties 4-6. Here, Sweeney acts as a sort of second lead off man as well.

Cabrera SS R
Cust DH L
Holliday LF R
Giambi 1B L
Chavez 3B L
Suzuki C R
Ellis 2B R
Buck RF L
Sweeney CF R

By: KFinkas

KFinkas — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:06:09 +0000

Ok I going on record and agreeing that Cust shouldn’t bat third, however with this lineup so left-heavy, that 4-5-6 spot might suffer. Putting Suzuki there is an idea, but he just isn’t the home run or RBI threat. That’s the main reason I had Cust third, to break up the lineup some, you know.
I think with custs’ OBP he would provide ample opportunities for Holliday.

By: OhioA

OhioA — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:38:50 +0000

Cust batting 3rd? Are you serious? You must really like Cust, normally your best hitter goes in the 3 hole(Holliday) while your high HR and strikeout guys usually hang out around 5-7. I am a big Cust fan(unless it means him playing OF) but his AVG is WAY TOO LOW to be in the 3 hole. I would have to say lineup should go:

Buck RF
Sweeney CF
Holliday LF
Giambi 1B
Cust DH
Chavez 3B
Crosby/Cabrera SS
Suzuki C
Ellis 2B

Gives us another leadoff man at the bottom of the order. Plus if Chavez really is healthy, Cust would benefit and see alot more fastball counts hitting in front of a healthy Chavez. As for SS I’m still not sold on either Croz or OC.

Just in also looks like the Garciaparra deal is almost done, I dont understand that one unless they aren’t sure on Chavvy’s health yet.

By: Wes Bohn

Wes Bohn — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:38:07 +0000

sorry my friend, Buck is not a shitch hitter. lefty all the way…I do like how you bat suzuki so high up, but I almost feel he is still not enough of a threat for the 5 hole

By: tbone1

tbone1 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:34:15 +0000

Intill we see who is better I have go give the nod to Cabrera to start over Crosby, he is better defence. He has speed and hits on a regular basis so he gets the lead off spot. Sweeney is a contact hitter that Geren can use for run & hit/ hit & Run. I think he will hit good in a 2 spot. Holiday you have to bat third. Make sure he gets as many at bats with men on during the season. Giambi will be the Man in the 4th spot & dugout !
Suzuki proved that he can move baserunners with the bat, Plus it makes the pitching change before
Cust comes on to hit the mistake pitch. Putting Buck in the & spot creates a problem for their pitching because He can switch to the Right while they have the left handers for Cust and Buck hits better from the right then they have to face Chavez after him so do they keep the left hander in for him. If he does not do the job switch Ellis for Buck. then Chavez clears some bases. Ellis in the 9 is a 2nd leadoff to set the table again.

By: tbone1

tbone1 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:15:38 +0000

I would like to see the opening day line up,
1. Cabrera SS
2. Sweeney CF
3. Holiday LF
4. Giambi 1B
5. Suzuki C
6. Cust DH
7. Buck RF
8. Chavez 3B
9. Ellis 2B

By: jhowse

jhowse — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:26:58 +0000

Sweeney
Ellis
Holliday
Giambi
Cust (Chavy after he regains his form)
Chavez (Cust, after Chavy starts ballin again)
Cabrera
Buck
Suzuki

I like the idea of Cust in the 2 hole because of his OBP but he’s just too fat and slow. We need to have a chance him to get around the bases and to the plate, especially because Cust either hits a bomb or walks. What makes a good 3/4 hitter in my opinion is that players ability to get baserunners home from first base. That’s a true power hitter.

Sweeney is going to have a great season.

Ellis is a perfect fit at 2. Playing ~145 games, he’ll hit at least 15 bombs, with a comparable OBS than Cabrera.

Agree with above, you’re pretty much an idiot if you think Holliday (3) should be anywhere else in the line-up.

The rest speaks for itself. I just want this line-up to have some consistency that these guys can get comfortable with.

GOOOO A’S!!!

By: NorthBayFan

NorthBayFan — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:07:21 +0000

Given that it looks like it is done deal. I would really like to see Cabreba earn his spot. Adding a quality infielder to an infield that has three potential health risks is a really positive idea, but I don’t think that Cabrera should be handed Crosbys spot. I think we should seriously look at having Chavy in DH spot until arm fully returns, or have Ellis in DH until he come back to full health. I guess the main thing im trying to say is that give Crosby the respect to stay with the team and make Cabrera earn the starting spot from him.