I say start Rowand. He has better speed, range, arm, power and he even hits for a higher average (not to mention the OPS difference). Timo might hit RHP better, but i still say give at least 70% of the PT to Rowand.
It looked like he was trying to do every thing by himself. He just ran out of gas, but he should settle down and pitch much better in future starts. I can't wait...
The Bulls will not trade Chandler AND a lotto pick for Harrington. DA is an idiot (think Gammons)...but if for some crazy reason Pax decides to do this; I'll throw a brick through his living room window.
Just to point something out:
Jose has:
11 HR's (1st among SS in AL)
.883 OPS (2rd among SS in AL)
.390 SecA (1st among SS in AL)
23 XBH (3rd among SS in AL)
I think he's worth more than Ortiz.
At this point i think it would be much more beneficial to the team for Rowand or Gload to play everyday. Pick one and stick with him, Rowand has been a much more dangerous hitter (.315 secondary average). I think if given the chance Rowand could be a high OPS guy (.850 range). But i don't like this 3 man RF rotation Ozzie has going.
People look at the bright side of this, with Mags ($14M), Koch ($6.5M) and Jose ($5M) coming of the books thats $26M for Kenny to spend this offseason. Plus, with the Sox's increase in attendance and the additional revenue that will come from the new sports channel that number could be as high as $40M. Assuming Jerry dosne't pocket it.
Small sample size, he's put up pretty damn good numbers (other than this season) and i'm not questioning is ability to hit the ball (as i said, i think he can hit .300), but i don't see him being a high OBP/OPS guy that would warrant the type of hype he's received.
If Reed can somehow put up a .400 OBP without a AVG in the .330-.340 range or increasing his power numbers to at least have a .460+ SLG%. He'll be a truly amazing player, since right now only one player in all of baseball has a .400+ OBP and less than a .476 SLG% (Bobby Higginson).
Bellhorn is a uniqe player. He takes way too many pitches (mostly because he's a bad hitter). Reed can hit and if he see 2 or 3 strikes in a at bat he'll swing, Bellhorn won't (which is why Bellhorn will probably strike out 150+ times if he get's the AB's). As for Reed's walk totals, i don't believe ML pitchers will be afraid to go after him, since he'll be primarily a singles hitter.
I just don't think he can walk enough to have a .400 OBP. He's gonna see a lot more strikes in the majors. If he can hit in the .315 range i can see a .370 type OBP, but .400? That's a lot of walks for a guy with little power and slightly above average speed. Hey, i hope i'm wrong and Reed hits .350 and makes me look like a dushbag, but for now i have my doubts.
This situation would have been avoided with better planing. If they had decided two weeks ago Arine would be brought to start, his slot in the rotation would have been adjusted to match his start in Chicago. Seems to me like the Sox are always making last second decisions with their prospects. The kid is probably nervous as hell and throwing off his usual rest period probably won't help him feel any better.