Chisoxfn Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 I'm going to start a little bandwagon and its called the keep willie at 2nd base bandwagon. First off, Willie Harris has tremendous speed. I think Ozzie, Santana and Cora should all take a more agressive approach with his speed, ala all the running he did when he reached base early in tonights Tigers game. For those that knock Willie offensively, all I want to say is he has a .354 OBP. Thats right at the major league average for a leadoff hitter and to me is pretty impressive for a guy without much major league experience. Aside from that, minus his one major slump, he has hti for a decent average. He also does what all very good and protypical leadoff hitters are asked to do and thats see a lot of pitches. Every game he works the counts deep and does whatever it takes to get on. He's a good bunter and on top of all of this, plays good defense. He has good range in the infield and an accurate arm. Willie should not be what the Sox replace. The Sox should bring in a bat in RF, not even a protypical RF bat, that can reach base and hit with Willie, either #1 or #2 and provide from there. Heck, if the Sox aren't super confident with Willie, move him to the 9 hole, and then have Rowand in the 2 hole with whoever the Sox get hitting in the leadoff spot (whether Hairston, Roberts, or someone else). That gives you after the 1st inning, 3 speedy guys that can manufacture and execute. Frankly a 1-2 with Harris and another fast guy puts pressure on the defenses and should reach base. Their is nothing to be mad about when it comes to Willie. He is reaching base and thats what you ask for out of a leadoff guy. However, the Sox need to be more agressive with him, maybe a guy like Hairston could teach him a thing or two as well. Its not like the Sox need to acquire a power bat, they need another bat that can get on base, even if that person plays RF, a typical power spot. Uribe should be relegated to the bench. He doesn't do what Willie does when it comes to seeing pitches, reaching base, etc. Nor does he have Willie's speed. I like Juan and all, but this team doesn't need him, it needs Willie and another guy atop the lineup. The Sox could also add a CF and move Rowand to RF. This CF could be a typical leadoff guy. One guy I will put out their is Dave Roberts. He may very well be on the block, although the Dodgers wouldn't likely make a deal with Roberts unless thy get a bat as well. He hasn't been hitting great as of late, but if he is healthy (pending a physical of course) he'd be a great addition and provide some speed and real smarts that would be great with Willie at the top of the lineup. And to think what a guy like that could teach Willie is just awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted July 30, 2004 Author Share Posted July 30, 2004 List Randy Wynn as another option I'd really like. He can play CF, gets on base at a good clip and is a good baserunner. He is also signed another year I think. Seattle is obviously selling and you could acquire him and maybe Hasagewa (i know he's struggled this year) for probably not too much, maybe Arnie Munoz or maybe a package including Stewart or Grilli and a lower level guy. Wynn struggled early in the year and the M's will move him so Reed has a spot. .282 AVG, .352 OBP, 5 HR, 42 RBI, 13 SB 6 CS Only negative about Wynn is that he strikes out a good amount, although this seasons totals are lower then previous years. He stole 27 bases (8 CS) two years ago, and 23 (5 CS) last year. That is a pretty good %. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted July 30, 2004 Author Share Posted July 30, 2004 Another thing to note: Add someone like Hairston, Roberts (Brian or Dave), or Randy Wynn and now Uribe and Timo are on the bench. This will make this team a lot better. I have this same reasoning to why I would like to see the Sox add a starter like Tony Armas, moving Scho to the bullpen, thus really improving the pen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted July 30, 2004 Author Share Posted July 30, 2004 Consider Kenny Lofton another option. Yanks have him on the block and he's played in Chicago. I know Sox fans didn't think too highly of him, but he's been a great addition the past few years around the trade deadline. Yanks would probably do it for a not to big of prospect. Question is whether he stays healthy, but he has good numbers this year. .296 AVG, .365 OBP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 I'm all for getting Hairston. He can hit for average and steal bases and play defense. I'm just not sure which one should play 2nd base and where the other one would play. Would Jerry be in CF or RF? Also I would wonder if Jerry could stay off the injured list. Dave Roberts would be decent, but his average has been terrible the last few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 Consider Kenny Lofton another option. Yanks have him on the block and he's played in Chicago. I know Sox fans didn't think too highly of him, but he's been a great addition the past few years around the trade deadline. Yanks would probably do it for a not to big of prospect. Question is whether he stays healthy, but he has good numbers this year. .296 AVG, .365 OBP I have more interest in lofton than hairston or roberts, they have not exactly had that sparkling of numbers through out their careers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 I've been on this bandwagon since Ozzie pulled him from the line up while he was batting around .320. Count me in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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