5 Best Benches in Baseball

[Steve9347]

Best-built benches

By Sean McAdam

Special to ESPN.com

Archive

 

Now that the non-waiver trade deadline has passed and making a deal almost requires an Act of Congress, don't expect much roster makeover in the coming weeks. The waiver process being what it is, it's unlikely many players of note will pass through and be subsequently traded elsewhere.

 

Given the slowdown on deals, teams have to face the obvious: they are what they are. Improvement -- and reinforcements -- will have to come from within.

 

Depth takes on added significance in the final two months when veterans are tired and injuries pile up. To help handicap the races, we list the five best benches among the many contenders.

 

The teams below are listed as currently constituted. Next month, for instance, the Red Sox, who will have Wily Mo Pena and Javy Lopez coming off the bench, might have extraordinary depth. But for now, both players are starters, thinning the Red Sox's bench considerably.

 

1. Chicago White Sox

 

Rob Mackowiak, obtained in a deal last winter from Pittsburgh, hasn't hit as well -- or played as much -- as he did with the Pirates, but remains versatile and valuable. Alex Cintron is a first-class middle-infield option and Pablo Ozuna, like Mackowiak, can contribute in the infield and outfield. Sandy Alomar Jr., reacquired last month, provides know-how behind the plate.

 

2. Los Angeles Angels

 

Few managers have as many options with their rosters as Mike Scioscia. Juan Rivera, who has become the team's full-time DH with a torrid last two months, can fill in at all three outfield positions and super utility man Chone Figgins can play the left side of the infield or all three outfield positions. Tim Salmon, whose comeback is one of this season's great stories, provides a veteran bat off the bench and Robb Quinlan adds pop and the ability to play both corner infield positions.

 

Howie Kendrick, a natural second baseman stuck behind starter Adam Kennedy, has been earning playing time at first base. If Darin Erstad (heel spurs) can return in September, the depth will improve even more.

 

3. New York Mets

 

Ricky Ledee, an experienced left-handed bat with postseason experience, helps replenish the outfield depth after Xavier Nady was dealt to the Pirates. The Mets are going with a platoon of Endy Chavez and rookie Lastings Milledge handling right-field duties. Chris Woodward has reinvented himself from a steady if unspectacular shortstop to an invaluable utility man who can do everything but catch.

 

Ageless Julio Franco represents a great late-inning pinch-hitting option, while the Mets' depth behind the plate (Eli Marrero and Mike DiFelice back up starter Paul Lo Duca while veteran reserve receiver Ramon Castro heals on the DL) is the envy of many organizations.

 

4. Los Angeles Dodgers

 

No general manager has been more active than Ned Colletti, and his recent moves have helped bolster his team's bench. Julio Lugo has stepped in at second and freed Jeff Kent to move to first to replace the injured Nomar Garciaparra. Toby Hall, obtained from Tampa Bay earlier in the season, provides experience and sock behind rookie catcher Russell Martin.

 

In the outfield, the emergence of Jason Repko and Andre Ethier has transformed Kenny Lofton into a useful spare part. Ramon Martinez (middle infield) and Olmedo Saenz (corner spots) bring defensive dependability and reserve punch, respectively.

 

5. New York Yankees

 

The Yankees' July 30-31 shopping spree improved three areas -- starting lineup (Bobby Abreu), starting rotation (Cory Lidle) and bench (Craig Wilson). With Abreu in right, Bernie Williams doesn't have to play every day and Wilson can help out in supporting roles at first or in left field.

 

When (if?) Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui return, the depth will benefit, since that will push Melky Cabrera back to a reserve role. Sheffield, meanwhile, might have to come back as a first baseman since Abreu is entrenched in right.

 

The return of Robinson Cano sends Miguel Cairo back to his rightful spot as a reserve.

 

Sean McAdam of The Providence (R.I.) Journal covers baseball for ESPN.com.

 

TIFWIW

[Jordan4life_2007]

After our offense, the bench has been the next best thing about this team. I'm very pleased with the performance of our bench.

[witesoxfan]

Just curious, how can we have the best bench in baseball when we don't have a backup outfielder?

 

I realize Macko can play OF...but he's like the one and only guy on the bench that can play a half decent OF, and unfortunately, he is horrendous in CF.

 

As far as bats off the bench go, I'd agree 100% that the Sox bench is the best. The Sox have like 3-4 guys that would be starting on bad or even mediocre teams on the bench.

[AbeFroman]

What?!

How could they leave off Henry Blanco, Ryan Theriot, John Mabry, Angel Pagan, and Neifi Perez?!

 

outrageous

[Balta1701]

As long as Rob Mackowiak is not considered to be an every-third-day center fielder, that article is right on the money.

[Milkman delivers]

Rob Mackowiak, obtained in a deal last winter from Pittsburgh, hasn't hit as well -- or played as much -- as he did with the Pirates

 

Um, hasn't he hit much better than he did with Pittsburgh?

 

But I agree, our bench is pretty stacked.

[fullcollapse]

i think espn did an article like this at the begining of the season and we weren't even in the top 5, now we are the best. the only thing that changed is alomar for widger. with the possible exception of ozuna, no one is really having a career year off the bench. i see they didn't mention gload also, they probably forgot he was on the team... kind of like ozzie does.

Edited August 11, 2006 by fullcollapse

[Buehrle>Wood]

Rob Mackowiak not hitting well? Huh?

 

He's hitting .299 this year, 27 points higher than his previous high. And his OBP is sitting way above his career numbers as well.

 

I'd say he's doing damn fine.

[Steve9347]

Rob Mackowiak not hitting well? Huh?

 

He's hitting .299 this year, 27 points higher than his previous high. And his OBP is sitting way above his career numbers as well.

 

I'd say he's doing damn fine.

 

agreed.

[beck72]

The sox very good bench has also allowed the regulars to get some rest. I bet a lot of teams have players really feeling wiped out in the heat of the summer.

 

If the Sox have a solid August and September, the bench players will have played a key part helping to keep the regulars fresh.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

As good as the Sox bench is, I'd have to say I like the Angels better with the speed of Figgins and the power of Quinlan and Salmon.

[witesoxfan]

I also just realized how completely inaccurate this article is. They have the Angels ranked as the second best bench, yet they apparently have two everyday players(Figgins and Rivera) on their bench...?

 

Sure Rivera can play all 3 OF positions, and sure Figgins can play every friggin position....that doesn't make them bench players. Hell, Figgins has played in 111 of 115 Angels games this year. What the f...