Harry Chappas Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 (edited) from the Sun-Times Meanwhile, the Sox have explored the idea of batting the switch-hitting Swisher in the leadoff spot if Owens' soreness persists. Guillen is resisting the urge to lift speedy No. 2 hitter Orlando Cabrera a notch, even though Swisher never has batted leadoff. He has hit everywhere else during his major-league career, but his .381 on-base percentage last season impresses Guillen. ''I lean toward Swish,'' Guillen said. ''I know Nick is not a typical leadoff hitter, but the only thing I need from a leadoff hitter is to get on base and score some runs. ''I don't want to move [Cabrera] because he is a real good second hitter -- he can make a lot of things happen. The only thing I worry about with a leadoff hitter is get on base. If you can steal bases, that's a plus. But if you get on base, the guys behind you can do the job.'' Ideally, the Sox would prefer to keep Owens in the leadoff spot and bat Swisher sixth or seventh. But Guillen wants stability from the leadoff spot, and Owens has yet to inspire confidence in that area. I think Anderson and Swisher are CF and LF with Burgoise (Sp?) getting the final outfield spot while Owens and Quintin are sent to AAA to get healthy. If Thome will sit against LHP Quintin may be kept around. For the record I have always liked Anderson, Vazquez (always thought he was worth more than Young and still do) and Gavin Floyd. I think this team is coming together sorry for the Soxtalk optimism. Edited March 13, 2008 by Jenks Heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I think BA has played himself into CF and I like Ozzie comments about OBP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Controlled Chaos Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 08:56 AM) I think BA has played himself into CF and I like Ozzie comments about OBP. Yeah....me too. Bout time!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Hopefully they do this, as opposed to giving Owens a starting job. Swish would make a great leadoff man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(Felix @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 09:04 AM) Hopefully they do this, as opposed to giving Owens a starting job. Swish would make a great leadoff man. I actually dont like it because I think Swish is an RBI machine from what ive seen of him. But we really have no other option at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I hate to say it but if soreness is the only thing that keeps owens from being handed a starting job, I'm all for soreness in his groin area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 (edited) With the current roster, it makes the most sense. Cabrera isn't a leadoff guy, he doesn't get on base enough. His talents are best utilized in the 2 hole. Swisher gets on base, and leading off will get him several more ABs through the course of the season. The Sox are fine 3,4,5. Swisher should help the team score more runs leading off than batting 6th. Edited March 13, 2008 by Dick Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Didn't the Sawks have Youkilis leadoff for a good portion of 2006? If BA keeps hitting like he is now, this would be a pretty sweet lineup with Swish leading off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eickevinmorris Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I would much, much rather have Cabrera-Swisher then 3-4-5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(KevinM @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 09:00 AM) I would much, much rather have Cabrera-Swisher then 3-4-5. Not me. Swish, OC then 3-4-5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(YASNY @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 10:01 AM) Not me. Swish, OC then 3-4-5 With what we have to choose from, that's about as good as it gets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eickevinmorris Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I would much rather have Swish come up with Cabrera on base then have Cabrera come up with Swish on base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(KevinM @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 10:08 AM) I would much rather have Swish come up with Cabrera on base then have Cabrera come up with Swish on base. That's working under the assumption that those two things would happen equally as often. But they won't - Swisher is likely to have a significantly higher OBP. Therefore, in the view of many (myself included), its better to put him leading off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Absent a true leadoff hitter with speed, I can live with Swisher in front. Just get on base, and be able to go to third on a base hit once in a while, maybe score from second on a hit. Yeah, those would be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(KevinM @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 09:08 AM) I would much rather have Swish come up with Cabrera on base then have Cabrera come up with Swish on base. Here's a few reasons why I would prefer Swish leading off. First and foremost, he has a high OBP. Second, he takes pitches. I believe he was 7th in the AL in average pitches per PA. Also Cabrera is just and damn good number 2 hitter. If Swish gets on base more often to lead off the game, as his OBP indicates he will probably do, then you have a very good handler of the bat up there to move him into scoring position. You also have more instances of having a runner on base with no outs with Swish leading off. If Cabrera leads off and doesn't get on base, wish is more likely to happen, then Swish gets on ... you probably have a man on first, one out for Thome as opposed to a man in scoring position, one out. Of course, I'm aware the OC will get on base as well, but I'm talking about how Swish's superior OBP should come into play more often and more in the Sox favor with him leading off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Chappas Posted March 13, 2008 Author Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(KevinM @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 10:08 AM) I would much rather have Swish come up with Cabrera on base then have Cabrera come up with Swish on base. Cabrera is a better hitter than Swisher but Swisher gets on base more than Cabrera. Cabrera lead the AL in sacrifice flies therefore he can use the bat. Swisher is best at getting on base and that is what you want from a lead off guy. Having Swisher give up at-bats to move Cabrera or let Cabrera steal, takes away from what Swisher does best whcih is make a pitcher work. If Swisher bats second his OBP will not be utilized as much as leading off. Wade Boggs was the guy that I heard that is comparable to Swisher and although the high average is not comparable their baseball skills are close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 08:56 AM) I think BA has played himself into CF and I like Ozzie comments about OBP. That's great to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Wow, this makes sense. Almost too much sense. Something may be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I think it's perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 11:52 AM) I think it's perfect. agreed. We're lacking a true leadoff hitter, so go with the guy that will get on base the most. I'm also loving that it looks like BA is getting another shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaseballNick Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(SnB @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 12:02 PM) agreed. We're lacking a true leadoff hitter, so go with the guy that will get on base the most. I'm also loving that it looks like BA is getting another shot. Also, it would mean more ABs for one of the best hitters on the team. I'm a fan of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 QUOTE(Heads22 @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 10:13 AM) Wow, this makes sense. Almost too much sense. Something may be wrong. What's wrong is that it's only March 13th (18 days away from Opening Day) there's still plenty of time for Owens to get healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
striker Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 not a huge fan of this but it spreads the power around. Better swish than owens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 (edited) Hmmm, the White Sox actually thinking outside the box, interesting. Edited March 13, 2008 by Steve9347 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsideirish71 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Dont get your hopes up. The minute Prancer 2.0 is ready to run, he will be inserted as the starter. No matter how good any of the other players are doing. THe florida Marlin offense must run, even in the AL I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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