Arguments for Dunn's spot in lineup

[Balta1701]

I know I am lonely on this island, but I would love to see Dunn hit 4th with Rios in front of him, getting protected.

The Rios from May last year, sure.

[southsider2k5]

The Rios from May last year, sure.

 

I think he has a much better chance at being Rios from May with Dunn and Konerko hitting behing him, instead of someone like AJ.

[Balta1701]

I think he has a much better chance at being Rios from May with Dunn and Konerko hitting behing him, instead of someone like AJ.

Rios was quite a bit worse in teh 3 spot last year than he was further down in the order. (Likely because Ozzie bumped him upwards after his hot streak...but the point is, there's no reason from his stats last year to think having the big bat behind him will help.)

[southsider2k5]

Rios was quite a bit worse in teh 3 spot last year than he was further down in the order. (Likely because Ozzie bumped him upwards after his hot streak...but the point is, there's no reason from his stats last year to think having the big bat behind him will help.)

 

Well no other reason than not wanting go around him with Dunn and Konerko hitting next.

[Balta1701]

Well no other reason than not wanting go around him with Dunn and Konerko hitting next.

I don't think pitchers really think about who's on deck as much as we'd like to believe they do. Konerko had an MVP caliber season last year, he put up better numbers last year than Dunn is likely to this year, and Dunn is a good candidate if you need a strikeout. None of that made Rios a better hitter last year, nor will it do so this year.

[ScottyDo]

To me it makes no sense to leadoff Pierre, if Dunn is hitting third. I personally would solve this by finding a new LF, but since that isn't going to happen.... this would be my lineup:

 

Pierre

Beckham

Rios

Dunn

Konerko

Quentin

Pierzynski

Ramirez

Morel

Explain? Just because you don't need speed to score on a homer?

[Vote4Pedro]

Pierre

Rios

Dunn

Konerko

Quentin

Ramirez

Pierzynski

Beckham

Morel

[GREEDY]

Explain? Just because you don't need speed to score on a homer?

 

You are on the right track.

 

What is the point of Beckham sacrificing or cutting down on his swing to get Juan from first to second or second to third with Dunn coming up?

 

So, Juan leads off with a bunt single, steals second and Beckham gets him to third... why? Against any righty Dunn gets intentionally walked; Against a lefty you have risked Juan's leadoff hit/stealing 2nd/taking the bat out of Beckhams hand for about a 10% chance that Dunn's atbat ends with a sacrifice fly instead of an extra base hit/strikeout/other out. There is no point of playing "small ball" in front of Dunn batting third.

 

Another problem is you have Rios following Dunn and Konerko, which will dramatically cut down on his ability to use his speed on offense.

 

When your team is anchored by Dunn, Konerko, Quentin; Juan Pierre doesn't make a lick of sense offensively.

 

If you must play Juan, why not have our first three play a little baseball ahead of the three "power walkers"?

Edited March 28, 2011 by GREEDY

[Lillian]

Batting Dunn third diminishes his value as a left handed bat intended to break up the right handed heavy lineup.

If he bats third, you could have Konerko, Quentin, Rios, and Ramirez hitting consecutively, and they're all right handed.

 

Moreover, I still like the idea of having a "second leadoff" hitter heading up the bottom half of the order. Rios would be perfect as a 6th hitter.

He could still drive in the good hitters in front of him, and if he leads off, he's a threat to steal, or initiate a hit and run.

 

Pierre

Beckham

Quentin

Dunn

Konerko

Rios

A. J.

Ramirez

Morel

 

 

 

[TheBigHurt]

I know there's logic on it somewhere... but someone needs to explain to me at this point why Konerko shouldn't just be third. The HRs can't be it, because Paulie consistently hits what is par for a third hitter. I don't dislike Dunn at 3rd... but logically, I think he'd fit better at fourth. IMO Konerko's a great fit for 3.

 

Again, if there's a contrary to what I'm saying, I welcome it.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I know there's logic on it somewhere... but someone needs to explain to me at this point why Konerko shouldn't just be third. The HRs can't be it, because Paulie consistently hits what is par for a third hitter. I don't dislike Dunn at 3rd... but logically, I think he'd fit better at fourth. IMO Konerko's a great fit for 3.

 

Again, if there's a contrary to what I'm saying, I welcome it.

 

Honestly, I just think back to the '06 offense and how dominant it was for most of the season with Thome at #3. Now we've basically got his clone and I want him at #3 as well. Not that worried about the string of righties as CQ, for whatever reason, is much more potent against RH pitching than he is LH pitching.

[witesoxfan]

The general thought is that Dunn is going to get on base more than Konerko, which isn't far fetched by any means, and having him on base 30% more will result in more runs scored overall.

[Donny Lucy's Avocado Farm]

Rios-Dunn-Konerko is my 3-4-5.

 

Agreed. Pierre, Beckham and Rios infront of the mashers. Lots of speed atop the lineup. Same argument can be made for Dunn hitting 3rd, in front of the mashers. More times on base, more RBI chances for guys behind him. Can't go wrong either way.

 

Its crazy that the only question mark is Brent Morel, who should hold his own regardless.

 

Gonna be a fun season.

[TheBigHurt]

The general thought is that Dunn is going to get on base more than Konerko, which isn't far fetched by any means, and having him on base 30% more will result in more runs scored overall.

 

I admit I haven't done a whole lot of research, but if Dunn's OBP is generally better than Konerko's that's shocking to me.

[witesoxfan]

I admit I haven't done a whole lot of research, but if Dunn's OBP is generally better than Konerko's that's shocking to me.

 

The dude draws a lot of walks. Career .250/.381/.521/.902 hitter. It's not entirely surprising to have almost half of Dunn's plate appearances each year ending in the form of a walk, strikeout, or home run.

[Balta1701]

Honestly, I just think back to the '06 offense and how dominant it was for most of the season with Thome at #3. Now we've basically got his clone and I want him at #3 as well. Not that worried about the string of righties as CQ, for whatever reason, is much more potent against RH pitching than he is LH pitching.

Again, I gotta step up to defend big Jim here.

 

Adam Dunn is a very good hitter. Big Jim was a ridiculous hitter. Jim Thome was one of the best offensive producers for a decade. Adam Dunn's best season would be, for Jim Thome, a down year.

[ScottyDo]

You are on the right track.

 

What is the point of Beckham sacrificing or cutting down on his swing to get Juan from first to second or second to third with Dunn coming up?

 

So, Juan leads off with a bunt single, steals second and Beckham gets him to third... why? Against any righty Dunn gets intentionally walked; Against a lefty you have risked Juan's leadoff hit/stealing 2nd/taking the bat out of Beckhams hand for about a 10% chance that Dunn's atbat ends with a sacrifice fly instead of an extra base hit/strikeout/other out. There is no point of playing "small ball" in front of Dunn batting third.

 

Another problem is you have Rios following Dunn and Konerko, which will dramatically cut down on his ability to use his speed on offense.

 

When your team is anchored by Dunn, Konerko, Quentin; Juan Pierre doesn't make a lick of sense offensively.

 

If you must play Juan, why not have our first three play a little baseball ahead of the three "power walkers"?

Two points: even though Dunn strikes out a lot, his FB% is approaching infinity so he more than likely gets the sac with a runner on 3rd. Secondly, if they intentionally walk him to get to Konerko, that's an extra run when PK launches one. i.e an IBB to Dunn is not a given considering who's protecting him.