Hahn's Impact on Lineup/Closer Role and the Deadline

[kevtrem]

So, Gillaspie batting third and Lindstrom closing games struck me at least somewhat surprising form yesterday. Granted I know its Opening Day and well probably see many lineups, but I can't help but to think about Hahn's impact here.

 

Matt Davidson is the third basemen of the future (technically could be of the present as well), Hahn has made that quite clear. All the beat reports indicate that Nate Jones, Daniel Webb, and now even Maikel Cleto have the potential to be closers. Arbitration statuses of both Jones and Davidson clearly play a role, but I'm thinking more than that. I would say that most believe that Davidson will get significant playing time this year, and I subscribe to this thought process. I believe Gillaspie will be given every opportunity to succeed in the White Sox lineup by batting third, with Eaton getting on and Abreu as protection. I think Hahn is fluffing Gillaspie, if he is competent he should have at least 30-40 RBI by the deadling, in hopes of an overpay and vacating the third baseman duties.

 

I see the same situation with Matt Lindstrom. We saw in the offseason, people overpay for saves. If Lindstrom succeeds in the closer role, his stock skyrockets and the Sox continue collecting young players at the deadline.

 

It may be wishful thinking, but if the Sox do intend to trade Gillaspie and Lindstrom at their peaks of value (using generic stats), we could have another very productive deadline. Alexei and Beckham could be on the move with the middle infielder depth in the Sox system.

 

Thoughts?

[Princess Dye]

So, Gillaspie batting third and Lindstrom closing games struck me at least somewhat surprising form yesterday. Granted I know its Opening Day and well probably see many lineups, but I can't help but to think about Hahn's impact here.

 

Matt Davidson is the third basemen of the future (technically could be of the present as well), Hahn has made that quite clear. All the beat reports indicate that Nate Jones, Daniel Webb, and now even Maikel Cleto have the potential to be closers. Arbitration statuses of both Jones and Davidson clearly play a role, but I'm thinking more than that. I would say that most believe that Davidson will get significant playing time this year, and I subscribe to this thought process. I believe Gillaspie will be given every opportunity to succeed in the White Sox lineup by batting third, with Eaton getting on and Abreu as protection. I think Hahn is fluffing Gillaspie, if he is competent he should have at least 30-40 RBI by the deadling, in hopes of an overpay and vacating the third baseman duties.

 

I see the same situation with Matt Lindstrom. We saw in the offseason, people overpay for saves. If Lindstrom succeeds in the closer role, his stock skyrockets and the Sox continue collecting young players at the deadline.

 

It may be wishful thinking, but if the Sox do intend to trade Gillaspie and Lindstrom at their peaks of value (using generic stats), we could have another very productive deadline. Alexei and Beckham could be on the move with the middle infielder depth in the Sox system.

 

Thoughts?

 

Gillaspie manning the position well could also lead to them considering Davidson at other positions too. Everything is probably in play, as Davidson might be good enough to deem not hurting us at 1B or dh (but maybe hurting us at third)

Edited April 1, 2014 by Jose Paniagua

[bmags]

I'm not sure I can endorse this usage of fluffing.

[GreenSox]

So, Gillaspie batting third and Lindstrom closing games struck me at least somewhat surprising form yesterday. Granted I know its Opening Day and well probably see many lineups, but I can't help but to think about Hahn's impact here.

 

Matt Davidson is the third basemen of the future (technically could be of the present as well), Hahn has made that quite clear. All the beat reports indicate that Nate Jones, Daniel Webb, and now even Maikel Cleto have the potential to be closers. Arbitration statuses of both Jones and Davidson clearly play a role, but I'm thinking more than that. I would say that most believe that Davidson will get significant playing time this year, and I subscribe to this thought process. I believe Gillaspie will be given every opportunity to succeed in the White Sox lineup by batting third, with Eaton getting on and Abreu as protection. I think Hahn is fluffing Gillaspie, if he is competent he should have at least 30-40 RBI by the deadling, in hopes of an overpay and vacating the third baseman duties.

 

I see the same situation with Matt Lindstrom. We saw in the offseason, people overpay for saves. If Lindstrom succeeds in the closer role, his stock skyrockets and the Sox continue collecting young players at the deadline.

 

It may be wishful thinking, but if the Sox do intend to trade Gillaspie and Lindstrom at their peaks of value (using generic stats), we could have another very productive deadline. Alexei and Beckham could be on the move with the middle infielder depth in the Sox system.

 

Thoughts?

I don't agree with all of these characterizations. Lindstrom actually had closer experience and, really, most of the rest of the pen has better jam-relieving stuff. You don't need to put your best reliever as closer. He was the logical choice to me. And a bonus is hopefully he can get fluffed up.

Gillaspie's played for one year. There was no reason to give up on him. It's like the second there's scent of depth, we always have to move some guy. Davidson needs work on his defense and to reduce the Ks. No need to rush him.

I think we'll move some players in July, but we don't need to do any lineup contrivances to achieve that.

[CWSpalehoseCWS]

I don't agree with all of these characterizations. Lindstrom actually had closer experience and, really, most of the rest of the pen has better jam-relieving stuff. You don't need to put your best reliever as closer. He was the logical choice to me. And a bonus is hopefully he can get fluffed up.

Gillaspie's played for one year. There was no reason to give up on him. It's like the second there's scent of depth, we always have to move some guy. Davidson needs work on his defense and to reduce the Ks. No need to rush him.

I think we'll move some players in July, but we don't need to do any lineup contrivances to achieve that.

 

I agree. I think the Sox looked at the closer situation as Lindstrom is the logical choice right now. I think they see Webb/Jones are the closer at the end of the year, but don't want to put them into that role at the moment. Webb definitely needs more experience, and maybe Jones doesn't have that closer mentality. I can't see Hahn telling Ventura, do this to build trade value up before going with the best interests of the club. I do think Lindstrom will/could be moved by July, but him being closer is not a plan to fluff his value.

 

I think the only reason Gillaspie is in the 3 spot is because the Sox wanted a left-handed hitter in that spot and Dunn belongs nowhere the middle of the order. Being in the 5 hole is bad enough, IMO. I think we are going to see a ever changing lineup based on matchups this year.

[Feeky Magee]

Lindstrom being closer is absolutely about both his trade value and Nate Jones's arbitration payout.

 

Gillaspie hitting third is more about lefty/righty balance I think, but trade value could be a factor.

[southsider2k5]

Lindstrom being closer is absolutely about both his trade value and Nate Jones's arbitration payout.

 

Gillaspie hitting third is more about lefty/righty balance I think, but trade value could be a factor.

 

I doubt it. The Sox don't throw their kids into those roles very quickly. Even a guy like Addison Reed had to win the job, and he was closer of the future the day that he was drafted. Jenks also spent time in middle relief before winning the job. I go with the theory that if they think Nate is the best reliever, they want to be able to use him at anytime in innings 6-8, instead of just inning 9.

[oldsox]

Everyone wants Davidson to be the future at third, but first he has to hit at Charlotte.

[Feeky Magee]

I doubt it. The Sox don't throw their kids into those roles very quickly. Even a guy like Addison Reed had to win the job, and he was closer of the future the day that he was drafted. Jenks also spent time in middle relief before winning the job. I go with the theory that if they think Nate is the best reliever, they want to be able to use him at anytime in innings 6-8, instead of just inning 9.

Rick Hahn was asked why Lindstrom got the job and he was going on about how well he did in Spring. Where he pitched a grand total of 3.0 innings. Using Jones in higher leverage situations is a possible factor as well, although I believe it usually works out that closers face higher leverage situations than any other reliever. I'm sure Hahn will be aware though that if Jones started as closer, he would have stood to make $5m-$10m more in arbitration than holding him back until after the trade deadline.

[southsider2k5]

Rick Hahn was asked why Lindstrom got the job and he was going on about how well he did in Spring. Where he pitched a grand total of 3.0 innings. Using Jones in higher leverage situations is a possible factor as well, although I believe it usually works out that closers face higher leverage situations than any other reliever. I'm sure Hahn will be aware though that if Jones started as closer, he would have stood to make $5m-$10m more in arbitration than holding him back until after the trade deadline.

 

Those two things are not mutually exclusive. Pitchers do a lot more than just games in spring training, especially in the situation that Lindstrom was in. He threw sides, intra-squads, minor league games etc that don't count as "innings".

[greg775]

Is baseball going to more platooning? Is this a closer by committee deal? Also, Is DeAza gonna play against righties and Viciedo lefties? Is Gillaspie gonna play against righties and Kepp lefties?

Edited April 2, 2014 by greg775

[Bigsoxhurt35]

Is baseball going to more platooning? Is this a closer by committee deal? Also, Is DeAza gonna play against righties and Viciedo lefties? Is Gillaspie gonna play against righties and Kepp lefties?

Kepp is out for awhile

[Quin]

Lindstrom starts at closer.

 

Does well = trade at deadline.

 

Install Jones as closer.

 

Does well = trade in offseason for a Davidson type if you can.

 

Much joy in Whoville.

[hogan873]

Is baseball going to more platooning? Is this a closer by committee deal? Also, Is DeAza gonna play against righties and Viciedo lefties? Is Gillaspie gonna play against righties and Kepp lefties?

I think we'll see Lindstrom be the closer in just about every situation. If he does well, his value goes up quite a bit. If he sucks it up, it's easy to plug Jones in.

 

The De Aza/Viciedo situation could be interesting. I don't know if we'll see a true lefty/righty split, especially if De Aza keeps up with the hot bat. He could be another guy who gets traded after his value goes up. I personally think we'll see more of De Aza than Viciedo.

 

Third base is Gillaspie's job for now. Keppinger is out for a while, and Rock has said that he may never play for the Sox again. Davidson could come up this year, earlier or better. But, if Gillaspie can do a decent job over there, the Sox will be more content with giving Davidson more time in AAA.

[caulfield12]

I think we'll see Lindstrom be the closer in just about every situation. If he does well, his value goes up quite a bit. If he sucks it up, it's easy to plug Jones in.

 

The De Aza/Viciedo situation could be interesting. I don't know if we'll see a true lefty/righty split, especially if De Aza keeps up with the hot bat. He could be another guy who gets traded after his value goes up. I personally think we'll see more of De Aza than Viciedo.

 

Third base is Gillaspie's job for now. Keppinger is out for a while, and Rock has said that he may never play for the Sox again. Davidson could come up this year, earlier or better. But, if Gillaspie can do a decent job over there, the Sox will be more content with giving Davidson more time in AAA.

 

 

Where would he be going? Insurance settlement? Retirement?

 

Who would possibly take any of his contract on? That cost is as sunk as Dunn's, probably moreso if he can't play defense because of arm problems/tenderness.

[oldsox]

I have watched Lindstrom for several years now, going back at least to his last year with Houston. I don't have stats to back this up, but my feeling is that he starts out the season very well, then, after 2-3 months, he loses effectiveness. Hahn prob senses this, too. So, why not make him the closer til June?

 

And, who is Rock?

[cabiness42]

I have watched Lindstrom for several years now, going back at least to his last year with Houston. I don't have stats to back this up, but my feeling is that he starts out the season very well, then, after 2-3 months, he loses effectiveness. Hahn prob senses this, too. So, why not make him the closer til June?

 

And, who is Rock?

 

Rock is the poster RockRaines (who has inside sources), and "he" meant Keppinger. It took me a minute to figure that out.