Comments on: Is Piniella’s Decision on Fukudome a Mistake? http://seamheads.com/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/ Mon, 21 May 2012 21:16:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Richard Stroud http://seamheads.com/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-1121 Richard Stroud Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:58:26 +0000 http://seamheads.com/blog/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/#comment-1121 A simple look at Soriano's homerun and strikeout totals says he should be in the middle of a lineup. This notion of his that he's distracted by men on base is ridiculous. Instead of whining about his position in the order, he should be working to improve his hitting with men on base.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('1121','Richard Stroud'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('1121','Richard Stroud','A simple look at Soriano\'s homerun and strikeout totals says he should be in the middle of a lineup. This notion of his that he\'s distracted by men on base is ridiculous. Instead of whining about his position in the order, he should be working to improve his hitting with men on base.'); return false;">Quote</a></div> A simple look at Soriano’s homerun and strikeout totals says he should be in the middle of a lineup. This notion of his that he’s distracted by men on base is ridiculous. Instead of whining about his position in the order, he should be working to improve his hitting with men on base.
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]]> By: Mike Lynch http://seamheads.com/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 Mike Lynch Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:02:19 +0000 http://seamheads.com/blog/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/#comment-1120 Actually Bill James conducted an experiment in which he played thousands of games using different lineups to determine if batting order really made any difference and he concluded that the difference between a "reasonable" batting order and a completely "unreasonable" batting order was a 5% net loss in runs scored. Which means the difference between two reasonable batting orders is virtually nothing. I'm guessing the Cubs' lineup will score as many runs with Fukudome hitting fifth as they would with him leading off. But I still think Soriano is a lousy lead off hitter and Piniella was smart to move him down a notch.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('1120','Mike Lynch'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('1120','Mike Lynch','Actually Bill James conducted an experiment in which he played thousands of games using different lineups to determine if batting order really made any difference and he concluded that the difference between a \"reasonable\" batting order and a completely \"unreasonable\" batting order was a 5% net loss in runs scored. Which means the difference between two reasonable batting orders is virtually nothing. I\'m guessing the Cubs\' lineup will score as many runs with Fukudome hitting fifth as they would with him leading off. But I still think Soriano is a lousy lead off hitter and Piniella was smart to move him down a notch.'); return false;">Quote</a></div> Actually Bill James conducted an experiment in which he played thousands of games using different lineups to determine if batting order really made any difference and he concluded that the difference between a “reasonable” batting order and a completely “unreasonable” batting order was a 5% net loss in runs scored. Which means the difference between two reasonable batting orders is virtually nothing. I’m guessing the Cubs’ lineup will score as many runs with Fukudome hitting fifth as they would with him leading off. But I still think Soriano is a lousy lead off hitter and Piniella was smart to move him down a notch.
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]]> By: Cary http://seamheads.com/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-1119 Cary Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:28:54 +0000 http://seamheads.com/blog/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/#comment-1119 dchase-Then who cleans up the mess when Joe Morgan's head explodes?<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('1119','Cary'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('1119','Cary','dchase-Then who cleans up the mess when Joe Morgan\'s head explodes?'); return false;">Quote</a></div> dchase-Then who cleans up the mess when Joe Morgan’s head explodes?
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]]> By: dchase http://seamheads.com/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-1118 dchase Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:22:48 +0000 http://seamheads.com/blog/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/#comment-1118 Taking a more macro view, I think this is one area in baseball that needs to be experimented with. Why not put the guys with the best projected OBA #1 through #9 ... It's a simple idea: the guys who prevent outs at the highest rate get more PA.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('1118','dchase'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('1118','dchase','Taking a more macro view, I think this is one area in baseball that needs to be experimented with.\r\n\r\nWhy not put the guys with the best projected OBA #1 through #9 ...\r\n\r\nIt\'s a simple idea: the guys who prevent outs at the highest rate get more PA.'); return false;">Quote</a></div> Taking a more macro view, I think this is one area in baseball that needs to be experimented with.

Why not put the guys with the best projected OBA #1 through #9 …

It’s a simple idea: the guys who prevent outs at the highest rate get more PA.

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]]> By: Justin http://seamheads.com/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-1079 Justin Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:31:32 +0000 http://seamheads.com/blog/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/#comment-1079 I'd say that any lineup where Soriano ISN'T the lead-off hitter is a step in the right direction. Fukudome (or Fooky, per Pinella) would probably be better in the 2 spot, but then again he hasn't had an MLB AB yet, so there's probably no harm in keeping him further down for the time being. Also keep in mind that last season, Pinella experimented with 125 distinct batting orders in 162 games. Some of that was due to injuries, and he's said that he hopes not to have to change around as much this season, but still, it shows that he's not afraid to tweak things as the season progresses. Now whether he tweaks them "correctly" or not remains to be seen...<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('1079','Justin'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('1079','Justin','I\'d say that any lineup where Soriano ISN\'T the lead-off hitter is a step in the right direction. Fukudome (or Fooky, per Pinella) would probably be better in the 2 spot, but then again he hasn\'t had an MLB AB yet, so there\'s probably no harm in keeping him further down for the time being. Also keep in mind that last season, Pinella experimented with 125 distinct batting orders in 162 games. Some of that was due to injuries, and he\'s said that he hopes not to have to change around as much this season, but still, it shows that he\'s not afraid to tweak things as the season progresses. Now whether he tweaks them \"correctly\" or not remains to be seen...'); return false;">Quote</a></div> I’d say that any lineup where Soriano ISN’T the lead-off hitter is a step in the right direction. Fukudome (or Fooky, per Pinella) would probably be better in the 2 spot, but then again he hasn’t had an MLB AB yet, so there’s probably no harm in keeping him further down for the time being. Also keep in mind that last season, Pinella experimented with 125 distinct batting orders in 162 games. Some of that was due to injuries, and he’s said that he hopes not to have to change around as much this season, but still, it shows that he’s not afraid to tweak things as the season progresses. Now whether he tweaks them “correctly” or not remains to be seen…
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]]> By: Cary http://seamheads.com/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-1076 Cary Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:26:19 +0000 http://seamheads.com/blog/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/#comment-1076 I just looked and Theriot had 134 ABs in 2006, so he's not technically a sophomore, and Pie got 177, so he's no rookie, but he seems very raw and unproven and Theriot will have to come on strong to solidify his major league regular status.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('1076','Cary'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('1076','Cary','I just looked and Theriot had 134 ABs in 2006, so he\'s not technically a sophomore, and Pie got 177, so he\'s no rookie, but he seems very raw and unproven and Theriot will have to come on strong to solidify his major league regular status.'); return false;">Quote</a></div> I just looked and Theriot had 134 ABs in 2006, so he’s not technically a sophomore, and Pie got 177, so he’s no rookie, but he seems very raw and unproven and Theriot will have to come on strong to solidify his major league regular status.
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]]> By: Cary http://seamheads.com/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-1075 Cary Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:14:21 +0000 http://seamheads.com/blog/2008/03/22/is-piniellas-decision-on-fukudome-a-mistake/#comment-1075 I would think the second lineup, to begin the season, would be a reasonable deal if Soriano and Fukudome switch positions. Soriano has more or less chronic leg trouble now and that combined with his high strikeouts make him a bad choice for the one or two spots. Soto may develop into a good three guy, but to put him there on opening day might be too much pressure. Fukudome seems like a perfect two guy. I think the linchpin is Lee. He is still seeing the ball well and making solid contact, but his power brownout since he and Rafael Furcal had their unscheduled meeting is worrying. If he can't produce the RBIs in that spot, it may have to fall on Geo's shoulders. If he can find his groove again, the heart of the order will be deadly with Lee, Ramirez, Soriano. The production of this lineup in my opinion could be very strong, but could also go the other way. Starting three rookies and a sophomore is a gamble. Lou may be a raving psycho by July. It'll be fun to watch, in any case.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('1075','Cary'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('1075','Cary','I would think the second lineup, to begin the season, would be a reasonable deal if Soriano and Fukudome switch positions. Soriano has more or less chronic leg trouble now and that combined with his high strikeouts make him a bad choice for the one or two spots. \r\n\r\nSoto may develop into a good three guy, but to put him there on opening day might be too much pressure. Fukudome seems like a perfect two guy. \r\n\r\nI think the linchpin is Lee. He is still seeing the ball well and making solid contact, but his power brownout since he and Rafael Furcal had their unscheduled meeting is worrying. If he can\'t produce the RBIs in that spot, it may have to fall on Geo\'s shoulders. If he can find his groove again, the heart of the order will be deadly with Lee, Ramirez, Soriano. \r\n\r\nThe production of this lineup in my opinion could be very strong, but could also go the other way. Starting three rookies and a sophomore is a gamble. Lou may be a raving psycho by July. It\'ll be fun to watch, in any case.'); return false;">Quote</a></div> I would think the second lineup, to begin the season, would be a reasonable deal if Soriano and Fukudome switch positions. Soriano has more or less chronic leg trouble now and that combined with his high strikeouts make him a bad choice for the one or two spots.

Soto may develop into a good three guy, but to put him there on opening day might be too much pressure. Fukudome seems like a perfect two guy.

I think the linchpin is Lee. He is still seeing the ball well and making solid contact, but his power brownout since he and Rafael Furcal had their unscheduled meeting is worrying. If he can’t produce the RBIs in that spot, it may have to fall on Geo’s shoulders. If he can find his groove again, the heart of the order will be deadly with Lee, Ramirez, Soriano.

The production of this lineup in my opinion could be very strong, but could also go the other way. Starting three rookies and a sophomore is a gamble. Lou may be a raving psycho by July. It’ll be fun to watch, in any case.

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