It will be interesting to see which two players will win the LF and CF positions next year.
Based on need in the lineup, i would say Parra has the edge -- he's a lefty bat and an RBI guy. Based on what he's shown this season, I can't see either Young or Conor (or certainly not Eric Byrnes) keeping him on the bench. That's what it comes down to. Not what we think of any one guy, but which one is best for the situation.
If that is the case, who will join him in either LF or CF? Chris Young, a very undisciplined hitter, although an outstanding defensive CF? Conor Jackson, a very disciplined hitter, but not enough pop for his size? Eric Byrnes, another undisciplined hitter, who thinks that somersaults in the outfield is a substitute for flaky fielding.
My vote is for Conor Jackson in LF, who would fit nicely in the #7 spot.
Of course, I'm still hoping for Brandon Allen, who was brought up as a middle-of-the-lineup hitter, to be moved from the #8 spot (where he'll never get a decent pitch to hit) to cleanup -- the lefty power hitter between Justin and Reynolds, with Montero hitting sixth.
That has the potential to be the best 3-4-5 and 3-4-5-6 combos in the league if developed properly.
BTW, in terms of potential, Young is four years older than both Upton and Parra. And still hits infield pop-ups an inordinate amount of the time despite his four years of maturing. Or not.
