Lou's Views #2: Difficult Decisions Ahead, But Don't Lose Faith

[KingLouieLouie]

Richie Sexson may be headed to the DL for yet to be determined period of time.. Now the questions are....Who will fill the void of Sexson at 1B and how will Brenly respond with the every day line-up while Sexson is mending?

I did mention on another thread how the Dbacks could deploy a platoon of
Baerga vs. RH pitchers and Hillenbrand and Colbrunn vs. LH pitchers... Another alternative is non-roster invitee, Alan Zinter, who has been a career minor-leaguer, but when given a slight glimpse at the Major League, he has exhibited some power... He's a switch-hitter who can play both 1B/C and would give another bat coming off the bench.....True he isnt obviously lighting-up in AAA thus far this season and also he's not on the regular roster, but they could push Shane Reynolds on the 60-day DL since it appears he won't be ready to pitch anytime w/in the near future..... Zinter is just another possibilty, but obviously isn't the best alternative...just something the DBacks may have in mind.....



With Mantei's recent struggles, look for either Brian Bruney or Scott Service to be promoted to fill Sexson's roster spot and Service immediately becoming the closer... Service is currently dominating down in Tucson and has proven ML closing experience.... In the meantime, the Dbacks should place Mantei on the DL (which they should have done to begin with) or even put him on an extended Minor League assignment until he's back at full-strength..... Valverde would be the ideal option as the closer, but of course has lacked command and confidence on a consistant basis.... If "Papa Grande" can prove himself over an extended period of time, Brenly will elect to go to him in crucial situations regardless...Valverde is just too imposing to be regulated to just a mid-relief role.....

One matter I can't fathom still is why the Dbacks have 3-catchers still on the roster.... I won't be shocked to see Estallela demoted down shortly in favor of another reliever or perhaps an OF.....

Do we panic now since Sexson is on the DL? Absolutely not....As I mentioned in "Lou's Views #1", the Dbacks always persevere and defy the odds...Losing both Johnson/Schilling last season have more worse implications than to be without Sexson for an extended period of time..... The Dbacks are blessed with depth and even Hammock could be used at 1B in an emergency....

The Dbacks did bond together impressively after Alomar went down and I hope they can replicate that while Sexson isnt servicable.... Would this be another "turning-point"? Very well could be....Just don't lose faith and keep on supporting the Dbacks to the fullest...The season is still young, but the Babybacks are always on a mission to prove their worth/keep and they more than likely won't allow the loss of Sexson to affect their momentum....

Edit: I forgot to cover the potential line-up now that Sexson will be put on the DL...

1)Kata-2B
2)Cintron-SS
3)Gonzalez-LF
4)Finley-CF
5)Tracy-3B
6)Bautista-RF
7)Hillenbrand-1B
8)Hammock-C

Finley is best suited for clean-up since he's been pulling the ball effectively and Tracy following him in the line-up would guarantee Finley a better pitch selection... Bautista should be kept at the 6th spot in the order since he's obviously settled in there perfectly and no way should Brenly tamper with that... Hillenbrand batting #7 would be ideal until he regains back any rhythm.... It will be interesting to see how all sort out.....

 

[BC867]

1-Kata-2B
2-Cintron-SS
3-Gonzalez-LF
4-Finley-CF
5-Tracy-3B
6-Bautista-RF
7-Hillenbrand-1B
8-Hammock-C

Another possibility would have Bautista moving to cleanup (to keep the L-R-L-etc. rotation) -- Danny has hit there before for us . . . and Hillenbrand 6th -- separating the lefties at 5 and 7, as Danny was currently doing.

Kata/Cintron/Gonzo/Bautista/Finley/Hillenbrand/Tracy/Hammock. I just hope that BB makes his decision, then gives it a chance to work.

 

[moviegeekjn]

Kata/Cintron/Gonzo/Bautista/Finley/Hillenbrand/Tracy/Hammock. I just hope that BB makes his decision, then gives it a chance to work.

Definitely throws a huge hole in the batting order, only further illustrating how important Richie is for the offense... but this lineup is a likely one for BB, given his preference for alternating right and left handed batters.

 

[abomb]

Great thread Louie. I think you are right with Fins hitting cleanup, gotta play the hot hand. As much as I hate the daily lineup changes, it may be necessary as Fins and Bautista streak.

Let's keep our fingers crossed for Sexson's MRI.

A-Bomb

 

[KingLouieLouie]

The main reason why Bautista has been very effective during his streak is that he's finally learned the concept of spraying the ball to all fields.... If Brenly was to suddenly insert Bautista into the clean-up spot, he'll revert back to the approach of trying to pull everything.... That is why Finley struggled at the lead-off spot since he was asked to bunt or take pitches, something in which he doesnt really thrive at....He's a natural dead-pull hitter and that's what is better suited for a clean-up hitter...Bautista doesnt necessarily have any history of hitting HRs with great proficiency and it isnt worthwhile in mixing him up during such a hot streak.....Just keep him in his "comfort zone" for now....

This is where Brenly must abandon his method of alternating L/R since he must customize each part of the order to each respective hitters strengths.... The reason why I would keep Hillenbrand at the lower part of the order for now is that he's not in much rhythm since he's lacked ABs as of late...He shouldnt bat anywhere higher than 7 until he's rediscovered his groove....
Everything is contingent on who plays 1B though, so we'll see how everything sorts out over the next couple days to get a better gauge.....