Montero...

[Black Jesus]

Montero needs to be the "everyday" starter at catcher, or at least as much as he is able to go at that position. The production that he brings with his bat is extemely valuable, and he adds a powerful lefthanded bat to our lineup.

 

[PDXChris]

Mark also is a much better hitter with Montero behind him. Love the 2, 3, 4, 5 of Para, Upton, Reynolds, Montero.

 

[Dback Jon]

Viva Venezuela!!

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I don't think anyone is arguing with you on that. Including most importantly Josh Byrnes and Hinch.

Exciting win tonight and credit should go to Hinch for the recent play.

I'm already excitedfor next year

 

[82CardsGrad]

Been saying this for almost as long as I've been screaming about CY... All I ever got in return was "Snyder's defense is awesome!!!".

Miggy should've been starting all along.

 

[Brian]

Been saying this for almost as long as I've been screaming about CY... All I ever got in return was "Snyder's defense is awesome!!!".

Miggy should've been starting all along.

I thought you played the game at one point.

I could care less if my catcher bats .000

That's not his job. Last year Snyder was the best defensive catcher in baseball according to ESPN.

Montero is a great hitter and a terrible catcher.

I understand that right now, because of the other holes in the lineup Miggy's bat needs to be in there, but Snyder is a better catcher.

Point being: Do you care more about a pitcher's ERA or his batting avg?

 

[BC867]

... I could care less if my catcher bats .000.

That's not his job. Last year Snyder was the best defensive catcher in baseball according to ESPN.

Montero is a great hitter and a terrible catcher.

I understand that right now, because of the other holes in the lineup Miggy's bat needs to be in there, but Snyder is a better catcher...

This one is hard to call. Chris Snyder has been getting sloppy behind the plate since he returned. It's been reported that the pitchers prefer Montero. But Snyder is clearly a better defensive Catcher at this time than Miguel. Given the chance to develop, how much will Montero improve defensively?

For the record, I also advocated giving Montero the starting Catcher job over Snyder last year.

With all these pros and cons, I say leave Miguel as the everyday Catcher and see how much his defense can improve.

I was going to say platoon them, but Montero started against a lefty a couple of days ago and produced.

And yes, having a solid lefty hitter behind Reynolds in the lineup is crucial.

By default, it's Montero. What's the other solution? Teach him to play 1B. It's not like anyone would have to be displaced there. We don't have one.

 

[DWKB]

By default, it's Montero. What's the other solution? Teach him to play 1B. It's not like anyone would have to be displaced there. We don't have one.

At 5-11? How many 1B have been shorter than 6 ft?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/1200

 

[Black Jesus]

Montero needs to consistently play. He doesnt bat nearly as well in a platoon. I think he should catch 4 out of 5 games.

 

[Brian]

This one is hard to call. Chris Snyder has been getting sloppy behind the plate since he returned. It's been reported that the pitchers prefer Montero. But Snyder is clearly a better defensive Catcher at this time than Miguel. Given the chance to develop, how much will Montero improve defensively?

For the record, I also advocated giving Montero the starting Catcher job over Snyder last year.

With all these pros and cons, I say leave Miguel as the everyday Catcher and see how much his defense can improve.

I was going to say platoon them, but Montero started against a lefty a couple of days ago and produced.

And yes, having a solid lefty hitter behind Reynolds in the lineup is crucial.

By default, it's Montero. What's the other solution? Teach him to play 1B. It's not like anyone would have to be displaced there. We don't have one.

Agreed with most of this. Montero would be better suited at first. I missed the last game that Snyder caught but I heard he was sloppy.

Montero is getting better behind the plate but he is still a liability. He can't throw anyone out (I was in shock the other night when he did, that is rare). When he throws the ball it looks like he is trying to throw a change-up. Full hand grip.

I think the idea of Montero at first is an outstanding idea. That seriously is a great idea. Everyone knows that was going to have to be addressed in the off season so there you go. Problem solved.

 

[BC867]

At 5-11? How many 1B have been shorter than 6 ft?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/1200

Five different players under 6' have gotten significant playing time once or more during the past twenty years, per the site you highlighted.

Perhaps Montero at 5'11" could stand on tippy-toes on any ball hit to the infield.

C'mon now. If the issue is keeping Snyder's superior defense behind the plate and Montero's bat in the lineup for the rest of this season, is one inch going to make a difference?

Come to think of it, who made 6 ft. the magic height to play 1B vs. 5'11"?

 

[82CardsGrad]

I thought you played the game at one point.

I could care less if my catcher bats .000

That's not his job. Last year Snyder was the best defensive catcher in baseball according to ESPN.

Montero is a great hitter and a terrible catcher.

I understand that right now, because of the other holes in the lineup Miggy's bat needs to be in there, but Snyder is a better catcher.

Point being: Do you care more about a pitcher's ERA or his batting avg?

Played the game for quite a while Harley... And my experience tells me this much:

Miggy is in the majors as a catcher. If he was such a defensive liability, he would not have progressed all the way to the bigs.
The whole notion of going with a catcher solely because he is strong defensively but entirely impotent offensively - while a far batter offensive catcher is on the team is, well... soooo wrong...

From what I have seen, the difference between Miggy and Snyder behind the plate has been virtually imperceptible. And, oddly enough, the team has played immensely better with Miggy getting more playing time. Again, if Miggy was so horrendous behind the plate, the teams' W-L record since 7/4th sure doesn't reflect that.

And it's wrong to speculate about Miggy going to first base. He's a catcher. Our catcher and he should be our everyday catcher - period. We need to find a much better solution at First Base vs attempting another makeshift solution...
Dump Snyder or place his ass on the bench where it belongs. Grab a legit First Basemen who can hit, and this team will be a serious contender.

 

[TJ]

Played the game for quite a while Harley... And my experience tells me this much:

Miggy is in the majors as a catcher. If he was such a defensive liability, he would not have progressed all the way to the bigs.
The whole notion of going with a catcher solely because he is strong defensively but entirely impotent offensively - while a far batter offensive catcher is on the team is, well... soooo wrong...

From what I have seen, the difference between Miggy and Snyder behind the plate has been virtually imperceptible. And, oddly enough, the team has played immensely better with Miggy getting more playing time. Again, if Miggy was so horrendous behind the plate, the teams' W-L record since 7/4th sure doesn't reflect that.

And it's wrong to speculate about Miggy going to first base. He's a catcher. Our catcher and he should be our everyday catcher - period. We need to find a much better solution at First Base vs attempting another makeshift solution...
Dump Snyder or place his ass on the bench where it belongs. Grab a legit First Basemen who can hit, and this team will be a serious contender.

I'll trade your effective 1st baseman for a solid bullpen any day. That and our lack of awareness on defense is what prevents this team from being a contender.

 

[DWKB]

Five different players under 6' have gotten significant playing time once or more during the past twenty years, per the site you highlighted.

Perhaps Montero at 5'11" could stand on tippy-toes on any ball hit to the infield.

Oh I know, I went to the link. It's just very uncommon, I'd say unheard of with a Catcher.

C'mon now. If the issue is keeping Snyder's superior defense behind the plate and Montero's bat in the lineup for the rest of this season, is one inch going to make a difference?

I don't think keeping Snyder is an option now. They'll shop him in the off season when position players have more value.

Come to think of it, who made 6 ft. the magic height to play 1B vs. 5'11"?

Probably the same guy who came up with all of your lineup position requirements

 

[BC867]

Probably the same guy who came up with all of your lineup position requirements

Do you really not think that Montero's emergence as a #5 hitter has played a key role in Mark Reynolds' batting average and homerun production beyond expectations?

And that Reynolds hitting behind Upton didn't turn him from a disappointment into an All Star? C'mon.

Yes, I do indeed believe that each spot in the batting order has its traditional role in a team's success.

#1 Take pitches, don't popup, get on base, speed on the bases.
#2 The classic hit-and-run guy. Join the leadoff hitter getting on ahead of the power in the heart of the batting order.
#3 The 5-tool All Star.
#4 The most feared batter in the lineup. An RBI guy.
#5 A junior version of the cleanup hitter. Protecting the #3-4 hitters.
#6 A line drive hitter who is proficient in driving in runs.
#7 A 2nd leadoff type hitter who can also hit with some line drive power.
#8 Your worst or lightest hitter, who will waste the lineup spot the least by being pitched around ahead of the Pitcher.

Look at the Diamondbacks with a winning streak now vs. Melvin's haphazard batting orders then.

Moving Upton to #3 permanently and Montero to #5 have been the catalyst.

Versus Young batting leadoff and Drew at cleanup earlier in the season.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I'll trade your effective 1st baseman for a solid bullpen any day. That and our lack of awareness on defense is what prevents this team from being a contender.

My post was simply in response to Montero. I have stated time and time again what I believe to be the needs of this team... they include:

- Dumping CY. Finally they listened...
- Getting some help in the pen.
- Putting Snyder on the bench in favor of Montero.
- Finding a legit, consistent offensive threat at First Base.

There ya go...

 

[TJ]

My post was simply in response to Montero. I have stated time and time again what I believe to be the needs of this team... they include:

- Dumping CY. Finally they listened...
- Getting some help in the pen.
- Putting Snyder on the bench in favor of Montero.
- Finding a legit, consistent offensive threat at First Base.

There ya go...

Totally agree with Montero as the everyday catcher. He has improved dramatically on defense. He is blocking balls better and I've seen his improvement on throwing to 2nd base. He is a consistent hitter, which Snydes is not, and a left handed bat. Him hitting in the 5 spot protects Reynolds too.

CY needs a check up from the neck up. I hate to give up on the kid because of his potential, but if he is simply going to dog it for the rest of his career, stick a fork in him.

Pen is my #1 concern. When I see losses and 5.00+ ERAs along with some of these guy's stats, I get nervous if we get no run support or our starters start to fatigue. The only players I would currently keep on the pen are Clay Zavada, John Raush, and Chad Qualls (as a set up man).

It would be nice to get that consistent, power crushing 1st baseman. The problem is we dont have the financial resources that the Yankees and Red Sox have; therefore, we need to pick and choose what our priorities are. Like I said, the pen should be the first to be analyzed. As for first basemen, I stuck my neck out earlier this season when I said Whitesell was going to be the solution. Unfortunately, he is making me look like a fool with his .204 batting average.

Hopefully the Brandon Allen kid we got from the White Sox pans out.

 

[BC867]

The batting order -- Part II

Probably the same guy who came up with all of your lineup position requirements

Just one day after the Az Republic reported how Stephen Drew has done his best hitting all season in the leadoff position (even Sutton and Grace mentioned it), Hinch moved him to third in the order.

And the only two hits we got were by Romero in the #8 spot and Tracy pinch-hitting in the #9 spot.

Why can't Diamondback managers -- Brenly, Melvin and now Hinch -- pick a lineup and leave well enough alone?

Do they really think that micro-managing the batting order camoflages their deficiencies? Brenly's inability (or lack of desire) to communicate directly with his ballplayers. Melvin's extremely passive nature. Hinch's lack of experience?

The damage these goofy lineup changes do to the psyche of our ballplayers is keeping us mired in mediocrity.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Just one day after the Az Republic reported how Stephen Drew has done his best hitting all season in the leadoff position (even Sutton and Grace mentioned it), Hinch moved him to third in the order.

And the only two hits we got were by Romero in the #8 spot and Tracy pinch-hitting in the #9 spot.

Why can't Diamondback managers -- Brenly, Melvin and now Hinch -- pick a lineup and leave well enough alone?

Do they really think that micro-managing the batting order camoflages their deficiencies? Brenly's inability (or lack of desire) to communicate directly with his ballplayers. Melvin's extremely passive nature. Hinch's lack of experience?

The damage these goofy lineup changes do to the psyche of our ballplayers is keeping us mired in mediocrity.

The best managers are the ones who "appear" to be doing very little... The worst are those who believe they are scientists... tinkerers... The D'Backs seem to attract the latter...

 

[Brian]

The best managers are the ones who "appear" to be doing very little... The worst are those who believe they are scientists... tinkerers... The D'Backs seem to attract the latter...

Bingo.

 

[DWKB]

Just one day after the Az Republic reported how Stephen Drew has done his best hitting all season in the leadoff position (even Sutton and Grace mentioned it), Hinch moved him to third in the order.

And the only two hits we got were by Romero in the #8 spot and Tracy pinch-hitting in the #9 spot.

Why can't Diamondback managers -- Brenly, Melvin and now Hinch -- pick a lineup and leave well enough alone?

Do they really think that micro-managing the batting order camoflages their deficiencies? Brenly's inability (or lack of desire) to communicate directly with his ballplayers. Melvin's extremely passive nature. Hinch's lack of experience?

The damage these goofy lineup changes do to the psyche of our ballplayers is keeping us mired in mediocrity.

With Upton injured and Parra resting, who else should have been hitting 3rd?

With this group of players:

Roberts, Ojeda, Drew, Reynolds, Ryal, Oeltjen, Snyder, and Romero

who hits 3rd?

I'm sure with all the starters playing and healthy that Drew would be in the lead-off position. As someone who likes to state their management experience, surely you've face a situation where because of limited resources someone has had to step into a position.

 

[BC867]

With Upton injured and Parra resting, who else should have been hitting 3rd?

That brings up a good point. With Upton injured and Parra resting, having to move Drew from leadoff, where he's done well, to 3rd . . . why is Parra resting?

I started following baseball during the time of Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Duke Snider. Starters played all 154 games unless they were injured or part of a lefty-righty platoon.

The schedule increase to 162 games doesn't justify "resting" Parra, who best fills the #3 spot until Upton returns, if at all. The results that game? Two hits, none by our #1-7 batters. Stupid managing.

 

[82CardsGrad]

That brings up a good point. With Upton injured and Parra resting, having to move Drew from leadoff, where he's done well, to 3rd . . . why is Parra resting?

I started following baseball during the time of Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Duke Snider. Starters played all 154 games unless they were injured or part of a lefty-righty platoon.

The schedule increase to 162 games doesn't justify "resting" Parra, who best fills the #3 spot until Upton returns, if at all. The results that game? Two hits, none by our #1-7 batters. Stupid managing.

In a era where pitchers can't even throw 100 pitches in a game without the wheels coming off, you should know better than to raise that sort of heresay!!

 

[Mulli]

The best managers are the ones who "appear" to be doing very little... The worst are those who believe they are scientists... tinkerers... The D'Backs seem to attract the latter...

LaRussa is the one exception here. He tinkers with StL. Didn't really tinker with Oak and ChiSox.

Pinella appears to do very little, Dusty as well. Their status is debatable.

Interesting.

 

[82CardsGrad]

LaRussa is the one exception here. He tinkers with StL. Didn't really tinker with Oak and ChiSox.

Pinella appears to do very little, Dusty as well. Their status is debatable.

Interesting.

Torre, Francona, Charlie Manuel, Leyland, Cox.... We can debate what "successful manager" really means, but IMO, the guys who consistently put up more W's and L's are the guys who tend NOT to see themselves as mad scientists...