Shades of Bob Brenly

[BC867]

I wish I could find the starting lineups for the past 15 games or so, but it seems that, even before the arrival of Young, Bob Melvin has used a different batting order in each game.

Prior to that, every time he experimented with moving a player out of his usual position, he rescinded it after one game.

Shades of when he was Bench Coach under Bob Brenly. Now I'm wondering whose philosophy it was . . . having his ballplayers coming to the ballpark each day not knowing if they were playing or where they were batting.

Plus ruining the career of Chad Tracy, trying to turn a line drive hitter into a homerun hitter.

Even with a sub-par pitching staff, we hung in there for a long time.

What's your feeling? Do you think that, with a Manager who shows some enthusiam, we could have continued to stay in the race?

Is he going to be able to develop our outstanding young players?

And are we really stuck with him for two more years?

 

[NavyVet]

I think if we had a Jim Leyland as manager, we'd be up 20 games.

 

[Ryanwb]

We need Mike Scosscia

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Of course he's been juggling the line up around a lot, up until yesterday he had five outfielders that all deserved playing time. When you are trying to get all those guys into the line up regularly, the batting order is going to get shifted around. Plus the fact that he has been experimenting with moving Drew into other places in the order other than 8th (something Dback fans here have been hoping for), means that the order is going to fluctuate even more. And on top of this, Melvin has had to flip between Estrada (who is usually in the middle of the line up) and Snyder (who almost always bats 8th) due to Estrada being ill, so that is going to cause the order to change frequently as well. I really don't see much harm in Melvin changing the batting order given the circumstances.

 

[green machine]

I don't care for Melvin or his lineups, but it is tough in that this team doesn't have a traditional lineup to adhere to. No power guys, no speed guys. What they do have is a bunch of guys who will hit between .270-.315, with 10-25 HR's...and that's it. Like, my dad and I have gone over it and it is hard to think of a good lineup for this group.

All that said, FIRE MELVIN.

 

[The Commish]

I think this team has a problem with personnel and not Melvin. I used to be on the fire Melvin bandwagon and to some extent I still don't care for him. But the fact of the matter is that we have no power guys or speed guys. All of our players could be classified as hitters who hit for decent average and a lot of doubles. This is all well and good if you have a team that could string hits together, but rarely have we seen that this year. As much as we need to add a frontline pitcher, we need to add a power bat. Having a guy that scares the crap out of opposing pitchers helps everyone in the lineup. Until we add someone like that, our team will not get very far.

 

[Espo]

I think this team has a problem with personnel and not Melvin. I used to be on the fire Melvin bandwagon and to some extent I still don't care for him. But the fact of the matter is that we have no power guys or speed guys. All of our players could be classified as hitters who hit for decent average and a lot of doubles. This is all well and good if you have a team that could string hits together, but rarely have we seen that this year. As much as we need to add a frontline pitcher, we need to add a power bat. Having a guy that scares the crap out of opposing pitchers helps everyone in the lineup. Until we add someone like that, our team will not get very far.

I think that Josh Byrnes is setting things up so they can get a big bat and a few pitchers this offseason. If you add one big bat and a few decent pitchers this team is a contender next year. I think you can expect a big homerun hitting corner outfielder next year. If Gonzo is gone (which he should be) you will have an outfield of Chris Young in center, Quentin in Right and a power bat (possibly Carlos Lee) in Left.

 

[green machine]

I think that Josh Byrnes is setting things up so they can get a big bat and a few pitchers this offseason. If you add one big bat and a few decent pitchers this team is a contender next year. I think you can expect a big homerun hitting corner outfielder next year. If Gonzo is gone (which he should be) you will have an outfield of Chris Young in center, Quentin in Right and a power bat (possibly Carlos Lee) in Left.

I see the outfield shaping up with Byrnes in left, Young in center, and Quentin in right.

Although I do think the team will get power out of Quentin, Drew, Tracy, and Young next year.

 

[Espo]

I see the outfield shaping up with Byrnes in left, Young in center, and Quentin in right.

Although I do think the team will get power out of Quentin, Drew, Tracy, and Young next year.

Previous performance indicates none of those guys outside of Tracy have a shot at hitting more then 20 Homers. I think Byrnes has had a good season but he doesn't have a great arm and he doesn't exactly have a power bat the team needs. They will upgrade power at some position and the logical spot is the outfield. There is no way that they replace Tracy or Jackson so the outfield is where they add someone.

 

[green machine]

Previous performance indicates none of those guys outside of Tracy have a shot at hitting more then 20 Homers. I think Byrnes has had a good season but he doesn't have a great arm and he doesn't exactly have a power bat the team needs. They will upgrade power at some position and the logical spot is the outfield. There is no way that they replace Tracy or Jackson so the outfield is where they add someone.

Well when I say I expect power out of those guys, I'm saying about 20-25 home runs. Young is more then capable, I think Drew will develop power, and Quentin may only hit .250, but I think he'll have his fare shair of homers too.

 

[Stallion]

No power guys, no speed guys. What they do have is a bunch of guys who will hit between .270-.315, with 10-25 HR's...and that's it.

Good point. We have a ton of guys who should be hitting 2nd, 6th or 7th, but no true leadoff man, and no dominant 3-4-5 guys.

I think we should spend all our offseason money on pitching (more wisely than the Russ Ortiz signing) and hope the young guys' power develops. But, like you said, 20-25 HRs is probably the ceiling for these guys.

 

[Nasser22]

I think Young, Tracy, Byrnes and others can provide some powers but the team needs to go out there and get a good power hitter. Somebody that brings fear into opposing pitchers so that it allows the other guys like Tracy to get more hittable pitches and not think that they need to turn into a power hitter. If it needs to be done the team needs to move Conor or maybe Tracy to get us a good power bat. It would be best if there is a good free agent out there. An outfielder wouldn't be too bad either because the other prospects aren't ready and maybe Byrnes doesen't produce as well as this season in the future...

Besides that the need to go after another stud pitcher. We can't go after another Livan Hernandez. We need another good, young pitcher to compliment Webb. Hernandez can be #3 or 4 and they may find another FA out there to give us a good top 4 inthe rotation and then finish it with Gonzalez, Vargas, Cruz, Owings or Batista if he stays. They should have the money especially after letting Gonzo go(hopefully).