With Lowell out, what should we expect?
by Randy Booth
on Apr 11, 2008 1:42 PM EDT
in News
via d.yimg.com
The 2007 World Series MVP is on the shelf for a little bit. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list before last night's game prompting the Sox to call up prospect Jed Lowrie from Pawtucket. With that, how's this Sox lineup supposed to shake out?
The Red Sox have veteran Sean Casey on the bench for these type of situations. With the mobile Kevin Youkilis able to shift over to third base, it seems like a no-brainer to just slide Casey into the lineup. But does anyone else feel like we need to give Lowrie the bulk of the playing time with Lowell is on the disabled list?
We know what Casey can do; he doesn't need to prove anything to Sox fans or baseball fans. Lowrie, though, has a prime opportunity right now to get his name out there and make a big splash.
If we look at this position-by-position, I'd take Lowrie defensively over Youkilis at third base. Youkilis is a great gloveman but he is much more valuable at first base than at third base. Youk can play third, but we know his specialty is digging the balls at first. If we had the luxury, I'd never move him from first base ... ever (Remember the outfield fiasco awhile back? That was ugly).
Lowrie has range at third base. He's actually a middle infielder (shortstop, second -- choose your poison) with a pretty strong cannon for a little guy. I have no doubts he could be a successful third baseman at the major league level.
At first, Youkilis wins the job defensively hands-down. Casey isn't a slacker over there, but c'mon -- we all know Youk is the best of the best at first base. If we have the best of the best, we need that guy to actually be there, too.
The issue comes down to offensive production. Casey has a long career behind him of solid production for MLB teams. Lowrie, not. But like rookies before him, Lowrie could come up and set the world on fire. And if it's only for 15 days then I think the rook can do it. Even if he doesn't go on a 15-game hitting streak after his callup, I want to see what he can do in Fenway Park and other big boy ballparks.
I cast my vote for Lowrie at third base and Youkilis at first base until Lowell is healthy enough to come back. Do I hear a second?
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Get well soon, Mikey!
Although it's not the "sexy" pick, I voted for the Youk/Casey combo. I like Lowrie's potential, but I don't want to throw him into a position he's not used to and expect him to perform.
It's not like Pedroia's situation a year ago; we're not going to stick with Lowrie if he has trouble. A bad start and a ride back to Pawtucket can be ego-busting and ruin him (see: Hansen, Craig). I think we ease Lowrie in and give him a bigger role if he performs.
Casey is the type of guy whose SLG numbers equal his OBP. The guy rarely hits for extra bases, but he is good at getting on base. That's a valuable thing to our line-up.
Neither option is as good as a healthy Mike Lowell. Get well soon, Mikey!
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on Apr 11, 2008 2:14 PM EDT 0 recs
I feel like Post-Traumatic Hansen Syndrome (PTHS) is more of a pitcher thing than a hitter. I can't really think of a hitter that has been effected so much...
by Randy Booth on
Apr 11, 2008 3:08 PM EDT
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another PTHS
I still suffer from time to time over post-traumatic hanley syndrome...its pretty frustrating knowing that we used h-ram for 2 hitless at bats, and now were watching him become the monster of production that he is, for another team. Doctors reccomend beckett(tm) for serious cases of PTHS, side affects include watching only footage of the 2007 playoffs.
by spinz on
Apr 11, 2008 3:20 PM EDT
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Another side effect: Badassness. Don't take unless already low on Badassness.
by Randy Booth on
Apr 11, 2008 3:37 PM EDT
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surgeon generals warning: secondhand badassness in the cleveland area may cause severe "let down", and inability to perform.
by spinz on
Apr 11, 2008 3:50 PM EDT
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the greedy fan in me wants to see lowrie playing every day, because its just more fun to watch. The rational in me realizes casey is a consistent solid bat that will probably outperform lowrie this year with ease. The existentialist in me sees baseball as a swirling vortex of unpredictability that could leave both on the dl in a week, or have lowrie batting first and casey batting 2nd with the right awkward spin of the die.
But the greedy fan in me wins, lets see lowrie get some playing time:P
by spinz on Apr 11, 2008 3:05 PM EDT 0 recs
To me, it's more fun to watch the Sox win
That's why I want to see Youk at 3B and The Mayor at 1B most games. Casey may not be the most mobile defensive 1B, but he's a professional hitter. I'd like to see Lowrie get into a game or two. Basically, I agree with SoxDevil.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on
Apr 11, 2008 6:09 PM EDT
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Because I'm Right(tm)
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on
Apr 11, 2008 7:19 PM EDT
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manny and big papi
aren't performing as i would expect, so i would say that in this situation you have to take whoever's got the better bat...youk has been having a pretty solid season so far, and i would go with casey for his bat over lowrie's, even though i would like to see lowrie get some time in there.
A-Rod drinks wine coolers and Jeter wears lipstick.
by pedroiastroika on Apr 11, 2008 3:34 PM EDT 0 recs
Good point, but I would suspect Casey's production with the bat would be a tad better than Lowrie at average. Like mentioned above, Casey is a singles hitter as well.
by Randy Booth on
Apr 11, 2008 3:42 PM EDT
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