What to do with Big Papi

by pedroiastroika on Apr 14, 2008 3:45 PM EDT

So, with this ridiculous stretch of games coming up, when should Ortiz be back in the lineup? I've heard everywhere from 'keep him out for a week' to 'let him sit out one game.' I think that keeping him out is actually beneficial for a couple reasons. First, it gives Tito time to try and sort out the Ellsbury/Crisp situation, and have them both play. Obviously, I think they have to stick with Jacoby in the long run, and getting rid of Coco is inevitable. Also, it's still so early in the season that, if Papi is still nursing his knee, he can sit out as long as he needs to.

On the other hand, it seems like it would be a much smarter (more smart?) move to get Ortiz in there and have him struggle through until he can get his swing back. I know that putting him in the lineup while he is struggling takes a spot away from someone who could do something more productive, but keeping him out won't necessarily get him out of this slump.

Clearly I have been agonizing over what Franconer should do. Any Sox fan wants him in the lineup, but not if he is struggling.

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I would be happier to see him rest for a week or two.

I trust Terry to get the best out of the Drew, Crisp and Ellsbury combination in the outfield, with Manny at DH.

But he's playing today, I think, and he'll come around sooner or later. After all, he's

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Apr 14, 2008 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

...nice.

And honestly, now that you mention all those guys, Ellsbury looks fine at the plate and on the field, Coco is at least using his speed to our (and his) advantage, and Drew is as hot as anyone on the team. Probably can better afford Papi being out/slumping now than we will be able to all season long. And of course, Manny with his non-customary hot start.

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Julius Erving is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Apr 14, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Knee surgery...

...isn't the sort of thing anyone just bounces back from. If Papi's knee isn't 100% now, it's not going to be 100% after sitting for a week or two either. And assuming the surgery was done correctly and no freak accidents occur, it's also not going to get worse if he keeps playing.

It's just going to take some time for Papi to get comfortable again. The longer he sits, the longer it's going to take. He ought to have a game off here or there anyway, but sitting him for a while isn't going to help.

Now, if the slump has nothing to do with the knee, then it's still not likely to be something that can get worked out by riding the pine for a week or two.

by RSNexile on Apr 14, 2008 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

Even if his knee is a problem,

he's forcing at the plate and trying out different stances, and just plain doesn't seem in the right frame of mind. I can't help feeling that time off would be useful for the mental side of his game, even if the knee isn't going to magically heal.

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Apr 14, 2008 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

(and of course the forcing and different stances are likely connected to the knee)

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Apr 14, 2008 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you're right.

I think maybe just one more day would be good for him, though it appears that that won't be the case.

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Julius Erving is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Apr 14, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

It's still cold during this portion of the season (at least it is in Boston, I assume), and I'd imagine this makes working into a comfortable post-surgery batting routine more difficult - as it will aggravate and lingering soreness. I'm sure he'll be fine and hitting around .290 by late May

by nuthinboutnuthin on Apr 15, 2008 12:53 AM EDT reply actions