Burnt to a Crisp.

by Allen Chace on Sep 9, 2008 3:24 PM EDT in Open Thread

That man in the middle has been absolutely scorching lately, with a 1.070 OPS over the last 28 days. He's been doing it on the strength of confidence, ability, and a .545 BABIP. His hot streak is unsustainable, no doubt about it. However, he's had two full months this season where his BABIP has been well-below the normal range. It's entirely logical to consider this to be some market correction. Consider his two good seasons for the Cleveland Clevelands:

2004: .297/.344/.446, BABIP: .320

2005: .300/.345/.465, BABIP: .323

And his line thusfar for the Sox:

2008: .291/.349/.421, BABIP: .332

His good years, obviously, have always been characterized by relatively high BABIPs. They aren't necessarily flukes; hitters like Manuel Ramirez and Derek Jeter have fashioned careers in which they are above-average in their BABIP range. One of the problems with a player like Crisp sustaining his for the long term is a loss of leg speed, but at 28 with 20 SBs on the season, he doesn't seem to be slowing down very much in that department. He's probably been a bit lucky, but he's been attempting to make clear over the last month plus that he is not a sinkhole in the offensive department. With Ellsbury's continuing struggles, it's safe to say that Jason Bay (.912 OPS with the Sox), Coco, and Mark Kotsay (.836) is the way to go in the outfield until (possibly later this week) J.D. Drew is ready to start again.

One of the ways in which we gained from the Manuel trade (which I am still recovering from) is in athleticism and versatility. I'd be comfortable with all of our OFs but Bay, perhaps, playing all 3 spots. And Bay ,certainly to the eyes, is providing a lot more speed, hustle, and defense in the LF spot and his spot in the batting order. Even with him being confined to LF, Coco, Kotsay, Drew, and Ells give us a lot of potential movable parts. A continued strong showing from Kotsay along with his ability to keep the curtain up at 1B may keep Sean Casey off of the playoff roster. But I digress, and get ahead of myself.

In any event, Coco's hot streak has provided he and the Sox with a lot more options now and in the future. The Sox can continue to ride Crisp's hot and timely bat through the rest of the season, and Coco now has a better chance at staying here and starting? or, more likely, getting the opportunity to move on to a situation in which he would be the bonafide starting CF. He's certainly making himself more palatable (read: marketable) in that respect. For now though, let's just enjoy what we've got in him and hope he can continue to assist DP, Bay, Papi, and Youks in doing the heavy lifting offensively.

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Comments

How did cutting his (Crisp's) hair coincided with his hitting streak??

Curious minds want to know the real important stuff!

Also, would cutting Manny’s hair have helped or hurt Manny’s offensive showing? What about his mental state??

Would having short hair a team requirement give a team an offensive edge?? It has not worked for the Yankees so I guess not!

by NG on Sep 9, 2008 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Aero-dynamics

Big hair impedes momentum.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Sep 9, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Having depth like this

is terrific. Ells, to me, even though he hasn’t produced offensively as we had hoped, is the most valuable of all of them because he’s so good at all three OF spots….and, still being a rookie, he’ll get better and better with the bat. I would keep all four of these guys – Bay, Ells, Drew and Crisp – because, especially with Drew, you never know who is going down with an injury.

P.S. I’d hate to see Casey not make the playoff roster after hitting .350 all year.

by ccthemovieman on Sep 9, 2008 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately, he would be a pinch hitter that would get pinch run for or defensively subbed.

Remember when we were kids and we mixed sodas together and called them "suicides"? It was OK though, because Dr. Pepper was always there.

by bdalebs on Sep 9, 2008 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

As long as Coco stays hot, he has to play

Sure, Ellsbury has more long-term upside. But, Coco has been better so far this year. In some ways, Coco is this year’s Ellsbury. While Ellsbury is likely the OF of the future, he has struggled at the plate this year. The Sox have 19 games remaining in the regular season and, hopefully, 11+ post-season games. This isn’t about the future. CF is Coco’s job to lose. Ellsbury will have to fight it out with Kotsay and Drew to see who gets the bulk of the time in RF. If Drew comes back strong, Taco is bench depth for the post-season.

I agree with ccthemovieman. It’s too bad about Casey. But Kotsay gives the Sox flexibility because he can play 1B if needed and he is a very good defensive OF.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Sep 9, 2008 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

I understand about Casey

It isn’t just hit great hitting; I said “it’s too bad” because he’s a great guy in the dugout, loved by his teammates….and I’d feel bad if he was left off the roster. Baseball-wise, I agree about his liabilities.

Kotsay was a great pickup.

by ccthemovieman on Sep 9, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Sep 9, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Roster

Do we usually go with 11 pitcers in the playoffs?

Because 14 spots =

Youk
Dusty
Lowrie
Cora
Lowell
Drew
Papi
Ellsbury
Coco
Bay
Kotsay
Tek
Cash
and Casey

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Sep 9, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

40 man rosters don't apply?

I thought they did… too much damn homework to find out for sure.

Remember when we were kids and we mixed sodas together and called them "suicides"? It was OK though, because Dr. Pepper was always there.

by bdalebs on Sep 10, 2008 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Not for the playoffs.

It’s 25. Everyone on the 40-man as of 8/31 or 9/1 is eligible.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Sep 10, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I love Coco

I know if everything had worked out and people had stayed healthy he would of been traded and I still say that was/is the right thing to do since Coco could start on 50% of the MLB teams, but I love the guy.

He is an awesome defensive player, can steal bases at will, plays hard every time he is out there and is good in a fight.

I wish the Sox could hold onto him for next year, but that does not seem fair to him, but I am very happy we are going into the playoffs with Coco. He is a weapon the Sox can use in a variety of situations.

by SoxAcumen on Sep 9, 2008 7:00 PM EDT reply actions

We're not in yet!

After Pap’s fifth blown save, I’m nervous again. We still have a ways to go with a lot of games against tough teams (yes, even the Yankees who play us tough and would love to knock us out). Keep rooting against the Twins – and now the Jays, who are on a big roll.

You know things are never easy when they concern the Sox (expect the World Series, if we can get there!!).

by ccthemovieman on Sep 10, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions