A Papi Poll: Where Should He Hit?
It looks like David Ortiz is finally being moved out of the No. 3 spot in the lineup. The only question now is this:
Where does he go?
If this was 10 years ago, the worst hitter on the team would bat 9th. But I don't think we're going to see Ortiz hitting 9th, even though he does have the "best" numbers for that spot.
Eighth perhaps? 7th? 6th even?
Let's just have you decide. Answer the poll: where should David Ortiz hit in the lineup?
Feel free to leave your ideal lineup in the comments.
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75 comments
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Comments
I suppose that if he "had" to be in the lineup
You probably don’t want him too close to Els. Batting Papi 9th would occasionally take away his greatest asset – his speed.
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by mystman995 on May 26, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think he should work out his swing in Pawtucket for a while
"Well let me just quote the late-great Colonel Sanders, who said...'I'm too drunk to taste this chicken.' "
-Ricky Bobby
by nepats108 on May 26, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not that I'd pick it
But there should be a Pawtucket / DL option for this poll.
"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.
by 0157H7 on May 26, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think that’s the most unlikely thing, but even if that did happen, he’d come back and be in a different spot in the lineup, so…
by Randy Booth on May 26, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My ideal lineup
Drew
Youk
Green
Pedroia
Bay
Lowell
Drew
Ortiz
Ellsbury
Green third? Yup. Is this is a sarcastic list? Yup.
by Randy Booth on May 26, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm a big fan of this one:
Drew
Pedroia
Bay
Pedroia
Bay
Pedroia
Bay
Pedroia
Bay
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Now Introducing the new 2009 Big 12 Baseball Tournament Champions: UT, KSU*, BU*, and MU*!
by mystman995 on May 26, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn
I forgot to include Youk…..throw him after DP and repeat as necessary.
Introducing the new 2008 Big 12 Football Champions: OU, UT*, TT*, and MU*!
Now Introducing the new 2009 Big 12 Baseball Tournament Champions: UT, KSU*, BU*, and MU*!
by mystman995 on May 26, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could Lars come up and DH for a spell? What other options could we look at?? really Dustin in front batting over .320 and Youk behind @ over .370!!!
that 0 in between really SUCKS! REALLY, anyways my mad banter for the morning
by AJCOTE on May 26, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lets not rus Lars
he is very young, and is struggling in AA ball right now. He is working it out-the worst thing we could do is rush him up.
by Buzzy on May 26, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no, info on the Sox is harder to get out West here then blood from a rock
If I don’t ask, I don’t know…..
by AJCOTE on May 26, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're new, so I'm gonna help you out.
First, read the Minor Lines FanPosts that USG posts everyday(ish) for Minor League updates.
Second, read at least the front page stories on here. The FanPosts, FanShots, and comments all have good info and insight as well.
Third, find a good news collecting method. I use Twitter, others use RSS feeds, or email updates from Google News.
Other good sites:
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, yeah, some other tools:
As BTLove mentions below, Cot’s Baseball Contracts (Google it).
BBRef, FanGraphs, and FirstInning for stats.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay I’ll actually leave an ideal lineup and btw papi can not go to AAA as he would have to clear waivers since he has been out of options for many years now.
Ellsbury
Pedroia
Youkilis
Drew
Bay
Ortiz
Lowell
Varitek
Green
This will keep Tito’s RLRL in the heart of the order that he loves so much, I believe if you drop him any farther than 6th it will do even more harm to his mental game.
by redsoxnation80 on May 26, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Ortiz doesn’t break out of it, he would be stranding Bay and Drew a lot, because of their high OBP. Also a lot of double plays as Mikey Lowell has seen from batting behind those guys this year.
"Well let me just quote the late-great Colonel Sanders, who said...'I'm too drunk to taste this chicken.' "
-Ricky Bobby
by nepats108 on May 26, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now he can't go to the minors without being claimed
but, would a team want to take on his monster contract?
by JackofAllTrades on May 26, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure he would even have to go to the minors if unclaimed.
by BTLove on May 26, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how would that work, like he would refuse assignment and become free agent?
by JackofAllTrades on May 26, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure exactly,
but I think the only way to take a player off the 25 man roster who is out of options is the cut him. So he would become a FA.
by BTLove on May 26, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if that did happen(GOD FORBID)
how much would we have to buyout?
by JackofAllTrades on May 27, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The contract is guaranteed, so we pay all of it.
Which is $12.5 mil this year and next.
by BTLove on May 28, 2009 3:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL, rec'd
"Hey we got a lot in common here... I'm gonna rape you"
by MerryGoByeBye on May 26, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Papi hitting (or not)
I think Papi should sit for a while. He can do some T work and some soft-toss. His timing is all off, he’s pulling his head – his mechanics are off, so his confidence is shot. With some time off to get some work in, I’m sure he can get his swing back.
by nance71724 on May 26, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
His mechanics are off..
because it looks like he is trying to cheat. He doesn’t have the bat speed and most importantly the wrist speed. He has to start his swing early, so he can’t discern between a close strike and a ball.
Ortiz like Manny had an excellent eye on pitches, he just refuse to take the bait or would foul them off, now he is can’t make contact, and because he is starting his swing before the ball starts it break, he can’t tell a slider from a fastball.. What worse, he can’t hit a low 90s fastball, because his timing is way, way off.
This is really serious. Papi can’t hit, or is just swinging wildly. You cant have that in a top ranked team, like the Sox. This is DFA material. This is also effecting Pedroia, because he is getting walked more often so pitcher can get an easy out with Ortiz. Right now, I wouldn’t be surprise if Papi is DFA before the end of the season, even though there are three or so more years in his contract. He can’t continue like this. If Ortiz was signed to 2010, they would probably DFA by now.
My guess is that he feels his wrists aren’t the same, whether speed or strength, and the only way he can hit for power is to cheat a bit, but it is screwing up everything else.
Ortiz’s number is going to get retired by the Sox, (I thought Manny would as well, before his mid season temper tantrum in 2008) He still gets this debate of keeping him in the line up because he is Big Papi, much like Jeter has much more slack because he is Mr. Yankee. If it were anyone else, he would had been DFA.
If the Sox want to keep him,they will put him on the DL, have his wrists examine again, tell him to get in better shape, which help his mechanic and his leg strength. The Sox and Ortiz can’t continue like this, something has to give, or change.
by superferret on May 26, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find the Papi thing interesting because it reminds me a bit of Travis Hafner. Hafner was unable to catch up to fastballs anymore, so he was cheating on them and leaving himself susceptible to offspeed stuff. His power, contact and usefullness all took a nosedive (evident by his 2008 stats).
Could Ortiz’s problems be some lingering health issues the team (or Ortiz) is hiding? Hoping it was something he could just work through as the season went along?
Hafner had his surgery last year (basically cleaning out his shoulder) and has shown a remarkable return to form. Not quite the monster he was in 2005-2006, but more in line with what an aging slugger’s stats should look like. Not a dramatic drop.
by Toxicadam on May 26, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
AAA trip or lower in the line-up
He fucking can’t stay at the 3rd spot. There’s no excuse.
"Hey we got a lot in common here... I'm gonna rape you"
by MerryGoByeBye on May 26, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Meh
Ellsbury
Pedroia
Youk
Bay
Lowell
Drew
Ortiz
Varitek
(Insert Random SS)
Personally, I think we should ship him off to Pawtucket for “Extended Rehab”.
by jcorye1 on May 26, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted 5
because he the fifth batter is generlized as a free swinger that has more power than the fourth hitter. IF he doen’t pick up numbers after that, i say move him to 7th
by JackofAllTrades on May 26, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Except Ortiz has no power.
He is slugging .299, lowest on the team, by a lot.
by BTLove on May 26, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He still has a little
He needs to get his swing back
by JackofAllTrades on May 26, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have NEVER heard of that generalization.
And it doesn’t make sense either.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats what I read in all the baseball analyst books
by JackofAllTrades on May 26, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
From BtB:
The Number Five Guy
The old-school book says the number five guy is a wannabe cleanup hitter.
The Book says the #5 guy can provide more value than the #3 guy with singles, doubles, triples, and walks, and avoiding outs, although the #3 guy holds an advantage with homeruns. After positions #1, #2, and #4 are filled, put your next best hitter here, unless he lives and dies with the long ball.
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/3/17/795946/optimizing-your-lineup-by
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The conventional wisdom though is what JackofAllTrades is describing. You want the power guy in the 5 hole. Make sense? maybe not, but I’ve heard that before.
by BTLove on May 26, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you
The conventional wisdom doesn’t win world series though. Well somtimes
by JackofAllTrades on May 27, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He'll be batting 6th tonight
According to the Globe:
The Red Sox have dropped David Ortiz to sixth in the batting order, with J.D. Drew moving up to the struggling Ortiz’s familiar third spot.
When asked by my Globe colleague Amalie Benjamin before the game if he was going to talk to the media before the game, Ortiz replied, “After I go deep tonight.”
Also, Mike Lowell is out of the lineup tonight, with Kevin Youkilis moving across the diamond to third base
The only Red Sox fan in a country where nobody cares about basball!
by radiohix on May 26, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Assuming that was all supposed to be a quote.
Unless you got connections.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Salut mon jeune ami!
I don’t have thes kind of connections LOL, it was all supposed to be a quote but,as always, I fucked up! 3rd world country I guess :)
The only Red Sox fan in a country where nobody cares about basball!
by radiohix on May 26, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nah, their HTML format is screwy.
Delete the double spaces.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
try this one on
1. Ellsbury
2. Youkilis (he doen’t hit into DP’s as often as Pedroia)
3. Lowell
4. Bay
5. Pedroia
6. Green (as DH or inf)
7. Varitek (7. Drew / Baldelli)
8. Drew / Baldelli (8. Kottaras)
9. Lugo / Bailey
by pizdof on May 26, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WTF?
Green as a DH? He’s WAY overperforming, and isn’t that good right now to begin with – I’d rather keep him at SS, even with his errors.
Drew 8th? Have you not paid attention to his huge OBP?
Lowell 3rd? Just because he hit a homer recently?
Youk 2nd wastes his slugging.
Pedroia 5th wastes his hitting ability in general.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the perfect lineup
I tried to find a better one but I couldn’t:
1. Pedroia
2. Drew
3. Youkilis
4. Bay
5. Ortiz
6. Lowell
7. Ellsbury
8. Varitek
9. Green
The only Red Sox fan in a country where nobody cares about basball!
by radiohix on May 26, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Close to mine.
I move Tek up because of his sluggling – bring the runners in.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dis moi: Est-ce que tu as un compte sur facebook?
J’aimerais t’ajouter a ma liste d’amis! Merci
The only Red Sox fan in a country where nobody cares about basball!
by radiohix on May 26, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you should be either the manager of the sox or head-up the TV (lol) staff
OK green (way-over) goos use it to the best advantage
Drew yes, “way down there” he’s K-ing at a rate of 29 per 100 and stranding runners
Lowell you bet – as you say Youk with extra base “stuff” … Lowell cant double him off
Pedroia (5th) why not – you like Bay 4th, get Bay on – Pedroia get’s him in . (w/ “hitting ability” )
by pizdof on May 26, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hardly.
I over reacted a bit, but most of your lineup just goes against what I would have used based on most of the analytical stuff I’ve read.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More and more wrist injuries scare me. This could be speculation and have nothing to do with his wrist, but time and time again players get wrist injuries and despite a full return to health they are either never the same or it takes them years to get back to form, at which point age has crept on them and they aren’t good for much longer
by Realistic on May 26, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There's a lot of parts in the wrist.
Possibly the most complex joint.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just heard he's hitting 6th. Drew 3rd.
Likely to keep the LRLR intact other than the Youk-Bay core.
by USG on May 26, 2009 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I just saw that I'm three posts late. F me.
by USG on May 26, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eh.
You brought up Tito’s thing though. Drew has performed well in the 3 spot before – good OBP and SLG spot.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My lineup:
DP – good OBP, and his slugging allows him to in scoring position often.
Drew – good OBP, could knock in a lot of runners.
Youk – power and OBP.
Bay – why the hell not?
Tek – follow me here: good power this season (.500 slugging)
Ells – just has to get the ball in play and move runners; steals to prevent DP’s after him.
Papi – he and Lowell could switch, depending if Papi can’t pick up or Lowell gets faster.
Lowell – not a lot of chances for GIDP after the big guys come up, but runners could be in scoring position.
Green – set the table for another go-round.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 26, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Another quote from The Globe:
Ortiz was spending part of the pregame playing cards with Julio Lugo.
I know now the source of Big Papi’s struggles!!!!! He has been spending to much time with the wife beater!!!! DFA Lugo ’cause the virus is spreading.
The only Red Sox fan in a country where nobody cares about basball!
by radiohix on May 26, 2009 6:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Traded?
Any truth about Ortiz being shopped around by Theo?
Go Sox!
"You're Dixie's Football Pride, Crimson Tide - Roll Tide, Roll Tide!"
by Whistlin' Dixie on May 26, 2009 7:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Poll doens't offer two important choices... Bench and Pawtucket
If this was 10 years ago, the worst hitter on the team would bat 9th
Corrected to read: If this was 10 years ago, the worst hitter in the starting lineup would bat 9th.
So, Papi, as much I adore what he did for us over the past several seasons, needs to either NOT be in the starting 9 OR not on the roster for the top club… if it’s a mechanics problem, sit down and talk him into a 15 day stint at Pawtucket, get him as many at bats as possible where he won’t be an out or worse, a DP, in a game that counts (sry PawSoxs fans, you know what I mean). OR, park him on the bench for a couple more series, use him as a pinch hitter on occasion and hope? But why are we wasting a DH slot on a guy hitting south of .200, and nearly a century under his own career avg? The point of the DH rule (ugh. but whatever) is to get more firepower in there and not use your pitcher who “can’t hit.” Rocco would probably be an improvement…But as it stands now, hell, we might as well play like we’re an NL team, because honest to God, we’d get better hitting from the pitching staff. Beckett hit over .400 a couple seasons back :P 5 out of 12 of the current staff have time in the NL (though Wakefield’s is AGES ago)… ah well…
by JD SoOR on May 27, 2009 1:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wake started out as an infielder, so he'd be okay.
by BTLove on May 27, 2009 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that he was a great hitter in high school.
But, he did have a homer in Pittsburgh. Can’t find a video.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 27, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WE NEED A TRADE
How about this trade……
Send Lugo, Delcarmen, Bowden, and Anderson
for
Minnasota’s Mauer and Punto
- As much as I like seeing Tek do well this year, its time for a change behind the plate. And Mauer is a FA after this season, so he plays with us for the rest of the year and then we sign him to a contract much like we were going to sign Mark Teixara.
- And to get rid of Lugo, need i say more?
-Keep 3 cathers on the roster, and play Kottares ONLY when Wake pitches
-And switch Tek and Mauer at DH, and at catcher every couple of days
-I’m sorry Big Papi, I have great respect for you, and am grateful for all you’ve done in a Sox uniform, but you’re not what you used to be……
by Fenway on May 27, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mauer is signed thru 2010.
Why would we want 3 catchers? If we got Mauer, Tek would catch Wake – he doesn’t now because it’s impossible to handle 4 pitchers AND a knuckler.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on May 27, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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