New Bats in the Line-up...

[Alex]

Haffner at first, Martinez at third, Bard behind the plate. Three Excellent prospects, three is the minimum number of new bats you can have in a line-up if you are truly in a "youth movement".

Karim Garcia, Milton Bradley,
Johnny Mac are your "second-year" players....

They have enough experience to either move-up and become bonafide leaders, or they will stagnate and eventually be replaced by other prospects.

Omar, Ellis, and Lawton are your veterans.

3 new bats, 3 second year bats, 3 veteran bats. An excellent overall mix.

But if you don't get three new bats in the line-up this year, then the youth movement is moving too slowly and Shapiro is wasting valuable time.

Martinez needs to be in the line-up, and when he's in the line-up, he SHOULD NOT be replacing another first year bat!

[Dr. Robert]

The Tribe really wants Victor to catch, and get premium offense from that position. Meanwhile, Bard builds up trade value.

If he can't cut it with throwing out runners, then I could see Victor at 3B, especially if they're going to keep Peralta at SS. Or, at 1B if Broussard doesn't have it.

We just have to wait for things to shake down.

[Alex]

That's fine by me. But why saddle Martinez with the pressure of both. I say it's less pressure to play third than catch.

So let him hit and play third this year. Let Bard and Hinch catch. In the ensuing years, ease him into catching, Bard catches 80 games, Martinez catches 80 games.

The point is Bard gets better by playing, Martinez gets better by playing, they shouldn't be limiting each others playing time.

[Dogday]

I agree with you about Martinez. This kid is 24 years old and it's time to see what he can do. To me there is no sense in starting Martinez and Philips at Buffalo. I would like to see Johnny Mac at 3rd and Phillips at 2nd to start the year. While I'd love to see Broussard at first Hafner's presence at the plate has to give him a huge edge. The infield may not be pretty to start with but I think they will gel as they play together. I also think Buddy Bell will do wonders with these young infielders. Look at Thome, he, in my opionion, became one of the best defensive first basemen in the AL after starting with no experience over there. His ability to scoop bad hops around the bag saved the Tribe many an extra out.

[Alex]

I agree it's in the phrasing.

"Victor, we want your bat in the line-up everyday".

Followed by...

"We have to keep Hinch around so we have one vet catcher."

...and Bard needs to play also.

Martinez focuses on his offense while playing third, Bard focuses on his defense while catching.

I just can't see a rookie catcher excelling at both defense and offense. I think each prospect should start with what they are good at.

Martinez is good at hitting, Bard at defense.
I see Martinez's hitting suffering while he trys to improve his caught stealing percentage and handle the pitching.

Bard won't worry about his hitting as much, and will do a better job as a catcher.

But Martinez needs to play everyday.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 03, 2003 01:57 AM: Message edited by: Super-8mm in the DigitalAge ]</font>

[Dr. Robert]

You have a point there. But first, we have to see if Bard hits this spring. If he doesn't, then maybe they put Victor in there.

Moving to 3B would be a big change for him, and just as much pressure would be on him.

I wonder what he would say if they asked him?

[Dr. Robert]

If Vic was going to play 3B, he would have to spend some time in AAA getting used to it. You can't just throw him out on a major-league field, never having played the position.

I noticed that he dropped the ball on a play at the plate, and threw high to 2B on a steal attempt the other day. Meanwhile, Bard is a rock back there.

Considering the options for the next several years, I like Victor at 3B. The defense might be rough for a while, but at least we get his bat in there. And, later, he could wind up at 1B. Just get his **** bat in there.