My Vote...Last Call on Ricky

[Hawaii007]

For me this is the last post I want to make on this subject until September where we can get more of a full season evalution. Like I have consistently said, in a vacuum, the signing sucks. But paying 3 mill a year for a 2B that hits .290 and has an OBP of .360 and a SLG of .460 I don't think anyone will say that is bad. Whether or not there was any other "interest" in him, I have no idea. I mean, who would have thunk that Troy O'Leary would still be playing baseball. And Carlos Baerga.
Yes having Johnny play 2B would not have made things any worse, but again, my main point is this, Ricky's lack of performance is part of the overall lack of offense by the Tribe, and it is unfair and stupid to place all the blame on him.
In hindsight at the moment, the deal was not a good one, but I believe at the time, it was a reasonable move.

[Alex]

Don't you find it interesting that when Bradley was playing, the offense was significantly better then after he was injured.

Don't you find it interesting that only once Magruder started playing, the offense rekindled. Why?

Answer, Magruder provided what Bradley had provided...some solid hitting in the back of the line-up.

But there is one other difference, Magruder and Bradley ALLOW for Charlie to HIDE Ricky G in the sixth spot and more preferably the seventh spot in the line-up.

Without a Magruder or Bradley in the line-up, AND Ricky in the two spot, this team is dead offensively. As a result, the power guys are pitched to as if the bases were empty.

If Ricky hits second and gets on base, he is no baserunning threat, and the power guys are pitched to as if he isn't even on base. There is no point in sacrificing him over to second because he has no speed.

If Ricky hits second, and Omar gets on base, it may mean he either hits into a GIDP or makes an out, as his 3 sac hits versus 11 GIDP's suggest he can't do that task very well. If Ricky avoids the GIDP, and his out fails at sac hitting Omar over...the inning is ruined because now it is too late to try a sac hit. Heck, even if Ricky GETS a hit, the opposing team plays for the DP BECAUSE he is so slow.

During the 1st 15 or so games, when Ricky batted 7th, we scored pretty well...

During the next 12-18 games, Bradley was injured, Ricky batted second, hit into a TON of Double-plays, could not produce a sac hit to save his life...

Whenever Ricky was on base, the Power guys hitting behind him were pitched to AS IF NO ONE WAS ON BASE! Power hitting guys benefit from the extra fast balls they get when there is a speedy runner on first. Not so when Ricky is on base.

Over the last 10-15 games, Magruder plays, Ricky bats sixth (gasp, should be no higher than seventh) Ricky misses capitalizing on SEVERAL run scoring opportunities, but we survive because Magruder turns into a second table-setter at the back of the line-up, either driving in key runs or getting on base for the front of the line-up to drive in.

A .290 hitter who can take a walk, and has some speed, such as Magruder, or even better, A Luis Castillo....COMPLETELY changes the chemistry of this team and the pitch selection the power guys who follow will get.

Unfortunately, Omar at the top of the line-up is not enough. EVERY at bat by Ricky at the top of the order harms not just his batting spot, but those in front and behind him.

Even in the sixth spot during the past week, Ricky has missed several opportunities to drive in a key run...but his GIDP's are down because Thome and Fryman get enough extra base hits to clear the bases before Ricky G bats. Ricky is on pace to drive in 25 runs! This from a guy who has played virtually every day and has hit in either the 2, 6, or 7 spot!

Unfortunately there is no stat that truly shows how harmful he is to the line-up, but Thome sure seems to hit better when Ricky is batting at least two spots in back of Thome rather in anywhere in front of Thome.

Tony Gwynn comes to mind as a non-power hitting, non speed guy who played everyday, Tony thrived because he had such excellent bat control and could hit .330 every year.

Ricky's lack of speed and inability to hit for an acceptable average, and lack of power have NO PLACE in our line-up. About the only place to hide him is in the 7th or 8th spot, and if Branyan is already back there, that makes two hitters Charlie has to hide.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 04, 2002 06:36 AM: Message edited by: Alex ]</font>

[Dr. Robert]

Ricky is pretty useless. I wanted Rey Sanchez, but Shapiro had other plans. I also wanted Ricky Henderson instead of Brady. Guess the Sox knew what they were doing.

The question is, how do they get rid of Ricky G? No one is going to want to touch that contract. Ouch.

[Alex]

I'm very curious about Bill Selby. He plays second. He got two walks on Sunday, already has a pinch hit. Before he gets labled as a journeyman play, what potential does he have?

Does he have the potential to be a .350-360 OBP, does he have any speed, or power?