Interleague Play

Well with Bagwell's arm hurting so much, I think Lamb plays 1B and Bagwell DHs. Against some right handers 1M might do this:

1) Biggio CF
2) Everett SS
3) Bagwell DH
4) Kent 2B
5) Berkman LF
6) Lamb 1B
7) Ensberg 3B
8) Ausmus C
9) Palmeiro RF

 

I think i'd put Bagwell at DH too, however i'd move Berkman to 1st base. Then throw either Lane or Hidalgo in the OF for some more pop. Maybe playing a couple teams that don't scout Hidalgo could get him out of his slump.

 

I think Jason Lane is more likely to play 1st than Berkman. I'd play Lane at 1st and DH Bagwell. And put Berkman in the 3 spot!

 

Biggio should be another DH candidate. Playing CF is more draining than 1st base. And Biggio is getting up there in age.

I'd put in Lane for 4 games(subbing either Bagwell or an OF), and Lamb in the other two. Why does Jimy play Palmeiro over Lane is beyond me. Surely Lane can hit at least as well as Palmeiro has demonstrated in his career.

 

When will people realize Berkman is a legit outfieder now and no longer a fist basemen? The guy has played a total of 3 games at 1st his entire big leage career. He is much more adept in the OF than he would be at 1st now.

If he ever plays there again it will be very late in his career.

 

Berkman is an average left fielder. Obviously, most NL teams throw a guy in LF that can't play any other base good besides 1st. Berkman knows how to play the wall at MMP and uses his head, not his body top make good plays.

But when Jason Lane and Willy Tavarez start playing everyday, Bagwell retires, where else would you put Berkman? Both are better outfielders that can cover more field than Lance.

 

I've been hearing Jason Lane is going to play very day for about 4 years now so I'll believe it when I see it.

The fact that Williams plays the likes of Palmeiro over him doesn't leave me very keen on his prospects.

 

You're absolutly right. Lane has been condidered a top prospect for 4 years now. In the meantime we let him age and lose trade value.

Lane won't play until:

A. Biggio retires or takes a bench role.
B. We don't pick up Hidalgo's option or renogitiate an extension
C. Bagwell retires and Berkman moves to 1st.

Lane has been a prospect for around 5 years now and is already 27. I believe the only reason are holding on to him is because 1 of the options above is inevitable. Also, at Lane's age, if he pans out to be a star, he will be a star in the prime of his career making very little money only by going to arbitration.

If i was Lane, i would have demanded a trade by now. The fact he hasn't shows alot of patience on his part. He could start on half the teams out there now.

The way Tavarez is playing, he'll be a starter before Lane. The Astros need to make a decision on him now. Find out if they can resign Hidalgo at a much discounted rate or not.

 

1Ms lineup for today:
1) Bidge CF
2) Adam SS
3) Bags DH
4) Kent 2B
5) Berk LF
6) Viz 1B
7) Hidalgo RF
8) Ensberg 3B
9 Chavez C

I like this lineup, sans Viz. Chaves is a former Mariner so he knows the hitters on the M's better than Ausmus. Bagwell doesn't have to throw as he is the DH. I would much rather see Lamb at 1B or Lane than Vizcaino. When is 1M going to stop loving this guy???

 

Remember... its an AL game, so there's no telling when or where you might pinch-hit for a regular.

This lineup gives us a pretty good balance of contact and power... especially when you don't factor in any sac bunts by pitchers. Also, I assume Chavez is in there as a sort of "reward" for yesterday, and his bunting ability (he's quite good, apparently).

Also, our bench becomes much stronger with Lamb on there... and you assume we might need a big knock late with KoKo on the mound.

 

Yeah Ive seen Chamo lay a couple down, all of them were high choppers down the first base line and they were effective.