Actually he did stop in August.( I would be happy for this to serve as a anti-jinx and him get going again. That is a secondary part of mt post strategy here ) Certain? No. Why? Because of how he looks at the plate and how he has looked for 30ab. Isn't that enough? You know, I am not advocating assigning him to oblivion, right?
Toward the end of the year, Springer was slumping. Over a 10-game stretch in the middle of September, he slashed .195/.283 (OB%). Next 10 games? .342/.431 (including ALDS). I'm sure he's pressing as the situation has amplified this latest slump. The solution? Stop pressing. Relax. Get back to basics and doing what made him an All-Star. Explain to us how moving him down in the line-up accomplishes those goals. You dismiss his psyche as, "It can't be any worse...." - do you want him to break out of this, or not? If not, sure - tell him you've lost confidence in him and, hey, good luck hitting 8th. That should do wonders. He'll be back to normal in NO TIME.
Only one goal here. Win games. As for the rest, asked and answered. Edit: Look, if there was a steadfast psychological solution, it would be employed. What you have to understand about my position is that I dont see moving Springer down in the lineup as being any different than moving Bregman, Marwin or Reddick.
I move him down... next year. We made it to the World Series with him at the top. Don't go full panic mode now. I'm not sure who you would replace him with in the lineup. You won't take Altuve out of the 3rd spot. Looking at OBP from the regular season your choices are probably Marwin, Bregman, or Reddick... none of which have been lighting it up in the post season
