The title says it all. Lugo was hit while trying to protect himself while squaring to bunt against Wood.
Wow. This really sucks. Of course, you'll still have people who don't understand what a great year he's having thinking that this is good news.
Noooooooo! This could really hurt our playoff run. Lugo was putting it all together lately. That 4 hit game versus Atl. on Fri. really impressed me. Oh well!
That is unfortunate about Lugo. After the playoffs last year, I despised Lugo. I cringed every time a grounder was hit to him. He buckled on curve balls. His speed has been there, but his knowledge on the basepath was lacking. For his speed, he got picked off too many times. This year, however, he has turned it around. You can see the confidence building in this guy. Hunsicker has been telling us to stick with this guy, he's young and only going to improve. I didn't believe it, but that just shows further proof of Hunsicker's scouting ability. It will be a setback, but I feel comfortable with Vizcaino. Solid veteran with championship-winning experience. With his new contract, I feel that Vizcaino will fill in nicely for us down the stretch.
Ouch. This hurts. Lugo was really the catalyst at the top. So Viz plays SS...that hurts even more because before we could use Viz at 3B/2B for spells. We now have 0 real backup infielders-that's not a good thing considering Biggio's age/productivity, and the fact that the left side of our infield is now made up of 2 career platoon players in Vizcaino and Blum. Great guys to have as roleplayers, and switch hitters off the bench...but every day players they are not. We can bring up Ginter, who can do some 2B/3B work, or Ensberg to back up 3rd. Taking a look at Stark's list of players who got through waivers, I see 2 intriguing possibilities-Neifi Perez (take over SS) and Frank Catalanatto (take over 3B, spell 2B, use Blum/Viz at SS)
Hmm....don't....get....mad....Don't....get...MAD! Ok, I've cooled down. Man, I was really starting to like Lugo to. (with start beginning about a month ago, ) Stupid Cubs.
He's been great in the field this season which is incredible to me considering how terrible he was last year. I hope his fielding this season wasn't a fluke but I guess we'll see next year. Lucky for us that Viz is playing well this year.
Crap! When I was watching highlights, they said it was just a bruised arm. Thats sucks. Well, we have a capable backup, but this still hurts us.
Damn. That really sucks. Lugo was actually having a good year. A lot better than I thought he'd ever play. I guess it's time to give Ginter a crack at the bigs. Viz will see most of the playing time and Ginter can get some spot starts and pinch hitting opps. Let me reiterate...damn.
heh heh...funny how no one has mentioned Adam Everett yet. How quickly the weak hitting fielders fall out of favor. Vizcaino is better anyway.
Lugo's offenisive numbers are actually down this year compared to his career averages. His slugging is up over last year (but well under his 2000 numbers) and his average and OBP are similar to last year. Interestingly enough, Lugo's OBP is only .014 better than Everett (although Everett doesn't have enough of a sample in the majors yet). Everett has been called up. Lugo will be missed. If Vizcaino plays the brunt of the time, he will put up a better average and OBP than Lugo and play solid defense, but it will weaken the bench.
Ginter won't get a sniff at the bigs, Ref....they're bringing up Everett. Ginter doesn't have the range to be a SS. This sucks!!! We not only lost a good SS...we lost a leadoff hitter.
Vizcaino will do fine at leadoff. His OBP is higher than Lugo's and he has proven to be a clutch player this year. It will be interesting to see how they use Everett. Will they throw him out there or have him play every 3rd game?
I think Vizcaino is the best player we've had all season in the infield with the exception of Bagwell. He has a track record of clutch hitting in the post season as well -- Game 1 of the Subway Series in 2000 he came through with the winning hit in extra innings. Lugo came through with a massive choke job versus Atlanta last year. If we make the playoffs, I'd rather have Vizcaino in there anyhow, but it will be harder to make the playoffs with no depth in the infield. Adam Everett brings nothing.
I was thinking more of who may be able to provide at the plate than I was about position. This is really unfortunate...Everett is a waste of a roster spot.
Lugo made great strides in the field this year, but his offense was quite pedestrian. Leadoff hitters with .320 OPB's are well below par. He'll be missed, but Viz/Everett should be able to replace his production.
I'm with you there, Buck. He has had some nice games of late, but the guy just takes to many oh-fers to be our full-time leadoff hitter. I like Viz in that role better as he's a more patient hitter and makes better contact. Lugo has a little pop in his bat, so he's good to have in the 7 or 8 slot.
