In 2010 the offense got it done by having no complete black holes in the lineup. Torres wasn't the most traditional leadoff guy although he was much better than in 2011. He was the only guy with speed as well. Huff and Posey could get on base but no one else was much in the OBP category. They got it done with some decent homerun production and timely hitting. Certainly wasn't your prototype MLB offense.
I've been thinking lately about Jimmy Rollins vs. Carlos Beltran. Rollins doesn't have a great OBP but he can hit, hes a leadoff guy, he can steal bases, and he plays SS. Fills a lot of needs even if hes got his warts. On the other hand you can retain Beltran who will really solidify the middle of the order, give us that key big bat that can get RBIs and HR, not to mention get on base so that Panda and Posey can knock him in. This, however, locks us into Melky as the leadoff man and most likely Crawford at SS. No traditional lead off hitter, no one who can really steal bases but you've only got the one black hole in Crawford.
Both guys are older, won't get deals like Fielder, Pujols, Reyes, etc. I think we could afford one of the two but signing either one would provide drastically different lineups:
with Rollins-
SS Rollins
2B Sanchez
3B Pablo
C Posey
CF Melky
1B Huff
LF Belt
RF Nate
With Beltran-
CF Melky
2B Sanchez
LF Beltran
3B Pablo
C Posey
1B Huff
RF Nate
SS Crawford
The 3-4-5 with Beltran is sick. The Rollins lineup looks surprisingly stacked on paper though. We would be gambling hoping that Melky, Huff, Nate, and Belt emerge as legit 5/6/7 hitters but there are no black holes in that lineup and they give us better team speed and athleticism. My mind tells me I'd rather give Beltran the big money over 3, maybe even 4 years, but I do like that Rollins lineup on paper.
The lineup is at a crossroads IMO. Are we going to get a middle of the order bat or a leadoff guy?
User account number (uid): 4844
Posted by sbgiants on 2011-11-11 10:48:15
In Reply to: If there is one thing I have learned from last year, it is there are no short-term fixes.
posted by juan on 2011-11-11 05:42:54
Posted by sbgiants on 2011-11-11 10:48:15
In Reply to: If there is one thing I have learned from last year, it is there are no short-term fixes.
posted by juan on 2011-11-11 05:42:54

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