Crawford has been putting it out there that his problems last year were caused by two things. One, that his stance got out of whack, and he was opening up his hips too much, which was caused by "thing two".
Two was where he was batting in the Red Sox lineup. He said as a 6th/7th hitter he couldn't be himself. He has slow guys in front of him (Ortiz/Gonzalez), and he felt that he needed to hit for power, causing him to mess up his swing.
To a certain extent I'll buy it. Crawford was a man without a spot in the lineup. A lot of that goes back to "why the hell did we sign this guy", because he really doesn't fit in this lineup. He wants to bat 2nd. That's awesome, but that's where Pedroia hits. So to fit Crawford into this lineup they are going to have to push Pedroia back to 3rd, which then pushes Gonzalez to 4th, Ortiz to 5th, Youk to 6th.
That makes the lineup L, L, R, L, L. That was a big no-no in the Francona system, but maybe that won't be the case here.
Moving on from endless lineup changes/ideas, is if that will be enough? How long will be Red Sox be able to bat him there is he isn't producing. Let's say that after a month Crawford is once again batting like .240, can they move him without him throwing a fit?
I don't disagree at all with Crawford is doing. It makes a lot of sense. Throw the manager who isn't here anymore under the bus (right or wrong), say he has fixed his swing, and lobby for his "correct" spot in the lineup. I am actually fine with all of that, as long as he turns back into Tampa Bay Carl Crawford.
All we can do is sit back and hope.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Crawford's Excuse
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8 comments:
I agree with Crawford and anything Anti Francona. he isn't throwing anyone under the bus, he is telling truths about how shitty of a manager Francona was. That's why he was fired.
hope you're right and he hits .300 with 50 SBs
I love Pedroia as much as anyone, but Crawford as player is a better fit for batting 2nd.
Speed batting behind speed creates havok. Pedroia can rake, sure, but he's better suited for further down the lineup (4th or 5th). With Ells and Crawford at the top expect alot more running this year.
Thank fucking god.
I'm sorry but it's baseball. Step up to the plate, hit the ball. Shouldn't matter where you're hitting in the lineup.
This team has produced more excuses than apologies this off-season.
And I'll take Pedroia as a #2 hitter. He's a better hitter than Crawford. And you want your best hitters to get more at-bats right?
IF Crawford can hit, then I really don't have a problem with...
Ellsbury
Crawford
Pedroia
Gonzalez
Ortiz
Youk
Ross
Salty
Aviles
You could also switch Youk/Ortiz if you wanted to.
I want my best hitters knocking in runs. I think with a better approach at the plate Crawford can be a better 2nd hitter. Speed changes how both the pitcher and the defense approach the batter and situation. Pedroia is not fast, but he swings a great bat. Drop him to 4th and you'll see a lot more RBIs.
Obviously, if Crawford isn't pulling his weight then you take him outta there. But I like speed at the top of my lineup. Bunting, hit and runs, steals -- you know, actual baseball. Not the Francona approach of "let's let everyone up there work the count and thus fall into a pitchers count and then swing at bad pitches".
Singles and walks without moving up runners gets you nowhere
I agree with Coobs on this one, someone with a lower intellect and no strategy would go into the mindset, "get up to the plate and hit the ball", but speed changes the whole dynamic of a line up. There was a reason the 03 Marlins were so successful with Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo at the top of the lineup.
Assuming Crawford is back to the Crawford of old, it would be that duo but much much deadlier.
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