So What If Crisp Can Steal

Earlier today Zack Hayes wrote a thorough and optimistic analysis of the newly solidified Sox lineup. I'm not sure where he got his numbers, but he predicts a stronger, slightly slower line-up with a similar ability to get on base as last year's squad. I've gotta say I like the sound of that. It's especially uplifting when combined with the smattering of gold that will be gracing the hands of this lineup when they take to the Fenway grass.

Here is one projected starting line up that I've seen: Crisp, Loretta, Ortiz, Ramirez, Youkilis, Nixon, Varitek, Lowell, Gonzalez. I don't like it. Here's the order I'd prefer to see: Loretta, Youkilis, Ortiz, Ramirez, Varitek, Crisp, Nixon, Lowell, Gonzalez

Here's the stats:
2005
AB SLG OBP RBI R AVG
1. Loretta 2B 404 .347 .360 38 54 .280
2. Youkilis 1B 79 .405 .400 9 11 .278
3. Ortiz DH 601 .604 .397 148 119 .300
4. Ramirez LF 554 .594 .388 144 112 .292
5. Varitek C 470 .489 .366 70 70 .281
6. Crisp CF 594 .465 .345 69 86 .300
7. Nixon RF 408 .446 .357 67 64 .275
8. Lowell 3B 500 .360 .298 58 56 .236
9. Gonzalaz SS 435 .368 .319 45 45 .264

Youkilis is the lineup's calculated risk with only 79 major league at bats last year, but who among us doesn't think he's ready to play everyday? Talk about paying dues - he's been grinding in Pawtucket for years. The time is finally here to see what the Youk can do. Hayes brings up a good point by writing that he hopes to see Tito place the Greek God of On-Base-Percentage into the number two slot and use Loretta as leadoff - Loretta has a decent OBP, but doesn't carry much boom in the bat.

Crisp would make for a nice number six guy. Just because the man can steal bases is no reason to make him the lead off hitter of the Boston Red Sox as many Boston sports writers are penning for - the Sox don't steal bases (except when it counts). The bottom line is that Crisp doesn't have a high OBP, and the Sox want guys on base when Papi and Manny come to the plate.

Varitek has got to be the number 5 - Papi, Manny, and Tek are the heart of this order with each of them able to get on base and hit for power. Don't break up that monster trio.

Trot'll work out nicely in the seven slot. He's got a medium ability to get on base, and he's got medium power. Plus, it's the number he wears on his back. Heh.

I stuck Lowell at number 8 based on last year's numbers. If he hits like pre-2005, then all bets are off. A return to form for Lowell would make him much more valuable towards the front of the line up where he would get those extra at bats per game.

As for Gonzalez - well, he's got glove; unless he goes Cabrera on us and comes up with a crazy season, he's number nine.

With all this said, please, let's not forget good people, that spring training hasn't even begun. If you look at pre-spring training starting line-ups for 2004, then you'll see Nixon and Garciaparra sitting snugly amongst the other cowboy-uppers, but neither of them saw an at bat on Opening Day.

Thanks for the therapy.