Castro takes over leadoff sport

[dabynsky]

Because we are paying Kosuke $12 million a year to bat . 270. Yea he is a little more patient but my point is, with the current state of the Cubs would you rather have..
1) a guy who wasn't going to come back next year bat #2 and take away experience from a young guy
2) Put a guy batting .293 in his rookie season in the 2hole. Get the kid experience. Help start building a new team.

So how does Barney experience change that dramtically between him batting 2nd and 8th? And wouldn't we better served doing everything we can to improve all facets of Starlin Castro's game then a guy that is a fringe starter.

 

[Chris J]

Bat higher in the order. More pressure to get on base. See more pitche batting in front of Aramis.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Because we are paying Kosuke $12 million a year to bat . 270. Yea he is a little more patient but my point is, with the current state of the Cubs would you rather have..
1) a guy who wasn't going to come back next year bat #2 and take away experience from a young guy
2) Put a guy batting .293 in his rookie season in the 2hole. Get the kid experience. Help start building a new team.

just because we overpay a player doesnt mean he's trash...tbh fuku was probably arguably one of the most well rounded players on the team(not saying much but still)

 

[dabynsky]

Bat higher in the order. More pressure to get on base. See more pitche batting in front of Aramis.

But the point is he doesn't see more pitches. It is also means we have three really free swingers batting in a row. Look I don't have a problem with Fukudome being gone right now. I don't have a problem with Barney starting. I do have a problem with a guy that struggles to get on base at a .320 clip is viewed as the future at the top of the order.

Actually the idea that I've been in favor of for a while is Jackson eventually taking the two spot again for that patient left handed hitter to help Castro developing a little base stealing ability.

 

[waldo7239117]

I love Castro/Barney as a 1-2 punch and I don't care what you all think.

 

[dabynsky]

I love Castro/Barney as a 1-2 punch and I don't care what you all think.

You've rarely cared about being wrong in the past so I am not surprised...

 

[waldo7239117]

You've rarely cared about being wrong in the past so I am not surprised...

...and that's a bad thing?

 

[dabynsky]

...and that's a bad thing?

In honor of a potential Dewey return:

 

[Chris J]

I'm in favor of Jackson batting #2 also but who knows when he will be ready. He isn't ready this year.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

I'm in favor of Jackson batting #2 also but who knows when he will be ready. He isn't ready this year.

lol@jackson batting #2 now...

pitchers would pitch around the strike zone to **** with us

 

[dabynsky]

lol@jackson batting #2 now...

pitchers would pitch around the strike zone to **** with us

Which might be why I put the word eventually when I talked about Jackson batting second...

 

[daddies3angels]

i like Castro batting 1st but Barney is not a 2 hitter. Right now though he does make most sense in 2 hole.

 

[Chris J]

Barney 1-2 so far

 

[daddies3angels]

Barney 1-2 so far

Theres no question that Barney can hit for AVG. He just doesnt get on base enough to be a 2 hole hitter. He also doesnt have above average speed u like from 2 hole either