Sox sign Crawford 7 years 142 mill

[nickagneta]

Well he did have 90 RBI's last year which would have been good for what? 3rd on the team last year?

Right.  He also should be hitting im guessing 6th this year.  Ellsbury, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz, Crawford, Salty, Drew, Scutaro? Lot of lefties in the line up to deal with and to keep separated.

No way the Sox pay Crawford $22 million a year and hit him 6th. He'll lead off.

Against righties

Crawford  Lefty
Pedroia   Righty
Gonzalez  Lefty
Youkilis  Righty
Ortiz     Lefty
Drew      Lefty
Saltalamacchia/Catcher Switch
Scutaro   Righty
Ellsbury  Lefty


Against lefties

Crawford  Lefty
Pedroia   Righty
Gonzalez  Lefty
Youkilis  Righty
Ortiz     Lefty
Cameron   Righty
Drew      Lefty
Scutaro   Righty
Saltalamacchia/Catcher Switch

Crawford isn't a leadoff hitter.  I don't think he likes to do it, and frankly, his power makes him a bit of a waste down there.

My guess is he will hit 2nd, 3rd, or 5th.  I think he will hit second if Ellsbury is not playing well enough to lead off (Pedroia would lead off), otherwise, he will hit either 3rd or 5th. 

I also think spots 6-9 will vary from game to game depending on whether they are facing lefties or righties, with Ortiz and Drew moving down the lineup (or being replaced) against lefties. 

Given the uncertainty of Jacoby Ellsbury and the fact that there is little chance of moving Pedroia out of the 2nd spot, Gonzalez out of the 3rd spot, Youkilis out of the fourth spot, or Ortz out of the fifth(given Tito's penchant for lefty/righty lineups and his loyalty to Peddy, Youk and Papi) and the fact that Crawford has been a lead off batter with success for over a third of his career, I have to respectfully disagree here Chris.

They will want him getting as many ABs as possible and if Ellsbury has anything but a year like he did in 2009, he'll be put in the ninth slot to start the lineup back up again. It's the what Tito does things. He wants consistency at the top of the order if people are healthy and Ellsbury will platoon with Cameron, especially if he isn't 100% or struggling.

So I see Crawford leading off and the Sox having the same 1-5 batters basically everyday. I do agree the bottom of the order will be in flux depending on who's pitching and who's playing.

[Roy H.]

I'd say:

Ellsbury (L)
Pedroia (R)
Crawford (L)
Gonzalez (R)
Youk (R)
Ortiz (L)
Drew (L)
Catcher (S)
Scutaro (R)

I think the lineup has a ton of flexibility, though; I could see Crawford in any of the top three slots, and Ellsbury can easily bat 1st or 9th (i.e., second lead off.)

[action781]

I'd say:

Ellsbury (L)
Pedroia (R)
Crawford (L)
Gonzalez (R)
Youk (R)
Ortiz (L)
Drew (L)
Catcher (S)
Scutaro (R)

I think the lineup has a ton of flexibility, though; I could see Crawford in any of the top three slots, and Ellsbury can easily bat 1st or 9th (i.e., second lead off.)

Roy, you're such a shmuck, I was literally in the middle of writing a post saying that I would start the same exact lineup and you beat me too it.  I GUESS I'll TP you.  Well, here's my reasoning:


I wouldn't terribly disagree with Nick's lineup, but Chris is on to something.  You guys are better at searching for stats than I am, but look up Crawford's stats when batting 3rd compared to other spots in the lineup.  I heard them on WEEI this morning and it was pretty convincing that he's a better hitter when batting third.  I want my $20M player hitting wherever he hits best.  I'd go with:

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Crawford
Gonzalez
Youk
Ortiz
Drew
C
SS

I know Cameron hits righties better than Ellsbury (higher OPS by a very considerable .114 for career).  But Ellsbury is on the upswing in his career and Cameron on the decline.  Also, my lineup has Ellsbury slotted as the leadoff where he has a solid career .359 OBP against righties and lefties.  I'd like to give Ellsbury consistent time and keep Cameron relegated to 4th/backup outfielder.

[crownsy]

I'd say:

Ellsbury (L)
Pedroia (R)
Crawford (L)
Gonzalez (R)
Youk (R)
Ortiz (L)
Drew (L)
Catcher (S)
Scutaro (R)

I think the lineup has a ton of flexibility, though; I could see Crawford in any of the top three slots, and Ellsbury can easily bat 1st or 9th (i.e., second lead off.)

I'd swap youk out for crawford in that line up, just because Carl doesn't have alot of power and strikes out alot and I'd like my 3 hitter to be a grinder like youk.

But other than that, im very ok with that lineup

[kozlodoev]

My guess is he will hit 2nd, 3rd, or 5th.  I think he will hit second if Ellsbury is not playing well enough to lead off (Pedroia would lead off), otherwise, he will hit either 3rd or 5th.

Pedro is not a lead-off hitter either. It's been tried in 2009, he didn't like it, and he didn't do it well at all. His BA and OBP dropped by nearly .100 when they had him bat first -- no wonder it only lasted 25 games.

[Big_Matt34]

Statistically Crawford has been at his best hitting 2nd, has an OPS of .812 there, compared to sub 800 when hitting leadoff or 3rd. But i don't really think that matters a ton now, different situation. I'd also hope that Lowrie is the starting SS over Scutaro, if healthy of course which is the big question with him. Francona also loves to split up his lefties and righties, so a lineup i'd like is

Crawford
Pedroia
A-Gon
Youkilis
Ortiz
Lowrie
Drew
Salty/whoever
Ellsbury/Cameron

Francona said last week Ellsbury was still feeling pain in his back, not a good sign. There's too many question marks with him to pencil him in at leadoff IMO. And if Lowrie gets hurt again, just move Drew to the 6 spot, and have Scutaro hit 7th or 8th.

[dpaps]

I'd say:

Ellsbury (L)
Pedroia (R)
Crawford (L)
Gonzalez (R)
Youk (R)
Ortiz (L)
Drew (L)
Catcher (S)
Scutaro (R)

I think the lineup has a ton of flexibility, though; I could see Crawford in any of the top three slots, and Ellsbury can easily bat 1st or 9th (i.e., second lead off.)

Gonzalez is a Lefty, not a righty. 3 of the first four batters are then leftys. I think this is indeed the best lineup though. Maybe reversing Crawford and Pedroi. I like

Elsbury
Crawford
Pedroia
Gonzo
Youk
Ortiz
Drew
Salty
Scutaro

You get the double lead off men hitting 1,2. You really set the table for Gonzo, Youk, Ortiz with Els,Crawford, and Pedy infront of them. Kinda reminds me of the Indians lineups in the late 90s when they went with Lofton, Vizquel, Alomar Jr. in the 1,2,3 spot to get on base infront of Manny, Thome, Bell.

[ejk3489]

Well he did have 90 RBI's last year which would have been good for what? 3rd on the team last year?

Right.  He also should be hitting im guessing 6th this year.  Ellsbury, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz, Crawford, Salty, Drew, Scutaro? Lot of lefties in the line up to deal with and to keep separated.

No way the Sox pay Crawford $22 million a year and hit him 6th. He'll lead off.

Against righties

Crawford  Lefty
Pedroia   Righty
Gonzalez  Lefty
Youkilis  Righty
Ortiz     Lefty
Drew      Lefty
Saltalamacchia/Catcher Switch
Scutaro   Righty
Ellsbury  Lefty


Against lefties

Crawford  Lefty
Pedroia   Righty
Gonzalez  Lefty
Youkilis  Righty
Ortiz     Lefty
Cameron   Righty
Drew      Lefty
Scutaro   Righty
Saltalamacchia/Catcher Switch

Crawford isn't a leadoff hitter.  I don't think he likes to do it, and frankly, his power makes him a bit of a waste down there.

My guess is he will hit 2nd, 3rd, or 5th.  I think he will hit second if Ellsbury is not playing well enough to lead off (Pedroia would lead off), otherwise, he will hit either 3rd or 5th.  

I also think spots 6-9 will vary from game to game depending on whether they are facing lefties or righties, with Ortiz and Drew moving down the lineup (or being replaced) against lefties.  

Given the uncertainty of Jacoby Ellsbury and the fact that there is little chance of moving Pedroia out of the 2nd spot, Gonzalez out of the 3rd spot, Youkilis out of the fourth spot, or Ortz out of the fifth(given Tito's penchant for lefty/righty lineups and his loyalty to Peddy, Youk and Papi) and the fact that Crawford has been a lead off batter with success for over a third of his career, I have to respectfully disagree here Chris.

They will want him getting as many ABs as possible and if Ellsbury has anything but a year like he did in 2009, he'll be put in the ninth slot to start the lineup back up again. It's the what Tito does things. He wants consistency at the top of the order if people are healthy and Ellsbury will platoon with Cameron, especially if he isn't 100% or struggling.

So I see Crawford leading off and the Sox having the same 1-5 batters basically everyday. I do agree the bottom of the order will be in flux depending on who's pitching and who's playing.

I agree with Chris, Crawford isn't a leadoff hitter...at least he doesn't seem to think so:

I just thought I (stank) at it, to be honest with you," Crawford says. "Lou (Piniella) put me second. Maybe I could have gotten better at it, but I just wasn't comfortable. It didn't have anything to do with stats. I just don't think I'm a good leadoff hitter

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article1125886.ece


Maybe that could change when he gets here, but I see him hitting second or third in the line up.

[nickagneta]

I don't get the desire to place Crawford at the 2 or 3 slots. Who cares where HE bats best. Put in the player that bats best at that position.

A healthy Pedroia is maybe the best #2 hitter in baseball and has better numbers at the slot than Crawford.

Gonzalez and Youkilis are monster production players at the 3 and 4 slots, Crawfords production compared to them at thos positions aren't even close.

Ortiz is a perfect compliment at 5 with Youk at 4.

Crawford has speed and hits for average and has a decent OBP and can give you the occasional pop. His best position without downgrading the other slots is at leadoff. I see zero logic in displacing the players at the 2-5 slots due to their history of production at those slots and the righty/lefty/righty/lefty setup that Tito loves. Crawford at $22 million a year is batting either 1st or 6th and at that price, you can bet it's 1st

But, we will see come the spring.

[slamtheking]

that's a lot of money for Rickey-Henderson-light.

(for that matter, he's Tim Raines-light.)

[bucknersrevenge]

I don't get the desire to place Crawford at the 2 or 3 slots. Who cares where HE bats best. Put in the player that bats best at that position.

A healthy Pedroia is maybe the best #2 hitter in baseball and has better numbers at the slot than Crawford.

Gonzalez and Youkilis are monster production players at the 3 and 4 slots, Crawfords production compared to them at thos positions aren't even close.

Ortiz is a perfect compliment at 5 with Youk at 4.

Crawford has speed and hits for average and has a decent OBP and can give you the occasional pop. His best position without downgrading the other slots is at leadoff. I see zero logic in displacing the players at the 2-5 slots due to their history of production at those slots and the righty/lefty/righty/lefty setup that Tito loves. Crawford at $22 million a year is batting either 1st or 6th and at that price, you can bet it's 1st

But, we will see come the spring.

Well for one let's start with "he DOES NOT WANT to lead off" He sees himself as a 2 or 3. Tito reportedly sees him as a "middle of the lineup" bat. And it makes too much sense to bat him 3 where his bat deepens the lineup and he gets to see plenty of fastballs hitting behind Ellsbury and Pedroia's speed and in front of AGon and Youk. It's basically having 3 table-setters for Gonzales, Youk and Papi to clean up. Batting him 6th would be utterly retarded. You waste his talents down there and your 20million dollar man gets fewer ABs.

[bucknersrevenge]

I'd say:

Ellsbury (L)
Pedroia (R)
Crawford (L)
Gonzalez (R)
Youk (R)
Ortiz (L)
Drew (L)
Catcher (S)
Scutaro (R)

I think the lineup has a ton of flexibility, though; I could see Crawford in any of the top three slots, and Ellsbury can easily bat 1st or 9th (i.e., second lead off.)

Ellsbury will get EVERY chance to leadoff again because him leadin off is what's best for this team. If by chance Ellsbury is still not healthy I expect Scutaro to leadoff again with Pedey 2nd but I think you can pen Crawford in the 3 spot in permanent ink in front of Gonzales, Youkilis and Ortiz.

[Roy H.]

Ortiz is a perfect compliment at 5 with Youk at 4. . . . I see zero logic in displacing the players at the 2-5 slots due to their history of production at those slots and the righty/lefty/righty/lefty setup that Tito loves. Crawford at $22 million a year is batting either 1st or 6th and at that price, you can bet it's 1st

For whatever it's worth, Ortiz' splits batting 5th were his worst of any batting order position.  His most effective slot was 6th, followed by 3rd.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=ortizda01&year=2010&t=b

[nickagneta]

Ortiz is a perfect compliment at 5 with Youk at 4. . . . I see zero logic in displacing the players at the 2-5 slots due to their history of production at those slots and the righty/lefty/righty/lefty setup that Tito loves. Crawford at $22 million a year is batting either 1st or 6th and at that price, you can bet it's 1st

For whatever it's worth, Ortiz' splits batting 5th were his worst of any batting order position.  His most effective slot was 6th, followed by 3rd.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=ortizda01&year=2010&t=b

For what it's worth, Ortiz has batted 5th as much as he has 4th in his career and has a better OPS, OBP, BA, and slugging percent for his CAREER at the 5th position than either the 4th or 6th.

[Jon]

Too much money, but makes them about sure of a thing as there is in baseball at winning it all (considering that good teams don't even win 60% of their games, leaving much more too luck than basketball).