I’m going to mix questions 1, 2 and 3 together. Who am I kidding? There’s no way I’m going to write four separate, inter-related posts anytime soon!
Manager
I might guess about the players in the field, but I really have no idea who would be a good manager to hire. I know that I want somebody unlike John Russell. I don’t want triples defense, the pitcher hitting 8th, or a statue in the dugout when your boys are gettin’ thrown at. Somebody with some game (preferably big game) experience. A field general I suppose. If it’s down to these guys, fine. Let’s just get it done so we can focus on what really wins games, players.
Jeff Bannister: No idea. He was a minor league field coordinator for awhile. I’m not sure what that really means, but I’ve never read anything negative about him. I will say that you gotta like a guy who went 1-1 (infield single, 1991) in his entire major league career. Pretty tough to do I imagine.
Clint Hurdle: Actual former manager for 8 years with one NL pennant. It creeps me out a bit that it was with the Rockies (see J. Tracy), but I think I can get past that. It also bothers me that the Bucs are his fallback option in case he doesn't get the Mets gig. But a 105 loss team probably should be I guess.
Go with Hurdle. If not, then go out and find Bannister a kick ass bench coach.
First Baseman/Right Field
These are being combined for obvious reasons. Garrett Jones, Steve Pearce, and John Bowker are all in the mix for playing time at both positions. Throw in the Lastings Milledge Experience, and there are four big ifs for two big positions. Unlike a lot of fans, I think a straight up platoon between Jones and Pearce is a great idea. I’d like to see what Pearce really has in Pittsburgh. I’ve watched him mash here in Indy, and he destroys lefties. A platoon lets Jones know he’s getting his last chance most likely, and who knows, maybe he starts hitting and he gets flipped in July. The question is which position should they platoon at? If it’s right field (my preference), then there’s a chance to improve the infield defense. I really think the Bucs need to add someone here. On the free agent lists, the two names that stand out for me as solid, inexpensive choices are Adam LaRoche and Jeremy Hermida. Either guy would be a good pickup, forcing the Bucs hand one way or the other. I like the flexibility here, but only if another option is brought on. Jones and Milledge are on thin ice, and Bowker and Pearce have their big chances to shine.
Second Baseman
Neil Walker. With his athleticism, his glove and range should continue to improve. Might need a backup though. Unless Jim Negrych starts hitting .400, then it’s either Andy LaRoche or Delwyn Young. We need to hope that one of Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer, Brian Friday or Chase D’Arnaud emerge as a legitimate prospect, or at the very least a MLB-caliber utility guy.
Shortstop
(Sigh) No … I guess we’re fine here. Ronny Cedeno will be OK. He’s probably, at best, only average with the glove, but that’s enough for 2011. I just don’t see a point in investing free agent dollars here, yet. With all the lesser second base options, and Argenis Diaz and Pedro Ciriaco, the team really needs to watch someone step up. Then maybe for 2012 we can set our sights on bringing Jack Wilson back when he’s a free agent. That was a joke.
Third Base
Pedro Alvarez should be the third baseman for the entire 2011 season. Yes, there’s talk of moving him to 1B if we draft a third baseman, but let's let his bat settle into a slugger groove before teaching him a new position. As much as Adrian Beltre would fit in perfect in our lineup, it makes zero real world sense. For backup options, see exhausted possibilities at second and short.
Left Field
Jose Tabata. I’m sponsoring his page on Baseball-Reference for a reason. The Hit Machine is a gem who will shine even brighter next year. For his backup, see right field.
Center Field
Andrew McCutchen. Backup is Tabata. Next …
Catcher
Chris Snyder will be our starter until Tony Sanchez arrives. Ryan “It Gets By” Doumit is the backup, unless some team is really desperate and stupid enough to trade for him. Which would be pretty sweet! Hopefully his time in right field and at first base is over, just like John Russell’s management career.
Position Player Summary
I think Young, as his superior bench bat will be retained, and Ciriaco will be the other backup infielder. If you add LaRoche or Hermida to the mix, then one of Pearce, Bowker or Milledge have to go. I’d like Milledge gone, but Pearce just got a bonus option, so it’ll probably be him unless an injury occurs in spring training. That would give us 13 position players.
Starting Pitching
The only guys locked into the rotation are Paul Maholm, James McDonald and Ross Ohlendorf. There’s a decent chance we’ve seen the last of Zach Duke. So if the season started now, Brad Lincoln and Charlie Morton would set the rotation. Yikes! Since the next wave of pitchers (Bryan Morris, Jeff Locke and Rudy Owens) on the farm have never thrown a pitch in Indianapolis yet, the Bucs need two starters. You have to assume that one of the five will be injured, and it would be nice to use only one of Lincoln/Morton for now. Looking around the free agents, I have my eyes on Jon Garland, Hiroki Kuroda, Justin Duchscherer, Jeremy Bonderman and Brandon Webb. I think it’s safe to the same the front office will pick up at least one guy, but hopefully two.
Relief Pitching
Either Joel Hanrahan or Evan Meek will be the closer, and the other will be the eighth inning guy. I have no preference, just who ever can get it done. Guys that will probably make the team are Jeff Karstens, Chris Resop, Will Ledezma and “mystery reliever” …
Early 25-Man Guessing
Jones, Pearce, Walker, Cedeno, Alvarez, Tabata, McCutchen, Hermida, Snyder, Doumit, Young, Ciriaco, and Bowker. Maholm, McDonald, Ohlendorf, Morton, Garland, Bonderman, Hanrahan, Meek, Karstens, Resop, Ledezma, and some other new reliever signing.
Which feels like a team that will lose 90 games.
Beat 'em Bucs!
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