Thursday, April 12, 2007

Fact Checking Manny

In Svrlgblg, Barry passes along Manny Acta's response on why he hasn't moved Ron Belliard to the #2 spot, putting the overmatched Kory Casto lower in the lineup where there's likely less pressure.
I asked Acta yesterday, in fact (should've been in DMTP) about whether he thought about moving Belliard to second and moving Casto down. He said: "Belliard has never been a top-of-the-lineup guy," and pointed out that even in winter ball in the Dominican he wasn't used that way. Interesting.

Doesn't this reek of the old Jamey Carroll line: "He can't play regularly because he's never played regularly?" (That was mocked beautifully by OMG, but it's long gone to the ether of teh Internets. This should be it, but it doesn't seem to be working for me)

At any rate, Manny needs to do a bit more research, and spending a little less time contemplating his facial hair. Here're Belliard's career splits:
Batting #1: 303 games, 1,423 Plate Appearances
Batting #2: 176 games, 795 Plate Appearances.

He has more PAs at those positions than at any other.

Now there are some valid reasons for why you wouldn't want Ronnie Belliard batting so high. Namely, at this point, he's shown little plate patience, and his hot streak has entirely been fueled by hits. So moving him up is almost certain to correspond with a cooling down period, unless you believe that he's going to hit .400 for the rest of the year.

The defense to that, of course, is that anything would be an upgrade over the man he's replacing.

Manny's said a few strange things over the last few days, including giving Robert Fick a start at first over Dmitri Young based on an 8 AB sample. I don't know if these are things he really believes, or just explanations he's giving for routine decisions because he feels he needs to give the press something. I really hope it's the latter.

7 Comments:

  • Manny Acta came on the cheap so don't expect much. The less you expect with this operation, the less disappointed you will be.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4/12/2007 11:30 AM  

  • I doubt that there's a sentient Nats fan that has any expectations left at this point, other than the expectation that the new stadium will be really nice!

    IMHO, the Nats ought to start right now in the process of putting out feelers to see what we can get for Cordero, because the poor guy simply isn't going to pitch hardly any meaningful innings here anymore. If you're reading this J.B., Philly in particular would be a good team to make overtures to right now; they're desperate for bullpen help.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4/12/2007 1:04 PM  

  • Hate to see it but with the PLAN working perfectly according to Stan and Jimbo then yes get whatever you can for Chad.....he is never going to be worth anything here with this PLAN!

    By Blogger JayB, at 4/12/2007 1:51 PM  

  • Re: Acta. The old saying is that the fish stinks from its head. Granted Acta doesn't have much to work with, but this team so far seems to be LESS than the sum of its parts, if that's possible.

    If they do end up challenging the '62 Mets, I'll bet he'll be the fall guy.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4/12/2007 1:57 PM  

  • I just don't understand the love for Casto when Snelling is on the team. Casto's got to go.

    By Blogger Expat Teacher, at 4/12/2007 2:00 PM  

  • Chris...

    Any chance Acta meant he never considered Belliard a top of the lineup style hitter? I'm reaching here.

    By Blogger Jim H, at 4/12/2007 11:54 PM  

  • Jim -- That's a fair interpretation, and I can definitely see that. If so, I'm wrong, which wouldn't be the first time! ;)

    The only thing that makes me think otherwise is the part that Svrluga tacks on to the end about 'how he wasn't used that way', which I interpret as being about lineup slot, and not position.

    Either way, it's not a huge deal in the scheme of things!

    (Also note that I was stupid enough to say that moving Belliard up might be a dumb move!)

    By Blogger Chris Needham, at 4/12/2007 11:57 PM  

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