Square Pegs and Oranges
Silly rumor season has started, and some of the buzz has been about the Nats hoping to find a leadoff hitting centerfielder like Mr. Bourn.
All I think of when I see that? AAIEIEIEIEIEEEEEEEE
Ever since the Nats moved here in 1987, they've tried EVERY SINGLE YEAR to find a lead-off hitting centerfielder. Here's the problem: there just aren't that many leadoff hitting CFers. Lemme qualify that. Of tonight's 30 teams in action, 8 had leadoff hitters who played center. How many should be? Maybe half that total.
The problem with the Nats -- and it's true of their entire roster -- is that they just don't have enough good players. Don't focus on the role. Focus on getting good players, then figure a slot for them.
When you cast your net into something so narrow as a leadoff hitting CFer, you're artificially narrowing the pool of potential players.
Sure, Mr. Bourn would look great in the Nats uniform batting leadoff. But then I'd be even happier with Mr. Kemp beatting cleanup.
All I think of when I see that? AAIEIEIEIEIEEEEEEEE
Ever since the Nats moved here in 1987, they've tried EVERY SINGLE YEAR to find a lead-off hitting centerfielder. Here's the problem: there just aren't that many leadoff hitting CFers. Lemme qualify that. Of tonight's 30 teams in action, 8 had leadoff hitters who played center. How many should be? Maybe half that total.
The problem with the Nats -- and it's true of their entire roster -- is that they just don't have enough good players. Don't focus on the role. Focus on getting good players, then figure a slot for them.
When you cast your net into something so narrow as a leadoff hitting CFer, you're artificially narrowing the pool of potential players.
Sure, Mr. Bourn would look great in the Nats uniform batting leadoff. But then I'd be even happier with Mr. Kemp beatting cleanup.
posted by Chris Needham at
10:22 PM
6 Comments:
Heck, they can keep Bernadina in CF and bat him 8th if they get a hard hitting SS who can lead off. Or everyday left fielder who leads off. Or perhaps see if Espinosa can lead off.
I agree, the focus on a CF who leads off is silly.
By
Sec314, at 7/19/2011 11:15 PM
Kemp might have been available after his off-season last year but certainly not now as he is tearing up the league with his bat. Rizzo hesitated and now lives to regret it.
By
phil dunn, at 7/20/2011 12:01 PM
The Espinosa lead off experiment has already been tried and it failed miserably, as did the experiment with Desmond leading off.
By
Anonymous, at 7/20/2011 12:04 PM
But, but ... Nook Logan!
By
Basil, at 7/20/2011 2:05 PM
Given the whole Nyjer dump in the offseason, I've come to believe they don't actually WANT a leadoff hitting CF, they just enjoy the hunt.
By
Harper, at 7/20/2011 4:31 PM
Bourn is much better defensively. He's cheaper. He gets on base a lot.
Oh and he's attainable. Whereas Kemp would cost the Nats the better part of their farm system, Bourn will cost them far, far less.
And Kemp isn't really available right now.
By
Anonymous, at 7/21/2011 4:07 PM
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