He can play some first base when the outfield heals up, I assume?
He can play some first base when the outfield heals up, I assume?
Not sure why he would, not sure he's any more valuable than Santana to warrant having him put there.
He's putting up better numbers than Santana and Carlos isn't exactly a stellar defender. If Bruce is swinging it and the outfield is healthy and also producing, why not? It's an option.
He's putting up better numbers than Santana and Carlos isn't exactly a stellar defender. If Bruce is swinging it and the outfield is healthy and also producing, why not? It's an option.
Zimmer is the CF.
Interesting.
So when everyone's healthy, who gets squeezed? Chisenhall and Jackson have produced in their splits well enough to continue to play it would seem.
I guess in the end it's a good problem to have.
Jackson likely gets in against lefties in center, Guyer in right.
If it were me, I'd go with a fully healthy set-up of:
LF - Brantley
CF - Zimmer
RF - Chisenhall
Bench/PH - Bruce, Jackson, Guyer
Really, they should just ride the hot hand between Bruce and Chisenhall.
How does this play out now? All of a sudden we're loaded at OF.
Brantley, Chisenhall, Zimmer, Guyer, Jackson, Bruce? We love all those guys, who's out?
Bruce has hit right-handed pitching really well this year to the tune of an .871 OPS with a HR every 14 at bats. It's hard for me to envision a scenario where he isn't playing full time against RHP factoring in the power advantage he has.
That said, Brantley and especially Chisenhall have mashed righties all year long as well.
Then you factor in Zimmer who is the best defender and runner of the bunch. He should probably should play on defense alone and it's not like he can't hit RHP either.
I guess it boils down to would you rather have 3-4 Bruce/Chisenhall at bats against a RHP or 6-7 innings of Zimmer defense in a given game instead of 2 as a late inning sub.