He plays an exciting brand of baseball, with steals and decent defense and even an inside-the-park homerun. He's hitting consistently over .300...and while some of that is pinch hitting it's getting a bit too regular to dismiss it as situational or even platooning. His lefty bat is useful, especially with Willieball...

Simpler question...would anyone prefer to see KazMat getting starts instead of Marlon?

I see two common scenarios: what we just saw, 1 out or 2 out and the 8 hitter comes up and unless they homer they are unlikely to score or drive in many runs (the high-OBP players hitting earlier in the order, one presumes) or they come up with 0 out and the pitcher bunts them to second hoping the leadoff guy (not usually an RBI-type hitter) can drive them home.

So that makes me think the 8 hole is perfectly suited for one of the Dave Kingman types, who either hits homers or strikes out. Because if there are 1 or 2 outs you want this guy to hit a homer and clear the bases because otherwise his production is likely going to be wasted there. If he strikes out, inning over and maybe the pitcher leads off or just follows with the third out, but that's not necessarily the 8-batters fault.

Usually these Kingman types hit 5th, 6th, or worst of all, cleanup, and they generally kill rallies there nestled amongst high-OBP guys. One has to imagine you want to play all or nothing with your 8-hole batter, if you can convince these ego-laden heavy hitters to play for you there.

We're just about to seal this thing...

But they are trying to create a World Baseball Classic tournament to be held, World-Cup-style, in March.

Jon
http://tomseaver.blogspot.com

2006. Next year is now.

He was terrible for two straight innings. Just terrible. He was right up there as a main contributor to this absolutely deflating loss where the Mets totally deserved to lose.

Man, Armando Benitez sure looks different as a slim white guy.

That is all...

Since I can't vent to Randolph, I'll vent here:

--Whether Castro missed the run sign or not, Acta wasn't even on the TV screen on a long camera shot. What's with this 'coach'?--is he narcoleptic? He has a young, unsteady team out there--he has to step up. He's failed. He can't even read fly balls or study ground rules. He has to signal to Wright whether it's smart to steal third with two out, etc. I'd fire him--he's been a liability all year.

--Where's the team communication? Whenever there's a Met on base and a pitch in the dirt, I've yet to see the batter signal the baserunner whether to run or hold. This is selfish individulism.

--Please, no trades (I have nightmares: the Mets trading Wright and Reyes for John Rocker). It's "Wait Til Next Year" already. But obviously Looper has to be gone by 2006. A 'power pitcher' with 13 strikeouts in July? Bullpen by Committee, please, and if possible, develop a few prospects in the ML this year so we can dump this gutless loser.

--Randolph should do what Gil Hodges did in 1969--if you can't field, if you're asleep--march out to the player's position and pull him. A little humility can go a long way.

--Send Beltran to the Cyclones for a week. He'll appreciate ML baseball again. (looks like that 2004 .268 average wasn't a fluke).

The good news: $5 Upper Reserved seats by August 15 or so...

better news: by august 15 you'll be able to 'sneak' into loge by the 3rd inning...