Should the Pirates Move Nate McLouth down in the order?
-Dexter Sports
4:29 PM
Pittsburgh's Nate McLouth is a gamer. there is no way to hide that. After he won out the job in spring training over Chris Duffy and Nyjer Morgan the sky has been the limit. In the 16 games before today, he is hitting .371 with two home runs and 14 RBIs. Let's contrast between McLouth's numbers and those of middle of the order guys Jason Bay and Adam LaRoche. Adam is hitting a measly .140 with 1 home run and 3 RBIs. Jason Bay is off to a better start. He is batting .264 with 3 Homers and 5 RBIs. With that being said, shouldn't the Pirates move McLouth down in the order to protect whoever is in the 4 spot? Plus it would give him more runners on base when he was at the plate. Who don't the Pirates look into this?
The problem lies simply in the fact that pirates manager John Russell doesn't really have a lead off hitter on his roster that can hit for contact. McLouth seems like the only viable option, especially with Chris Duffy on the disabled list. With a solid #2 Hitter though in Freddy Sanchez, I do not think it is crucial to have that proven lead-off hitter. John Russell should move McLouth to third in the order as soon as possible. How does he go about that? Here is my solution.
The best and most ideal would be to trade Jason Bay for some pitching prospects that could possibly get to the big leagues by 2009. I look at a deal where the Indians, who seem to be in need of power, would send a pitching prospect such as Adam Miller and a mid level prospect. This would open way for the Pirates to call up Andrew McCutchen to lead off. McCutchen is far from polished, but he has the speed and pop to fill in the lead-off spot. Here is how I would see the adjusted lineup long term.
1. Andrew McCutchen LF
2. Freddy Sanchez 2b
3. Nate McLouth CF
4. Xavier Nady RF
5. Adam LaRoche 1b
6. Ryan Doumit C
7. Jack Wilson SS (when he comes back from 15 Day DL)
8. Jose Bautista 3b
Though Nate McLouth hasn't proven that he will continue this barrage, it only makes sense to make the move. Especially if the pirates were able to package Matt Morris in any trade of Jason Bay.
4:29 PM
Pittsburgh's Nate McLouth is a gamer. there is no way to hide that. After he won out the job in spring training over Chris Duffy and Nyjer Morgan the sky has been the limit. In the 16 games before today, he is hitting .371 with two home runs and 14 RBIs. Let's contrast between McLouth's numbers and those of middle of the order guys Jason Bay and Adam LaRoche. Adam is hitting a measly .140 with 1 home run and 3 RBIs. Jason Bay is off to a better start. He is batting .264 with 3 Homers and 5 RBIs. With that being said, shouldn't the Pirates move McLouth down in the order to protect whoever is in the 4 spot? Plus it would give him more runners on base when he was at the plate. Who don't the Pirates look into this?
The problem lies simply in the fact that pirates manager John Russell doesn't really have a lead off hitter on his roster that can hit for contact. McLouth seems like the only viable option, especially with Chris Duffy on the disabled list. With a solid #2 Hitter though in Freddy Sanchez, I do not think it is crucial to have that proven lead-off hitter. John Russell should move McLouth to third in the order as soon as possible. How does he go about that? Here is my solution.
The best and most ideal would be to trade Jason Bay for some pitching prospects that could possibly get to the big leagues by 2009. I look at a deal where the Indians, who seem to be in need of power, would send a pitching prospect such as Adam Miller and a mid level prospect. This would open way for the Pirates to call up Andrew McCutchen to lead off. McCutchen is far from polished, but he has the speed and pop to fill in the lead-off spot. Here is how I would see the adjusted lineup long term.
1. Andrew McCutchen LF
2. Freddy Sanchez 2b
3. Nate McLouth CF
4. Xavier Nady RF
5. Adam LaRoche 1b
6. Ryan Doumit C
7. Jack Wilson SS (when he comes back from 15 Day DL)
8. Jose Bautista 3b
Though Nate McLouth hasn't proven that he will continue this barrage, it only makes sense to make the move. Especially if the pirates were able to package Matt Morris in any trade of Jason Bay.
