Lineup talk
Well, now that we officially have Joe Crede for a very reasonable 2.5 million, where does he bat in the lineup. I like having Morneau bat cleanup, and Mauer obviously isn’t moving from the 3-hole. While I think Kubel is a good fit to bat fifth, I think its best to separate the lefties. Plug Crede in fifth, slide Kubel to sixth. I’d probably bat Young/Cuddyer seventh followed by Punto and Gomez. I could see Gardy flip-flopping Crede with Young/Cuddyer, it probably depends on how everyone does in the spring.
We have discussed the 25 man roster many times in this space. So now with the addition of Crede, which player does not make the cut? My guess is Buscher. He really isn’t very useful as a bench player. Harris will make the team because he can play several positions, same probably goes for Tolbert. All five of the outfielders (Gomez, Span, Young, Cuddyer, Kubel) should be safe. At this point it is probably a toss up between Tolbert and Buscher. I konw Gardy loves him some scrappy utility infielders who can’t really hit, so Tolbert might have the edge to make the squad. What do you guys think? Where will Gardy bat Crede, who gets bumped off the 25 man roster due to the Crede signing?
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I think you’re probably right about that lineup, but I’d rather see this one:
Span Mauer Crede Morneau Delmon/Cuddyer Kubel Casilla Punto Gomez
Get Mauer 50 extra PAs on the season and Crede a chance at some multi-run homers behind our two best OBP guys. Morneau stays in the cleanup spot and we split the big lefties. Our lineup would be very solid through the front 6 and loaded with speed at the bottom. (I’d support flipping Punto to 7th just to have Casilla/Gomez/Span in order, which opposing pitchers would HATE.)
I think Buscher will probably stay on the roster, given that it’ll be nice to have a left handed bat to slide into third when Crede needs a break.
I like your lineup too. However, I doubt it happens. I can’t see Gardy batting Mauer second. Unless Crede (or Young or Cuddyer) puts together a great spring at the plate, then maybe he slides one of the righties inbetween Mauer and Morneau. Which would be nice.
Adding Crede seems to make that line-up possible. Where did Crede hit for Ozzie?
Mostly in the 6-8 spots. Bear in mind that the White Sox were always a power-based lineup featuring Thome/Dye/Konerko in the middle of the order. Crede had power but was never one of the main offensive guys.