Platoons Don't Bite, Aren't Evil, Usually

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 26, 2008 10:32 AM EDT

Everyone seems to hate the idea of platooning players and I'm really not sure why. Remember when I asked Marc Normandin about his thoughts on platoons? I didn't expect for people to continue carrying a distaste for the lineup mechanism, and of course I really didn't see it coming that people would be unhappy with a SUCCESSFUL platoon, just take a look at the numbers.

I understand having multiple names that don't add up to "sexy" isn't the most thrilling thing in the world, but let's face it, Barry Bonds isn't walking through that door and even if he did he wouldn't play right field. Using two or three players for the production of one isn't anything to be ashamed of really, remove the paper bags from your head, whip up a "Grohines" jersey, and if you really have to use only one name for our right field production call it Aubrey Huff.

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Larry Bird isn't walking through that door!!!!

I hope you were referring to that sweet quote…

by rglass44 on Apr 26, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Of course.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 26, 2008 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Platoons

Hardball Times did a series a while back on successful platoons throughout baseball history. It was a lot of fun.

Casey Stengel was famous for introducing the platoon into the 1950s Yankees.

by bobr on Apr 26, 2008 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

Why Not?

I don’t get how a platoon could be bad…? It’s a great way to fill in a position where you don’t have a regular and don’t want to sign a crappy or long-term free agent. With only a few position players on the bench, you can’t platoon everywhere, but the platoon advantage is large enough (averages about .030 points of OBP) to turn two mediocre players into a borderline All-Star tandem. There are many ways to platoon, too, not just L/R. GB/FB has a split almost as large, and there are fielding issues to consider, too—I thought the Tigers should have played JJones in LF and Miggy at 3B against righties, but Miggy in LF and Inge at 3B against lefties before they moved Miggy to 1B.

by Sky Kalkman on Apr 26, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Platoons

I think part of the objection to platoons is that most fans have favorite players who we are convinced would shine given the opportunity. Platooning them takes away ABs and if they do poorly provides a ready excuse that the erratic playing time contributes to the failure. Gomes is a good case in point. I like him very much and would love to see him get 500 ABs to see if he can hit .270/.370/.520 with 35 home runs as a regular. But it won’t happen, even though he has begun this season hitting righties better than lefties.

I am sure there is someone out there who loves Hinske and is furious that Gomes steals ABs from him when lefties pitch, sure that Eric could hit .280/.380/.480 with 25 home runs given 500 ABs. The anger is increased when a young player is platooned and so never gets the opportunity to prove himself. I always though Casey Stengel ruined Ed Kranepool by platooning him as a 19 year old when it didn’t matter if the Mets won another game or two.

In the end, though, despite fan attachments, platooning often makes sense. I think Maddon is particularly good at getting everyone decent playing time by using flexible platoons rather than rigid ones. As a result, he probably gets a lot of criticism for not using players enough or using them too much or not taking advantage of platoon situations enough. But he is viewing the larger picture, not the more limited perspective of most fans considering only a particular player or particular game.

by bobr on Apr 26, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions