Perez and Ruggiano

Recently there has been alot of talk about the potential roster for next year and it has centered on RF and the outfield in general with the DH position in the mix because our outfield guys usually fill that duty as well. Here are some observations that might affect what we do and any feedback from everyone would be appreciated. Let's do everything we can not to remember last night and hope we can get it in gear soon and keep our momentem going into the playoff's.

Fernando Perez has really impressed me alot and I can see him being used as our starting RF next year for several reasons.  He is great defensively, he would give our outfield a no holes look when combined with CC and BJ, His speed would help our offense with infield hits and stolen bases, He hits from both sides of the plate and seems to have some decent power.  What if he starts in RF and leads off in the batting order with Aki moving down in the lower order to help turn the lineup over? He can actually bunt, has a pretty good awareness of the strike zone and might put up the OBP that would be ideal in the lead off spot. His defense is good, and even though his arm may not be ideal for RF it's not bad either. We could keep Gabe Gross as the 4th outfielder and he could back up all spots, come in late in games with his power arm to hold baserunners from advancing and could even be used in a mini platoon against tough RH pitchers that Perez might have more trouble with.

My rec: Our outfield of Crawford, Upton and Perez  with Gross as our 4th guy. That would also affect our DH and my rec: use Dan Johnson and Willy Aybar there, Dan against most RH and Willy against all LH and as a match up guy against some RH.

Last night our TV crew mentioned that Ruggiano was batting with a new more upright stance at the urging of Hendu and Maddon and he looked better with the new stance. It is supposed to give him more balance, more power and free up his swing.  He could be in the outfield mix if this new stance helps him become more consistent at the plate. Before this recent change my opinion of him was that he wasn't going to be a big club prospect but only a AAAA type guy.  He started with this new approach in the last NYY game so in a very limited sample size it seems to be working.

I'm a huge Rocco fan but recently it seems that the toll of continual Practice and prep for games has really taken alot out of Rocco.  I hope that I am wrong but if this is the best it gets with Rocco (plays well for a few games and then just can't sustain the normal level of constant activity and energy) then he may have to retire unless treatment breakthroughs are found for him.

I know that Floyd wants to come back with us next year, but unless we don't keep up Zobrist next year as a utility guy, do we have any room for him, since he really can't play anywhere in the field. At least Dan Johnson can play 1B and some 3B and some LF if needed and we know that Aybar can play all over the infield and do it well.

Guys to go: Gomes, Hinske, Rocco (retired?) Floyd (retired?) Ruggiano (Durham?)

Our 13 position players: Pena (1B), Aki (2B), Bartlett (SS), Longoria (3B), Navarro (C), Crawford (LF), Upton (CF), Perez (RF), Dan Johnson (DH), Gross (4th OF), Aybar (IF reserve, DH platoon), Zobrist (super utility), and Riggans/Jaso (reserve C) This roster has alot of flexibility and a good mixture of offense and defense, with most guys able to play in the field at multiple positions. If Zobrist is not our super UT then there is room for either Floyd or Rocco but we then lose alot of flexibility and what do we do with a Dan Johnson (if Floyd stays) or Aybar (if Rocco stays)? If Ruggiano hits alot better, what about Fernando and the dynamite he brings to the table?

Feedback?