Joyce in CF

by RayGuy3 on Mar 29, 2009 9:55 PM EDT Comment 8 comments

I think Joyce would be a good option to start the season in CF with his tools. No offense to Gabe Gross, but I want Joyce in RF when B.J. returns. Gabe G is a solid fielder with a great arm and seems to be a good teammate, but I like Joyce's AB's more than I like Gabe's and Joyce can have the same fielding impact with playing time. I know people like the Gabe rotation but I think in our league and division, the bat has to life and not crazy sporadic life. Yes, Gabe was clutch in a few games last year, but I just wasn't impressed with the consistency. My vote goes to Joyce in CF now and when BJ returns, with more playing time we could have a threat in RF with Joyce. Only an opinion....

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From what Ive read

he’s had some good at bats against LHP this spring. Off the top of my head I know he has a base hit off a LHP and those two deep fly balls that just missed being home runs off LHP (Igawa) in his first game. If he shows enough he might just get a shot when Upton returns, but too early to tell. He’ll prob be one of the last cuts if he doesnt make the team.

by BossmanJunior333 on Mar 30, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Joyce in center

I agree Joyce in center to start the season, but I think they should go with the hot bat as far as right field is concerend.(SP)

by geotom on Mar 30, 2009 2:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think there would have been a real chance of it if he had gotten a full spring in.

That lingering calf problem was a real sumbitch. I think he has to start the year in Durham. He needs AB’s and he needs to get his legs under him. Maybe he has busted his ass to get in shape.

Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it.

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on Mar 30, 2009 9:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Local Draw as well

Not that it means everything, but we could also get a local draw in attendance with him if need be. What I don’t get is how alot of people can say you can’t be complacent on last year’s results …but we’re going with a RF rotation again? Put someone out there who can face L/R anytime. As far as needing to get his legs under him, I think he’s shown in just a short time in the spring what he’s capable of…(much greater than the Gabe’s)

by RayGuy3 on Mar 30, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If we had the room I would run a platoon at every position

Imagine a Jason Bay type spelling Pena so that he doesn’t have to struggle so mightily with lefties. Seriously there is nothing wrong with a platoon.

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on Mar 30, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand what you're saying but.......

If you could plug someone in and not lose anything in return I could see it. We can almost guarantee Gross can’t hit lefties, and at times last year he struggled mightily against RH’s as well. With a platoon, each sided hitter has to hold his own when its his turn to play. Gabe G even played last year against LH pitching before Rocco came back at the end. I believe had he not had a couple of those walk-off winners we may not have even been talking about him this year. I just think in the long run Joyce will be our every day RF with the talent he possesses. I was hoping it would be sooner.

by RayGuy3 on Mar 30, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Platoons are the Mad Dog 20/20 of baseball (cheap and effective)

.249/.356/.433 Gross slash vs. righties, he received 73 PA against lefties (about 18% of his total PA so if he faced a lefty it wasn’t by design). I will take that .789 OPS coupled with his above-average defense even if it was for the full season. For the platoon to be successful I am counting more on Kapler to play to his true form than I worry about Gross. I don’t think it is a moot point once Joyce comes up, since he hasn’t exactly shined versus lefties himself. I don’t think the clutch hits had as much to do with his perception as his steady, unflashy play and ability to work a count.

-Al Lopez

by Sandy Kazmir on Mar 30, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Competing in our division, EVERY year.

I understand your points, but I just can’t wait for Joyce to blossom to be our every day RF and no need of a platoon once he’s complete. No matter the case, consistency is getting alot of playing time and to get that you must face both LH and RH pitchers. But going back to complacency, steady , unflashy play helped win last year but may not be enough to compete every year in this division. Pena strikes out alot, but he also hit over 40 HR’s in his career and he’s an outstanding fielder and leader. Pat Burrell works counts and hits 30 HR’s a year , I do think Gabe is a good stop-gap player for us though.

by RayGuy3 on Mar 30, 2009 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs