The chain on Joyce will loosen but wont be removed for now

by joeybw on Feb 10, 2011 12:09 PM EST

I guess Maddon doesn't even care how he handles lefties in Spring, his mind is made up and Joyce will still sit against tough lefties BUT they will finally let him play against weaker lefties and the plan is to have him work into a everyday role eventually this season

http://therayarea.com/the-skipper-speaks

Did I miss the part where Joyce was given a real chance against lefties and failed? At least make him make your decision look smart, don't be so scared of him facing a lefty.

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Since when does "reverse split lefties" = "weaker lefties"

Some of the guys we’ve played reverse splits against are quite good.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 10, 2011 12:27 PM EST reply actions

Not worded right

Point remains the same, Maddon is making a good hitter into a platoon hitter. This is the 3rd straight year, let the man play everyday!

Under construction

by joeybw on Feb 10, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

If he hits like a monster, then let him play.

But for now, the S-rod, Zobrist, and Joyce platoon is more effective.

by mr. maniac on Feb 10, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

I think we agree in principle on the idea Joyce needs more pt vs. lefties

And I think Maddon agrees too. I see this as more of a question of how he is transitioned into a fulltime role. Now if we are sitting in June and he’s still being regularly benched against lefties (and not given a real chance prior to this happening), I’ll be right there with you.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 10, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

Why if the lineup is better with an opposite handed hitter?

Its about the team, not the player.

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by FreeZorilla on Feb 10, 2011 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

Maddon isn't the reason Joyce can't hit left-handed pitching well enough to play against them 100% of the time.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 10, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

Are you basing this off minor league splits, or the SSS in the majors?

by mr. maniac on Feb 10, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by mr. maniac on Feb 10, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

It appears to me that

Maddon is using Joyce specifically so he can become a full time player. The general view is that the more repetitions against lefties the better, but Maddon’s view seems to be that it is better to provide him the best chance to succeed against select lefties and to learn how to attack them rather than just to throw him in against all of them willy nilly.

After all, mentioning Lester as an example indicates that it is not the quality of the pitcher but the style that influences Maddon’s decision, something he has done often before when designing a lineup. So this is a development technique, not a lack of confidence in Joyce.

Further, the quotation says “opening day”. And as we have often seen in the past, the Rays are flexible about their decisions. If Joyce demonstrates success against lefties in the spring, I doubt it is carved in stone that he does not start more regularly against them. (Any more than that it was definite Garza would be in the rotation.) Circumstances may change the decision. But as of now, that is the plan, and it seems a reasonable one.

by bobr on Feb 10, 2011 2:07 PM EST reply actions