Post by dougiejays on Jan 14, 2024 13:28:59 GMT -5
You’d think a .704 1st-half winning percentage and share of the best record in the American League would be good enough for manager Doug Davis to leave well enough alone.
Not so.
“Look, we’re really happy with our squad,” Davis said in his post-All-Star press conference. “We’re not drastically changing the pieces around, just trying to put some guys in spots in the lineup that better reflect the years they’re having.”
The biggest change is that BJ Upton, who OPSed .880 during an excellent first half spent mostly hitting out of the 9-hole, will slide into the leadoff spot. That in turn will push Franklin Gutierrez and Alex Gordon, who had been hitting 1-2, into the second and third spots in the order. In turn, shortstop Jack Wilson, who has spent most of the season hitting third despite posting a measly .693 OPS, will be pushed down near the bottom of the order.
Davis’s latest lineup also sees Paul Konerko and Rondell White flip-flop in the 4-5 hole and Charles Johnson and David Dellucci flip-flop in the 6-7 hole.
“I think what it really comes down to is getting our best hitters as many at-bats as possible,” Davis said. “As excellent as our pitching and defense has been so far this year, it’s no secret that our offence has lagged behind for most of the year. Part of that is just how we’re built as a squad, but we still want to get the best out of our guys.”
Asked whether he sees this as a permanent change, he was circumspect:
“I think as far as the specific order, that may evolve over time,” he said. “But listen: I think when you look at our team, those three guys at the top – Gordo, El Guti, and Beej – those three guys are the cornerstones of this franchise going forward. And jeez, I don’t want to put too much pressure on the kids, but I think all three if them have only barely scratched the surface of what they could do in this league. As good a year as Upton’s had, he’s only just starting to realize that he can be a power hitter, and for all his speed I think he can do a better job running the bases. And look, Franklin’s going to hit .300 one of these days, and I think if Alex puts it all together he’s going to be a perennial All-Star before you know it. Listen, I think if you could see those guys batting 1-2-3 in Toronto for the next five or ten years once all is said and done, that would be a pretty terrific outcome.”