(reposted from Mock1 commentary)
Jesus Montero is one of the toughest guys to predict for me. With the fences moved in, he has the potential to hit .285-25-85. But he is a horrible defensive catcher, and the Ms are loaded with 1B/DH types. They have Kelly Shoppach and Ronny Paulino and Mike Zunino down on the farm.
It's entirely possible that their lineup could look like this by midseason (Smoak busts, Montero can't catch, Gutierrez is hurt, etc)
CF Saunders
LF Morse
RF Ibanez
DH Montero
1B Morales
C Zunino/Shoppach
The reason I am optimistic about Montero is that if he hits, they're going to play him. Even if it means sitting Ibanez, or Morales, or Morse, or Smoak, or someone. BUT, at the same time, I can see them sitting him a couple days a week and figuring that 450 ABs is still enough for him to develop.
I'd imagine their priorities are roughly like this:
Montero
Saunders
Smoak (until he absolutely proves he can't play)
Morse / Morales (both FAs after 2013, neither getting a qualifying offer)
Gutierrez
Ibanez
Casper Wells
Bay
Jesus Montero is one of the toughest guys to predict for me. With the fences moved in, he has the potential to hit .285-25-85. But he is a horrible defensive catcher, and the Ms are loaded with 1B/DH types. They have Kelly Shoppach and Ronny Paulino and Mike Zunino down on the farm.
It's entirely possible that their lineup could look like this by midseason (Smoak busts, Montero can't catch, Gutierrez is hurt, etc)
CF Saunders
LF Morse
RF Ibanez
DH Montero
1B Morales
C Zunino/Shoppach
The reason I am optimistic about Montero is that if he hits, they're going to play him. Even if it means sitting Ibanez, or Morales, or Morse, or Smoak, or someone. BUT, at the same time, I can see them sitting him a couple days a week and figuring that 450 ABs is still enough for him to develop.
I'd imagine their priorities are roughly like this:
Montero
Saunders
Smoak (until he absolutely proves he can't play)
Morse / Morales (both FAs after 2013, neither getting a qualifying offer)
Gutierrez
Ibanez
Casper Wells
Bay
Comment