Re: Jacoby to left...

Gary <golferace2@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:ercak5l98pqnt8kua69gso197uq8oc17hm@xxxxxxx:

On Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:05:47 -0600, OceanView <F@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

McDuck <wallyDELETEMEMcDuck@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:i869k597hm3av03dc8egl1ro28eta61tb2@xxxxxxx:

On Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:07:07 -0700, Steve Robbins
<srobbins31@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Wayback1918 wrote:
On Jan 6, 6:42 am, Gary <golfera...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Wed, 6 Jan 2010 03:17:45 -0800 (PST), Wayback1918

<wayback1...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

This should end the debate about Ellsbury's defense.....
He should become one of the best LF in the game, but for whatever
reason he just didn't do well in CF.
I don't it does at all. Ellsbury is playing left because he has
more
experience playing a corner position. Cameron hasn't played much
left.
Also, having Ellsbury in left preserves Ellsbury's legs.

You left the word 'think' out of your post.....how appropriate.

The Red Sox have moved a 26 year old CF to left for a 37 year old
CF
(albeit a very good 37 year old). They did so for the same reason
they have made every other move this off-season....to improve their
defense.

One thing not mentioned anywhere I have seen is that it will help
hide
his weaker arm. Another plus-up.

Only at Fenway (on the arm issue). And my understanding, perhaps
incorrect, is that Cameron is not noted for a strong arm. He does not
have many assists over his career.

Wayback is partly correct that the move of Ellsbury to LF was done
for
defensive reasons. Does not mean that one or the other is better at
center. All it means is that the sum of the parts is greater, in the
view of management, with Ellsbury in LF and Cameron in CF. That is,
Ellsbury may just be viewed as the better LF.

Nevertheless, I agree with the case made by Wayback that Ellsbury had
a disappointing year in CF in 2009 for some reason. So, it may well
be
that Cameron moves to CF because of perceived deficiencies in
Ellsbury. Probably the case, but not clear. There are other possible
explanations, one noted above and a couple noted below.

One explanation is team management. Cameron is an elite defender and
has been for well over a decade (we can start this decade whenever we
want <g>). Ellsbuy is, relatively speaking, the new guy. It is a LOT
easier for a manager to keep Ellsbury happy in LF than Cameron happy
in LF. So I was expecting the "formal" assignment of Cameron to CF
once he was signed (I did fear/expect a trade of Ellsbury, but that's
a different matter and may still happen, but I doubt it will happen
soon, given the Beltre signing).

Also, if we want to talk crass money matters, Ellsbury is less
valuable in LF and will be able to claim less in arbitration when he
becomes eligible for it. Not saying this factor was considered by the
RS.

One more point --- this assignment is not set in stone. Cameron has
poor L/R splits and may sit some against tough RHP, assuming that the
RS get or "find" (In Jeremy Hermida or Josh Reddick) a good 4th LHB
outfielder. So Ellsbury will slide over when that happens. I'd hope
for 30 games or so for the 4th outfielder replacing Cameron, assuming
a good one is found. We may even see a little of Youk in LF (at
Fenway) when Victor is playing first. The hope is that Tek would play
mostly against LHP, so I'd guess that Ellsbury would more to RF and
Drew would sit.


One downside is that left is a pretty significant adjustment at Fenway.
Bay did well, but not great. It could a challenging first year out
there.

Other than in a dire emergency, I doubt will see Youk ever again in
the OF.

Ellsbury will not have to adjust to playing left, he has played left
before. Cameron would have a bigger adjustment.

He will have a few moments out, I guarantee it. People forget that both
Yaz and Rice had to adjust to the wall. He does have an advantage having
played it from center.

--
-------
Golf is a good walk spoiled.- Mark Twain
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Jacoby to left...
    ... He should become one of the best LF in the game, ... reason he just didn't do well in CF. ... is that Cameron is not noted for a strong arm. ... with Ellsbury in LF and Cameron in CF. ...
    (alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox)
  • Re: Willie or Jacoby, who was the better fielder
    ... It is reasonable to think the 37 year old Cameron is slipping a bit ... reasonable to assume Ellsbury will improve. ... One possible reason is they think Cameron will slip only a ... I would rate his chances of being ready higher than Cameron's chances ...
    (alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox)
  • Re: Jacoby to left...
    ... reason he just didn't do well in CF. ... Ellsbury is playing left because he has more ... is that Cameron is not noted for a strong arm. ...
    (alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox)
  • Re: Jacoby to left...
    ... He should become one of the best LF in the game, ... reason he just didn't do well in CF. ... Ellsbury is playing left because he has more ... is that Cameron is not noted for a strong arm. ...
    (alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox)
  • Re: Jacoby to left...
    ... reason he just didn't do well in CF. ... Ellsbury is playing left because he has more ... is that Cameron is not noted for a strong arm. ... with Ellsbury in LF and Cameron in CF. ...
    (alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox)