Your Average JoeRandom Red Sox Ramblings...Varitek...V-Mart...Ortiz & More
March 4th 2010 14:00
Jason Varitek will turn 38 years old right after Opening Day 2010. The Captain’s role has changed so much on this Red Sox team. When camp breaks he will begin his first full season as Victor Martinez’ back up. How will this go? So far, Tek has said all the right things and seems to be in a great place mentally as he enters the last part of an extremely solid career here in Beantown. [can you believe we got him and D-Lowe for Heathcliff Slocumb? I still can’t.]
Watching Tek over the years, I’ve said to myself on many occasion, “I wish he’d hit right-handed all the time and forget about switch hitting.” I just have always felt that he is a much stronger hitter from the right side of the plate. So I dug in and did a little research on Baseball Reference. Check out his career numbers from the right side & left side of the plate….
Hitting LH vs. RHP: .250 w/ 118 HR’s & a .759 OPS…..in 3878 Plate Appearances
Hitting RH vs. LHP: .280 w/ 57 HR’s & a .828 OPS…..in only 1586 Plate Appearances
Hitting RH vs. LHP: .280 w/ 57 HR’s & a .828 OPS…..in only 1586 Plate Appearances
Now, I’m not saying that Varitek would light the world on fire when facing right handed pitching from the right side of the plate as a hitter, if he stopped switch hitting all together. He most certainly feels that he’s better facing RHP from the left side. One thing is certain though, he’s been a markedly better offensive player from the right side of the plate against LHP. Stats don’t lie.
Here’s how I’d like to see things work out---personnel wise---in 2010. Listen up, Tito. I know you’re reading this with your morning cup of coffee & dip of Skoal. I want Tek strapping on the gear for the majority of games when you face left-handed starting pitching this season. But what about V-Mart, you ask? I want V-Mart at DH against LHP. It keeps V-Mart fresh---which is incredibly important--- for the long haul and puts Captain V-Tek in the best position for him to succeed while at the same time feeling like he’s still a significant part of this ballclub. If Mikey Lowell breaks camp still as a member of the Sox (which may or may not happen) you can platoon him at DH with V-Mart against LHP and spot start him at third base to rest Adrian Beltre. David Ortiz, at this stage of the game, should be your starting DH against RHP and riding the pine against LHP.
Of course, this plan all changes when the Sox acquire Padres slugging first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez, at the trade deadline.
One can dream.
Chuck
~TCFB~
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Comment by Big Daddy
Bring on Gonzo within the next year and they should be back on the same page w/those Damn Yankees......I Still yearn for Texeira, but Adrian G would fit the bill nicely..............As they say Hope Springs Eternal......
Go Sox....I'm ready !.
Comment by Chuck H
TCFB
Thanks for the comment.
Comment by Chuck H
TCFB
Comment by Big Daddy
One man's opinion...........
Comment by Chuck H
TCFB