Offense: Blossoming or unsettled?

by Sdm42482 on Apr 13, 2009 9:17 AM EDT

I'd just like some takes on the Buccos offense this year so far.

It's my opinion that this offense has the chance to be pretty productive. I guess it was silly to expect McLouth to pick up right where he left off from last season. Adamn LaRoche is right on pace to have a near pitiful April/May. Nyjer Morgan is a welcome and pleasant surprise, as is Jack Wilson. I almost wrote "sent him off to pasture" in my mind. I kind of expect Andy LaRoche to get out of the funk he is in. I don't know why but I believe that he'll have a decent year at the plate.

I know from hearing the TV guys talk about John Russell that he's trying to take a very liberal approach towards playing his bench, which is a good thing considering the talent it has on it. I, personally, still feel like there is some rotation needed in the batting order. Something about Doumit hitting clean up just doesn't sit right with me. I know he's out biggest, legitamit power "threat" but at the rate that it seems that Morgan and Freddy are treading the basepaths I feel like we're squandering opportunities left and right to get runs early in the game and put pressure on their starter and take pressure off ours. I like Brandon Moss there, he seems more of clutch hit and double in the right-center gap guy to me, but hey, my name isn't Jack Russell :)

I'm not just saying this because we scored 10 on Saturday and then 0 yesterday. I understand that's how baseball works. Somedays you can't score and others you can't score enough. My high school coach would always say, "Save a few for the next game", that just always seemed silly to me.

In the end, it's all speculation AND we're only 7 games deep into the season so I could end up eating these words.

Poll

Would you make a permanent change to the batting order at this point in the season?

Definitely.

0 votes

No permanent changes just yet.

15 votes

No, they'll come around.

2 votes

I DO NOT CARE!

2 votes

19 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Comments

Too early

You cant tell anything from seven games whether it is the start of the season or some random week in July. I like the lineup the way it is. It is up to Adam to break the mental block and actually hit in April/May. McClouth and Doumit are legit and I think are a nice 3/4 combo. Brandon Moss and his arm have suprised me and I like him as our right fielder. I have no problem running this lineup out there for a majority of our games.

by vanslyke on Apr 13, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

I agree. It’s too early to tell yet. My biggest concerns are 1. The LaRoche brothers and 2. Nyjmo. If two of your hitters struggle the way the LaRoche’s have, it’s going to be difficult to say the least. I’m curious to see if Nyjmo can keep up hitting the way he has. Of course, he won’t continue to hit at a .400 clip, but if he can continue to get on base at a good clip, it adds a dimension to the offense we haven’t seen for awhile thanks to his speed.

by jeffbwi on Apr 13, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Nyjer kinda has surprised me as he was hitting like crap in ST. Perhaps it’s one of those…oh it’s spring training — no incentive to hit so hard — take it easy — and i guess maybe he was working on stuff for the regular season? But really have to wait for at least half or full season to see what kind of player he is……remember… You had an idea about N. McClouth, but not until he played a full season did you really know that…hey he’s gonna be a good player. Remember…he was our “4th” outfielder and probably wouldn’t earn a starting position. Not that he’s a star player, but at least he’s serviceable and is productive to the team.

by lfhlaw on Apr 14, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions