Francona explains dropping Ortiz in order
MINNEAPOLIS - Red Sox manager Terry Francona said today he hopes moving David Ortiz from third to sixth in the lineup will not be permanent, but he hopes the move takes some pressure off the designated hitter so he can regain his once prominent stroke.
"It's probably a little anticlimactic for me because I've been thinking about doing some things. I have to step back and realize that it is a big deal. I think so much about our team that when Millsy (bench coach Brad Mills) and I were walking over (to the ballpark) I realized that when you post a change like that there will be a reaction," Francona said.
"When we came back from Seattle, because David sat for three days, I wanted to get him back in there to see if we could get him hot. Then when it didn't look like it was going well last week I didn't think it was in his best interest to do it at home against the Mets. That's almost placing blame on someone and I wouldn't want to do that.
"If I'm to be accused of being slow on the trigger I don't mind being accused of that," Francona said.
Francona said he spoke to Ortiz this afternoon but he wouldn't provide details.
We were waiting for Ortiz to speak about the situation, but he told the Globe's Amalie Benjamin, who asked whether he was speaking about his situation before the game "After I go deep tonight."
Ortiz was spending part of the pregame playing cards with Julio Lugo.
"We talked a little bit when he got here yesterday," Francona said. "He knew he wasn't going to play, but I told him I was going to drop him down, I didn't know where."
"I don't want to go into everything because I don't think that's fair to him. There's probably not a day that goes by where we don't talk. I just want to make sure he understands the respect we have for what he's done and what we think he's going to do. Sometimes you have to remind people of that. I said this last week, I don't want him to think he's on an island (by himself) or anything like that."
Asked about taking pressure off Ortiz, Francona said, "That would be the hope. So he feels he doesn't have to carry the team, because there have been times that I've said it publicly that we're going to jump on his back and let him carry us for a couple of weeks. We'll need him and I don't want to just shove him down there. I at least don't want to be a hindrance to him getting hot."
"The best course of action is to let players play and the good ones will rise to their level," Francona said.
Asked whether the goal would be to get him back hitting No. 3, Francona said, "The goal is not like tomorrow to get him back to No. 3. When he's swinging the bat and he's hitting third, I think we're a better team. That's why he's hit there the last few years. All things being equal, yeah, I think we're a better team with David hitting third."
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Tito feels the need to explain? The move is almost self-explanatory. I love David (and will always do) but this move is overdue. I hope hitting lower in the order can help him but realistically I don't think it's going to happen. It's sad heroes don't last forever.
Jason Bay's production just took a nose dive. Who would give him a pitch to hit when Easy-Out Ortiz is next?
We now know the source of Big Papi's struggles. He has been spending to much time with Julio Lugo. The virus is spreading.
Overdue yes WAG; and Terry is right . I didn't think about that. Bay will not be protected now.Just like Pedroia was getting pitched around( too many walks and no homers since opening day). My revised lineup would be Youk 3,Bay 4,Nancy 5,Lowell 6, Papi 7, Tek 8 and Green 9. Lugo permanently benched and Papi on a short leash. Who would have believed 2 years ago that Dustin was being pitched around to get to Papi . This move is weeks overdue and Tito's loyalty has cost this team at least 6 wins.Tito can afford to be stubborn with the depth of this team,but only up to a point.
Francona has already cost the team a few games by not doing this sooner. Really he should be dropped to 8 or 9 but after doing nothing at 6 Theo will be forced to move him off the roster.
Drew #3??? Can someone explain that? Youk is the perfect #3. And Bay has clearly earned the clean-up spot.
Gosfather sounds right. I will not argue with ' The Don'. ---The Baker Also Manchester and Nashua are going wild tonight.......Big game Smoltz
I love the red sox but DAVID "THE MENDOZA LINE" ORTIZ STINKS! please trade him now before he starts hitting .160 !!! hes makes the 2008 varitek look like babe ruth!! BIG FLOPI STINKS!
WYSIWYG...Wizzy Wig - What you see is what you get. What you see with Ortiz can't be labeled as one issue. Several components of his game are causing his swoon and you will probably see him hit no higher than six for most of his remaining career.
Components include age. How old, really, is this guy? His physical build is another component, as it isn't susceptible to longevity. His body is quickly breaking down. See Fielder/Cooper/Vaughn/Vaughn/etc. Another component is his state of mind. If he was simply struggling badly, he would be out-homered and out-slugged by National league pitchers. Another factor is the possible juice. He is slimmer than past years and some scouts report his slowing bat speed, particularly in his wheel house.
What you see is what you get. Someone who will never hit more than 25HR nor drive in more than75 (you don’t drive in a lot from the 6, 7 or bench). Thank him for the past, quickly, and move on. We have a lot of baseball left and we have discovered our weaknesses. Now let’s get a SS.
Part of the reason, I think, for Drew batting third is to preserve left-right-left at the top of the order. Also I think it has to do with how well he did hitting third last year when Ortiz was on the DL...let's hope for similar results this time around.
Thank you for the vote of confidence Mega Viral. Your Gosfather knows how to repay a favor. Papi is going to hit in the 6 or 7 hole for awhile. He is going to get somewhat better there, however, he is now going to be limited by the improved production in front of him. The lineup is a virtual run producing and RBI machine and by the time they get to Papi, there won't be many guys left on base to drive in and those who are on base are gonna be tired from all the exercise of running around the bases. If he hits 25 home runs a year and has 75 RBI as Wizzy WIg projects and he gets his average up to around .280 and he decreases his number of K's and DP's, I'll be satisfied with the production out of the #7 slot.
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