Kevin Towers

[HollywoodLeo]

In the meantime, somehow I doubt we'd be much higher in the standings had Jody Gerut been playing CF the past two weeks.

[padrefanforever]

To me it's not hard to equate what defense and offense does to winning......if you have it you win, if you don't you lose......how many runs has Edmonds cost us in the OF ? Too many in this short period.....and Gerut wouldn't have.........Gerut actually has a chance to hit the ball, where JE doesn't......

Those close games are the games that we'd see the difference IMO, maybe not in each.......but a difference

[HollywoodLeo]

Yes, defense and offense helps you win.

It's too bad center field only adds up to 11 percent of that equation.

[padrefanforever]

The problem is CF added up to more since the OF had to be shuffled and was never set or insync......that ONE position has caused major ripple effects across the board

[HollywoodLeo]

I fail to comprehend how Jim Edmonds' struggles has forced Scott Hairston and Paul McAnulty to hit like shit.

Poor fielding and hitting is not a contagious disease.

They have only themselves to blame for their own struggles.

And, even then, that doesn't explain how we'd be winning any more than we have with the way the bullpen, bench, Josh Bard, Khalil, and 2 of our 5 starting pitchers have performed.

[padrefanforever]

Steady play creates a rhythm, so does playing the same spot consistently.....so does hitting in the same spot consistently.......we've had none of that and our guys are getting bounced around left and right and hitting in different spots each night.......there is nothing consistent about that, so it's hard for them to be ?

[HollywoodLeo]

You might have a point in regards to the batting order changes, but you have no argument in regards to the position changes as long as they're still seeing regular play time.

I fail to comprehend how someone's a different hitter just because they're playing a different position on the diamond on defense.

People platoon positions all the time without it affecting their hitting abilities in the majors, that is not a valid excuse for Scott Hairston.

As for McAnulty, well he sucks regardless of how much Jimmy has struggled.

[padrefanforever]

Because you "fail to comprehend", does not mean it's not a valid point, just that you don't understand how. And the combo of both is taxing on a player.....if you agree fine, if you don't fine....

[HollywoodLeo]

Stating I "fail to comprehend" is nothing more than a figure of speech used to make a point.

I "fail to comprehend" it because it isn't a valid point.

People's hitting abilities don't change based on what they're doing when their team is on defense.

They're not going to see the ball any better or worse or hit it any better or worse just because they're playing different defensive positions.

And how is it "taxing"? Because they have to double check the roster card every day?

[padrefanforever]

Stating I "fail to comprehend" is nothing more than a figure of speech used to make a point.

I "fail to comprehend" it because it isn't a valid point.

People's hitting abilities don't change based on what they're doing when their team is on defense.

They're not going to see the ball any better or worse or hit it any better or worse just because they're playing different defensive positions.

Uh yes it does Wood......how many times have you heard the expression " don't take it out to the field with you", or "leave it in the field...." ?? They are talking about things like making an error then having a bad AB because of it......or having a bad AB and not letting it go and then botching a play in the field.......it's all connected man.......ALL OF IT.....when you fail to have consistent playing time you press....and that affects everything in your game.

It's a very valid point, if you disagree fine, but don't tell me it's not valid......

[love_that_reefer]

Too bad Antonelli looks like shit in AAA.

[HollywoodLeo]

Uh yes it does Wood......how many times have you heard the expression " don't take it out to the field with you", or "leave it in the field...." ?? They are talking about things like making an error then having a bad AB because of it......or having a bad AB and not letting it go and then botching a play in the field.......it's all connected man.......ALL OF IT.....when you fail to have consistent playing time you press....and that affects everything in your game.

It's a very valid point, if you disagree fine, but don't tell me it's not valid......

They're telling them not to "take it on the field" or to "leave it on the field" because the two tasks aren't related, nor should they be.

Just because the player makes them related by remaining frustrated after the fact doesn't mean they are, nor does it mean anyone but himself is to blame because he does it.

[padrefanforever]

Who gives a crap whether they are related or not.......many have a hard time separating the two, and it's a common issue players face....it's a very valid point whether you like it or not.

[HollywoodLeo]

Who gives a crap whether they are related or not.......many have a hard time separating the two, and it's a common issue players face....it's a very valid point whether you like it or not.

But getting back to the original debate at hand, none of that is Jim Edmonds fault, nor is it Kevin Towers' fault.

It's Scott Hairston and Paul McAnulty's fault if they can't separate the two tasks just because they are being asked to play different positions.

They're being paid at least 6 figures to do a job. If they can't perform it adequately the onus is on them and them alone.

Which then brings me back to my original point that the CF issue only accounts for 11 percent of the offense and that we'd still be in dire straights if Gerut was playing CF the past two weeks.

[padrefanforever]

I disagree and site cause and effect to be the reasoning behind their lack of consistent playing time, or location, or spot in the order.

If KT gets a CFer 2 weeks ago when it was clear that he wasn't just rusty, then half the season to date might be salvaged....and since it's the last two weeks that we really crapped the bed, it very well might be different.

KT's lack of action is the cause............the rest is the effect......

Now if you're suggesting that mentally those guys should be able to adapt and handle it.....fine......more reason to dump them and get quality players in here.....whose job is that again ?