Victor's injury a blessing?

[pup]

If he in fact goes to the DL, then we get a couple week audition of Kelly Shoppach in the lineup. If he can produce at a respectable level, could this fast forward to Victor being the first baseman for the rest of the year and putting Blake into a strict platoon with Nixon and getting some games at 3rd for Marte?

[jfiling]

I don't think the notion of Kelly Shoppach taking time away from Ryan Garko is appealing. Vic is super-valuable because he can catch 120-plus games. Playing him full-time at first makes him less valuable.

[pup]

He is not taking at-bats from Garko, because Wedge is in love with Blake. He would be taking the AB's from Casey, which is great, IMO.

There is no point in having a great offensive catcher if you negate it with a horrendous offensive first baseman.

[Dozen]

Damn Pup, that would make my day if Blake ended up on the bench (where he belongs). However after talking to Consig yesterday, we were both worried that Blake may actually bat 4th until he returns......

[jfiling]

Yeah, I get your point Pup. I guess I'm looking at the situation as if I was managing the team, and I'd used the V-Mart injury to get Garko more time, and if Garko acquitted himself well at first get him more time and when V-Mart returns putting Shoppach back on the bench except for maybe 35 games the rest of the season. I'd rather have Garko's productivity in the lineup at first and Vic catching than Vic at first and Shoppach catching.

But like you said, Wedge seems to swing from Blake's nutsack, so what I think should happen doesn't really matter.

[pup]

We wouldn't be having this discussion if I thought, for one minute, Eric The Inept would give Garko more than 70 games at 1B this year.

But he won't. We will see Casey Blake there 120 times, batting 5th and killing rallies.

[consigliere]

Yeah, I can't wait to see the lineup card tomorrow. Everyone will be happy Blake is no longer hitting 5th. 'Cept, he'll be hitting 4th now that Victor is out.

I agree that Vic out right now may actually help some. Gives Shoppach a chance to showcase himself in extended action.....but more importantly, I think it will show Shapiro one of our biggest needs: a good vet RHed bat. Not a stud like ManRam, but a need for at least a solid guy like Alou.

[Jumbo]

It's like it was scripted: Blake K's looking on three pitches. Shoppach hits a two-run bomb.

I still think moving Vic to first is a waste of an excellent hitter who can catch...but, it wouldn't be the worst thing ever.

[pup]

Mybe this is the key. Hit Blake leadoff! Get him as many AB's as possible with nobody on base!

We can put Grady in the 3 hole!

[Jumbo]

Hit Blake leadoff! Get him as many AB's as possible with nobody on base!

So crazy, it just might work. (No, I'm not serious...but if, for whatever reason, some guy is appreciably better with nobody on base........hmmm.....)

By the way, on an unrelated matter... the Milwaukee fans are really getting into this game. (And, by the sound of it, on the side of the Tribe.)

In fact, I think I saw somewhere that the Indians had expected attendance of about 36K for this series...they might draw more in Milwaukee! (Granted, with tickets much much cheaper.)

[BruceK]

John Adams, the drummer, is there.

[swerb]

Over 20k in attendance tonight. Very impressive. Miller Park looks nice.

[BruceK]

There wouldn't have been that many here - especially since we would be sitting outside

[swerb]

[BruceK]

bring back fluorescent orange baseballs

[swerb]

Classic .... they had Borowski come out to "Wild Thing"

[pup]

I still think moving Vic to first is a waste of an excellent hitter who can catch...but, it wouldn't be the worst thing ever.

I have had this discussion many times. What good does having a great hitting catcher do, if you instead have a miserable hitting first baseman?

[Dozen]

IMO, He would be able to return sooner at 1b than at c. This injury may force him to play more 1b this year.

[BruceK]

kudos to CC -- that was a pretty good performance given all the uncertainty and scheduling goofiness over the past week.

Eight days between starts -- and not knowing when you are going to pitch.

[pup]

Great point Bruce.

Only concern I have is in both of his starts, when staked to an early lead, CC has given up some runs in the follwing inning. I would like to see his stick a nail in some coffins.