06-22-2010, 05:52 PM
Fontenot should be getting virtually all of the starts against RHP's in my opinion. Except for Theriot's swiping bases, with which he has been much more disciplined this year, and walks, Fontenot leads Theriot in virtually every significant offensive stat. Fontenot is certainly much more than servicable with the glove out there, too. Theriot is obviously a favorite of Lou's, but a singles hitter with an .OBP of .322 is NOT really helping the offense. It's like carrying Pierre or Podsednik when they're hitting under .310~ they're a liability, regardless of the stolen bases.
Fontenot has been doing everything asked of him, and Lou's been much better at playing him to his strengths this year; that said, Theriot lost his starting SS job to a kid with better range and a slightly higher .OBP (and virtually the same number of extra-base hits and RBI's in 100+ less AB's). Fontenot did not lose HIS job to a better player... Lou took it away to play his favorite more often.
JH needs to get on the phones and make a deal to ship either Theriot of Baker to a team where they can get some AB's (and let our remaining gys get theirs', too). Theriot is clearly a better option for a team like Colorado or the Twins (with both starting middle IF's on the DL), but we might need to eat some of Theriot's salary to get something meaningful in return. I'm sure if JH wants it done, it will get done. Until then, Lou needs to get over his Dusty/Neifi-like man-crush on Theriot and play the guy with the better bat: Fontenot. I'll take Colvin's .365 .OBP leading off over Theriot's performance any day of the week, anyway, so I don't see what the heck Lou's dilema is.
Fontenot has been doing everything asked of him, and Lou's been much better at playing him to his strengths this year; that said, Theriot lost his starting SS job to a kid with better range and a slightly higher .OBP (and virtually the same number of extra-base hits and RBI's in 100+ less AB's). Fontenot did not lose HIS job to a better player... Lou took it away to play his favorite more often.
JH needs to get on the phones and make a deal to ship either Theriot of Baker to a team where they can get some AB's (and let our remaining gys get theirs', too). Theriot is clearly a better option for a team like Colorado or the Twins (with both starting middle IF's on the DL), but we might need to eat some of Theriot's salary to get something meaningful in return. I'm sure if JH wants it done, it will get done. Until then, Lou needs to get over his Dusty/Neifi-like man-crush on Theriot and play the guy with the better bat: Fontenot. I'll take Colvin's .365 .OBP leading off over Theriot's performance any day of the week, anyway, so I don't see what the heck Lou's dilema is.
"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." Albert Einstein