|
What's so goddamn frustrating about the last two lineups is that it's Ned contradicting himself.
Early in Esky's career, Ned refused to pinch-hit for him in late-game pressure situations because he said it was crucial to his development -- he needed to "learn to hit" in those circumstances.
Now, he sits O'Hearn and Phillips against LHP because, apparently, he's afraid that starting them will reerun their development or something. This from a guy who is about as anti-platoon as you can find. Yet, now he thinks it's important to play Drew Butera -- DREW BUTERA -- at first base TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW to protect a young hitter. If those guys can't learn on the job in a season like this, when will they?
And I won't even get into the madness that is accepting lower-quality prospects rather than eating salary when trading good players, while forking over hundreds of thousands of dollars in plate-appearance bonus money to a really shitty player in Esky.
|