Matthews To Bat Leadoff?

[love_that_reefer]

Angels manager Mike Scioscia indicated that Gary Matthews Jr. would hit first or second in his team's lineup next year. Chone Figgins would hit in the other spot. Matthews had a .323 OBP last season and is at .334 in his career. Howie Kendrick is no on-base machine because of his extreme lack of walks, but there's a pretty good chance he'll have a higher average than Matthews has an OBP next year. He's the better candidate to replace Orlando Cabrera high in the order. Instead, the Angels will likely go with something like: Matthews, Figgins, Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson, Torii Hunter, Casey Kotchman, Kendrick, Mike Napoli, Erick Aybar.

Gary would be a poor man's Soriano. I think he is better off hitting in the seven hole.

[RedsoxFan03]

where's Reggie Willits in this?

[Hammer]

on the bench. hard to put willits in the lineup, with 4 [high paid] outfielders already there (being matthews, vlad, hunter and anderson). and agreed, matthews should bat 7th, and maybe go figgins, kendrick, vlad, anderson, hunter, kotchman, matthews, napoli, aybar.

[RedsoxFan03]

Originally Posted by Hammer on the bench. hard to put willits in the lineup, with 4 [high paid] outfielders already there (being matthews, vlad, hunter and anderson). and agreed, matthews should bat 7th, and maybe go figgins, kendrick, vlad, anderson, hunter, kotchman, matthews, napoli, aybar.

that is effed up.. willits is an awesome leadoff. His OBP .391 would help the Angels a ton. What were they thinking siging Torii Hunter like that..

[love_that_reefer]

They were thinking they needed more offense. Willits is likely to be traded anyway. The Braves were looking into him.

[RedsoxFan03]

So Willits pays no part in their offense?

[love_that_reefer]

Willits as of now would be the 4th OFer. The Angels had enough singles hitters so they went and got Hunter who provides better defense and power. .

[realmofotalk]

If Willits isn't traded, Juan Rivera will be out the door one way or another.

[catman]

Either player should bring some talent in return and both could be packaged with Adenhart and Wood to bring Santana into camp. I've got a hunch Santana would like to go to LA with Torii and the Angels could use his arm in their rotation.

[realmofotalk]

None of the Angels hitters figure to draw many walks, so Scoiscia might as well forget about the leadoff hitter prototype and go with a hot bat atop the order.