Mike Lincoln will get the start on Friday against the Indians at Goodyear Ballpark.
Dusty said he wanted Lincoln to know so that he'd have time to prepare like a starter.
* There's nothing to get panties in a wad quite like a lineup construction discussion. Baker said his lineup was pretty much set -- or at least the first two-thirds.
1. Stubbs/Dickerson
2. Orlando Cabrera
3. Joey Votto
4. Brandon Phillips
5. Scott Rolen
6. Jay Bruce
It started with the discussion of Brandon Phillips, and whether he'd hit fourth again.
"He's the best selection I've got. Power, speed. Yeah," Baker said. "I like Rolen in the fifth spot more than the fourth spot. I think he'll get better pitches to hit with the threat that Brandon might steal."
To that, I noted much of lineup was likely set if he had Votto third, Phillips fourth and Rolen fifth. Add Bruce after that.
"You've got a two in Cabrera," Baker said. "Right now you've got the No. 1 spot, you've got Stubbs and if he's not playing, Dickerson slides right in there without me tearing up my lineup ... since he's not in competition."
That, of course, was a reference to my article the other day. Baker said they had a long talk yesterday. "My thing is, if you have a beef with anyone, come to me."
I, for the record, stand by every word written.
Anyway, back to the lineup, I think I've been on record saying it's the most overrated and over-discussed thing in baseball. Lineup construction, and many studies will show you this, just don't really matter all that much. Naturally you want your better hitters getting more ABs, but beyond that... bleh, it's just white noise.
* We've got more rain here today, and we'll see what they do.
"This facility's a life-saver already," Baker said.
Dusty said he wanted Lincoln to know so that he'd have time to prepare like a starter.
* There's nothing to get panties in a wad quite like a lineup construction discussion. Baker said his lineup was pretty much set -- or at least the first two-thirds.
1. Stubbs/Dickerson
2. Orlando Cabrera
3. Joey Votto
4. Brandon Phillips
5. Scott Rolen
6. Jay Bruce
It started with the discussion of Brandon Phillips, and whether he'd hit fourth again.
"He's the best selection I've got. Power, speed. Yeah," Baker said. "I like Rolen in the fifth spot more than the fourth spot. I think he'll get better pitches to hit with the threat that Brandon might steal."
To that, I noted much of lineup was likely set if he had Votto third, Phillips fourth and Rolen fifth. Add Bruce after that.
"You've got a two in Cabrera," Baker said. "Right now you've got the No. 1 spot, you've got Stubbs and if he's not playing, Dickerson slides right in there without me tearing up my lineup ... since he's not in competition."
That, of course, was a reference to my article the other day. Baker said they had a long talk yesterday. "My thing is, if you have a beef with anyone, come to me."
I, for the record, stand by every word written.
Anyway, back to the lineup, I think I've been on record saying it's the most overrated and over-discussed thing in baseball. Lineup construction, and many studies will show you this, just don't really matter all that much. Naturally you want your better hitters getting more ABs, but beyond that... bleh, it's just white noise.
* We've got more rain here today, and we'll see what they do.
"This facility's a life-saver already," Baker said.
There are things I like about Baker, but his ideas for lineup construction are flat out incompetent.
If Dickerson is starting in LF and Stubbs in CF, why wouldn't Baker bat the one of them with the highest OBP? It sounds like "who is playing CF" is Baker's only consideration. Dickerson would only hit first if he is playing CF on a given day instead of if he has a much better OBP than Stubbs like he did last year.
Why is Cabrera Baker's #2? His terrible OBP? Why not bat Rolen second now that he's lost some of his power but still gets on base a lot.
Stubbs OBP in 2009: .323
Dickerson OBP in 2009: .370
Cabrera OBP in 2009: .319 (.323 career)
Rolen OBP in 2009: .364 (.370 career)
Isn't the single most important part of the offense getting the first and second hitters on base for Joey Votto?
I hope and expect that Drew Stubbs will increase his OBP this year, but it's like Baker NEVER EVEN CONSIDERS
the importance of OBP.
What I'd love to ask Baker: If Dickerson is playing LF and Stubbs CF and Dickerson has a substantially higher OBP would he (Baker) consider batting Chris leadoff?