The Dreaded P-Word

by gondeee on Nov 14, 2006 9:36 AM EST

It was an Oliver Stone film with Charlie Sheen, but most Braves fans recognize it as the favorite pastime of Bobby Cox - the platoon. He's used it at first base, left field, second base, just about everywhere on the diamond, and now in all likelihood he will use it once again at multiple positions around the field in 2007. The people that probably hate the platoon the most are the ones that play fantasy baseball, but even those who don't play often turn their nose up at the thought of sharing time.

I bring this up because it seems like a forgone conclusion that Marcus Giles will not be a member of the Braves for much longer and that begs the question, "who will play second base." It has been suggested that anyone from Willy Aybar to Martin Prado to Kelly Jonson to Pete Orr to Eric Campbell to Yunel Escobar will be at the 4-spot on the diamond next season. But I submit that it will be a combination of several of these players. If Giles is traded then it will be a "who's going to win the job in Spring Training" news frenzy between then and the beginning of the season. But there won't be just one person to win the job. Bobby Cox wants to develop several of these guys, and so he will give at least two of them the opportunity to split time at second.

We get word that Kelly Johnson is working with Glenn Hubbard at honing his skills at second base, and that Campbell and Escobar are both spending time there in winter ball.

With the Braves cultivating such depth at second base, it's a good bet that they won't spend too much money on any one replacement for Giles (or Giles himself). When there are five or six guys in the upper levels of your system who can step in and capably play a position, why would the team waste their ever dwindling precious budget money on it? If I had to take a guess at who might be the front runner at this time to win the lion's share of the second base job, I would have to say Kelly Johnson. He's one of Bobby Cox's kinds of players, and someone who can fit the bill as a stop gap leadoff guy (much like Giles). But the money's on him not winning the job outright. I'm guessing its come combination of the players mentioned above...Bobby wouldn't have it any other way.

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It's

going to be interesting to see what they do...

...Miranda

by SJsftb27 on Nov 14, 2006 10:04 AM EST reply actions

2B

The scenario you have sketched seems plausible--except for Campbell. He has yet to play in upper A and 2B would be a new position for him. While we are on the topic, Holt deserves to be named here--because he is continuing to grow as a player and he could become a leadoff hitter.

by Stephen @ Talking Chop on Nov 14, 2006 12:44 PM EST reply actions

Holt

I like the kid. His second half surges the past couple of years show that he can hit. He's got no power but tons of speed to burn. I could see him at second in a couple years for us.

.....Matt

by yondaime4 on Nov 14, 2006 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

Johnson at 2B

If Johnson can handle 2B that would be awesome. I realize he came up as a SS but when I saw him at Greenville a couple of years ago..I didn't think he would make it as a SS. Not a great first step and a little cumbersome around the bag. I figured he would end up at 3B or OF. My hope for him this year was that they would let him play infield and make him into a utility guy playing 3B (You know Chipper will miss 20+ games), 1B, RF, and LF. However, if Johnson can handle 2B it would add a lot of pop for that position. He could easily hit .270 20 80 next year. However, I think if that were to happen they have to go after a lead off hitter to play LF. I think Johnson would be way out of his element as a leadoff hitter. But imagine this line up:

LF: Leadoff Hitter
Renteria (R): .300 15 75 15
C. JOnes: (S): .300 30 110
A. Jones: .275 45 120
LaRoche: .290 35 105
Franceour: .280 30 96
McCann: .300 18 68
Johnson: .280 20 80

(Totally guessing on potential numbers...but that line up looks nice. A few too many K's but solid 1-8).

by calbers on Nov 14, 2006 10:43 PM EST reply actions

Johnson

It would be great if KJ could play 2B. I agree that KJ is not a leadoff hitter and, even more generally, he is very streaky. That said, over the course of a season he would give the Braves much more firepower than most clubs get from their second basemen.

I have a feeling that we will see more of Aybar and Prado...

by Stephen @ Talking Chop on Nov 14, 2006 11:40 PM EST reply actions

KJ

If kelly johnson becomes our leadoff/2b our lineup would take on a very AMerican league feel with the Hihg OBP guy leading off and all the power all the way down the order. It could really be scary.

Maybe the heavy offensive fire power and very deep bullpen is the best (and most realistic) option our team has for next year to be a champion. Really good starting Pitching may not be available to us but really good bullpen help might be. And for the right price, maybe a good bat or two out there. Seems like a good structurally sound plan to me

.....Matt

by yondaime4 on Nov 15, 2006 1:09 AM EST up reply actions