My Lineup Theories of Rosterbating for the Year of 2011

There are several things I see when we rosterbate that need to be cleared up, or that I want to clear up in my own opinion. If we're all on the same page, then we can truly 'bate as one. These are details that I declare Bravintific theories upon the bloggers of TalkingChop. Please note that in this post, the following are my observations and how they apply to my opinion, or rather, my rosterbated lineup.

1. Chipper Jones will always bat 3rd in the lineup, except for 4th a couple of times a year. This is the way it has always been done, and this is the way it will always be. Bobby Cox has always done it like that, and from what we've seen from Fredi Gonzalez, it will always be like that. In my rosterbaition sessions, Chipper will bat third.

2. When Jason Heyward comes back, he will not, I repeat, not bat third or cleanup. Jason Heyward may bat second, fifth, or sixth. He and Martin Prado have solidified their places as worthy of second in the lineup. When Heyward comes back, in my rosterbation sessions, he will be second, fifth, or sixth. If he bats second, Martin Prado will move.

3. From here until Nate McLouth comes back (this point is questionable to me, I'm not sure) Jordan Schafer will hit leadoff. He has much more speed than McLouth, his defense is better than McLouth, and his on-base percentage is better than McLouth. When it comes to the leadoff spot, OB% is more important then batting average. The only possible advantage McLouth has over Schafer is experience, but it really doesn't matter right now. In my rosterbation sessions, for now, Schafer shall bat leadoff.

4. Dan Uggla. Laudy-Tom-Daw. Dan Uggla, for the remainder of his horrid and terrible slump, shall bat in the spots of fifth, sixth, and sometimes seventh. This indicates, and I declare, that Dan Uggla will never bat eighth. In my opinion, he should be sitting on the bench until he gets his mind right. But, because Fredi Gonzalez knows him so well, he'll be fifth, sixth, or seventh.

5. Brian McCann will always bat cleanup. That's the way it was all last year, and that's the way it's been so far this year. I'm declaring that the cleanup spot be reserved only for Brian McCann, because that's the way it will always be for the rest of his career. His performance lately has proven how much he's excelled as the cleanup hitter.

6. The pitcher will bat 9th. We are not managed by Tony La Russa, nor will we ever be.

7. Martin Prado will always be first (not right now) or second. He has proven he's a true second place hitter. But, when Heyward and McLouth come back, I think placing Prado will be the hardest decision to make when rosterbating. Does Heyward take back his second-spot or does he move to fifth or sixth? In my own opinion, Prado should stay at second and move Heyward down. After all, before Heyward was injured, he was in a slump, right? But that was because of the injury. We'll see if Heyward's injury has fully left him and he can regain his power and bat. Like I said, it's all a jumble for Prado right now.

8. Freddie Freeman and Alex Gonzalez shall bat in the combinations of the places fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth. Their places will change for days like when Chipper has a day off or when Brooks Conrad or Joe Mather will be in the lineup.

9. If Frank Wren acquires a slugging outfielder, say for fun, Josh Willingham, he will bat fourth or fifth. I wouldn't be surprised if he hits fifth and McCann still hits cleanup.

10. Lastly, Kevin Towers. That is all.

Following my own theories, this is my lineup for the day that Heyward comes back:

1. L Jordan Schafer CF

2. R Martin Prado LF

3. S Chipper Jones 3B

4. L Brian McCann C

5. L Jason Heyward RF

6. R Dan Uggla 2B

7. L Freddie Freeman 1B

8. R Alex Gonzalez SS

9. Pitcher

Some discussion I'd like to bring up is the return of Nate McLouth. His performance this year is still bad. Should Nate McLouth be brought back to the Atlanta Braves and Jordan Schafer be sent down? Should we send McLouth to Gwinnett? Should we use McLouth in any kind of package as an addition? Should we just release McLouth completely? In my own opinion, I think we should release McLouth just to be done with him.

Have fun!