Youkilis

by marchmadness on Dec 7, 2006 11:07 AM EST

Is Kevin Youkilis going to be a starter next season, or will the Red Sox find someone else to start at first base leaving Youkilis as a backup? If he remains the starter do you think he can improve his power numbers, possibly reaching 20 homeruns next season? And also, where do you think he will fit into their lineup? Any predictions on what his stat line will be if he is the starter?

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Youk

Is the starter for now. He is penciled in as the #2 hitter to leverage his high OBP.

He will be keeping 1B warm until an impact power bat becomes available there and/ or Lowell is shipped off from 3B (his ultimate position).

by yoshimi on Dec 7, 2006 11:03 AM EST reply actions

Starter

He'll start, and most likely bat 2nd in the order. They like his 1B defense, versatility and high OBP.

His lack of power is uncharacteristic of the modern day 1B-man, but the Sox generate enough power from other guys, so it's not a problem.

He is what he is: he might give you a 850 OPS and solid defense from the corners. Not an All-Star, but an effective starter for cheap dollars.

by SmokeyJoeWood on Dec 7, 2006 11:06 AM EST reply actions

Anything is possible

Youk should be the least of Boston's troubles, unless they've become obsessed with outside solutions to all their perceived problems.

He'll hit .280/.390/.450, and score 120 runs if #1 or #2 in the lineup.

by Jurgen @ Minor League Ball on Dec 7, 2006 11:06 AM EST reply actions

slugging?

Youkilis will be 28 in 2007, and has never slugged higher than his .429 in 2006. .450 seems optimistic to me.

by BobbyMac on Dec 7, 2006 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

re:

It is not a reach to suggest that any player might reach his career high in SLG % at age 28, nor is it a stretch to suggest that his SLG% would increase by .021 at age 28.

Optimistic? slightly. Unrealistic? No way.

by SmokeyJoeWood on Dec 7, 2006 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

Thank you, Smokey

Couldn't have said it better myself.

by Jurgen @ Minor League Ball on Dec 7, 2006 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

BoSox line-up

I'd like to give them enough credit to hit Youklis & Drew 1&2. Imagine all the runs with those OBP monsters before Ortiz & Manny.

by kschell on Dec 7, 2006 12:57 PM EST reply actions

AGREED

Guys will get on base and that will give Manny and Ortiz even more RBI chances.

by ChrisRef19 on Dec 7, 2006 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

That'd be nice, but...

It seems it's going to be Lugo and Youk atop the order, then those two other guys, then Drew. Me likey.

"What you're forgetting is that you need at least three DWIs before you're considered a 'dominant' drunk driver." (limozeen)

by drjayphd on Dec 7, 2006 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Pre/Post All-Star

Pre: .297/.407/.467
Post: .258/.347/.381

Unlike Lowell's 2nd half tumble which is more likely to him playing way over his head (and I'd worry about his production in 07 big time), I think Youkilis has a nice enough skillset that he should be able to adjust to whatever was being done after June and set himself in the .270/.380/.430 range which is below average for 1B but very good for 3B as long as he can show solid defense there.

by PooNani on Dec 7, 2006 1:57 PM EST reply actions