Lineup

"What an awesome situation," Rodriguez said. "We just came up a little short."

"We."


Since the beginning of the season, I thought it was unwise for ARod to bat #3 or #4. It's probably past time to move him.

But it's also not particularly clear how to optimize the lineup or who would be a suitable cleanup replacement.

Of course he's not ARod 2007, but he's not that bad. You move Cano to #4? You move Swisher to #3? What's the big difference?

I mean, as an example, the following lineup makes sense: Jeter, Swisher, Cano, Granderson, Teixeira, ARod ... but what's the big difference?

You put the lefties back to back, that could be a small problem; you re-arrange speed, that probably makes little difference; everybody has power ... what's the difference?


It sure seems like ARod is fixated on Bonds's HR record -- a goal which is oddly worth something like $30 million in his contract -- and he is simply never going to adjust to become a .300 line drive hitter who trades warning track flies for singles and doubles.