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'11: Adam Kennedy for 409 PA's, Figgins for 313, Olivo (although there was not a better option in '11), Cust (which he probably couldn't help) . The brave move in '11, with youth, was Carp. But he was an afterthought who really mashed his way into that. Ackley was a mid-season call-up and had to play. Smoak was the shooting star/young gun who also had to play as we just traded our own Steve Carlton for him. Pegs and Trayvon got tryouts...as they should have on a dismal team. Seager's 49 starts certainly didn't have to happen, but he had just gone all George Brett on AAA. Credit deserved.
'12: Olivo was undeserving of all those starts. Playing Montero wasn't a brave move...we had just sold the future Tom Seaver to get him, after all. Actually is it odd that he only got 55 C starts, 13 less that Olivo. After Carp's injury Wedge was stuck with Smoak for a while, if he wasn't going to play Liddi. He didn't have anybody else, reallly. He should have eventually played Liddi...but that is a different discussion. Ackley was to be the face of the franchise, after Felix. He could have started Kawasaki, I suppose. He rolled the dice with Seager in keeping him up....but remember Seager was slated for utility work as the 3B job was Figgins' until Carp's Opening Day injury. Wedge had to go with youth then...either at 3rd or in LF. Seager grabbed the permanent job with a vise-like throat hold! Saunders starting role was out of necessity because Guti was sick. Good thing, huh? Look what happened to Saunders. I was a doubter there, highly. So I'll give Wedge some credit. Thames and Liddi got cups of coffee, essentially. With Carp out and Guti ill and Ichiro traded, Trayvon got to be the 4th OF.
In '11, Wedge handed a job to a youthful Smoak. But it was impossible not to. Ackley got the call up. But that was ineveitable, too. Carp beat down the door and Wedge couldn't sit him any longer.
In '12, Montero was the new Smoak. Ackley was young and annointed, surely. Seager got his chance due to injury.
Saunders, ditto. But he was in his 4th MLB season, an "old" 25, as it were.
So, youth played but i'm not sure it was by choice.
I'll stand partially corrected.
moe