I don't know what would happen with Prince in the middle of the lineup...but I know what I THINK would happen:
1 - Ackley scores a hundred-plus runs hitting in front of Prince and gets a million grooved fastballs (or alternately, has his OBP hit the stratosphere since he refuses to get himself out).
2 - Smoak settles down and breathes, knowing that it's not All On Him to produce any runs for a pitifully anemic offense. He crushes an easy 130 OPS+.
3 - Carp is sandwiched between Fielder and Smoak and starts getting pub for his phenomenal year and work ethic while playing a decent LF.
4 - We can better absorb another off year from Ichiro or Guti (though I would think we would move Guti to help afford Fielder, put Wells in CF with Trayvon or the new kid backing him up, and get even MORE lineup production at the plate in the process thanks to Fielder's presence).
I think Fielder helps our offense out at multiple positions. Like I said, I wouldn't trade Smoak if we got Fielder - I'd be relying on Fielder to help boost Smoak's performance back to where I think it should be, so I definitely want Justin on the team.
I don't always believe in a Straw That Stirs The Drink phenomenon, but on a roster with a ton of young kids all being asked to do more immediately than they should have to? I absolutely believe it.
Did Pineda throw so amazingly in part because he didn't have to try to live up to being the Ace, since Felix was already here dominating that role? Could be. "Just do your thing, kid, we've got a monster standing over there who is the point man for this rotation/lineup" can be a wonderful tension-breaker.
I don't think Prince will be on our roster, but I think it would make massive improvements to said roster.
Here's hoping Justin can relax even though we will be counting a whole lot on his production this season, IMO.
~G
Add new comment
1