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So is in a genuine position to get a feel for where the shot-callers are at on this or that position.
Baker isn't simply calling a Cheney-level scout to get the lower-level employee's opinion on what Zduriencik *should* do. He's around Zduriencik and Wedge themselves on a day-in, day-out basis. And Baker happens to have a feel for a baseball clubhouse, what is meaningful and what isn't.
On Baker Live! he didn't exactly predict that Figgins has the 3B job next year, but he did indicate that they are mulling over the question of whether Figgins would rebound as a leadoff hitter next season.
Hence Baker's consistent pressing of his opinion that Ichiro should probably not hit leadoff in 2012.