Just when I wrote about this a few days back – leaving Gordon where he has been super productive – Yost goes and pulls a dandy.
I can see what he is trying to accomplish by moving Gordon to the three hole because he wants him to develop into a middle of the order guy but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. You figure a farm boy from Georgia would agree with that age old adage.
I just don’t get that guy’s line of thinking sometimes. He’s tinkered with this line-up constantly throughout the year and has it even accomplished anything? Moose was doing excellent hitting sixth so what does Yost do…..moves him to three and his offensive production went to crap.
I’m not a major league manager for a reason and Ned Yost might not be for too much longer himself.
-KCCM
Ex-Coach,
Nobody is talking about who he is hitting in front of, we are talking about Yost taking a perfectly good player who is very comfortable in his role and fucking with things.
Ultimately Gordon needs to find a way to put up the same numbers in the one hole elsewhere in the line-up. This might be a good time to “figure it out” since we have nothing to play for but at the same time……what’s the problem with Gordon hitting # 1?
Also Coach,
Please cite where you have seen/heard “Gordon has expressed interest to hit #3″. I’d like to read that article.
BTW, things are working out real well with Gordo in the 3 spot tonight. Another “0-fer” in the making.
We need to get Gordon comfortable elsewhere, I’ll agree with you on that. But at the same time, I have no problem with him hitting #1 for the rest of his career if he produces like he has in that spot of the order the past 2 years.
Once again…..if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
I don’t buy in to the ‘if it aint broke, don’t fix it’ statement here. It is very unlikely that Alex Gordon would become a weaker hitter while hitting in front of Billy Butler. Over a thousand at bats, it’s very likely he would be a superior hitter hitting in front of Butler, than he would be hitting in front of Getz or Escobar. The article below shows Gordon is more than fine with the move. Another article I read a couple days ago even noted Gordon, ‘expressed interest in the move to third’.
“Ned called me in (Wednesday) night and talked to me about it to make sure I was OK with it. It’s not like he just threw the lineup up there,” Gordon said. “I’ve been in the one hole for a good couple months now, and a good skipper is going to come up and ask you if you’re OK with it.”
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/16/3766052/gordon-moved-to-third-in-lineup.html
Unfortunately, I can’t find where I read Gordon ‘expressed interest.’ Whether that statement holds any merit or not…I am fine with the move. I’m not saying it’s the ‘best’ move in the world, but I am not opposed to it either. I just think folks get a little carried away with the ‘mental’ part of hitting first versus third. And, when Butler is hitting behind you…it can only make things simpler. I could be wrong, but just my thoughts….
Even Gordon admits he’s not a leadoff guy: Gordon said. “I told him I was. I’m not a typical leadoff guy, I think everyone knows that, and [Yost] said maybe long-term this is a better fit for you.”
He didn’t disappoint tonight.
You are right that hitting in front of Butler should help you. That’s a no brainer as you are going to see more fastballs and get more quality pitches to hit. I’m not arguing that.
The post is more in regards to Yost constantly messing with the lineup and not letting any of these young guys settle into their roles. The only things that he seems to do consistently is hit Escobar 2nd (this didn’t happen until mid-way through the season) and hit Butler 4th (any manager could make that decision).
Gordon only has about 115 games hitting 3rd in his career and the results haven’t been all that great. If there is anytime to figure out if he can do it I guess another wasted year is the best time to figure it out.
GO ROYALS! 73 wins and 3rd place or bust!!!
There is absolutely no way hitting in front of Billy Butler can hurt you. Period. Gordon has also expressed his interest to hit #3. I don’t blame Yost for moving Gordon at all. It’s not like he’s moving him every single night….he’ll be fine.