what we need is a legit leadoff hitter

[KPJR]

since we are getting away from the homerun phase and getting into small ball...we need a legit table setter...

fred lewis was nice..but we need a threat on the bases too..

who are some available guys we can pull out? podsednik is available...

[CapeCrusader]

Podsednik would be realistic...

I've always liked Figgins to play 3rd and lead off. But I think hes making like 10 mill a year (could be wrong)...if so then I dunno. His batting avg wasn't good, but he was very active in stealing bases last season.

[evilRyu]

When we played he rays, I was impressed with the havoc Jennings provided when he was on base. I'm hopping that gose will have the same effect when he gets here.

[guvernator]

Podsednik would be realistic...

I've always liked Figgins to play 3rd and lead off. But I think hes making like 10 mill a year (could be wrong)...if so then I dunno. His batting avg wasn't good, but he was very active in stealing bases last season.

if jays aren't gonna go after crawford, then figgins does seem like the best option. Seattle will be looking to unload him (probably at a discount). Figgins plays GG defence at 3rd and is a good OBP/SB threat - exactly what this team needs. Then Lind can move to 1st and Manny to DH. Offence would be good to go.

[DonYon]

'lead off' hitting is such an overrated concept. You only lead off once in the game, and that batter gets on base only twice in a game if you're lucky. I don't think playing small ball has to do much with getting a guy that can steal bases. It's just strategy that involves moving up batters on base as much as possible, we can do that with guys we have if we really wanted to. I would love to get an on base machine to hit before guys like Bautista and Wells for sure, but most of these so called 'lead off hitters' in this game aren't even great on-base guys, and I don't want to see the jays overpay for one.

[number15]

Yunel Escobar

[hyper316]

Yunel Escobar

he can hit for average, but surprisingly does not have/show base stealing skills

[WpgPage]

hes just not that fast on the base paths if you've seen him in real life kind of close you can tell his body just isnt made to be a real runner

[hyper316]

for a SS, you think you'd be the speediest guy on the team. i dont understand it

[Schad]

Stealing bases really isn't that important, especially when you're talking about someone like Podsednik who was caught stealing 30% of the time (at that rate, you're actually costing the team runs).

Also a little baffled about when we made this transition to small-ball, given that we're coming off a season where we nearly set the all-time record for home runs hit while stealing less bases as a team than Juan Pierre alone managed.

[CapeCrusader]

I don't think its so much transitioning to small ball. But trying not rely on home runs all the time.

[YogiStewart]

Travis Snider, natch

[DonYon]

Travis Snider, natch

why the green font? he's arguably the best lead-off hitter we had this decade

[Hoopstarr]

Well the As just picked up David DeJesus for chump change. I've been a big fan of DeJesus for his defense and he can lead off too. Would've been a nice stopgap pickup for AA.

[baulderdash77]

'lead off' hitting is such an overrated concept. You only lead off once in the game, and that batter gets on base only twice in a game if you're lucky.

You said it yourself. You want your leadoff hitter #2 man are to give the #3 and possibly the #4 man a 70-80% chance of having someone on base in front of them. Not to be condecending, but 2 or 3 solid RISP chances a game from small ball along with a good slugging game will win alot of game.s

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Have always said that Figgins would be nice despite the declining skills. I believe his contract is rather reasonable, and would be available for cheap. He fills a need at 3rd, even though its reserved for a power hitter.

If he's too pricey, I wonder if the acquisition of David DeJesus means CoCo Crisp or Rajai Davis are available.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

'lead off' hitting is such an overrated concept. You only lead off once in the game, and that batter gets on base only twice in a game if you're lucky. I don't think playing small ball has to do much with getting a guy that can steal bases. It's just strategy that involves moving up batters on base as much as possible, we can do that with guys we have if we really wanted to. I would love to get an on base machine to hit before guys like Bautista and Wells for sure, but most of these so called 'lead off hitters' in this game aren't even great on-base guys, and I don't want to see the jays overpay for one.

I can't believe you guys are saying lead off hitting is such an overrated concept. Do you not remember the glory years. We had legit leadoff hitters to compliment our power hitters - Devon White, Ricky Henderson. I'm not talking acquiring the Scott Podsednik's of the world. We need a legit threat to steal bases. Someone that will get into a pitcher's head when he gets on base. Leave Yunel as a #2 hitter, he's better suited at that spot.

[Schad]

I can't believe you guys are saying lead off hitting is such an overrated concept. Do you not remember the glory years. We had legit leadoff hitters to compliment our power hitters - Devon White, Ricky Henderson. I'm not talking acquiring the Scott Podsednik's of the world. We need a legit threat to steal bases. Someone that will get into a pitcher's head when he gets on base. Leave Yunel as a #2 hitter, he's better suited at that spot.

Devo might have been my favourite Jay of all-time, but a great leadoff hitter he wasn't; in '92 he got on base at an awful .303 clip, .319 career.

As for Rickey, well...he was the quintessential leadoff guy throughout his career (more because he got on base at such a remarkable clip than because he stole bases), but he was rather bad during his short time with the Jays. He hit for a .215/.356/.319 line during the regular season, and was even worse in the playoffs. He had a couple fairly big moments, but his presence was rather more coincidental than causal that year.

[U_Mad]

Travis Snider, natch

why the green font? he's arguably the best lead-off hitter we had this decade

naw that's be Shannon Stewart

[Blade_Runner]

'lead off' hitting is such an overrated concept. You only lead off once in the game, and that batter gets on base only twice in a game if you're lucky.

You said it yourself. You want your leadoff hitter #2 man are to give the #3 and possibly the #4 man a 70-80% chance of having someone on base in front of them. Not to be condecending, but 2 or 3 solid RISP chances a game from small ball along with a good slugging game will win alot of game.s

You look at a stat rich sport like baseball and clearly the Jays need to get more speed on the basepaths - leadoff or otherwise. Not only would this make them more dangerous and produce more multiple runs, it would make the team more exciting to watch.