The Playoffs Will Set Kevin Love Free
April 26, 2015
Cavs sweep amid Love-less disaster: Cavs vs. Celtics Game 4 Behind the Box Score
April 26, 2015For the first time since being signed by the Cleveland Indians, Michael Bourn will start a game lower in the lineup instead of the leadoff spot. Instead of batting first, Terry Francona has decided to drop him to the bottom of the order and bat him ninth versus Detroit. Bourn understood the decision saying, “Sometimes you just catch yourself in a funk.” He noted, “It’s gonna be weird. I hope I don’t go put on my helmet at the beginning of the game. I’d be embarrassed.”
Since signing a four-year, $48 million deal with the Indians in February of 2013, Bourn has been a disappointment and has not lived up to expectations. When Chris Antonetti surprised many and signed Nick Swisher and Bourn to big-time deals before the 2013 season, many believed that it was a turning point for Cleveland. Unfortunately, they have both been major disappointments since dawning the block “C”. Currently in his third season with Cleveland, Bourn has batted just .255, with nine home runs, 79 RBIs, 138 runs, 34 stolen bases (has been caught stealing 20 times) and has struck out 262 times.
Bourn has had eight at-bats in the fifth, sixth, and ninth spots in the order for the Indians but they were all because he was subbed in as a defensive replacement during the game.
Hopefully a change like this, where a lot of pressure will be taken off Bourn’s shoulders since he will be batting last, will be a good change for him and he will start to turn it around at the plate. If the Indians want to meet expectations and make the playoffs in 2015, they will not only need Bourn’s bat, but will also need his (fast) legs on the bases. Here’s to hoping the change made by Francona is a positive one for Cleveland.
Here is today's lineup from Detroit — Raburn, Brantley looking to stay hot! pic.twitter.com/iXoHEzVn14
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) April 26, 2015
12 Comments
Since the top three of our order are currently 0-10 and Bourn is 0-3… sigh. Just fire Ty Van Dersloot already and get us a real batting coach.
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Centerfield defense is at a premium in the league. And that’s what Bourn is supposed to provide. He’s still an adequate defender in CF – much more so than Mike Aviles or Michael Brantley. But he’s no longer above average defensively there, and without much in the bat (he’s never been a great hitter, this isn’t news) his value plummets. If Holt, Naquin or Ramsey can play with the same defensive ability, you have to wonder if the Indians won’t try them at some point this year.
6 runs, keep him there!
Great decision. Bourn’s days as a leadoff man are numbered. He can’t bat leadoff next year anyway since we definitely don’t want his option for 2017 to kick in.
Is there any position more fungible in today’s MLB than hitting coach? Fire him, hire someone else, whatever.
He hasn’t helped this group at all I said this over a year ago. Meanwhile on the other side of the ball Mickey Calloway turns water into wine.
He’s been here since the beginning of 2013, and has seen this lineup finish 4th in the AL in OPS+, and then 5th. I think it doesn’t matter a lick who the hitting coach is, but if you’re the type to put stock into his role, I would think you give him more than a couple weeks this year.
Those stats are skewed don’t get me started Steve just like this past week where one game made numbers look better then reality.
I’m very excited to hear how the stats are skewed.
I just gave you an example pay attention!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh9PYtmVybU
I’m still waiting, and still very excited. I can probably use this info to corner the market and make some real dough.