The Battle for Left Field

[Foster]

This years biggest battle in Spring has been Eric Thames and Travis Snider, the position of starting LF. It's been going on all spring and looks to go on till opening day. Snider has had an up and down career in the majors, but showed what he can do by mashing everything last season after being sent down to AAA. Thames played well, and has really bulked up this off-season for what it's worth. Also, I don't count Ben Francisco as an option, he stinks.

Their ST stats for what they are worth...

Thames .320/.370/.520, with a homer, a steal and 5 RBI.
Snider is hitting .333/.375/.833 with 4 home runs, 13 RBI and 1 steal.

Personally I'd perfer to see the platoon option, both getting plenty of at-bats and each playing 3 -4 games a week. One hits righties, one hits lefties, pretty simple platoon to me.

“There’s been no conclusion,” Farrell said of the battle for left field. “Certainly we’re at the midway point of games here in camp. The one thing that we have stated previously and continue to state is that Eric Thames finished last year as our left fielder. And yet there is a competition going on at spring training, so while we look at what takes place in camp, we also include what took place a year ago.That’s not to draw a separation, that’s to continue to state everything that will be factored into this.”

Should Snider And Thames Be Competing? | FanGraphs Baseball

The Battle For Left Field: Eric Thames and Travis Snider - Bluebird Banter

[love_that_reefer]

I'd have Thames start in LF with Snider DHing

[Witlon]

Edwin Encarnacion/Adam Lind are covering 1B/DH. Rajai Davis wasn't getting a shot to play out there, too? It's kinda of disappponting.

[Tobywan]

Davis will likely be an OF reserve as well as Francisco.

[love_that_reefer]

If you can't outplay Encarnacion at DH, then you don't belong on a ballfield.

[Foster]

Yeah, as long as E5 stays off the field, he's a surprisingly decent bat.

Speaking about this, Matt Stairs did a radio spot and throw some hot water on the situation. He went on to say that Cito Gaston hated Snider, treated him poorly, and that no one was willing to really stand up for Travis.

Stairs wants Snider to get the 500 ABs he needs, or send him away.

[realmofotalk]

If you can't outplay Encarnacion at DH, then you don't belong on a ballfield.

But..but..not being on the field for defense affects your ability to perform as a DH!!

Regards,
Pat Burrell

[love_that_reefer]

I agree!

Regards,
Adam Dunn

[Foster]

Hey guys...

With Love,
Jose Canseco

[Tobywan]

Hey guys? Get over yourselves!

Regards,
Edgar Martinez
Frank Thomas
Paul Molitor
Harold Baines
David Ortiz
Jim Thome
Chili Davis

[realmofotalk]

Hey guys? Get over yourselves!

Regards,
Edgar Martinez
Frank Thomas
Paul Molitor
Harold Baines
David Ortiz
Jim Thome
Chili Davis

You're doing it wrong..

[Kingdom]

For real guys. DH'ing is overrated. I get paid for my mad bat skillz and gold glove defense in the OF even though everyone else thinks I'm a DH. Go Yanks!!


With love,
RauLOL Ibanez

[love_that_reefer]

The battle is over, Thames won. Snider was optioned to AAA.

[zodious]

I win the vote!

[Foster]

Kinda Dissapointed. I know Snider is gonna kill it down in Vegas again, so lets see how this plays out.