Rios Might Hit 3rd...

[Lip Man 1]

So says Robin:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/whitesox/2...ios-to-ba.html

Good move skipper!

Lip

[WhiteSox5187]

I am surprised it took two years for someone to come up with this idea.

[LITTLE NELL]

My prayers have been answered.

[Chez]

I guess it depends whether the 2013 version of Alex Rios looks more like the 2012 or the 2011 version. Certainly worth a try.

[SephClone89]

I'm pretty sure there have been stretches where he's hit third in the past.

[sullythered]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

I'm pretty sure there have been stretches where he's hit third in the past.

Four games last year.

[Carolina Kenny]

Hopefully, Dunn will not be angry if he is moved to 7th or 8th in the order.

[soxfanatlanta]

Originally Posted by Carolina Kenny

Hopefully, Dunn will not be angry if he is moved to 7th or 8th in the order.

[TheVulture]

A guy with a sub .300 OBP two of the last four years batting in the third spot doesn't exactly inspire much hope here. Viciedo is supposedly sub par in left field because he has poor plate discipline, yet a guy who walks less than Viciedo in the three hole is a good idea? Don't get me wrong, I like Rios and I understand we don't really have much better options, but Rios seems better suited 5th or 6th. I'd actually probably prefer Rios 4th and Konerko 3rd, presuming he's recovered from his wrist problems.

[SephClone89]

Originally Posted by sullythered

Four games last year.

But 113 games in 2010. I knew there was some time where he was our usual three hole hitter.

[Foulke You]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

But 113 games in 2010. I knew there was some time where he was our usual three hole hitter.

He also hit .284 avg 21 HRs and 88RBIs in 2010 playing most of that season in the 3 hole. Not too shabby at all. Alex was arguably our best hitter last year too and I'd welcome him back to the 3 hole. De Aza, Keppinger, and Rios batting 1-2-3 would be a top of the order that can all put the ball in play. I'm not as "Anti-Dunn" as many on this board but I've never been a fan of him batting 3rd. I've always viewed him more as a #5 hitter. I also feel that the 3 spot should be reserved for your team's best all around hitter who has a little pop in the bat too. Alex Rios fits that description.

[thomas35forever]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

I'd actually probably prefer Rios 4th and Konerko 3rd, presuming he's recovered from his wrist problems.

Rios is the best all-around hitter in the lineup and that fact alone makes me prefer he bat third. Konerko has power and no speed, plus he's proven himself a lot more. Paulie's batted fourth for years now. Why change it up now? And if those wrist problems have cleared up, I'd trust him in the cleanup spot even more.

[TheVulture]

Originally Posted by thomas35forever

Rios is the best all-around hitter in the lineup and that fact alone makes me prefer he bat third. Konerko has power and no speed, plus he's proven himself a lot more. Paulie's batted fourth for years now. Why change it up now? And if those wrist problems have cleared up, I'd trust him in the cleanup spot even more.

Just because Konerko will likely reach base more. I wouldn't agree Rios is the best all around bat, he's never been anywhere near the hitter Konerko has been. Unless of course he's fallen off the cliff, which is another concern.

[TheVulture]

Originally Posted by Foulke You

I'm not as "Anti-Dunn" as many on this board but I've never been a fan of him batting 3rd. I've always viewed him more as a #5 hitter.

Dunn without protection is a scary prospect. Note when Konerko was hitting as well as anyone in the league the first few months of the season last year, Dunn was productive. Once Konerko fell off, Dunn was worthless. I could be wrong of course, but Dunn batting where he belongs at the bottom of the order is going to be ugly.

[Foulke You]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

Dunn without protection is a scary prospect. Note when Konerko was hitting as well as anyone in the league the first few months of the season last year, Dunn was productive. Once Konerko fell off, Dunn was worthless. I could be wrong of course, but Dunn batting where he belongs at the bottom of the order is going to be ugly.

I don't think you bat a 40HR/100RBI/100BBs guy at the bottom of the order despite the high K total and low AVG. You just don't do it. He is a middle of the order power guy to me and not a 3 hitter. I think a 3-4-5 of Rios-Konerko-Dunn is the way to go. Tank or Alexei batting behind Dunn in the 6 spot would be decent enough protection. It certainly would not be as good as Paulie but the Cubans are decent enough hitters to put behind Dunn.