Outfield getting crowded in Toronto
02/01/2006Flexibility breeds uncertainty. At least that's the case in the outfield right now for Toronto.
The Blue Jays' flurry of moves involving corner infielders this offseason have actually caused a developing issue at the corner outfield spots that will be examined during Spring Training. Toronto already had Reed Johnson, Frank Catalanotto and Alex Rios to man left and right field, but now infielder Eric Hinske is going to be thrown into the mix.
"We really look at [Hinske] as a guy that hits right-handers very well," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said recently. "What's the best way that we can make our offense as potent as possible? We think having him hitting against right-handers, for the most part, along with Catalanotto. That gives us a pretty formidable lineup."
Ricciardi has devised a plan where all four players would get at-bats. Hinske and Catalanotto -- both left-handed hitters -- would play left field and right field, respectively, against right-handed pitchers. Against lefties, Toronto would have Johnson in left and Rios in right.
This proposed scenario would give Blue Jays manager John Gibbons a lot of flexibility with his lineup. Frequently flipping the starters, however, could hinder the development of Rios into an everyday player. And if Rios does prove worthy of an everyday job, that would create quite a crowd in left field.
"He has to play," Ricciardi said of Rios. "I think some of that potential came out last year, and he made some strides with [hitting coach] Mickey Brantley. It's a lot of work and a lot of effort, and the big leagues aren't easy. But he's been willing to work and he's a guy that we have a lot of faith in."
Last season, Rios hit 10 home runs, which was an improvement on the lone blast he had in 2004. His batting average and on-base percentage dropped last year, but Toronto is hoping he can put it all together and have a breakout year in 2006.
"He's got so much untapped potential. He's a good player already right now and there's so much more inside of him," Hinske said. "That'll be tough for Rios to break out if he's not getting a lot of at-bats, though."
So what happens if Rios gets consistent at-bats and emerges as an everyday starter?
"That's a tough question to answer," Hinske said after a brief pause.
Rios won't get a lot of at-bats if the team sticks to the varied lineups approach. Adding third baseman Troy Glaus and first baseman Lyle Overbay, and having Shea Hillenbrand to serve as the designated hitter, leaves Hinske without regular work in the infield. That's why Ricciardi is considering moving Hinske to left field -- pushing Catalanotto to right.
Hinske played third base in his first three seasons with the Blue Jays and then was asked to move to first base when Toronto acquired Corey Koskie prior to last season. Hinske obliged and played 100 games there -- splitting time with Hillenbrand.
"For us to get Eric in the lineup, the best way to do it is to get him in the outfield, and he's willing to do it," Ricciardi said. "We asked him to play third and he was fine. We asked him to play first and he was fine. He's a team guy and I think he's going to have a good year."
Moving to the outfield is a first at the Major League level for Hinske, who had to think back to his days in the Chicago Cubs' farm system to remember the last time he played there.
"I haven't played the outfield since Double-A, but I did play quite a few games there in the Minor Leagues," Hinske said. "I'm going to talk to Catalanotto and Vernon [Wells]. I'm just going to go in there with an open mind and listen to what everyone is telling me. I'm confident that I can do it and I'm excited."
Catalanotto and Wells should be great resources for Hinske.
Catalanotto is no stranger to switching positions. During his first four seasons, he jumped between playing first, second and third. Catalanotto didn't play full-time in the outfield until 2001 with Texas. Even then, he still spent some time as a second baseman. With Toronto, Catalanotto had been used primarily as the left fielder, but he also has some experience in right.
Wells picked up his second consecutive American League Gold Glove Award last year. Any growing pains that Hinske might suffer in left field might be eased by Wells' presence in center.
For now, it's unclear who will be in left and right for Opening Day. That being said, it's also hard to predict what the lineup will look like for any given game. During Spring Training, Toronto will need to look at its group of corner outfielders and determine if having them all play platoon roles is the best option. It brings flexibility, but it also could slow progress.
Considering the forward strides that Toronto took this offseason, though, it seems that the players involved just want to help the team try to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
"I'll play the platoon role if I have to, but I'm going to go out and play as hard as I can to try and win that job for sure," Hinske said. "I think everyone will say that, too. If it's for the good of the team, I'm willing to do it. I want to win, and that's the bottom line."
Source: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/
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