Today's lineup suggestion - All About Gattis!

[AerchAngel]

Just an opinion.

CF Jordan S
SS Simmons
1B Freddy
RF J Upton
LF Gattis
2b Uggla
3b Johnson
C Laird.

Heyward needs a break and BJ can get a spell just to get a spell, not that anything is wrong with him. Get Jordon some at bats. I am torn between Gattis and the Pastor in left since Gattis love eating Philthy pitching.

So what do you guys think? Just opinions no need of flame wars.

[PawPawMaxwell]

Maybe Doumit vs Laird. Anything acceptable as long as Gattis stays in the lineup. Isnt Monday another off day?

[thethe]

Lets just keep the bear in the lineup. All the rest is gravy.

[GovClintonTyree]

Give Jordan a start in right field, maybe two. But I'd just replace Heyward in the lead off slot. I don't think I'd mess with Gattis behind the plate. And BJ is showing a pulse, so I don't think I'd mess with him either.

[sturg33]

Yeah Fredi better keep Gattis in the lineup today with the way he is hitting

[stpeteirish]

I'd rather rest Gattis than play him in LF. But it wouldn't be that terrible to have him catch a day game after a night game this early in the season, unless he's got an injury.

[weso1]

While it's tempting to play Gattis, I think you've still got to rest him. It's a long season and really it's his first long MLB season as a starting catcher. You want to make sure he doesn't wear down.

[The Chosen One]

Gattis had a day off on Tuesday.

[weso1]

Gattis had a day off on Tuesday.

True, but it's a day game after a night game. Wouldn't hurt to give Gattis a day or two more than some other catchers, jmo.

[thethe]

True, but it's a day game after a night game. Wouldn't hurt to give Gattis a day or two more than some other catchers, jmo.

He doens't have much mileage on his knees though..at least in comparison to other catchers his age.

[sturg33]

Yeah, I'm kind of the opinion that we need to ride Gattis hard for the next two years and then give him his walking papers when he's nearing 30 and let Bethancourt take over. I'm not too worried about Gattis' long term health.

[thethe]

Yeah, I'm kind of the opinion that we need to ride Gattis hard for the next two years and then give him his walking papers when he's nearing 30 and let Bethancourt take over. I'm not too worried about Gattis' long term health.

Wait a second...if this guy hits 30+ homers and plays adequate catcher then he isn't going anywhere. CB needs to prove he can hit a little before he takes the job of someone that hits like that.

Unless you are telling me that Gattis will eventually be in LF when the decision is made between Justin and Jason.

Why shouldn't we assume that Gattis will become a better hitter than he is now?

[weso1]

He doens't have much mileage on his knees though..at least in comparison to other catchers his age.

That's good and bad I think. Good because the knees stand a better chance at holding up from a purely physical stand point, but bad because he has no experience catching so many games. How will it wear on him both physically and mentally at the end of the season? I don't know. Never played catcher or mlb so I don't know what the impact could be later in the year. But I understand the decision to rest him if they do.

[thethe]

That's good and bad I think. Good because the knees stand a better chance at holding up from a purely physical stand point, but bad because he has no experience catching so many games. How will it wear on him both physically and mentally at the end of the season? I don't know. Never played catcher or mlb so I don't know what the impact could be later in the year. But I understand the decision to rest him if they do.

I guess you could look at it the way pitchers are treated. Gradually increasing his innings caught each year.

[nsacpi]

I would give Heyward tomorrow off not today. Niese on the mound. Maybe give BJ today off.

[The Chosen One]

Burnett is the type of pitcher Heyward needs to get back in. A fastball guy that throws some offspeed, but not unhittable like he was 10 years ago.

[PawPawMaxwell]

If Gattis continues to hit and hit with power, and you believe in building your team up the middle, then it is very conceivable that he is the next long term extension handed out.

OTOH, why not put him in LF occassionally? There must be a reason we carry 3 catchers and dont forget Bethancourt knocking on the door.

[Hawk]

BJ is just starting to swing the bat with some semblance of consistency. I wouldn't pull him out.

[The Chosen One]

If Gattis continues to hit and hit with power, and you believe in building your team up the middle, then it is very conceivable that he is the next long term extension handed out.

OTOH, why not put him in LF occassionally? There must be a reason we carry 3 catchers and dont forget Bethancourt knocking on the door.

It just hurts he's a catcher and plays in the NL (no DH).

He's what 26? When we gave Mac the 6 year extension in 2006, he was only 21. Thankfully Francoeur didn't bite.

By the time he's 30 he may not even produce anymore. He'll still be in his arby years so why give him a lucrative extension?

[thethe]

It just hurts he's a catcher and plays in the NL (no DH).

He's what 26? When we gave Mac the 6 year extension in 2006, he was only 21. Thankfully Francoeur didn't bite.

By the time he's 30 he may not even produce anymore. He'll still be in his arby years so why give him a lucrative extension?

Its very possible that Gattis becomes one of the few 35+ home run guys in the major leagues moving forward. COnsidering the fact that he hasn't made any money and is close to the middle-end of his career I think he would take an under market value deal.

It seems strange to me that people don't think its possible for Gattis to become one of the best power hitters in the majors for the next 4-5 years.