So with the demotion of Lane and Rick White getting put on the DL for a pinch nerve, the bench has been effectively altered. Was it necessary? Yes, yes it was. Called up were Eric Munson and Chris Burke. Munson for his bat and Burke for his, ahum... well... let me get back to that later.
Typically, you make up your bench with this sort of thinking in mind:
1. Need a pinch hitting specialist, someone who could possibly come off the bench and spark a rally with a hit, someone who makes good contact. Candidate: Orlando Palmiero. Typically you want to use this sort of guy in the earlier innings and to start said inning. Say a seventh inning or so.
2. Need a left handed or right handed bat who can really hit. This creates a matchup problem for an opposing manager if you have a left handed bat who can hit. Candidate: Mike Lamb, Eric Munson or Mark Loretta. You use this guy any chance you get, but really look for those key times you can put him in there for the difference in a win and a loss late in a game.
3. Backup catcher, defensive specialist, you want to keep this guy in reserve most of the time. Candidate: Humberto Quintero.
4. Speed guy, pinch runner, defensive specialist, occasional start, but mostly a guy who can help you late in a game if you're wanting to hold on to a lead. Candidate: Chris Burke.
5. Right handed power hitter. This is the guy who can provide punch from the right side if needed. Candidate: ?
It's really up to Phil Garner to figure out how he'll use his bench or even who he'll consider his bench guys. I know Munson is here to play and will get some playing time to prove he can help this punchless middle of the lineup get going. I don't anticipate this being a full time gig for Munson, Ausmus will play for three starters: Oswalt, Jennings and Williams. So Munson is a part time player, so I consider him a bench help. So what to do with the three headed monster at third (Lamb/Loretta/Ensberg)? Well, truth be told Ensberg would be a horrible right handed bench hitter. He's just not aggressive enough off the bench. Although he can be as frustrating with the lack of aggressiveness as a starter, he has exhibited a newfound desire to swing the bat when he's in the lineup. But I am of the opinion that Mark Loretta is a much better player right now and if Munson gets the PT, so does Loretta in my book. So by default, Ensberg may of just inherited Jason Lane's job.
Congratulations Mo, enjoy the view from the bench.
