Lou Montanez Everyday?
At the beginning of August, Adam Jones went down with an injury when he fouled a ball off of his left foot.
Who would have thought that this could end up being a good thing for the Orioles? Now, hear me out. Of course I don't think an injury to Adam "Bubble Gum" Jones (as we like to call him) is a good thing, but look at what has happened since he was injured.
The O's were forced to bring up Lou Montanez as a fourth outfielder, and he has done nothing but give a great argument as to why he should be the starting left fielder next season.
Now, I was told that the reason he hasn't played more this season is that he needs to work on his fielding. Fair enough, but by next year, he should be ready to go.
Plus, you can't sit here and tell me that Luke Scott and Jay Payton are amazing in the field anyway. Before Montanez came up, he was leading for the triple crown in the Eastern League with a .335 AVG, 26 HR, and 97 RBI's. And he has not slowed down since reaching the Majors.
The guy is a pure hitter; there is no way around that. So, my proposal for next season: make Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Lou Montanez your everyday outfielders; let Luke Scott DH, and deal off Payton whereever you can.
And if your thinking, "What about Huff, he's been playing great," You're right, and we need to get something in return for him while we still can.
So I am officially starting the campaign for Lou Montanez as the starting left fielder for the '09 season. So come on and jump on the Lou band wagon--you know you get excited, just as I do, when "Montanez" shows up on the score card.
Fred Genau III
this kid has got seriously talent his first major league at bat he hits a bomb come on now what more could you ask for from a hitter...we all know about his defense but thats why he has the off season to fix that and i think he will. the outfield line up fred has picked could be on eof the best tandems in the upcoming season
YOUR THE MAN FRED!
Can we start calling Adam Jones, "Sugar Bear?"
Having Luke DH makes a lot of sense, even with Aubrey Huff, because Huff can play 1st base and Kevin Millar is leaving for free agency, (and will most likely not be invited back).
Where does Nolan Reimold fit in? He should get a shot at some point.
"And if your thinking, "What about Huff, he's been playing great," You're right, and we need to get something in return for him while we still can."
What makes you think the O's can get anything for Huff? There was very little intrest when he was a free agent and I am sure that AM has been trying to trade him. He wasn't even claimed off waivers for, what I imagine, is the fear of AM dumping his salary.
I hope Lou can have a nice career in the majors but I fear he is having the fairly common career year, where a player plays well above anything seen before or after, he just happens to be doing it while starting in the minors.
Also you don't think Nolan Reimold deserves a shot?
Fred, I completely agree. Lou has been great for the O's since he's been called up. Though his defense early on was a little shaky I think he has really been working on it and improving in just a few days. Tonight was a pretty good example of that...and come on you can't argue with his numbers offensively. I'm looking forward to the young outfield, Montanez, Bubble Gum Jones, and Nick Markakis, lets DH Luke Scott. The O's have a lot to look forward to in the coming years.
Huff is 31 yrs old, Scott is 30. Huff is hitting over .300, 28 hr's 91 rbi's....Scott is hitting below .270, with 21hr's and about 52 rbi's. Care to revise your lineup?