Gonzalez to anchor left
Thomas Harding at MLB.com reports that Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy has decided to play Carlos Gonzalez regularly in left field rather than alternating him between left and right. In 2010, Gonzalez played 63 games in left, 58 in center and 40 in right field.
That leaves Seth Smith and Ryan Spilborghs likely to play right field. Read the full story here.
Just like putting Cargo in the leadoff spot early last year, this a typical J Tracy “over-manage” decision. There is no questiob in my mind that Cargo belongs in right field every day with that canon arm throwing out baserunners – period!
Rich is 100% correct!
BYW the Coors Field dimensions and aquarefootage argument makes no sense to me. Have all the outfielders take two steps to the left (toward the left field line) and the squarefootage argument goes away.
I think Tracy is correct in anchoring Cargo but he should be anchoring him in right field. He’s a five tool player. Why not use all his tools. Most every team will use their best outfield arm in right field. A few will use him in center because of that player’s combo of speed and arm. But why use him in right. Don’t like the move at all.
I have to agree with everyone else here, CarGo needs to be the everyday right fielder.
I’m fine with Gonzalez in left. I’ve just seen too many left fielders like Bichette and Holliday misplay that position in Coors Field while someone like Brad Hawpe became a passable right fielder because he learned how to play the wall.