Will Red Sox bench Ellsbury?

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05:14 AM ET 07.21
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David Ortiz's return may have broader implications on the lineup than Terry Francona writing Ortiz's name back in the No. 3 spot and dropping J.D. Drew back to seventh. It may give Francona an opportunity to address the alarming decline in production from rookie leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury. When Ellsbury looked at a called third strike in the third inning then whiffed again to end yesterday's 5-3 loss after an 0 for 5 day, it was the sixth straight game in which he had struck out at least once. In his first 25 games this season, Ellsbury struck out just seven times in 92 plate appearances and walked 13 times. He had an on-base percentage of .396. In his last 26 games, Ellsbury has struck out 22 times in 119 plate appearances, and walked just four times. He still leads the league in stolen bases with 35, but with a .234 on-base percentage over the last 26 games, the chances to run have been few, and he has just one stolen base and has been caught stealing three times in that span. He has not hit a home run in his last 28 games, and has just one in 48 games. He also has knocked in just five runs in his last 35 games.

Boston Globe

Jacoby Ellsbury, AP

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July 21, 2008 05:16 AM ET

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What the? Gangsigns in baseball now, too?

YODA

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July 21, 2008 05:56 AM ET

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A lotta sweeping happened this weekend. It definitely makes sense to bench Ellsbury. Manny looks much better in left with that dance and crawl routine from the other night.

MC34

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July 21, 2008 06:30 AM ET

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One hit wonder. hehehe. They should have traded this chump.

jayrpanlilio

Lakewood , CA

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July 21, 2008 06:41 AM ET

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I hate to say, but I agree with benching Ellsbury. Too much too fast last October.

I'd hate to see him rotting on the bench. What to do? Send him to Pawtucket or Portland to get his game back?

DanTheMan

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July 21, 2008 07:13 AM ET

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welcome back to earth.

Whalers

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July 21, 2008 07:32 AM ET

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This is what kills me about baseball. You get a young kid who shows great talent at the bat and on the basepath, and when he starts slumping you put him back in AAA. I understand the need to showcase a young guy for other teams if your intent is to trade him, but otherwise it's ridiculous. Every player goes through a slump, regardless of age. You let them ride it out, end of story. The Red Sox aren't benching or designating this kid, they're not that stupid.

Atro Steals Yer Base

World Champs, NY

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July 21, 2008 07:43 AM ET

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Jocoby Rulz! or maybe not.

U.S. Government

Washington, DC

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July 21, 2008 08:04 AM ET

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Leave it alone for now. Crisp isn't hitting any better.

CardsFan2

Saint Louis , MO

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July 21, 2008 08:20 AM ET

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bigdog1002

Huntsville , AL

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July 21, 2008 08:25 AM ET

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Who goes in the two slot when you move him to the bottom of the order?

CardsFan2

Saint Louis , MO

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July 21, 2008 08:41 AM ET

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Atro.. that's fine for also-rans.. but if you're serious about contending and repeating, you can't have a guy hitting that poorly leading off for you. His average is about to dip into the .250s and his OBP isn't good either.

bigdog1002 | 07/21/08, 08:20 AM

Good point, but let me ask you, would you have made this move with Cano? Look at him now after a hideous first half.

Atro Steals Yer Base

World Champs, NY

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July 21, 2008 08:43 AM ET

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Atro.. that's fine for also-rans.. but if you're serious about contending and repeating, you can't have a guy hitting that poorly leading off for you. His average is about to dip into the .250s and his OBP isn't good either.

bigdog1002 | 07/21/08, 08:20 AM

... and the biggest part of my frustration with a move like that is that doing it sometimes makes also-rans out of what would have otherwise been a great everyday starter had he been given given the time to swing through a slump.

Atro Steals Yer Base

World Champs, NY

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July 21, 2008 08:48 AM ET

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Francona definitely needs to shake these guys up!!
I don't wanna see Jacobi benched but moving him from the No. 1 spot makes sense.

becca e. | 07/21/08, 07:25 AM

Morning, Becca! Oh dear. Oh my my my. We are going to have to do something about your gambling problem.

Atro Steals Yer Base

World Champs, NY

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July 21, 2008 08:50 AM ET

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The guy just needs a couple of days off. With Papi out, he's been playing every day. Earlier this year, he played about 5 days a week. He'll be fine.

Tell it like it is

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July 21, 2008 09:13 AM ET

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He is what he is. A contact hitter who strikes out 20% of the time. Good field, no power, fast. May hit .280 for a career...That is no surprise...That is his history in his pro career. Did anyone really think he was more than that ?