Should the Twins Give Ryan Jeffers a Look at First Base?

[Althebum82]

No.  Not really even a fan of using him at DH, but agree he has earned an increase in his share of the catching load.  Every team wants to try to get a max return on a big dollar free agent investment, but the more I see Vasquez in the line-up, the more I cringe.  Playing either guy at 1B only exposes the limited return on his signing.

[saviking]

Why not Chris Williams, who has 19 home runs and a 256 batting average in Triple-A? He's primarily a catcher but has a .997 fielding average in 53 attempts at first base. He also gives the Twins an emergency backup cather. 

All you have to do is cut Gallo.

[chpettit19]

11 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

What do you or I know about the demands of catching in the major leagues? All opinions. 4-5 games per week average is 50% more than what he’s been doing. It’s not all physical - it’s wear & tear of being responsible for every pitch. You don’t think that playing 50% more may affect how he feels, then how he hits? We’re going to win the Division and if we don’t it’s not going to be because Jeffers didn’t start 5 or 6 more games from here to Oct. 1. The most important factor is to have him fresh to catch 3-4 games in a row in October as needed.

Can Jeffers catch 23 or more out of 40 games left - sure. Is the change worth a change in routine - change with his offense? Only reason to catch more is so he hits more & effectively.

Regarding next year, he catches 65% of games (105 total) if he goes into the year with the mindset that he’s the guy that’s got the majority of the job. Nothing like what’s been represented to him nor put into practice for ‘23. In ‘24, Team wouldn’t wait until April 3 to tell him he’s going to catch 2 of every 3 games.

IMO, managing guys heads and keeping their heads clear on their roles ahead of time is as big as the physical rest………should be discussing his bigger role in playoffs in a couple more weeks. In the end a player’s confidence and ability to stay composed is what makes things go.

No, I don't think catching an extra game or 2 a week is going to have some drastic effect on how he feels. And if it does then he's simply not that valuable of a player. What do I know about the demands of catching in the major leagues? I know players have been catching nearly twice as many games as Jeffers is on pace to catch for a very long time, and the really good ones are doing it right now. "He'll get tired" is a weak excuse when you're talking about an extra game this week, and 2 extra next week. Why would we think he's going to catch 3-4 games in a row in October when he hasn't done it all season? You're arguing he can't catch an extra game or 2 a week now because it'll tank his performance, but he's suddenly going to be catching 4 games in a row with no ill effect? That doesn't track. You can't say he can't catch an extra game a week without falling apart and then suggest he can catch 4 games in a row in the playoffs with no problem.

Again, if catching an extra game or 2 a week tanks his offense then he isn't really that valuable of a player. 

Why would we think they're going to give him 65% of the games caught next year when they aren't willing to do it in mid-August in the middle of a division title chase? You don't think he trained for this season to be able to handle 105 games as a catcher? You think he magically stumbled into his current performance while not preparing like "he's the guy?" Man, I can't wait to see him OPS+ 200 next year when he actually thinks he's the guy!

Yes, the mental side of the game is super important as well. If Vazquez goes down tomorrow do they need to give Jeffers 2 more weeks to start discussing his increased role for the rest of the season while he splits time 50/50 with a AAA catcher? Or is his performance just going to fall apart because he's going to be so unprepared for a larger role his body won't know what to do? Ryan Jeffers doesn't need 2 more weeks to start discussing an increased role 4 weeks after the discussion. If Jeffers can't stay composed because he has to catch an extra game or 2 a week he isn't the player we hope he is. If an extra game a week crumples him I can't imagine what the weight of a playoff game is going to do to him.

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Pretty sure Vasquez was signed to split time with Jeffers at C.  Few teams want a C to play more than a hundred games and fewer still have a C who should do so.  Jeffers falls in that category.

 

It was pretty publicly reported that Vazquez would only sign here if they promised him he was the main catcher and he'd get at least 60% of the games. It's why Jeffers is still at only 46% of games caught this year even though they've moved to a 50/50 split. They're deferring to the veteran even though he's being outplayed significantly by the younger player. Like the rest of the roster.

I think every team wants a C to play more than 100 games, but few have one that should. Not playing Jeffers more is them choosing to give up an advantage they have on almost every team they play. I don't get it.

[John Belinski]

To me the easy answer for 1st base is Julian. We need his bat in the lineup and he has played games there in the minors.  With Lewis at 3rd this will give us an infield lineup that can hit. First base is the easiest spot to play in the infield. Just not sure why Rocco has not played him there. That would give the Twins a very good infield. 

[Otaknam]

Seems like you keep advocating for players to play out of position: Julien or Jeffers at first, Lewis in the outfield. There are nuanced skills at each position, and putting someone there who has never played there, like Jeffers at first, risks injury. That’s what happened to Lewis last year. Garlick can his lefties so why not call him up? Maybe he has experience at first too. 

[chpettit19]

22 minutes ago, saviking said:

Why not Chris Williams, who has 19 home runs and a 256 batting average in Triple-A? He's primarily a catcher but has a .997 fielding average in 53 attempts at first base. He also gives the Twins an emergency backup cather. 

All you have to do is cut Gallo.

Williams had a pretty rough July, but I'd certainly give him a shot over Gallo. Then again, I'd give you or me a shot over Gallo at this point. And, FYI, Farmer is their emergency backup catcher right now. He has caught games in the majors before as he came up as a catcher before moving to an IF spot. So that role isn't that big of a hole to fill. And Williams is not very good behind the plate, but if they move on from Farmer in the offseason it is a nice role for Williams to be able to fill.

[gman]

I'm all for trying Polanco at first base right now. He is an established major leaguer and is not likely to get the yipps at a new position. With Lewis at 3rd and Julian at 2nd we have 2 rookies playing those positions. Correa and Polanco can help them with positioning.

I would give Polanco 3-4 games a week at first just in case Kirilloff doesn't make in back this year. I would prefer an experienced player at first in the playoffs, which I think is where the Twins are heading.

I would prefer not use Gallo ever, but if he is the only established player on the roster, come playoff time I would use him over a rookie at the position. I don't consider Polanco a rookie.

[HrbieFan]

A big NO to this idea. Hate it when media thinks any Joe Schmo can play 1B. Better idea is to bring up Williams and see if he can hit ML pitchers. 

[PatPfund]

Sure, work him out to see how that plays. Julien too (doesn't have to be either one, it can be both). Or Wallner. And please give Williams a shot before Garlick (we pretty much know Kyle, and Williams (along with his other Saints team-mates) don't freak when they see the bases full.

[JD-TWINS]

19 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

No, I don't think catching an extra game or 2 a week is going to have some drastic effect on how he feels. And if it does then he's simply not that valuable of a player. What do I know about the demands of catching in the major leagues? I know players have been catching nearly twice as many games as Jeffers is on pace to catch for a very long time, and the really good ones are doing it right now. "He'll get tired" is a weak excuse when you're talking about an extra game this week, and 2 extra next week. Why would we think he's going to catch 3-4 games in a row in October when he hasn't done it all season? You're arguing he can't catch an extra game or 2 a week now because it'll tank his performance, but he's suddenly going to be catching 4 games in a row with no ill effect? That doesn't track. You can't say he can't catch an extra game a week without falling apart and then suggest he can catch 4 games in a row in the playoffs with no problem.

Again, if catching an extra game or 2 a week tanks his offense then he isn't really that valuable of a player. 

Why would we think they're going to give him 65% of the games caught next year when they aren't willing to do it in mid-August in the middle of a division title chase? You don't think he trained for this season to be able to handle 105 games as a catcher? You think he magically stumbled into his current performance while not preparing like "he's the guy?" Man, I can't wait to see him OPS+ 200 next year when he actually thinks he's the guy!

Yes, the mental side of the game is super important as well. If Vazquez goes down tomorrow do they need to give Jeffers 2 more weeks to start discussing his increased role for the rest of the season while he splits time 50/50 with a AAA catcher? Or is his performance just going to fall apart because he's going to be so unprepared for a larger role his body won't know what to do? Ryan Jeffers doesn't need 2 more weeks to start discussing an increased role 4 weeks after the discussion. If Jeffers can't stay composed because he has to catch an extra game or 2 a week he isn't the player we hope he is. If an extra game a week crumples him I can't imagine what the weight of a playoff game is going to do to him.

Catching 4-5 games over 6-7 day series is a piece of cake for Jeffers ………..no argument………for a couple weeks……i.e. Playoffs.

The debate was about physical/mental fatigue doing it throughout 162 games. The game is a grind for left fielders in August let alone a catcher playing the bulk of the time.

They signed a guy for $30M and have been waiting for him to come around. Probably too long! Vazquez is hitting around .260 past few weeks. Still inferior to Jeffers for sure.

Organization likes the results they are getting between the pair and seems they aren’t going to vary the routine this season.

Next Spring, hopefully, the target for total games is well above 100.

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Catching 4-5 games over 6-7 day series is a piece of cake for Jeffers ………..no argument………for a couple weeks……i.e. Playoffs.

The debate was about physical/mental fatigue doing it throughout 162 games. The game is a grind for left fielders in August let alone a catcher playing the bulk of the time.

They signed a guy for $30M and have been waiting for him to come around. Probably too long! Vazquez is hitting around .260 past few weeks. Still inferior to Jeffers for sure.

Organization likes the results they are getting between the pair and seems they aren’t going to vary the routine this season.

Next Spring, hopefully, the target for total games is well above 100.

Yeah, just going to have to agree to disagree. Yes, the season is a grind, and catchers have the most physically demanding position. But catchers have been catching 130+ games a year for a long time. Realmuto caught 132 games last year and didn't crumble. Yadier Molina caught 118 at the age of 38, but Jeffers can't do 130 cuz it'll just be too much for him?

I agree they won't "vary the routine this season," and I'm saying that's a problem with the organization. They don't really like to vary anything in season, and it costs them games. This organization is obsessed with rest, scheduled days off, etc. and it hasn't helped. Buxton is a separate situation, but the rest of these guys should be able to play just as much as guys have historically. Training, diets, medical procedures, everything has gotten more advanced, but Twins players can't get a single player to play 150 games a year? Don't buy it. You seem to, though, so agree to disagree.

[USAFChief]

This article is just poorly thought out. It is in actuality an argument for Vazquez getting ABs over other 1st base options. Because that's the net effect.

And frankly I'd rather have Solano or Gallo in the lineup over Vazquez.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Yeah, just going to have to agree to disagree. Yes, the season is a grind, and catchers have the most physically demanding position. But catchers have been catching 130+ games a year for a long time. Realmuto caught 132 games last year and didn't crumble. Yadier Molina caught 118 at the age of 38, but Jeffers can't do 130 cuz it'll just be too much for him?

I agree they won't "vary the routine this season," and I'm saying that's a problem with the organization. They don't really like to vary anything in season, and it costs them games. This organization is obsessed with rest, scheduled days off, etc. and it hasn't helped. Buxton is a separate situation, but the rest of these guys should be able to play just as much as guys have historically. Training, diets, medical procedures, everything has gotten more advanced, but Twins players can't get a single player to play 150 games a year? Don't buy it. You seem to, though, so agree to disagree.

The organization’s inflexibility is granted & not appreciated by me either!

130 games is too many to me. Realmuto is a unicorn.

Guys like Molina are the typical “catcher” profile and theoretically is what organizations are trying to guard against. Lost power & can’t run at all after 9-10 years. See Vazquez. I get they weren’t burners to start but they appear really beat up.

Hoping for a heavy dose of Jeffers through October!

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

The organization’s inflexibility is granted & not appreciated by me either!

130 games is too many to me. Realmuto is a unicorn.

Guys like Molina are the typical “catcher” profile and theoretically is what organizations are trying to guard against. Lost power & can’t run at all after 9-10 years. See Vazquez. I get they weren’t burners to start but they appear really beat up.

Hoping for a heavy dose of Jeffers through October!

How about 110? That seems realistic to me. 14 catchers did that last year, IIRC. That's likely all the really good catchers.....

[chpettit19]

51 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

The organization’s inflexibility is granted & not appreciated by me either!

130 games is too many to me. Realmuto is a unicorn.

Guys like Molina are the typical “catcher” profile and theoretically is what organizations are trying to guard against. Lost power & can’t run at all after 9-10 years. See Vazquez. I get they weren’t burners to start but they appear really beat up.

Hoping for a heavy dose of Jeffers through October!

Yadier Molina hit 20 HRs at the age of 35. If they're worried about Jeffers at the age of 36 that's a problem. They're catchers, I couldn't care less if they can run. If you're sacrificing playing time in a player's prime because you're worried about what they may be in their mid-30s you're making a massive mistake. 9-10 years after Jeffers debut puts him at age 33. If they're limiting his play at 26 because of what he may be at 33 they're making a massive mistake. Especially for a team that doesn't tend to extend a large portion of their roster. The chances that Jeffers is even in their org 9-10 years after he debuted is small.

Always worrying about the future means you're never worried about today, and you're giving yourself a self-inflicted disadvantage. Don't dictate playing time in 2023 because you're worried about what a guy may be in 2030. What a terrible strategy.

[dxpavelka]

9 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

It was pretty publicly reported that Vazquez would only sign here if they promised him he was the main catcher and he'd get at least 60% of the games. It's why Jeffers is still at only 46% of games caught this year even though they've moved to a 50/50 split. They're deferring to the veteran even though he's being outplayed significantly by the younger player. Like the rest of the roster.

I think every team wants a C to play more than 100 games, but few have one that should. Not playing Jeffers more is them choosing to give up an advantage they have on almost every team they play. I don't get it.

Luckily there has never been anything "publicly reported" that has ever been anything other than 100% spot on truthful.  The reason teams seldom choose to play catchers more than 100 games is because any advantage, such as the one you say Jeffers gives them, tends to diminish as they reach and / or pass that 100 game mark.

 

[chpettit19]

57 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

Luckily there has never been anything "publicly reported" that has ever been anything other than 100% spot on truthful.  The reason teams seldom choose to play catchers more than 100 games is because any advantage, such as the one you say Jeffers gives them, tends to diminish as they reach and / or pass that 100 game mark.

 

I'd be happy to look at any numbers you have that support that.

JT Realmuto has been the best hitting catcher in the game for years. Caught 132 games last year. He's caught 125+ games in all but 2 of his full major league seasons. 

Joe Mauer won batting titles catching 120 and 137 games.

And Jeffers isn't on pace to catch 100 games, he's on pace to catch 75.

[RpR]

"Should the Twins Give Ryan Jeffers a Look at First Base?"

No

[dxpavelka]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

I'd be happy to look at any numbers you have that support that.

JT Realmuto has been the best hitting catcher in the game for years. Caught 132 games last year. He's caught 125+ games in all but 2 of his full major league seasons. 

Joe Mauer won batting titles catching 120 and 137 games.

And Jeffers isn't on pace to catch 100 games, he's on pace to catch 75.

You named two.  And had to go back almost two decades.

 

[USAFChief]

53 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

You named two.  And had to go back almost two decades.

 

That'd be two more than you named.

[Mark G]

If this has been said already, forgive me, but why don't we just stop using 1st base as an extra DH spot and target the position in free agency, landing a starting caliber guy who actually knows the position?  Rotating outfielders and utility players in and out of the position works while someone is recovering from an injury, but we have been doing this for way too long now.  When you have to teach your catcher to play 1st base, it should tell you something; like you need to find an actual first baseman!

The minor league system hasn't produced any, leaving the major league club to teach on the fly.  Spend a little money on the position and settle it.  Don't risk one of your two catchers to possible injury playing a position he doesn't know, just to get a right handed bat in the lineup.  

[dxpavelka]

7 hours ago, USAFChief said:

That'd be two more than you named.

Sorry.  I have a life.

[chpettit19]

8 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

You named two.  And had to go back almost two decades.

 

Yadier Molina between 2009 and 2017 caught 130+ games every year but 1. And was the best catcher in baseball. He caught 118 games at the age of 38, but Jeffers can't catch 120 at the age of 26?

Salvador Perez has caught 120+ games 5 times.

Buster Posey won the MVP in 2012 catching 111 games. OPS+ of 134 in 2013 catching 119 games. OPS+ of 115 in 2016 catching 122 games. 

Sean Murphy joined JT Realmuto as the 2 best hitting catchers last year and caught 116.

2021: Salvador Perez at 120 games caught had a wRC+ of 130. Will Smith 111 games wRC+ 133. In his age 34 season Buster Posey was able to catch 102 games while maintaining a 140 OPS+. But 26 year old Jeffers can't maintain his numbers past 100 games caught, and it makes sense that the Twins are going to catch him 75-80 games this year?

Sorry my lack of a life has made it so difficult for you to prove your point, but there's more than 2 guys, none of which I had to go back 2 decades for. The 5 best hitting catchers of the last 2 years all caught well over 100 games, or were in their last professional season, and didn't collapse. 

There are 7 teams in baseball who have a team catcher OPS over .750. Jeffers has an OPS of .862. There is 1 team in baseball (Atlanta) who has a catcher OPS better than that. There are 26 teams in baseball who have a team catcher OPS over .600. Vazquez has an OPS of .579. There 2 teams in baseball (Detroit and Oakland) with a catcher OPS worse than that. You're going from Detroit's catchers to Atlanta's when you play Jeffers over Vazquez. Yes, I think it's pretty clear they have an advantage over all but 1 team in baseball when they play Jeffers, but they're choosing not to. Sorry if I question that decision. The Twins have the best hitting catcher in the AL, and 2nd best in baseball, this year and they're going to catch him in less than half the games. I don't see why people feel that's a defensible decision. But here we are.

 

[wabene]

I'd be happy with a 60/40 split from here on out in Jeffers favor with some time at DH . He should get as many at bats as anyone the rest of the way. Playing Vasquez 40% of the time may diminish the Twins advantage as @chpettit19 says, but I'd make that small sacrifice there rest of the way to keep Jeffers fresh for the duration. They also need to see how Vasquez responds the rest of the way. While I'm excited about Carmago and even Cosetti down in A ball, I don't think they can roll with Carmago as backup next year. Maybe in '25. I see them dealing Vasquez with one year left on his deal after next year or at the deadline. 

Oh and no to Jeffers at first. Don't mess with success, let him focus on his very important job. 

[Mike Sixel]

4 hours ago, Mark G said:

If this has been said already, forgive me, but why don't we just stop using 1st base as an extra DH spot and target the position in free agency, landing a starting caliber guy who actually knows the position?  Rotating outfielders and utility players in and out of the position works while someone is recovering from an injury, but we have been doing this for way too long now.  When you have to teach your catcher to play 1st base, it should tell you something; like you need to find an actual first baseman!

The minor league system hasn't produced any, leaving the major league club to teach on the fly.  Spend a little money on the position and settle it.  Don't risk one of your two catchers to possible injury playing a position he doesn't know, just to get a right handed bat in the lineup.  

Because they have Kiriloff. And maybe Severino, who has played there some in AAA. There is zero reason to spend money there. Also, who would you target?

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

I'd be happy with a 60/40 split from here on out in Jeffers favor with some time at DH . He should get as many at bats as anyone the rest of the way. Playing Vasquez 40% of the time may diminish the Twins advantage as @chpettit19 says, but I'd make that small sacrifice there rest of the way to keep Jeffers fresh for the duration. They also need to see how Vasquez responds the rest of the way. While I'm excited about Carmago and even Cosetti down in A ball, I don't think they can roll with Carmago as backup next year. Maybe in '25. I see them dealing Vasquez with one year left on his deal after next year or at the deadline. 

Oh and no to Jeffers at first. Don't mess with success, let him focus on his very important job. 

At this point they've already given away their advantage this year as they were too slow to react. As long as they maintain the division lead there's no real reason to push Jeffers past a 60/40 split. But they haven't even gotten to a 60/40 split with him yet so I'm still waiting for even that adjustment. If they don't ever get to it this year I'm not sure why we'd expect them to even go 60/40 next year, but I'll wait and see before passing judgement on his usage next year. If the division race gets tight I'd hope to see him get the vast majority of games down the final stretch. In the playoffs he should catch every game. I will believe both of those things when I see them, though.

I just don't like that they don't take advantage of great years from guys while suffering through terrible ones from other guys. Too much reliance on what they thought/expected/hoped would happen, and not enough adjusting to what's actually happening. They call it patience, I call it passivity. We're in mid-August and the 2nd best hitting catcher in baseball can't get better than a 50/50 split behind the plate when the other catcher is one of the worst hitting catchers in baseball and you're struggling to stay above .500 and are in a fight for your division title? That's unacceptable to me. I agree with your assessment of the Vazquez situation, though. I highly doubt they go into next year without Jeffers and Vazquez as their 2 catchers (barring some injury). But 2025 is definitely up for grabs. And I'd hope the 2nd half of 2024 is in question if Vazquez hits like he is this year.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

At this point they've already given away their advantage this year as they were too slow to react. As long as they maintain the division lead there's no real reason to push Jeffers past a 60/40 split. But they haven't even gotten to a 60/40 split with him yet so I'm still waiting for even that adjustment. If they don't ever get to it this year I'm not sure why we'd expect them to even go 60/40 next year, but I'll wait and see before passing judgement on his usage next year. If the division race gets tight I'd hope to see him get the vast majority of games down the final stretch. In the playoffs he should catch every game. I will believe both of those things when I see them, though.

I just don't like that they don't take advantage of great years from guys while suffering through terrible ones from other guys. Too much reliance on what they thought/expected/hoped would happen, and not enough adjusting to what's actually happening. They call it patience, I call it passivity. We're in mid-August and the 2nd best hitting catcher in baseball can't get better than a 50/50 split behind the plate when the other catcher is one of the worst hitting catchers in baseball and you're struggling to stay above .500 and are in a fight for your division title? That's unacceptable to me. I agree with your assessment of the Vazquez situation, though. I highly doubt they go into next year without Jeffers and Vazquez as their 2 catchers (barring some injury). But 2025 is definitely up for grabs. And I'd hope the 2nd half of 2024 is in question if Vazquez hits like he is this year.

Baseball Ref. still shows Vazquez as slightly better than Jeffers but those two are the catcher next year unless hell freezes over.

DO NOT dork around sending them , either , else where on the field. (not sure why Vazquez plays First) one thing Jeffers could show Vazquez, is his weight control plan; Vazquez has the body shape of a bowling pin.

[Riverbrian]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

At this point they've already given away their advantage this year as they were too slow to react.

If I could take my concerns throw it in a pot and simmer it down to one dish and throw it on the plate for consumption... This would be it. The lack of adjustment. 

We were dying for offense but yet didn't even make a significant playing time adjustment at the catcher position to reflect this crippling need for offense in June. I'm sure they have framing data and other things to consider but we needed offense in the worst way and we still need bats in my opinion.  

The season started with a 66/33 split in favor of Vazquez. Jeffers hit the ball, Vazquez did not. They have adjusted to a 50/50 so progress I guess but I don't understand why the ratio wasn't reversed to 66/33 in favor of Jeffers. 

This type of adjustment was in house. It wouldn't require the clearing of space on the roster to try someone else. If Jeffers goes into a deep funk... they can always reverse back. 

It certainly wasn't going to solve our overall offensive woes at the time because we are only talking about every third baseball game but it was a simple adjustment in the right direction. 

Yep... The lack of adjustment, slowness to react is where my finger points. 

With that said.

Our Playoff roster is here. Let's get them ready. They are who we got. They can do this.   

[Battle ur tail off]

On 8/17/2023 at 9:34 AM, chpettit19 said:

It was pretty publicly reported that Vazquez would only sign here if they promised him he was the main catcher and he'd get at least 60% of the games. It's why Jeffers is still at only 46% of games caught this year even though they've moved to a 50/50 split. They're deferring to the veteran even though he's being outplayed significantly by the younger player. Like the rest of the roster.

I think every team wants a C to play more than 100 games, but few have one that should. Not playing Jeffers more is them choosing to give up an advantage they have on almost every team they play. I don't get it.

During the playoffs, IMO Vasquez rides the pine. I'm sure he will get a start here or there, but in a series that goes 5 games, I want Jeffers catching for 4 of them. 

We will see what Rocco does then. 

I agree, the younger guy outperforming, he should get 60% of the starts. Even Vasquez should see what is going on here, Jeffers is turning into a solid ML catcher or at the very least he is hot and having a great year. Ride the hot hand. 

 

PS I'm fine with some 1B starts(especially over GALLO!) also if that's what it takes to keep his bat in the lineup.