.
“Hey, there were times where I was the best hitter in AAA”
.
Z’s recent “we may have to get creative” (prepping us for the weird and wacky) intersects with his gushing over Jesus Montero. Mostly the M’s want him to be a professional in the clubhouse, and now here they are, saying he’s exactly that.
No questions about a platoon RH bat with Jesus Montero. Why search the wheat fields with an army of torch-holding farmhands for a retread who just protects you a little vs LHP?
So, supposing your bench were Jesus Sugar C, Brad Miller SS, Franklin Gutierrez CF/OF, and Jesus Montero 1B/DH … note that this allows yet another benchie, Willie Bloomquist if the LoGo is nominally your RF:
vs LHP
RF Nelson Cruz (you want him to get SOME time in the field anyway)
1B/DH Jesus Montero
DH Gutierrez also in the lineup, if you want — LoMo 1B if he’s hitting LHP well
CF Austin Jackson
C Mike Zunino
Bat571 was the one who suggested Gutierrez. As a 4th OF, I love love love it; have always liked his swing vs LHP’s and even Dr. D will admit that Guti is a defensive specialist. (Only holdup: the M’s powerflushed Saunders precisely because “you have to be ready to play when called on.”)
In theory, Cruz, Montero, and Gutierrez (or comp) are actually your 4-5-6 hitters. Not really, but you know. Montero and Gutierrez (or Gomes type) can definitely “scare” any lefty short of Chris Sale. That would certainly “take the edge off” our vulnerability to C.J. Wilson and his ilk.
The lineup vs RHP is set as we speak. Not in Zduriencik’s mind, but in our minds, where it counts.
vs RHP
DH Nelson Cruz
RF Brad Miller
etc., as on the Barney graphic at Seattle Sports Insider
And, Jesus Montero can obviously serve as a third catcher. Let’s not get ridiculous about his defensive shortcomings here. Which would the edge off of things like using Mike Zunino as a DH or pinch-hitter on Sucre Day. Jesus Montero would definitely allow you an Orc-style platoon lineup approach.
If we’re only talking “fallback position,” it’s not clear why you’d have to go outside the org. Maybe you’d just get “creative.” If I’m Z, I’ve got a little bit of interest in recovering a few bucks on my Michael Pineda investment.
Alternatively, Atlanta could deal us Justin Upton for something less than the fillings in our teeth.
Or not,
Dr D
Detect O Vision Mainframe 
if Guti can stand the rigors of a season, even at reduced play, that kind of works. But that is a big if….and not one I really want to bet on as the season begins. Unless Miller is, Guti would be our BU CF in such a rotation. Lots of wear and tear there. I’ve always loved Guti as a 4th OF, but I’ll need some convincing that that Guti hasn’t gone away for ever. With so little discussion of acquiring another 1B bat, I wonder if we’re looking internally 1st. Montero/Romero….Deej in June.
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