David Freese or Ian Stewart?

[seenoevil]

Stewart going to be our new Scott spiezio

[Stradling]

Great point. That vibe has never been here.

Three years ago Rodney didn't make it out of the opening series against KC as the closer.

[m0nkey]

Ian Stewart isn't good but I'm over reacting to one game and am officially on team Stewart.

[Broad Street]

Ian has been a solid bat. We should bat him cleanup. That is all.

 

The real question is: Freese or Ibanez? Hmmmm....

[disarcina]

yeah, Stewart was a pretty good prospect with Colorado......his credentials there sort of got marked down there a bit -- the 'Coors Field' affect -- but he's solid.

 

Freese was a flyer for us -- he came over IMO clearly not the player he once was coming off prior injuries -- he really wasn't that great to begin with but playing in hometown St. Louis had some very timely success (being a World Series hero in your hometown which happens to be the best baseball city in America helps with the PR image)......nothing against Freese, we got him to beef up the offense at the corner position knowing that his D there was suspect........

 

Ian Stewart (gotta love that Scottish name, start playing the pipes!!) is a solid utility guy who can start in a pinch and you don't lose much......he is hitting well and is a better fielder than Freese.

 

Meanwhile, if Howie is at 2nd and Aybar is at SS for the full nine -- I don't mind putting McDonald out there at 3B in the late innings -- that guy can play good D anywhere in the infield -- he could even play a good 1B if need be........the Romine trade to Detroit looking better and better (I like Alvarez the pitcher we got in that deal) and Old McDonald (bet he hates that name) has proven to be a real solid MIF late inning D guy and now McDonald's hitting half way decently as well.......heck, anything above .230 is a bonus from him.

[Chuck]

So yeah, as I was saying. Ian Stewart.

[bloodbrother]

Ride the hot hand...he's swinging the bat way better than Freese.

[markb]

While I doubt Ian Stewart will be the savior of this team, credit him for grabbing the opportunity when presented.  He's definitely played his way into deserving time over a guy who's struggling badly.  

Edited April 19, 2014 by markb

[ten ocho recon scout]

Stewart going to be our new Scott spiezio

.......#spewart?

I like it. New sign incoming....

[Chuck]

Ride the hot hand...he's swinging the bat way better than Freese.

I hope he starts at least 2 of 3 of these games, whether Freese is ready or not.

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

Stewart in starting lineup again today. I hope he mashes it.

[itsKnoppUitsme]

To me, Stewart looks more comfortable at the plate & in the field!

[Chuck]

Yep, as I was saying. Ian Stewart FTW!

I don't give a shit if he's striking out 40% of the time if he's hitting bombs and extra bases 60% of the time.

Much better than what we've gotten from Freese, and like I mentioned in this thread, Freese lifetime is a much better hitter vs. southpaws.

Good game tonight, Stew!

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

More of 44

[Hollyw00d]

Ride the hot hand...he's swinging the bat way better than Freese.

so is my grandma

[arch stanton]

Seems like every great team has a platoon somewhere. It just makes sense to use the combined strengths of two players with obvious weaknesses.

[ten ocho recon scout]

so is my grandma

.... is she swinging the bat better or riding the hot hand?

[Chuck]

I talked to an Angels exec recently and he said to expect a better showing this season from Ian Stewart.

I then heard Rojas mention on the air today that Stewart worked out with Rod Carew in the offseason on his swing. They worked out quite a bit from what I was told.

1. Stewart had a better spring than Freese. Stewart batted .298/.370/.511 with three homers and six RBI over 47 spring at-bats.

2. His balance at the plate looks a lot like Josh Hamilton. Has much more raw power than Freese.

3. Ian is known to be a better 3B defensively.

4. Stewart was a top prospect, top draft pick, so he has the pedigree Freese doesn't have.

5. Stewart is hungry after struggling with the Rockies, then cut by two teams.

I know it's a small sample size to look at stats, but Stewart's at bats in ST and early on have looked a lot better than Freese. David Freese has looked awful chasing high fastballs and offering at sliders low and away.

Which of the two would you like to start or would you go for a straight platoon with Stewart starting against righties and Freese against lefties?

6. Stewart is a much better baserunner and quicker know the base paths than Freese.

[eligrba]

And yet, with all of this information, Freese was the opening day regular 3B.

 

Things that make you go, hmmmmm.

[YouthofToday]

Free Ian Stewart!