Ellsbury is going to have to really develop .OBP talents for next year since he will be the lead off guy and Shorty goes 2nd. With Lowell likely to be moving on Youk will be moved to 6th. If they can get a 1st Baseman with some pop then he’ll hit 7th with Tek and Lugo bringing up the bottom.
I agree. He has the skills to be an excellent lead off hitter but I don’t see him being consistent enough in his approach to be effective in that position. Hopefully for a few games he will be.
I would have preferred they leave Lowell, Youk and Ortiz in the lineup by moving J.D. to center, Youk to right field, and Ortiz at first. I’d have gone with this batting order:
Pedroia 2B
Youkilis RF
Ortiz 1B
Rameriz LF
Lowell 3B
Drew CF
Varitek C
Matsuzaka P
Lugo SS
I’d put Lugo ninth so there is more potential for runners on base in front of Big Papi.