I have no issues with starting rookies at all. I already have JBJ and X penciled in and WMB as the 3B. On a contending team you have to have a mix of veterans and youngsters. If you add in say Lavarnway or Butler at C and Carp at 1B then you have 5 unproven players starting every day providing protection to 39 year old David Ortiz and Pedroia.TomRicardo said:
I mean it isn't like Napoli is a big time bat. You are talking about a guy who put up .842 OPS.
If this team wins again it will be based off have a deep line up, a deep rotation , and a deep bullpen. Not flooding the team with all stars, Using a guy like Carp and Nava increases the depth of your team and flexibility especially when you have a full time DH.
I don't think the team is likely to repeat. I think it is extremely tough to repeat. But if it is going to want to stay competitive over the next six years it needs to take some chances with rookies and pickups like Carp. That is how they built 2004 team, 2007 team and 2013 team.
I get that it's hard to repeat and chances are good that they won't. But you have to figure that they aren't going to run out the 2013 Pawtucket Red Sox/Portland Sea Dogs opening day lineups with Ortiz and Pedroia sprinkling in. We're expecting way too much out of Carp and Nava to make them every day players and expecting them to play better than 2013. It's certainly possible with Carp due to his age. But how much are you willing to risk on the kids? Two thirds of your lineup will either be a LF platoon (maybe Brentz eventually) and the other 5 unproven youngsters. Surrounded by 34 year old Victorino, 30 year old Pedroia and 39 year old David Ortiz. Ease these guys in. You have nothing to lose but money by giving Hart a chance to play first over Carp.