9-News: 37.013 – McNeill to 2B?

[RonCo]

Manning Says Hubby To “Get To Second”


A recent video chat from pop star Mikki Manning has YS9 fans abuzz as she said her husband would be spending lots of time at second base this year, adding, “If you know what I mean.” This, bolstered by the fact that the defending Silk award winner has been seen taking ground balls at the position, has created several waves of conversation.

“He’s a Zimmer winner at first base,” one fan said on a fan forum. “Why would you fuck with that?”

“He’s been a plus fielder,” reasoned another, noting McNeill’s past record at the position where he played primarily until 2032, and where here’s kept his feet wet since.

“Isn’t he a little old to be ‘getting to second base?’” said another.

The move might make some sense, given that the team has Jose Garcia, an interesting LHB 1B ready to play, and given that the Nine lost All-Star second baseman Angel De Castillo in Free Agency to the San Antonio Outlaws. Young Horrible Bob Frazier appears ready to inherit the position, but the tradeoff might be Garcia vs. Frazier. The thought is that manager Bret Richards might opt for a spilt platoon in which McNeill plays second base against right handed pitching, and first against lefties, thereby leveraging Garcia and Frazier in ways that enhance their strengths. It’s a configuration the team has used in the past, and a tactic known to make Richards feel smugly good about himself.

TRADE TO MADISON LOOMING?

In perhaps more off-the-wall news, Manning’s video chat also served as the release of her new single “I’m As Real As It Gets, Teddy,” a tune that includes the line “Now I know you know who I am, me and Maddy gonna meet and find our own jam.” It’s a line that immediately got fans spun up in another direction, wondering if McNeill might be traded to Madison where the Wolves press is already filled with news that veteran Mons Raider might move to second.

“You can’t have two guys at second base, though,” said ESPN analyst Gayle Combs when asked about the idea. "I wouldn't put a lot of stock into it."

[GoldenOne]

He would have been spending a lot of time at 2B in Nashville if he didnt want so much money...

[7teen]

I say play him at 2B.

Mons Raider agrees!

[Lane]

Please play 2B! Then maybe Simpson could win an award at 1B again.

[agrudez]

I see shades of Chris Workman (whom frustrated the heck out of me at 2B), but it doesn't hurt to try.

[ae37jr]

I was playing arm chair GM early in the offseason pretending to be Edmonton. I was thinking... imagine if the previous owners had built up the budget and they could spend up to the cap? That would leave them $50 million to spend. Where would I spend it? My idea was to sign McNeill to play 2nd, sign DeCastillo to play SS and then trade Costello and Crauen for pitching.

Little did I know then that $50 million wouldn't be enough to get it done. But I wonder how many teams actually considered him for 2B.