While Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens continue to make news for off-field
transgressions, it's becoming more and more obvious they won't be performing
on a baseball field near you anytime soon. I get that. The problem with them
is they don't merely bring considerable skills to the table, but distraction
as well.
當Barry Bonds與Roger Clemens持續因球場外的事情而製造新聞時，很明顯的，他們在短
期內無法回到球場在你面前打球了。他們的問題是雖然仍然保持不錯的身手，但是卻無法全
神貫注在球場上了。
What I don't get is why Kenny Lofton hasn't found work. Sure, the guy is 40
years old and not quite as fast as he used to be, but we all slow down at
some point. For what he does, Lofton was really quite productive in 2007, on
par with the other unemployed stars, as he continued to make the rounds with
as many major league teams as possible. He can steal bases. He can play
defense. And most importantly, he can still get on base.
我所無法理解的是為何Kenny Loften還沒找到工作。當然，他已經40歲了，速度也不像以
往那麼快了，我們也都會有速度變慢的時候。當他持續游走於大聯盟各隊之時，和其他同
樣沒有工作的球星相比，Kenny Loften在2007年球季的成績仍然相當不錯。他能盜壘，能
防守，最重要的是他能夠上壘。
You would be surprised at how many teams could use someone like this. For the
record, the major league average for on-base percentage by leadoff hitters in
2007 was .345, a bit higher than that in the AL, a tad lower in the NL. No
team finished the season with a sub-.300 OBP from its leadoff men, with
Washington and Houston bringing up the rear at .308 and .309, respectively.
That's bad, folks. It's so bad that the middle-of-the-order hitters on those
teams who didn't accrue the RBIs you might have expected, like Ryan Zimmerman
and Lance Berkman for starters, should get some sort of pass.
你將會很驚訝有多少支球隊能有像Lofton這樣的球員。依紀錄而言，2007年球季大聯盟第
一棒打者的平均上壘率是.345，美聯的成績稍高於這個數字，國聯則稍低。沒有一支球隊
的開路先鋒上壘率不到3成，但是其中華盛頓國民隊與休士頓太空人隊的開路先鋒只分別
打出了.308與.309的上壘率。真是遭透了。你應該已經能預期這些球隊的中心打者將無法
打回多少打點，像Ryan Zimmerman與Lance Berkman應該要能有多一些的打點機會。
This season there are seven teams currently floundering with a leadoff
on-base percentage on the wrong side of .308, and these teams could use some
help. Give Kenny a call! As not just a fantasy baseball owner, but a baseball
fan and a simulation league player, I can tell you it's a lot harder to score
runs when the leadoff men aren't on base. A great example of how this affects
fantasy baseball is what Derrek Lee did for the Cubs in 2005. Lee hit 46 home
runs that season, added 50 doubles, slugged a monstrous .662 and finished
merely third in the MVP voting behind Albert Pujols and Andruw Jones (51
homers) because he knocked in a "paltry" 107 runs. Andruw Jones beat him out?
It was the RBI total, I'm convinced. Lee should have had about 150, but Cubs
leadoff men had an embarrassing .299 on-base percentage, thanks to Dusty
Baker forcing Corey Patterson, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Neifi Perez into the
top spot in the lineup. Hmm, aren't a few of those guys in Baker's current
lineup? Meanwhile, I owned Lee the following season on a simulation team,
gave him numerous on-base specialists at the top of the order, and he set
that league's record with 201 RBIs! What a season!
今年球季目前還有七支球隊的第一棒打者上壘率不到.308，這些球隊可以找些幫手。打電
話給Kenny吧!身為Fantasy Baseball玩家，球迷，虛擬聯盟玩家，我可以告訴你當第一棒
打者無法上壘時，想要得分就變得很困難。2005年球季，小熊隊的Derek Lee就是一個最
好的例子。該球季Lee轟出了46支全壘打，再加上50支二壘安打與恐怖的.662長打率 ，但
是卻在MVP票選中排在Albert Pujols與Andruw Jones(51支全壘打)之後，屈居第三。因為
他只打下了"僅僅"107分打點。Andruw Jones為何能打敗他呢?我確信是打點的關係。Lee
應該能有150分打點，但是小熊隊的第一棒打者只有令人感到難為情的.299上壘率，這都
要感謝 Dusty Baker硬要將Corey Patterson，Jerry Hairston Jr.與Neifi Perez擺在第
一棒。如果這幾個傢伙不在Baker的打線中呢?接下來的球季我將Lee放進一支模擬球隊中
，並且在前幾棒排了幾位上壘專家，Lee打出了破聯盟紀錄的201分打點!真是不可思議!
That wouldn't have happened in the majors, of course, but certainly one
reason the mercurial Josh Hamilton is on pace for 169 RBIs in 161 games is
because the Rangers are putting men on base. Their leadoff hitters are fifth
with a .372 OBP, and the No. 2 hitters are eighth. Meanwhile, Matt Holliday
of the Rockies is on pace for just 91 RBIs. Blame Willy Taveras (.304 OBP),
and his manager Clint Hurdle for sticking with him in the leadoff spot.
這當然不可能在大聯盟發生，但是Josh Hamilton被估計能在161場比賽打回169分打點的
原因是游騎兵隊的球員能夠持續上壘。他們的第一棒打者擁有.372的上壘率，排名第五，
第二棒上壘率則排名第八。同時落磯隊的Matt Holliday預估只有91打點，這都要怪
Willy Taveras (.304上壘率)，還有持續將他擺在第一棒的總教練Clint Hurdle。
Not every team lacking a good leadoff hitter is a perfect fit for someone
like Lofton, but here are the seven teams in baseball with an embarrassingly
low on-base percentage (below .308) from that spot. You tell me it doesn't
make sense to sign Lofton.
並不是每一隊都缺少像Lofton這樣設合擔任開路先鋒的打者，但是大聯盟中有七支球隊的
第一棒打者的上壘率低的誇張(低於.308)，你告訴我有什麼理由不簽下Lofton?
Oakland Athletics: As a team, the A's are actually No. 10 in team OBP, thanks
to the Jacks and the Sweeneys. That would be Jack Cust (.434) and Jack
Hannahan (.400), as well as Mike Sweeney (.378) and Ryan Sweeney (.343).
After that, it's not so pretty. Catcher Kurt Suzuki has more than half the
team's plate appearances in the leadoff spot, but let me tell you, it's not
working out. His batting average there is .200, his OBP is .265. Travis Buck
has posted even worse numbers there. Club leadoff hitters have a .198 batting
average and .254 OBP. Look, you signed Frank Thomas to a deal, so you're
obviously trying to contend, and you have the pitching to do so. But
something must be done about the top of the order. Lofton had a .367 on-base
percentage in 2007, and .376 when he was the leadoff hitter, and you have a
hole in center field and leadoff. Some catchers have the speed and on-base
ability to lead off, but Suzuki isn't one of them.
奧克蘭運動家: 運動家隊的團隊上壘目前排名第十，這都要歸功於兩位Jack與兩位
Sweeney，他們分別是Jack Cust9(.434)與Jack Hannahan(.400)以及Mike Sweeney(.378)
和Ryan Sweeney(.343)，其他人的成績就沒那麼好看了。捕手Kurt Suzuki以第一棒的身
分上場超過球隊出賽場次的一半，但是我告訴你這一點也沒有用，他的打擊率只有.200，
上壘率也只有.265，Travis的成績則更糟，球隊第一棒打者只打出了.198打擊率與.254上
壘率。你看!當你和Frank Thomas簽下合約時，很顯然的你試著讓球隊更有競爭力，你的
投手群也夠力，但是第一棒人選必須做些調整。Lofton在2007年球季有.367的上壘率，擔
任第一棒時則為.376，你的中外野與第一棒人選有漏洞，某些捕手也許有速度和上壘能力
，但是Suzuki並不是那類型的選手。
Houston Astros: The next two teams, ranked Nos. 29 and 28 in leadoff OBP, are
going with newcomers in center field, speedsters who might swipe 60 bases
apiece. But they can't steal first base. Michael Bourn and Carlos Gomez
aren't slow. But they aren't drawing walks, either. Bourn is batting .197 as
Houston's leadoff option, with a .272 OBP. He does have 17 steals in as many
chances in that spot, so fantasy owners don't seem to care that he should be
hitting eighth. Kazuo Matsui, incidentally, isn't much better, and please
don't tell me Hunter Pence is the answer. He's talented, has power and speed
and is finally taking some walks over the past week or so, but a leadoff
hitter he isn't. The Astros won't sit Bourn, so Lofton, who began his 17-year
career with Houston before being foolishly dealt to Cleveland with Dave Rohde
for Eddie Taubensee and Willie Blair, won't be going there, but right now
just about anyone other than Bourn would be a better choice. Despite this,
Lance Berkman might knock in 150 runs.
休士頓太空人: 接下來的兩支球隊上壘率分別排名29與28，他們擁有新的中外野手，這些
有速度的選手也許能盜壘成功60次，但是他們無法盜一壘。Michael Bourn與Carlos
Gomez的速度不慢，但是他們無法靠保送上壘。身為太空人隊的開路先鋒，Bourn的打擊率
與上壘率分別為.197與.272，由於他擔任第一棒時有 17次盜壘成功的成績，所以
Fantasy Baseball玩家似乎不在意他應該打第八棒。除此之外，Kazuo Matsui也沒有多好
，但是請別告訴我Hunter Pence是個不錯的選擇，他有天份，力量與速度，並且終於在過
去一週獲得了幾次保送，但是他並不是一位合適的首棒人選。由於太空人不會讓Bourn坐
板凳，所以從太空人展開17年職業生涯，並在一筆愚蠢的交易中與Dave Rhode被送至印地
安人交換Eddie Taubensee與Willie Blair的Lofton不會再回到太空人隊了，但是目前大
概任何人都比Bourn更是第一棒的較佳選擇。儘管如此，Lance Berkman仍有可能打回150
分打點。
Minnesota Twins: I thought Gomez was better than Bourn back in March, and I
still think so. Gomez isn't drawing walks, either; he's currently on pace for
23 walks and 181 strikeouts. Wow. However, when I watch him play, I see a
super-raw 22-year-old, and when I watch Bourn I see a formed Dave Roberts.
Gomez is going to get a lot better. He's going to develop power and, like an
Alfonso Soriano type, eventually draw some walks. The Twins have nobody
getting on base other than Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Really, Mauer should
be leading off since his slugging percentage is about the same as his on-base
percentage, and he has fewer home runs than Brad Ausmus, but the Twins have
nobody else to hit second. Why not add Lofton where struggling Jason Kubel
and Craig Monroe are eating at-bats?
明尼蘇達雙城: 我在三月份時就認為Gomez應該會比Bourn表現的更好，我現在仍然這麼認
為。Gomez也無法靠保送上壘，但是當我觀察他比賽時，我看到了一位22 歲的超級新人，
但是當我觀察Bourn時，我只看到了Dave Roberts這類型的球員。Gomez將有更好的發展，
他的力量將會更加提升，成為像Alfonso Sorian這樣的球員，偶而會獲得一些保送。除了
Joe Mauer與Justin Mourneau以外，雙城隊其他球員的上壘率都不佳。當Mauer的長打率
跟上壘率差不多，全壘打比Brad Ausmus少時，真的應該將他排在第一棒，但是雙城隊就
沒有人打第二棒了。為什麼不讓Lofton與Jason Kubel和Craig Monroe一同競爭上場機會
呢?
Chicago Cubs: This one isn't so easy to solve because Lou Piniella wants
Alfonso Soriano to be happy, and Soriano says he's happy only when he's
leading off. Center field remains a problem for this team, as Felix Pie just
can't hit and Reed Johnson is more of a fourth outfielder than a starter. Jim
Edmonds isn't the answer, unless you're looking for a broken-down guy to hit
a few home runs. Lofton would clearly be this team's best leadoff and
center-field option. Back in March, the division-rival Reds, who had and
still have the same problem, contacted Lofton, but the two sides couldn't
agree to terms. The Cubs have money to spend, and I'm surprised they'd rather
have Edmonds fanning in the seventh spot of the lineup than Lofton getting on
base near the top. Overall, the Cubs' leadoff hitters are hitting .225, with
a .282 OBP.
芝加哥小熊: 這隊的問題不容易解決，因為Lou Piniella希望能讓Alfonso Soriano高興
，Soriano說過他只有在擔任開路先鋒時才會感到開心。中外野手仍然是這隊的問題，
Felix Pie的打擊太差，Reed Johnson則比較適合擔任第四號外野手而不是先發球員。而
Jim Edmonds也不是個好選擇，除非你想找一個只能敲出幾支全壘打又滿身是傷的球員。
回到三月份，在同一分區也有相同問題的競爭對手紅人隊，曾與 Lofton聯繫過，但是雙
方對合約內容沒有共識。小熊隊有大把的銀子可花，但是我很驚訝他們寧願將Edmonds擺
在第七棒等著被三振而不選擇將能夠上壘的Lofton擺在第一棒，小熊隊首棒打者的打擊率
為.225，上壘率則為.282。
Colorado Rockies: This doesn't surprise me one bit, as manager Clint Hurdle
figures he made a scintillating September playoff run last year with Willy
Taveras leading off, and he can do it again. The difference is, Taveras
batted .324 as the leadoff hitter a year ago, with a .372 OBP, and Kazuo
Matsui had similar stats when he led off for 30 games. This year Taveras is
playing more like the guy the Astros didn't want, with a .299 OBP. Scott
Podsednik, who had his moments for a few years getting on base and winning a
World Series, would be a better option, but Lofton would be even better. Even
Clint Barmes wouldn't be a bad choice leading off for now. Holliday isn't
knocking in runs, but Garrett Atkins is, mainly because he gets to drive in
Holliday and Todd Helton.
科羅拉多落磯: 我一點都不會感到驚訝，總教練Clint Hurdle還在想像他能像去年一樣，
將Willy Taveras擺在第一棒並且創造出閃耀的季後賽之旅。但是不同的是Taveras去年打
第一棒時有.324的打擊率，.372的上壘率，Kazuo Matsui擔任第一棒的30場比賽也有類似
的成績，今年Taveras的成績更像那個太空人隊不想要的傢伙。曾經有幾年擁有不錯上壘
率並且曾贏得世界大賽冠軍的Scott Podsednik也許是個較佳的選擇，但是Lofton更好。
雖然Clint Barmes目前擔任開路先鋒表現也不差。Holliday打不回打點，但是Garrett
Atkins卻能，主要是因為他的棒次在Holliday與Todd Helton之後。
Kansas City Royals: The Royals and Tigers aren't in dire straits for Lofton
because they have center fielders they like. But those guys aren't off to
great starts, and they do have room for Lofton in the outfield or at DH.
Kansas City didn't get production when Joey Gathright was leading off (.262
OBP over 80 at-bats), but David DeJesus has been better (.354 OBP). The
problem for fantasy owners is that DeJesus has no power and not much
base-stealing speed, and on most teams he wouldn't be a starter. But the
Royals aren't contending and don't need a 40-something outfielder. All the
other teams listed here are either contending or think they should be. As
long as DeJesus plays the way he is now, and stays healthy, the Royals will
generate more RBI chances for the middle of the order. Whether the punchless
Jose Guillen, Mark Teahen and Billy Butler can take advantage is another
story.
堪薩斯皇家: 皇家隊與老虎隊對Lofton並不是那麼的渴望，因為他們有自己喜愛的中外野
手。但是這些傢伙都不能算是優秀的先發球員，所以這些球隊在外野與指定打擊的位置上
應該還有容納Lofton的空間。當Joey Gathright(80打數，.262上壘率)擔任開路先鋒時，
堪薩斯皇家隊的得分並不多，換成David DeJesus(.354上壘率)時則比較好。但是DeJesus
沒有長打能力，速度也不快，在其他隊伍也不會擔任第一棒，這對Fantasy Baseball玩家
而言是個問題。但是皇家隊不具有競爭力，也不需要一位40歲的外野手。其他在這裡列出
來的球隊都充滿競爭力，或是認為自己應該要有競爭力。只要DeJesus維持現在的成績，
並且保持健康，皇家隊的中心打者將有更多打回打點的機會。雖然Jose Guillen，Mark
Teahen與Billy Butler能否善加利用這些機會又是另外一回事。
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers are No. 24 in on-base percentage from their
leadoff spot, but like the team just ahead of them (Philly), now that the
leadoff hitter is back off the DL, this problem should get better. Then
again, neither Curtis Granderson nor Jimmy Rollins is a high on-base guy.
They are exciting, though. Regardless, the Tigers are currently using a Matt
Joyce-Marcus Thames platoon of sorts, and Lofton gets on base better than
those guys. Also, I have doubts as to how long Gary Sheffield is going to
last before he's sent to the DL. The Tigers will be fine at the top of their
lineup. What they really need is Barry Bonds. Ready for the circus?
底特律老虎: 老虎隊第一棒打者的上壘率排名第24，但是就像排名在他們前面的球隊(費
城人隊)一樣，原本的第一棒打者從傷兵名單回來了，問題應該會比較好轉。Curtis
Granderson與Jimmy Rollins都不是擁有高上壘率的傢伙，雖然他們都是強悍，令人感到
興奮的球員。不管怎麼樣，老虎仍然繼續讓Matt Joyce與Marcus Thames輪流上場，而
Lofton的上壘率比這兩個人都高。除此之外，我也很懷疑Gary Shefield還有多久之後會
進傷兵名單。老虎隊的開路先鋒問題不大，他們真正需要的是Barry Bonds，準備好看好
戲了嗎?
Kenny Lofton is owned in about half of my leagues, as owners figure this guy
should find work at some point. It might not be with one of these teams, but
rather the Padres or Braves or some other team that thinks it should be
contending and has an outfield hole. Either way, don't forget about Lofton,
as his skill set would still work at his age. What's really distracting is
having your leadoff hitter not get on base.
在我的聯盟中，有一半有Kenny Lofton的身影，身為聯盟所有人，我認為這個傢伙應該能
找到一份工作。也許不是上述的幾隊，但是如教士隊，勇士隊或其他希望能更有競爭力並
且外野有漏洞的球隊，別忘了雖然年紀一大把，但是球技仍在的Lofton。當開路先鋒無法
上壘時真的很令人感到煩惱。
http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?id=3397567