In fact, after yesterday's press conference at Citizens Bank Park announcing Polanco's return to pinstripes, Amaro pooh-poohed a question about the possibility that Polanco could end up batting first.
It's Charlie Manuel's decision, he said dismissively, but as far as he was concerned Jimmy Rollins is the leadoff hitter. And Manuel, sequestered in his Central Florida home for the winter, could not be reached for comment.
Well, then.
This may be the whole truth and nothing but.
The Phillies did, after all, lead the league in runs scored last season with Rollins hitting first most of the time.
Amaro certainly gave the politically correct answer, though. Remember, when the quicksilver shortstop was briefly dropped a few slots last season he made it clear that he considered himself a top-of-the-order hitter no matter what the lineup card said. So even though club officials have quietly mulled the possibility of replacing Rollins in the one hole, they're certainly not going to broach the subject publicly at least until they've had a chance to discuss it with Rollins privately.
Manuel doesn't ruffle clubhouse feather unless he has to. That's why he has three straight first-place finishes on his resume.
Here's the thing: It makes sense.
That's not a slam at Rollins. When he's healthy he scores 100 runs a year. He's going to get 40 doubles and at least 20 homers. He'll steal at least 30 bags. He won an MVP, for crying out loud. He does things many leadoff guys can only think about.
The trouble is that some of these attributes aren't commonly associated with leadoff hitters.
Batting average and on-base percentage are. And the reality is that Rollins had the lowest average (.250) and OBP (.296) of any Phillies regular position player. Lower than even Pedro Feliz, who the Phillies jettisoned, creating the opening that Polanco ended up filling.
