Your analysis of Aki and the rundown technique speaks to your level of experience on a baseball field. You are correct in your assertion that at the teeball level and maybe as high as Babe Ruth leagues, kids are taught to make the extra throw in order to move the runner towards the base he came from. At those levels there is more of a likelihood that the runner may actually be safe.

The teaching at higher levels, (say HS-professional ranks) is to make ONE throw, no matter which direction the runner is going. Further, whether you are playing second base or third base, the rundown technique is the same so to use that as any-type of guage as to how Aki will respond to second base is not reasonable. Aki will be fine at second base, in fact much better than fine.

More to the point, I think, are the specifics you remark on. Iwamura’s transition, Jackson’s lack of progress, the uncertainty surrounding Navarro and the like. As for Jackson, I don’t think it is a question of getting rid of him unless someone is ready to supplant him. The biggest names are almost certainly not there yet-Price, Davis, McGee. So the question is should Maddon select Niemann, Howell, Hammel or Talbot for his spot or keep Jackson there. I don’t see that the latter three have demonstrated they are better than Jackson, and with Niemann there may be legitimate reasons to give him more AAA time or to start him as a long reliever in the majors. Meanwhile, since I do not see clearly better options, I see no harm in extending the time for Jackson to prove himself. We are still talking about a 24 year old, after all, no matter how long he seems to have been around.

I am not surprised at the distaste for Navarro, although I think it is mistaken and short-sighted. But I am surprised at negativity about Gomes who is generally a popular character. I understand the criticisms of Jonny, but again, do fans really think that Ruggiano is a better option right now? As a RH part of a DH platoon, Gomes should have real value. As frustrating as his year was, against lefties in 2007 Gomes hit .313/.376/.542 and career-wise his numbers against lefties are .292/.396/.537. And if Baldellli goes down, chances are someone like Ruggiano will get their chance there.