Gibson not ready to talk crowded outfield
Mar 5, 2012, 10:13 PM | Updated: 10:47 pm
Kirk Gibson knows the Diamondbacks have one crowded outfield. Still the team’s skipper isn’t planning on deciding who’s starting any time soon.
“It’s not time for that right now,” Gibson said in regards to deciding the fate of his four outfielders. “I am going to sit and watch Spring Training and see what happens.”
The D-backs signed veteran left fielder Jason Kubel this offseason and it is believed that he is going to take the majority of playing time away from gold glover Gerardo Parra. There’s also been talk of resting center fielder Chris Young more frequently to get both Parra and Kubel in the lineup. The only known fact in the outfield equation is that slugger Justin Upton will man right field.
Gibson said he’ll continue to evaluate the production of Kubel, Parra and Young throughout the season and will start the players who are most deserving and give his club the best chance to win.
“At the end of the year we are going to try to play the team, the 25 guys, and prepare our organization to try to win a World Series,” Gibson stated.
Complicating matters more is the great first impression Kubel has made on Gibson and his fellow teammates.
“He’s very competitive,” Gibson said of Kubel. “He mixed in very well. I think the guys really respect him really quickly. We’ve only played a couple games, you watch him practice you can tell he knows what he’s doing and knows what he wants to do.”
While Gibson recognizes the difficulties that come with making these hard decisions, he feels his players will come together and accept what’s in the best interest of the D-backs.
“I don’t think that’s tough,” Gibson said. “If you’re doing what you think is right for the team, you always put that first. There’s tough decisions to make but it’s not tough to do something that maybe you construe as uncomfortable. Everybody will understand what we’re trying to do. Those guys are all quality individuals and team-oriented.”
Gibson would rather have an embarrassment of riches instead of a need to fill.
“I don’t look at it as tough, I look at it as one heck of a strength for us.”
