On average, if gaining 3-5 runs over the course of a season is as simple and painless as penciling in the lineup in a slightly different way (best hitters at the top, worst at the bottom), what rationale is there for not doing it? It doesn’t take a huge amount of analysis, it doesn’t cost the team any money, it shouldn’t hurt anyone’s ego. I just don’t understand John’s position other than devil’s advocate for the sake of devil’s advocate. The “my precious boy” argument doesn’t hold water. Good players should want as many opportunities to show their talent as possible, especially ones where the current numbers indicate they are way better than a ninth spot hitter.