1st and 3rd, 0 outs. Bunt responsibilities.

Last night watching the Sunday night game of the week between the Mets and Rockies I heard Joe Morgan speak his usual nonsense. Oh, it sounds right. The casual fan gives it the approval without thinking a second thought. It's Joe Morgan, hall of famer. He must know what he's talking about.

Here is the situation.

The Mets had runners on 1st and 3rd with 0 outs. The pitcher was up in a classic bunt situation(see August 1st blog). Now, here is where Joe Morgan starts to pontificate about stopping the bunt.

You see Morgan explains how the pitcher is attempting to advance the runner at 1st and not the runner at 3rd. So, the defense should be defending against that play. Morgan says the Rockies could potentially put a "wheel" play on. Huh?

How you gonna do that Joe? The wheel in its very nature gives up 2nd base. It's designed to record an out at 3B. Furthermore, the "wheel" is used in a 1st and 2nd bunt situation, not just a 1B(ignoring the lead runner here) situation. Oh, I understand that he means an aggressive defense. But, you can't suggest the wheel is the best manner to accomplish this.

Let's analyze this very confusing bunt situation deeper.

The 1B should hold the runner on. I mean this is the run that we are attempting to prevent from moving into scoring position. There are some interesting options that could be employed but the basic premise is to stay close to the bag. Now, the "wheel" concept could be used with the 1B crashing. Understand, however, that if the 1B crashes the 2B absolutely must cover 1B.

Let's move to the 2B.

In a traditional bunt defense with the runner at 1st, the 2B needs to make sure he can get to the 1B bag. Even moreso if the 1B crashes.

Let's move to the SS.

In a typical bunt situation with a runner on 1st, the SS covers 2B. But, this is not a typical bunt situation with a runner on 1st. Although the runner on 1st is the runner that is trying to be advanced, there is a runner standing 90 ft. away at 3rd base. If the shortstop covers 2B, who is going to cover 3B? In other words, if the ball is bunted at the 3B, who is going to "anchor" down 3B to prevent the lead runner from drifting down the line. Although the lead runner is not important, the runner must be given attention. The shortstop with a bunt situation with a runner on 3B must cover 3B. He doesn't really have an option here. With the possibility of the 3B leaving the bag to field the ball if the shortstop doesn't rotate over the runner can literally walk down the line and score following a subsequent throw. So, the Shortstop covers 3B.

So, here is what we have so far. 1B needs to field a potential bunt. 2B must be able to cover 1B. SS has to go to 3B. WHO IS TO COVER 2B IN THIS "WHEEL" DEFENSE THAT MORGAN SUGGESTED BE USED?

I suppose the 1B could stay back and you could ask the pitcher to cover the 1B side. This would allow the 2B to cover 2B. But, that wouldn't be the wheel play at all. This actually isn't an option because the 1B needs to have the ability to field a bunted ball. Giving the pitcher too much area in a bunt defense is an unrealistic expectation.

The Rockies were stuck last night. The best that they could have hoped for was a poorly executed bunt. If the defense understands the magnitude of the lead runner it hamstrings the shortstop and prevents the defense from being too aggressive.

Yet, Joe Morgan stated so matter of fact, the Rockies should consider the "wheel" play.

HMMMMM.