Discussing Cox's bold move and more I'd like to see

Now in his 28th season as a big league manager, Bobby Cox still isn't afraid to try something different. Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

One of those rare baseball moments happened in the Pirates/Braves game last Thursday:

RHP Chris Resop starts the top of the 10th inning on the mound for the Braves. He walks Nyger Morgan, gives up a sacrifice bunt and then walks Jason Bay. On ball four of the Bay walk, Corky Miller allows a passed ball moving Morgan to third. With only one out, Bobby Cox brings in lefty Royce Ring to strike out Adam LaRoche, which he does, but rather than taking out Resop, Cox moves him to left field. After the LaRoche strike out, Cox pulls Ring and brings Resop back in from left field to pitch to Xavier Nady.

I have never seen this before, and the Pirates' broadcasters said the same at the time. Can a pitcher be moved to another position and then return to the mound later in the inning/game? If so, why don't more managers do this when bringing in lefty specialists to get one out?
--Micah, Pittsburgh

It's a great move and I saw Davey Johnson of the Mets pull this against the Reds in '86. Jesse Orosco actually got a putout in the outfield. It's more of an emergency move when you know you're running short on pitchers and looking at extra innings, but that's just one more reason why Cox is such a great manager and is going to the Hall of Fame. Of course, the downside is you are taking one of your outfielders out of the game, so you lose that bat and burn through another of your bench players. But if it means gaining the platoon advantage (left on left or right on right) in a high-leverage spot, I like the move.

Other things I'd like to see more of:

• First-and-third double steals.

• Five-man infields in an obvious bunt situation (such as the pitcher batting).

• Slug bunts (show bunt, get the infielders moving, pull back and hit the ball on the ground).

I'm not advocating those as everyday moves, but why have they all but disappeared? Is there another Billy Martin out there?

I would like to see the Atlanta Braves win some games they are supposed to win (Nationals, Pirates). Where is that vaunted offense? I know it's early but great seasons are had by beating weaker teams.
--Michael Turner, Northern Va.

What's strange is that the Braves seem to start every inning with an out. After eight games, they put only 12 leadoff guys on base among 73 chances, posting a .164 OBP to start innings. Obviously, that number is going to rise and they'll be a good offensive team.

Tom, you predict the Cubbies to be in the World Series. Do you really think they have enough pitching to make it that far?
--Mike, Manville, NJ

I do think they have enough pitching, and I believe Carlos Zambrano can be one of those Josh Beckett-like differences in the postseason. Here's what I also like: They strike people out and they have left handed starting pitching. Rich Hill may be the biggest key. He's 28 and could be primed for a breakout year.

What holds the Phillies back year after year?
--Ray Leiser, Audobon, NJ

I do think they made a major breakthrough last season, as far as the culture of the franchise, by playing well down the stretch and catching the Mets, especially by doing it with such hard-nosed play day after day. I think they stopped that thinking of "same old Phillies" that came from a reputation of being soft, especially in big spots. But their biggest problem now is pitching depth, especially when you play in an offensive park. I just don't see enough guys (after Cole Hamels and Brett Myers) who can strike people out the way you need to do in the postseason.

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