Rendon. I sense that the guy will hit over .300 consistently...say, typical season of .325 with 20 or 25 homeruns. It can't hurt to lead off with a base-hit.
And I just don't see anybody else who ought to lead off. Werth has patience, but he struck out 160 times last year. Espinosa seems less patient, less mature, and also struck out 160 times. Desmond? No.
Strictly by batting eye, I might have Ramos lead off. Better a walk or a hit, even from a guy who can't steal second, than a strikeout.
While I tend to agree with you, can you imagine the amount of GIDP we would be dealing with? I agree that it'd be nice to have a runner on base, but he'll be a goner on anything that's not hit into the outfield.
