The Dodgers And Their Second Half Struggles
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:00 PM PDT
in Dodgers History & Records
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PrintLast night's game was nice to see, as the Dodgers scored as many runs in one game as they did in four games in Atlanta. Since the All-Star break, the Dodgers have scored just 3.19 runs per game in 32 games. In the de facto second half, the Dodgers don't have a regular with an OPS over .775, and only have two with a .400 slugging percentage. Here's a look at every Dodger with 10 or more starts since the All-Star break:
| Dodger Regulars Since The All-Star Break | ||||
| Player | Starts | PA | BA/OBP/SLG | OPS |
| Furcal | 17 | 76 | .250/.368/.406 | .775 |
| Ethier | 28 | 124 | .248/.331/.413 | .743 |
| Podsednik | 19 | 86 | .295/.360/.359 | .719 |
| Carroll | 23 | 99 | .282/.367/.341 | .709 |
| DeWitt | 11 | 39 | .270/.308/.378 | .686 |
| Martin | 15 | 54 | .271/.352/.333 | .685 |
| Theriot | 16 | 71 | .295/.362/.311 | .674 |
| Kemp | 29 | 121 | .248/.306/.367 | .673 |
| Loney | 30 | 124 | .217/.274/.339 | .613 |
| Blake | 27 | 112 | .216/.277/.324 | .600 |
| Ausmus | 10 | 37 | .152/.243/.152 | .395 |
| Team | 32 | 1170 | .233/.301/.325 | .627 |
Only the Mariners and Mets have a worse second-half OPS, and only those two teams and the Royals have scored fewer runs than the Dodgers since the All-Star break.
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Comments
That is just a miserable chart to look at..
We need more comments to fill this up, so I can get that chart off my screen and never see it again.
Its too bad theriot isnt a better player
The Riot was such a cool knickname. Too bad its a riot is watching him fail to run the bases or get on base.
i wouldn't say the guy has compleatly embarassed himself
but I’m not sold on him going forward.
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 18, 2010 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
defintly not
needs another year in the minor to work on his plate discipline
by matthewmafa on Aug 18, 2010 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions
6% of PA with an OPS over .750
That is remarkable.
And a .325 slugging!
I should add
only the 10+ start crew are listed above, but the totals are for the whole team. We also need to add Jay Gibbons (1.000 OPS in 13 PA) and Reed Johnson (.875 OPS in 8 PA)., so we are up to 8.3%!
Who said our outfield wasn’t productive? :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Well guys, I'm about to commence the road trip to Dallas and back to school
although I wont be going anywhere in terms of the blog, its going to be tough for me to catch games as much with the time change and actual work to do. Its been an interesting year though, and I enjoyed every game I got to be at while I was home, and certainly haven’t taken listening to Vin almost daily for granted.
If someone throws a no hitter, James Loney hits for the cycle, or something of that magnitude happens in the next couple days…I’ll find a way to check in from the road : )
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
Have a fun trup
How long is that drive? Do you spread it out over 2-3 days, or just go straight through?
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Your post reminded me
that there is still a reason to attend the games. We may not be in contention, but the chance at seeing something historic is always present. Especially when you have Billz or Kershaw on the mound. That settles it, I be getting tix to Sat. game too :D
I just realized
that my two games this weekend will be Bills/Kershaw. Life is good.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm going on Friday
So of course I wouldn’t get to see Bills or Kershaw go…I don’t think I’ve seen Bills pitch once yet, and only seen Kershaw go twice; once his first career start, then a game where he went 1.1 against the padres…oye.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I've gotta save money
The tickets I’m getting cost 5 bucks from a friend of mine for Friday’s game.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
From what you guys
and my dad said, then yes. Ugh. I’m not happy at all about finding this out.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
thanks
its about 22 hours, we’re gonna do it over 2 but more likely 3 days considering we’re only going to make it to phoenix tonight..I havent done it yet,but the buddy I’m going with has done it a few times.
I was joking that we could stay in Glendale one night and Albuquerque the nest, just to get our Dodger fix haha
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
LA " Glendale " Albuquerque " Dallas
That would be an awesome trip :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
yep, sadly the topes are on the road, or it may have been destiny to see a game
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
I drove across the country twice last summer
Didn’t go through Dallas, but drove from San Diego to Austin. We made it from Sd to Arizona by lunchtime and stopped in Tucson for lunch. Then we made it to Las Cruces, NM and camped there (I actually wanted to go to Albuquerque, but its out of the way). The next morning we started the trek through Texas.
Texas is huge. And boring. Seemingly neverending. There is nothing in West Texas. Nothing. That is why high school football is so big there. They literally talk about HS football like its the NFL on the local radio.
12 hours later we made it into Austin, exhausted. The next day, we learned that if you flipped Texas on its axis, it would stretch to Chicago. That is how big that state is.
I have driven from Arkansas to Arizona about
6 or 7 times.
The drive from El Paso to Dallas is a freakin nightmare. Driving thru southern NM and AZ is at least cool looking.
I usually drove 1-40 from LR to Prescott to go to Phx, but everynow and then drove the southern route just to change it up.
Does she smell like teen spirit?
by silverwidow on Aug 18, 2010 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Can you post the pitching stats since the start of the 2nd half
But not the bullpen, just the starting pitchers.
We need some kind of good news.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Starters since ASB
Lilly: 3 starts, 19 IP, 1.89 ERA, 0.632 WHIP
Kuroda: 6 starts, 38 IP, 2.61 ERA, 0.921 WHIP
Billingsley: 7 starts, 44.2 IP, 2.62 ERA, 1.164 WHIP
Kershaw: 7 starts, 45 IP, 3.20 ERA, 1.333 WHIP
Monasterios: 2 starts, 10 IP, 3.60 ERA, 1.400 WHIP
Padilla: 6 starts, 35.1 IP, 3.82 ERA, 1.132 WHIP
J-Mac: 1 start, 5 IP, 7.20 ERA, 2.200 WHIP
Totals: 32 starts, 197 IP (6.16/GS), 3.06 ERA, 1.137 WHIP
Yet, starters record: 8-14 (team record 12-20)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Lilly at 3-0 is the only starter with a winning record. Padilla is 2-2, the rest are under .500. Criminal.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Who is that
J-Mac guy? He sux!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 18, 2010 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Going to Vegas this weekend
looking at Sunday pitching matchups to place some over/under wagers. A lot of unpredictable pitching matchups.
Kershaw v Arroyo Sunday. Sounds like an under to me.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m calling three runs tops. You’re welcome.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Soyboquense
Finally saw @ericstephen in his astro van on 110 N this afternoon. #dodgerlunatic http://yfrog.com/2ofdmrj
My sister used to have an Astro van. Then again, it was 1989
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Any van with windows in the back is okay
You get those old vans with no windows and you end up with the chic from Silence of the Lambs in a well saying “I got ur dog Mister.”
Don't take it personally
he’s an equal opportunity hater!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
You really should be asking why he hates everyone
so
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Dave Chappelle invited
you to the Player Haters Ball this year.
All you do is hate hate hate hate hate
im just going to put 20 on a 5 team parlay. that way i dont feel bad about losing. but big reward possible.
Yep
Just line up the five questions like…
SEA vs NYA, 6.5 -110
LAA vs TEX: 7.5 -125
LAN vs CIN: 8.5 +125
SD vs ATL: 6.5 – 115
BOS vs BAL: 9.5 – 110
Going to Vegas? Thought we were going to the game on Saturday?
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I am also cheap
Have you seen the prices there? I would rather take my chances with Inglewood PD and herpes to pick up a ho on Century than go there.
No, no I haven't
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
A fun read at White Sox beat writer Joe Cowley going off on Minnesota last night on Twitter, via Deadspin.
Give me a couple of years to get myself settled into a new home, maybe get a new job. We are considering having another kid. Maybe in the next 6 months.
Get all of that out of the way, and I’ll be back in a Tundra
I saw a Tundra dropped to the ground with airbags yesterday. wheels looked nice. knew you would not approve.
We are considering having another kid. Maybe in the next 6 months.
I’ve been told they take at least 9 months or so.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions
You still collecting Dodger Rookie Cards?
I need a hang up to get into other than golf. I am trying to come up with something like Dodger rookie cards, but not that.
I am open to suggestions
Earlier this year, I spent under $5 total (incl shipping) to get both the 1978 and 1988 Dodger media guides. It was cool to look through.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I have considered that. they end up taking a lot of space. my friend now has the last 20 clip media guides
That's pretty cool
I only have 2006-2010, plus the 1978 & 1988 ones, but it might be cool to go backward and get more.
Maybe yearbooks would be more appropriate.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I am considering doing
banners, media guides, magazines, or team sets from every year since whenever.
Team sets are easy to find on eBay. Many for $2 or so. I suggest finding a baseball card shop type buyer with many years, then you can save on shipping by getting a bunch at once.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
That is even better. In SD I found a local shop, and was able to find a lot of miscellaneous cards just by going through their old “commons”
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
UArk
cheerleader photo collection.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 18, 2010 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
They are
college cheerleader. Now, HS cheerleaders → you are Uncle Pervy.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 18, 2010 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Great point
You doing anything this weekend?
I could really use you as my PR guy for like an hour and a half!
Middle name is Carlos
so this is clearly a “Carl Rose” if I ever saw one.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
And we have a poster here
(and SBNation writer) Jules Snow.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 18, 2010 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Will Savage listed as starter; seems like a Rubby skip
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Zagat's Top 5 Burger Stops
5. McDonald’s
4. Burger King
3. Wendy’s
2. In N Out
1. Five Guys
The only place I like is #2 (still haven’t tried #1). The rest suck.
But I like In-N-Out more than any of them. I haven’t tried Five Guys either.
Oh wait. These are my first posts on TBLA… Hello.
I am inclined to agree
In N Out is a good burger, but in the end we are all just talking fast food here.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I think 5 guys is better. Different burger though. INO is more fast food. Plus, the 5 guys fries are the best. INO fries are just OK.
by HeyAlumniGo on Aug 18, 2010 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
One good thing about 5 guys is that they have a bunch of stuff you can put on the burger for free. Not just lettuce, cheese, tomatoes.
by HeyAlumniGo on Aug 18, 2010 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m going to make you a salad with fresh strawberries mixed in!
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Keith’s nightmare = Beatles singing “Strawberry Fields Forever”
by silverwidow on Aug 18, 2010 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
This is just wrong
a burger is all about the mix of tastes and textures. The slightly sweet fluffy bun. The sour, biting dill pickle. The acid sharpness of the onion, the crispy refreshing lettuce leaf, the sweet wet tomato. The creamy melting cheese. And of course the juicy savory beef patty itself. Put it all together right and you have perfection that fits in your two hands.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 18, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I don’t want my cheese to be creamy in my burger.
by Julio Nievas on Aug 18, 2010 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
It shouldn't be like liquid Velveeta
But it should be melted onto the patty.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Bullshit
theres NONE of these in the valley!!!!!!
Closest one to me is 20 miles away!!!!
The problem with food photos
You can make any crap look good. This is from McDonalds. You know it must suck. And yet….
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 18, 2010 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
That is like the most fake cheese ever.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
back in my day
HBO ran these specials on how commercials are made, they did a whole segment on burger production, how people get paid big bugs to make a burger look camera ready using glue and toothpicks and paint. Wish I could find one of those things online. It’s also where I learned Gatorade is sugar water
How would you define your approach to management, apart from being brilliant?
by Josie Becker on Aug 18, 2010 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I've even heard of them nailing the damn thing down
but it HAS to be the actual product I think, they are just allowed to do all sorts of crazy shit to make it look good
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I did a audience research thing once
and it turned out to be a new commercial for Sizzler. I had to answer honestly that they did make the food look appetizing, but in my mind I was thinking, “but I still know it is just Sizzler.”
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
My wife has hinted she wants to go to Sizzler
I just try to play dumb
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I finally had to tell my wife that I detest Sizzler
Fortunately this came up before we were married.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I used to love Sizzler, and would pick to go there on my birthday. All you can eat shrimp FTW!
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
heh
I have a psychological block against enjoying seafood, but my poor wife loves it. That and I get accused of being white trash enough.
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Take her to a real seafood restaurant
and you can have chicken.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
thats usually how it goes down
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I even liked their steak (I was 12), and they were pioneers in the full salad bar movement.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
When I was 12
I remember going to the Toluca Lake Marie Callendars and remembering chowing down on the giant tureen of soup and the AYCE salad bar.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Five Guys is awesome.
It’s great that there’s one 5 miles away.
by Julio Nievas on Aug 18, 2010 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
had to contribute to hamburger talk with this
watched man vs. food one day. this wasn’t the challenge, but he ate a burger that was, 1 1/2 pound patty, two fried eggs, six strips of bacon, and instead of a bun? Two grilled cheese sandwiches.
wow.
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 18, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Place is in Atlanta
called the Vortex I think
It came with a plate full of chili cheese tater tots.
It was called the Double Bypass.
Good pull Tommy
My first thought was, I'd like to try it
then I thought…..that will kill me.
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 18, 2010 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions
i can't look it up at work with my boss hovering behind me!
the point i’m going to make is..dodgers are stingy in offering over lot money. Schebler might have shown real potential with wood bats over the summer for him to get 300k from the dodgers. He’s someone that could get lost behind all this zach lee drama but could be a player next year.
Just having fun
and I agree with your comment. That is why I did the post yesterday, the Zach Lee signing was great but I didn’t want Joc and Scott to get lost in all the hoopla. They spent some money on those blokes.
What round was he again?
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Late 3rd, early 4th?
Maury Brown at Biz of Baseball has a great post about the draft and bonuses today.
Looks like…
average 3rd round slot: ~$347k
average 4th round slot: ~$220k
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
looks like 2nd round average slot was ~$556k, so that should give a nice Joc Pederson ($600k) comp.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Those numbers
are beyond pathetic.
I guess when I see all the Kemp defenders about his attitude I just wonder why. Compensation for the over dumping on him? When the guy admits he could work harder at being better at his job, shouldn’t he be working harder at being better at his job or does he simply get a by because no one wants to agree with the “man”.
If it is laughable that he be the man nominated for such an award, isn’t the problem that it is “laughable”?
What about Loney
not a peep about him since his hot May and June, but he’s been worse than Kemp in the second half. I know he’s not involved with all the player vs coaches stuff, but his offensive play has been terrible.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
You trying to say that Loney does not get
criticized here?
His production is always being criticized, usually on a daily basis. Has any coach ever inferred that he gives less then 100%?
Not as much as before
I think he got a juan pierre-like reprieve for having a couple of really good months for himself.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
It's definitely compensation
because Kemp gets all the blame when he is not alone.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Ask your wife if she gives 100% every day in the classroom. If she truly did, she’d be burned out years ago. Bowa complained of the same thing about Rolen and Jim Edmonds, two guys with near or at HoF talent.
Do you give 100% every day at your job? Does anyone here?
Come on.
Of course my wife gives 100%
she’s a teacher and has a more days off in a year then most of us will get in 10 years. The hours are 08:00 – 02:30, so when you work eight hours your already putting in two extra hours a day. If your a teacher and can’t give 100% every day your a lazy fuck.
I disagree (not about your wife, just about teachers in general). I rarely had a teacher who was there every day who did everything they could to teach the students. How many teachers just throw on a movie or have busy work for their students?
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I had one teacher in high school like that. Greatest class ever….so fun and challenging. He was a gentlemen in the classroom and turned into a sailor (speak wise) on the baseball field. I could not handle his “encouragement” strategy on the mound, which mostly consisted of expletives coming out as mumbled garbage.
by robotmadeofnails on Aug 18, 2010 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions
most of them
he asked about my wife who is the best teacher at her school. he should have used a different example.
He should have then, haha
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Don’t most teachers put in a lot of time at home and even after class grading/reading papers/homework? I know my brothers wife does and she is only a first grade teacher. She also teaches summer school and doesn’t get paid for days off.
Mine does
but keep in mind that they get out at 02:30 so if they do work at home they are moving from a 6 hour work day to a normal work day.
The problem here is that Kemp’s keep on giving PC answers, or answers the interviewer wants to hear. He did it with Simers, and he’s did with Ken Gurick a little while ago when he was benched last week.
Yes, he admitted he doesn’t go full gear every play, but what part of that is because that’s the answer T.J. Simers expected, and Kemp knew to give it to him.
schebler stuff
http://www.kansas.com/2010/08/17/1449795/shockers-lose-top-recruit-to-dodgers.html
http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/stats.html?leagueid=120&seasonid=155
Schebler northwoods stats. tied for the lead league in homeruns with 10!
294/347/528
In case folks are wondering
and cause I could always use the encouragement, I haven’t given up, Gibby’s at the plate down two strikes
How would you define your approach to management, apart from being brilliant?
It would be awesome to show Steve Sax too scared to touch Gibson before he touched home plate.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Is this tool assisted?
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I was hoping it would be ignored altogether since it was so ridiculous.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions
You’re gonna have to pardon the ignorance here, but I started watching in 1989, so missed his prime years. The sinker was devastating in the clips I’ve seen, but Tron’s was pretty great last year, too.
Yeah it was so great
he was a 1/2 ass relief pitcher for one year as opposed to the guy who for a few years was one of the best pitchers in baseball.
I’m not questioning the fact that Hershiser was light years ahead as a pitcher. Just talking about the pitch itself.
More interesting debate
In 2006, Derek Lowe’s sinker or Brandon Webb’s.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Hershiser’s sinker was widely recognized as one of the best pitches in MLB in the late 1980s, let alone best sinkers.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Btw, I hope this doesn’t put me on anyone’s shit list. :)
If it was a stupid question, we’ll just move on.
You want me to delete the whole thread so this can't be used
in a court of law when your trying to do something important and your opponent points to this comment and says “how can you take anything he says seriously”?
Early games
A shaky save for the Rays vs the Rangers today. And the Brewers having trouble closing out the Cardinals in the 9th inning right now. It amazes me as I follow all the games closely, how many blown saves or late leads blown by bullpens. It kind of makes me cool my jets a little bit abou the number of late leads lost and blown saves by the Dodgers this year. So often you will see a pitcher put up a bunch of goose eggs and then the first inning the bullpen comes in, low and behold the other team puts up a bunch of runs.
vr, Xei
- Hoffman comes in to strike out Ryan with the bases loaded two outs to preserve the 3-2 win. Was 3-0 headed into the B9th.
I hope he saves every game now that he’s off the Padres. Always a hate/respect relationship with me and him. On the flip side, the guy who works next to me apparently is his brother in law. Kinda cool odd connections all over the place.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
What the hell
Rays sign Ramon Ortiz
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/08/rays-sign-ramon-ortiz.html
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Also
from Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Word now , tho unofficial, is Derrek Lee will hold a press conference after the Cubs game
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
If you could take one player to start franchise, who would it be?
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-franchise-player/
I would take Albert Pujols, myself. He’s just too good, even being about 30, not to take IMO.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Already past his prime
Really?
I don’t think you pass your prime when you reach 30, in baseball anyway.
by Julio Nievas on Aug 18, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Not for what he's making
We’re talking about starting a franchise. based on the fact that my farm system will suck, I’ll want to build up with a 5 year plan of getting the #1 overall pick, so I would start with Alex Cora.
If we’re talking about starting a competitive franchise right now, i want someone who is elite, young, controlled and plays a premium position. I choose you, Ryan Zimmerman.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
If you want someone elite, young, and controlled
wouldn’t the choice be Longoria? Have you seen his contract?
The cost is worth it for a player like Pujols. Just look at the difference over the last 3 years from Pujols to the number 2 hitter.
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=6&season=2010&month=12
He’s that amazing of a player. He will likely cost 22-25 mill a year, but that is a necessary cost IMO. It would be great to get someone like Longoria who makes next to nothing and is great on offense and defense, but Pujols dominates so much that I can’t help but take him.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Your paying for the past
I’ll be playing for the future. If you want to take the 30 year old first baseman feel free but do your homework on other HOF 1st baseman. He will be 31, 32, 33 in those three years making 25 Million. My guy will be in the prime of his career making nothing. So if we both have the same budget to work with, my team is going kick your teams ass just because of the edge I’d get with the first pick. Or not, fun debate.
During the winter we will take this a step further for fun. Given a 120 Million budget build a team based on 2010 Contracts. 12 owners will hold a draft. Our members will vote on who built the best team. Gotta do something to kill time.
I'm basing it off his last 3 years from today's date
Not his entire career. He hasn’t shown any downward trending to a big level as of yet, and I’d take another 4-6 years of .975+ OPS baseball from him no problem.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Though other players I would definitely think about are:
Longoria
Hanley
Braun
Votto
Wright
Zimmerman
My top 3 would probably be (in no real order):
Pujols
Longoria
Votto
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Really, Braun? A no glove corner outfielder with an OPS in the .800s?
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
That's just this year
He’s got a career .909 OPS.
I would drop wright off my list as well.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I've always liked his potential
And he’s been one of the better bats the last 2 years. If it wasn’t for the contract I’d have Miggy in my top 3.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I had typec out that i would choose one of Kershaw, heyward or Strasburg, but I didn’t want an outfielder and pitchers are much higher injury risks, so I went with a young bopper 3B. Longoria and Zimmerman are basically tossups except for the few mil difference in dollars.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
You can't build a team around a pitcher
he blow his arm out tomorrow. Young studly hitters don’t usually disappear (Horner laughs) or have career ending injuries (Kendall giggles in pain)
to be fair, Jason Kendall played like another 10 years after his injury, just not with the power he once had. If he was a 1B, losing that pop would have been career ending.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Who cares how long he played
at one time he was the kind of player you might build a franchise around.
Yup. Even if you think Zimmerman is better, it’s six years of Longoria versus three years of Zimmerman.
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
See, everyone always says Mauer, and I used to also, but he makes 20+mil a year now, and even before that, i don’t start a franchise with a guy who will only play in 110 games a year.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Right to much money
and he already has an injury history which could get worse the longer he catches.
when it comes to "building a franchise around"
I don’t think it’s as fun to play it with the money issue. Since it’s a hypothetical anyway, why do you have to consider people’s current contracts?
Tougher question to answer
then to simply say who the best current player is. Brings in more variables and this group loves its variables.
ah, makes sense. It seems there would still be some good debates over who is the best player to start a franchise with as age and position are interesting variable, but yeah it does add a wrinkle for the armchair GM.
I would have chosen Hanley Ramirez if being a bitch wasn’t an issue.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
does he have other incidents
besides the jogging after the ball? I don’t know????
And is it Jogging or Yogging? I don’t know if it’s a soft “j”
by keithc13 on Aug 18, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
In a fantasy situation in which we would own a team or be a GM, we can also choose to be in a league without a DH :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I forgot he
goes to like 23M in 2011. He is sofa king good when healthy. I think he is like 6th in the league in WAR for all position players. I only like him because of his position value. I just thought of building a team, not how much money they made. Since it was for fun and all
Contract irrelevant
so I would pick someone with studly numbers who hasn’t hit his prime or is just hitting it. Would be hard not to pick Pujols, but he is probably starting down the aging curve. Someone mentioned Longoria and that is the second person I thought of. Amazingly, he is even more of a stud even taking contract into consideration. Mauer is interesting, but not sure how much longer he catches and if he does, not sure how much longer he hits like this. There are some interesting names for pitchers, Halladay, Lincecum, Strasburg, C.Lee, … but I would be afraid of arm injuries if I could only pick one player. I’m sure I am overlooking a few names, but I’d probably go 1) Longoria, 2) Pujols.
My buddy is writing a contract irrelevant article right now and here’s his top ten: Pujols, Mauer, Cabrera, Hanley, Longoria, Tulo, Zimmerman, King Felix, Votto, D. Wright.
I think Felix and Wright shouldn’t be on there, but it’s pretty solid.
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Cabrera is a great pick. Perfect example of hitting his prime now.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
For a blogging site?
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Yeah, he’s a contributor to larrybrownsports.com
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
isn’t Fangraphs article “contract irrelevant”? I just glossed through the opening paragraph and thought that’s what it said.
Oh I didn't see that
I found the article and didn’t get a chance to browse through it before I got a call at work. I wanted to post the discussion point before I took the call.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
They also made it to Part IV of the #6Org Great Discussion
which ended with a sarcastic apology from #6Blogger.
Lol, great, I've gotta go find that
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
#6Blogger cherry picked questions from the comments section that he could easily answer, never attempting to tackle the question(s) of what he did wrong and instead focussing on what he did right. The whole exercise was futile, but made for some interesting flaming wars from #6Org backers vs haters.
Did he answer why he unironically said the Mariners will be good in the future because they have Ryan Rowland-Smith and Adam Moore?
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Said that next year they will be more careful and transparent with their rankings. And that the #6 ranking had nothing to do with Fanboy Syndrome. A good laugh was had by most.
That sounds nothing like “won’t rank teams based on hypothetical sick moves their GM might make”.
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I asked him about their farm
Not a single answer about that from what I saw.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Derrick Lee traded
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cubs have traded Derrek Lee to the Braves for three pitching prospects.
take that, Angels.
At this point, they’re probably glad they didn’t get him.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
According to Jayson Stark the prospects are
RHP Robinson Lopez, RHP Tyrelle Harris & LHP Jeffrey Lorick
Know anything about ‘em? Seems like the trade was a good idea from the Cubs’ standpoint.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Not a bad haul
For this point in the season. They weren’t going to get much else out of him. They got two relievers and a 19 year old starter with potential.
From our SB Nation Braves blog Talking Chop:
Fred McGriff wore uniform number 27 when he played for the Braves. Same number Derrek Lee will wear for Atlanta
Glaus to 3B...eventually
from the local ATL ABC affiliate:
Braves GM says Troy Glaus is going on DL and then to Gwinnett to work at 3b http://yfrog.us/nevsez
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
This would worry me
I don’t have any stats to back what I’m about to say…..
Troy Glaus doesn’t appear to be the most mobile and/or athletic guy in the National League.
Can he really play 3rd anymore?
he says he can
and he’s only replacing Chipper Jones or Conrad so not like he’s replacing Zimmerman. Won’t be pretty, but he might be able to handle it against LHP.
Commish of Baseball - Three things you would do if you had ultimate power
1. Remove DH from baseball
2. Remove the abomination of increasing of rosters in Sept to be replaced with an active 20 player roster for every game for the whole season. Managers would actually have to think. They would have a 28 Man Roster to pull the 20 active roster from, thus appeasing the Union when they remove the DH.
3. A pitcher must face finish any inning in which they are brought into a game or until they have faced nine batters.
Your turn
1. Give Official Scorers the power to ASSUME a double play
Matt Kemp - Bringer of drought, puncher of babies faces(ugly ones killed on site), not Larry Bowa's GUY
That is really, really good. I love it.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
2. Eliminate Fielders indiference
3. Fuck the DH
Matt Kemp - Bringer of drought, puncher of babies faces(ugly ones killed on site), not Larry Bowa's GUY
Love #2 as well.
I would rather have no DH than a DH, but I’m fairly ambivalent on the DH issue.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Wouldn’t #2 just lead to not bringing your starters with you?
1. DHs for all
2. One mound visit from anyone before you have to pull the pitcher
3. Replace umpires with the umpire-o-tron 6000.
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Your first and second points aren’t even baseball points though. They are scorekeeping points.
Meaning, they don’t actually change anything.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t get what this means
How would you define your approach to management, apart from being brilliant?
by Josie Becker on Aug 18, 2010 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions
man on 1B, say one out.
Ground ball to 2B, fielder boots it, but recovers to get the out at 1B.
Under current rule, there is no error on the fielder. Under NJT’s proposal, he gets an error.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Not a fan of #3
Not that this is the best example since the Dodgers lost anyway, but when the Dodgers were up 9-2 on Thursday in Philly, you are saying Belisario would have had to stay in after his 4 batters all got hits, for either 3 more outs or 5 more batters?
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
If a pitcher can’t get three outs in an inning then he should take the punishment. I’m against the specialization of the bullpen.
1) Remove interleague play
2) Return to a Balanced Schedule
3) Eliminate the DH
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Would change your 3. to 3 batters. But that would fundamentally change the game and baseball people don’t like that too much. sure would speed up the game though and would totally eliminate the LOOGY.
1. Eliminate Regional Blackouts
2. You get no bonus trips to the mound. Every visit you must remove the pitcher.
3. I would contract the Royals and Astros and sell Minute Maid Park to the NCAA.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Astros went to the World Series 5 years ago.
Seems a bit odd to pick them.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Was basically eliminating anyone who had been around for several decades without winning a title. Not willing to eliminate anyone who has won a WS due to the added history. If they were still in RFK stadium i would have included the Nationals. I’m all about the 26 team MLB, 2 divisions, NHL style playoffs.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
I would implement
Instant Replay to include fair and foul balls.
Remove the DH
Contract the Royals and the Pirates
I almost included the Mariners and Brewers in my contraction, but new stadiums make that a bitch. Instead of instant replay showing fair or foul we should just put tracking technology on the foul lines and the ball with lights at the top of the foul poles that show red for foul and green for fair.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
The Mariners have an enormous geographic footprint. They pick up fans from in Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Alaksa.
The Brewers are only 90 minutes away from 2 other baseball teams.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I would be cool with that
The Pirates and Royals have been irrelevant since the 80’s. The Mariners and Brewers are at least trying to compete. That is why I only put 2 on there.
Foul/Fair technology would’ve been a better description of my #1.
As a Clipper fan, I’m not cool with any of this contraction shit.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions
1) add two more expansion teams
2) eliminate the wild card and have four 4-team divisions in each league
3) add two umpires (RF & LF) for every game (not just playoffs)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
i don’t think there is enough talent to go around for two more teams. I’d rather watch better games with deeper rotations and lineups than have to stomach anymore Ortizii starts because they were at least in the conversation for best available option.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
There is plenty of talent
and no matter how many teams there are crap players will still play.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
But with fewer teams, that means fewer spots for players, which at least in my head, makes it a buyer’s market every year and would drive salaries down. That should lead to more teams being competitive as more will be able to afford to field better players.
Some below-average players will still make the squad based on reputation or whatnot, but there would be less. i figure for every team you contract, you’re taking away the worst player on every team’s roster and replacing him with a major leaguer from the contracted team. Roughly, anyway. Just my O-pinion.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
The 1980s were awesomely competitive
1985
US population: 238 million
world population: 4.85 billion
MLB teams: 26
2009 (couldn’t find 2010 data)
US population: 310 million (30% increase)
world population: 6.8 billion (40% increase)
MLB teams: 32 under my proposal (23% increase)
I refuse to believe there aren’t enough baseball players either in the US or the planet to field two more competitive teams.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
i remember something
about making a new division. I think the Dodgers were included in the NL Pacific.
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 18, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
New York and Boston, just to take some market share :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Montreal and Portland
Matt Kemp - Bringer of drought, puncher of babies faces(ugly ones killed on site), not Larry Bowa's GUY
seconded
How would you define your approach to management, apart from being brilliant?
by Josie Becker on Aug 18, 2010 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Frank could get a nice payout out of this deal :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
They would have to build a really nice contractable roof stadium. But could you imagine MLB games in Vegas? That could be really, really fun.
Matt Kemp - Bringer of drought, puncher of babies faces(ugly ones killed on site), not Larry Bowa's GUY
i'm sure MLB
is worried about the gambling issue. I’ve heard Vegas would really like a team. What would the name be?
Cobras!!!
Vegas Cobras!!!!
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 18, 2010 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
RE: Gambling
I believe it would require sportsbooks in Vegas to not accept bets on the local team.
Not sure why that sticks out in my mind, but I know it was part of the trade off.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Logistically, in what divisions do you put the 2 new clubs?
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I was assuming Portland & Las Vegas which is tough since both are in the West.
It would probably require Colorado moves to the Central and Pittsburgh to the East
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
One in the AL West since they are short a team.
The other probably AL Central to balance out the AL and NL.
Good deal. So Portland and Vegas to the AL West and Rangers to the AL Central.
Done and done.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
That would be cool
Another good city for a team might be Oklahoma City. The Thunder do pretty well in attendance.
Let’s see how long that lasts. It’s still a new team and they have one of the 10 best players in the league. I don’t like an NBA team being in OKC as it will end up like Charlotte, New Orleans, Memphis, Vancouver et al.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Trying to figure out 4 divisions is tough. It may require lots of switching leagues, which could be chaotic as well.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Been working on it for the past 15 minutes…
Definitely requires league switching.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Atlanta and Tampa
Are the ones that make it tough.
why can’t geographical rivals be in the same divison?
SEA SF OAK LAD
ANA SD AZ COL
TEX HOU KC STL
MIN MIL CHC CHW
DET CLE CIN TOR
FLA TB WAS ATL PIT
BOS NYY BAL PHI NYM
pick your leagues as you may. Just group the leagues by geography and leave it at that. That being said, Portland would fit into a league with Seattle nicely to keep either of them from having to travel so damn far all year.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
That TB and Vegas divison doesn’t work. It covers the entire country.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m thinking POR and Vegas would be too hard.
Only 1 team from the PST and one team from points east.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
In that case, I think MLB would allow Portland
Would not allow either Mexico City or Montreal.
So, teams that would actually be allowed is Portland and Nashville.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Seems to me that the Braves have the largest market (population wise) without any competition. Basically just picked the next largest city in the South to get the team.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Just pick the ownership group that makes it rain.
The NBA expansion has been a complete joke.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions
No
there would be four new divisions in each league.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Vegas – AL West
Portland – NL West
Tulsa – AL Central
Montreal – NL East
Mexico City – NL West
Matt Kemp - Bringer of drought, puncher of babies faces(ugly ones killed on site), not Larry Bowa's GUY
Tulsa is a hot mofo in the summer
as is Vegas and Mexico City.
Better get gyms with roofs on em for those guys
I don't think that most people think that either
The way some GM’s run their teams, it would just be 2 more chances for Garrett Anderson or Hank Blalock to latch on to another team because they are veterans and are grit machines.
Number 3 is very interesting
I kind of like that. Take that, Torre!
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I’d just blame it on the last guy
1. Stop interleague play
2. Do away with the wildcard
3. ask for two more things
4. Return to two division format
5. Limit teams to one alternate jersey per year
How would you define your approach to management, apart from being brilliant?
by Josie Becker on Aug 18, 2010 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
No wildcard? Why, the wildcard is great
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I’ll buy you one of those newfangled “frappuchinos” if you tell me.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
1) players win awards based on potential, not performance
2) Logan’s Run-style age limits
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
1)Contract Red Sox and Yankees
2) Move Florida and Washington to the AL.
3) Balance the divisions and keep interleague.
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
by nolander on Aug 18, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
1) Force owners to be solvent and adhere to debt restrictions.
2) Remove DH
3) Instant Replay
4) Balance interleague schedule or do away with it.
Because what happens when a team starts losing money and needs to cut back? Force a sale? That would kill the market value of the remaining teams.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions
There is a difference between a team needing to cut back and having a solvent owner. Under MLB debt restrictions, Frank should have never been allowed to buy the team in the first place.
Solvent in and of itself is vague, at least the way you are using it. Frank is obviously solvent or payroll would have bounced and the team would be in bankruptcy court by now. Assuming you mean to acheive some sort of arbitrary budget figure the Rays and Marlins would laugh at you and point at the WS appearances the past 15 years.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
You are right
Solvent in the way I am using it is a bit of hyperbole. What I would like to see is owners being required to have a pot to piss in aside from the team. The debt to capital restrictions should be upheld.
I can’t speak for every owner, but I’d be willing to bet that 95% of the rest of the owners in the league would be very well off financially without the ball club.
The Rays and Marlins may have lower payrolls, but they also have international scouting budgets and aren’t forced to sell their prospects at every trade deadline. Those franchised have endured years of last place finishes and low attendances as a result. This would not be allowed to happen in Dodgertown, because then Frank would in fact be insolvent.
Nice work
Would not do any contraction the talent pool is fine.
I was surprised to not see any action regarding umpires other then Eric’s. I expected someone would want to remove the ball/strike umpire with triangulation so that for the first time ever the strike zone would be consistent.
I like the human element of the strike zone
It keeps hitters on their toes and allows for guys like Maddux to thrive because they can pinpoint the same spot over and over again – which is one of the rarest things in baseball today imo.
I get that
but the “Human Element” also makes horrible calls.
I don’t want a machine calling balls and strikes, but umpires need to be graded and rewarded or punished based on performance.
I don’t think it happens now. They say it does, but they keep running the same 50 yr old men out there to try and keep up with 27 yr olds and it is foolish.
This ain't basketball
I’ll take the experience over the youth regarding umpires if they are any good. Basing shit on age on is starting to irritate the fuck out of me.
when that one young ump threw out Votto
that was probably something about inexpierience.
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 18, 2010 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
Most of these Young umpires are no good. They sit in A Ball for years at a time.
Matt Kemp - Bringer of drought, puncher of babies faces(ugly ones killed on site), not Larry Bowa's GUY
Meercat can't ban
he can only irritate and annoy much like any pesky little animal that runs and hides at the slightest noise.
but when
he gets home, he turns into a super hero and bans the shit outta folks, right?
Tell me I’m right or my vision of a super hero maybe crushed
:)
I wish I could start it over
I would say it like this, which may still piss you off.
I wish they would give younger umps a chance when it is clear that some of the older guys can’t cut it but they keep their jobs because of "tenure’ or whatever term is applicable here.
I realize that Jim Joyce is probably the best ump in baseball (don’t ask Galarraga) and I have no idea how old he is but he is good now.
Regarding Joyce, I believe he is well respected, but to have that poll after his blown call made it incredibly biased and he got a ton of votes just for being a good guy and how he handled it.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
And that really is the problem. The guys who are in the majors aren’t the best umpires, they’re the guys who were willing to keep a low paying shit job for years and years while waiting for the people above them to die.
Kinda like Supreme Court Justices.
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with the first paragraph
but I don’t think their is a long line of judges waiting for Supreme Court Justices to die. Couldn’t you come up with some kind of rocket science analogy instead of treading into the judicial branch?
Totally not serious about the Supreme Court thing.
by regfairfield on Aug 18, 2010 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Some of us are clearly traditionalists and the moves are to return baseball to a point it used to be at.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions
they would just move the strike zone around as to which part of the body it goes to. You’d still have to configure it to adjust for height, and do you do it based on where the ball crosses the plate because guys like Zito or Bills with big curveballs could make a pitch cross the front of the plate as a strike and bounce before it got to the catcher. Imagine Padilla’s eephus crossing at several points along the strike zone…crazy.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
My understanding
I may be wrong – But if the ball crosses any part of the plate while in the strike zone, then it;‘s a strike. Doesn’t matter if it crosses near the back of the plate or at he front of the plate. With sensors surrounding the edge of the plate, it would work. Put a buzzer in each hand of the umpire – it it crosses thru the strike zone, his right hand gets a buzz and he calls it a strike,.
Webb, Bedard, Sheets, Duchscherer, Chris Young, Harden.
Who are you more likely to pay for potential?
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Assuming you only had kershaw and Billingsley under contract (hard to imagine, I know) and had the money to do it (even moreso) would you pay 3 of these guys incentive-laden deals hoping to catch lightning in a bottle or would you be more likely to sign one and hope he works out as a fifth starter? The upside is outrageous with a lineup of Kershaw, billingsley, Webb, Duchscherer, Bedard, and the downside is that you don’t compete (which seems likely anyway) so I’m torn. As Michael would say, it’s fun to speculate because it’s not my money.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Since
Bedard has not pitched in two years and now looks like it will be three he’s out.
Sheets is done for 2011 so he’s out
Webb sounds alot like Schmidt to me
Harden is back but not very good
Young is just not very good
Duch has to many problems
Hate to say it because last winter I was willing to take a chance on quite of few of these guys but today I’d pass on all of them.
When Chris Young was throwing 90 instead of 86 he led the league in BAA. I think I agree with you and Eric that I would in practice stay away from everyone except MAYBE Webb, but it’s just fun to think about.
On the side note of glad not to be paying pitchers, I’m thrilled we aren’t paying Derek Lowe 16mil to be a 40 year old and Randy Wolf 9mil to be Randy Wolf.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Kudos to the Padres
Over their past 162 regular season games, #ThePadres are 98-64, and have a Pythag of .597 (96.7-65.3).
- #vegaswatch
by Xeifrank on Aug 18, 2010 3:45 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Assuming you wanted to bet on the Vikings to win the Super Bowl anyway, the Brett Favre two-week window when it was thought (by some) that he was retired (again) would have been the best time to bet, as odds were at 10-to-1, and now are 6-to-1.
I like Brett but now that he is back
wouldn’t you bet against them since that is when he is most likely to make that one bonehead play he makes every year?
I would never bet on them because I am not a fan.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Thats not fair
he made one last year, but he made many with the jets, and made two the year before that
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Rockies lineup
Young 2B
Fowler CF
Cargo CF
Tulo SS
smith LF
Helton 1B
Stewart 3B
Olivo C
Hammel P
Per Troy Renck / Denver Post
COL, MIN, KC, TEX
ANA, OAK, SEA, POR
NYY, BOS, BAL, TOR
CLE, DET, CWS, CAR
LA, SF, SD, AZ
NYM, WAS, PHI, PIT
CHC, MIL, CIN, STL
HOU, ATL, TB, FLA
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
What about removing
Geography from the equation and making it based on budgets? Just doesn’t seem fair to Toronto. They have to be so much smarter and luckier to compete. We do live in the world of Jets, is geography really all that important anymore?
Things are cyclical
Boston was terrible, relatively, or simply normal, forever.
No matter the system, the Yankees will always be the Yankees.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Not before they started spending money
and become Yankee light. That is not cyclical and besides the divisions would be in flux, no one said they have to remain constant year to year.
I tend to agree with you. If it is cyclical it is a rather stale cycle. My proposal was to have three relegation divisions. Teams would move up and down (2 from each tier) based on end of the season record. The top tier would get to send 5 of the 8 teams to the playoffs. The 2nd tier would send 2 and the bottom tier would have a playoff between their top two teams for the last birth, but would then face the top seed from Tier 1 in the opening round of the playoffs. Of course this is all fantasy, but it is my proposal. Home team would determine whether the DH was used for all games. Travel would be more difficult obviously, but it would be much fairer to the smaller market teams. They would atleast have a reasonable shot at the post-season every year (one or two of them).
No, but if they do well they move up to the upper league, and teams that do poorly get demoted. That part is similar.
Well, yeah that part is. I knew that part was not unique, but I think having them all compete for the same title is better – atleast in applying to baseball. You can’t just tell half the teams that you have no shot at the title. Oh wait, that’s how NCAA football is after week four. :) @U MW.
In addition to the leagues, there are simultaneously Cups (elimination tournaments) throughout the season. There are two – whatever they’re calling the FL Cup now, and the FA Cup. In the FL Cup (named now for a sponsor) all teams in all 4 divisions compete against each other. (I think the top division, or top 2 divisions may get a “bye” for the first round or two.) In the FA Cup, much beloved, all teams in organized football – that includes various semi-pro and even amateur teams – get a chance, though the early rounds are all just for those sort of teams. There are always a few that make it quite deep into the competition, and become local and even national heroes until they eventually get eliminated. there are a few occasions when an amateur or semi-pro team not in the 4 divisions made it pretty far. And there’s almost always some team from the bottom 2 divisions that makes it very far (may even have won, I forget).
Wasn’t that Selig’s odd proposal?
I like the geography mostly because of the rivalries. Guys like delias man who travels to road games probably agrees.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions
My league schedule BTW
which keeps interleague play (sorry)…
6 games vs 12 non-division teams in same league: 72 gms
6 games vs 4 teams in interleague division (rotates every year): 24 games
22 games vs 3 teams in same division: 66 games
Without interleague, it could be…
8 games vs 12 non-division teams in same league: 96 gms
22 games vs 3 teams in same division: 66 games
by Eric Stephen on Aug 18, 2010 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Do you think 162 is a nice number of games in a season, or would you shorten/lengthen it? I’m a huge fan of a shorter season not because it takes too long or it’s boring, but i don’t think it takes that many games to determine who the playoff teams are. Granted, sometimes teams get hot and make a run in september, but in my head if you’re the best team for 5 months you should be the best team for six months.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Here we go
National League
NYM, FLA, PHI, WAS
PIT, CIN, CHC, MIL
TB, ATL, STL, KC
LAD, SF, SD, AZ
American League
NYY, BOS, TOR, BAL
CHW, MINN, CLE, DET
TEX, HOU, LV, COL
LAA, OAK, SEA, POR
Can’t break up the Cubs and the Cardinals.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, yes, but the idea of breaking up an age old rivalry doesn’t sit well with me.
It’s Nebraska/Oklahoma all over again!
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
wow!
Nebraska Oklahoma. Nice pull.
I didn’t think you watched football that didn’t come on Fox Sports late at night in the central time zone!
Believe it or not, I watch a ton of football.
I’ve watched my fair share of Ivy League football on the YES network. Enough to tell you that the broadcasting duo is Yankees radio man Sterling and former NY Giant tight end Howard Cross.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Hahah
My girlfriend used to babysit for Howard Cross. Total scumbag.
You have crushed me with that news.
He looks like the nicest guy. Big, jovial, type.
by Michael White on Aug 18, 2010 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions
That takes the point of
geographics out of it.
I could do that, but then I’d change 3 or 4 if that were the case.
Here's one with Vegas and not switching leagues (except putting Milwaukee back where they belong)
NL
LA, SD, SF, PO
CO, AZ, HO, ATL
CI, STL, CHI, PITT
PH, NY, FL, WASH
AL
LA, OAK, SEA, LV
KC, TX, MINN, TB
CHI, MIL, DET, CLE
NY, BOS, BAL, TOR
Tampa and Atlanta get kind of screwed though. Mostly Atlanta, but they should be used to it from their legacy in the NL west.
Dodgers lineup
Podsednik CF
Theriot 2B
Ethier RF
Loney 1B
Blake 3B
Gibbons LF
Carroll SS
Ellis C
Kuroda P
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