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Around SBN: UFC 146 Results: Junior dos Santos TKO's Frank Mir

"James Loney, forever a spark plug for debate among executives, scouts, and fans alike.

Prior to the 2002 draft, there was debate as to whether he was better as a pitcher or a hitter. During his time in the minors, there was debate as to whether he would ever use his size to develop a power stroke. In the majors, he has sparked many different debates between fans, most of them revolving around his RBI totals.

Now though, there’s a different debate going on, one that revolves around his sudden improvement late in 2011 season. His monthly OPS splits tell the story, reading .489, .763, .786, .455, 1.066, and 1.091. More importantly though, why has he improved and could it mark a turning point in his career?"

I thought the post was interesting and deserved attention. Go check it out if you want.

8 months ago Hanauma_bay_tiny Chad Moriyama 60 comments 3 recs  | 

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What a great read

This justifies my optimism on Loney.

Its really shocking how that change of approach has done for Loney. Hitting coaches to matter… To an extent. In Loney’s case, it may be a career changer.

Thanks a lot Chad, this was a really great read. Solid analysis

by Julio Nievas on Sep 20, 2011 7:40 AM PDT via mobile reply actions  

Good work

confirms some of what has me so confused – on numbers alone I would never advocate bringing him back

but my eyes tell me he has changed

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 8:00 AM PDT reply actions  

As many know, I was one of his biggest disbelievers.

Still am to an extent, but after I looked at potential replacements, if the Dodgers aren’t going to pony up for an elite hitter, it’s down to Carlos Pena.

:o

by Chad Moriyama on Sep 20, 2011 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

I have been playing with my stance since this run of Loney’s – I have gone from about 2 inches closed to neutral

not sure to what effect yet

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions  

This is great stuff Chad, glad you finally found an outlet that enables you to write again.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Sep 20, 2011 8:26 AM PDT reply actions  

Shake N Bake

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Sep 20, 2011 8:41 AM PDT reply actions  

excellent

I’m lucky as a Dodger fan to have such great bloggers. I’m now more confused than ever about Loney as I’ve always like him but never trusted him, but I agree, outside of Prince, pujols, or Pena (berkman’s too old) I would go for Improved game james

by Lex in Brooklyn on Sep 20, 2011 8:46 AM PDT via mobile reply actions  

It’s confusing for everybody, I think.

Positions are divided, justifiably so.

by Chad Moriyama on Sep 20, 2011 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

You can really see a difference in his stance, great analysis.

"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"

by Ivdown on Sep 20, 2011 8:53 AM PDT reply actions  

I thikn we’re finally using the centerfield camera well as it was intended.

For stealing signs.

by G.Scott on Sep 20, 2011 9:00 AM PDT reply actions  

Excellent analysis Chad

And a great read as well. Being a lazy reader at times, I would have liked some of the numerical tables in graph form, but that is a minor thing. I appreciate the effort that goes into an article and analysis like this, especially in making your points clear to many levels of baseball readers. Well done.


- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Sep 20, 2011 9:08 AM PDT reply actions  

Sorry, but Loney will begin slumping now.

I just decided to start him on my fantasy team.

/Analysis

by fbihop on Sep 20, 2011 9:12 AM PDT reply actions  

The problem is that he could very well have made these adjustments and as streaky hitters often do, simply abandon them.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Sep 20, 2011 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

I think streaky hitters get out of rhythm or fall into bad habits – to me this change is larger than that

the test will be when he slumps, does he remain committed to what he has found here – does he change or has he changed?

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions  

James has a long history of tinkering, you’d think he would stick with what is working but history says he will tinker again and flounder, well he be able to find himself after that happens? Million $ question.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Sep 20, 2011 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions  

Phil the question is not baseball but existential

does he change or has he changed?

and I go back to my Humma like aphorism – “Whatever decision the Dodgers make on James Loney, it will be the wrong decision.”

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions  

These are things we can never know. :o

Front office will have a much better idea, specifically the coaches if they are good at their job, and this staff seems eons ahead of last year’s.

by Chad Moriyama on Sep 20, 2011 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

the staff

I think they have idea that they might stay

last year knew they were out the door

also, younger, building or in the midst of a career that has an arc which hopefully goes up….rather than playing out the end of days

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions  

I want a new GM and Owner, but whoever comes in, I hope they keep this staff, I like it.

by Chad Moriyama on Sep 20, 2011 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions  

I wish Donny would get a bench coach who actually played baseball.

by G.Scott on Sep 20, 2011 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

that’s a little tough

lots of good coaches never made it out of the minors

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

dude didn’t play in the minors.

by G.Scott on Sep 20, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions  

i lied
Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1985 after playing college ball at the University of Texas-Arlington. He played in the Indians farm system from 1985–1987, appearing in 162 games and hitting .179 while playing various infield positions.

by G.Scott on Sep 20, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions  

to be fair

hitting .179 is almost “not playing”

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions  

What would you call what Velez is doing then?

by fbihop on Sep 20, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions  

Ned trying to bankrupt Frank, $240k at a time. Also, entertainment value.

by G.Scott on Sep 20, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

What Phil is saying is part of what I was alluding to in the conclusion.

When they make these changes, it means nothing if they fuck it up again.

I was “right” on Matt Kemp only because he made and continued to stick with the adjustment in 2011.

There’s no guarantee with these mechanical switches. He could wake up today and completely screw himself.

by Chad Moriyama on Sep 20, 2011 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions  

Love the detail

great job Chad!

"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."

by Tommy Blackjack on Sep 20, 2011 9:14 AM PDT reply actions  

I’ll read it later but it looks awesome.

by silverwidow on Sep 20, 2011 9:26 AM PDT reply actions  

curious

what did he look like long ago in Sept 2007

anyone remember when?

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 9:54 AM PDT reply actions  

He looked like hope

And hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things.

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2011 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

Especially Hope Solo

by G.Scott on Sep 20, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions  

For some reason that reminded me of the Flight of the Conchords song, “A Kiss is Not a Contract.”

by fbihop on Sep 20, 2011 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

My Fantasy Football team is named

Business Time

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

Haven’t looked at it yet, but I remember never liking his power potential as a prospect because he would leak his lower half constantly.

by Chad Moriyama on Sep 20, 2011 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

because he would leak his lower half constantly

I expect to have this problem in my older age. Thank god they invented Depends.


- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Sep 20, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great read, Chad. Love the detail.

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2011 10:10 AM PDT reply actions  

Holy crap

I bought 2 field level seats in section 56 row 5 for 20 bucks each for 2 tickets yesterday. Today i didn’t see field level seats on stub hub in right field for less than 150, and at least 50 in left field.

"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"

by Ivdown on Sep 20, 2011 10:29 AM PDT reply actions  

Section 46*

"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"

by Ivdown on Sep 20, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions  

BTW Eric
James Loney: Same As He Ever Was

I hope this title from last week was inspired by the Talking Heads.

"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"

by Ivdown on Sep 20, 2011 10:31 AM PDT reply actions  

Maybe subconsciously, but not directly.

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions  

Nice piece

Seems like your conclusion of “as of now, I’m more willing to take a chance on Loney than ever before” can be read as a tepid Yes vote on tendering him. (Unless, of course, you were dead set against it before and have now moved only closer to halfway to Yes.)

Considering our other 1b options (Fielder is his own discussion), his salary status, and our ownership turmoil, I’d probably vote for Yes at this point.

by kinbote on Sep 20, 2011 10:59 AM PDT reply actions  

I think what he is saying is

You remind me I live in a shell,
Safe from the past,
and doing’ okay,
but not very well.
No jolts, no surprises,
No crisis arises:
My life goes along as it should,
it’s all very nice,
but not very good.

And I’m Ready To Take A Chance Again,
Ready to put my love on the line with you.
Been living with nothing to show for it;
You get what you get when you go for it,
And I’m Ready To Take Chance Again with you.

When she left me in all my despair,
I just held on,
My hopes were all gone.
Then I found you there.

And I’m Ready To Take A Chance Again
Ready To Take A Chance Again with you,
With you.

by Hollywood Joe on Sep 20, 2011 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions  

I was dead set against it.

I quite openly mock Loney because of the support he gets from delusional fans who love RBI.

Still, it is what it is.

by Chad Moriyama on Sep 20, 2011 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

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Pos No Player 2012 Salary
C 17 Ellis $490,000
1B 7 Loney $6,375,000
2B 37 Herrera $375,082
3B 6 Hairston $2,250,000
SS 9 Gordon $485,000
LF 23 Abreu $401,311
CF 10 Gwynn $850,000
RF 16 Ethier $10,950,000

OF/1B 33 Van Slyke $388,197
2B/3B 3 Kennedy $800,000
OF/1B 30 Sands $375,175
IF 13 DeJesus $448,992
C 18 Treanor $850,000

SP 22 Kershaw $6,000,000
SP 58 Billingsley $9,000,000
SP 29 Lilly $12,000,000
SP 44
Harang $3,000,000
SP 35 Capuano $3,000,000

CL 74
Jansen $491,000
RHP 52 Lindblom $483,000
RHP 51 Belisario $414,426
RHP 54 Guerra $488,000
RHP 28
Wright $900,000
LHP 57 Elbert $488,500
RHP 60 Coffey $1,000,000

DL 27 Kemp $10,000,000
DL 21 Rivera $4,000,000
DL 12 Sellers $481,000
DL 5 Uribe $8,000,000
DL 55 Guerrier $4,750,000
DL 14 Ellis $2,500,000
60DL 36 Hawksworth $495,000
60DL 41 De La Rosa $485,000

AA 50 Eovaldi $7,885
AAA 56 Antonini $7,869



Manny $8,087,432 deferred


Andruw $3,375,000 deferred


Pierre $3,050,000 deferred
Furcal $3,000,000 deferred
Kuroda $2,000,000 deferred
Garland $1,500,000 option buyout
Blake $1,250,000 option buyout
DFA 66 MacDougal $650,000

Totals
$115,942,869

For more detailed information, click here.

Current 40-man roster count: 42
(incl. De La Rosa & Hawksworth)

Yahoo_full_count

Manager

Eric___ned___reporters_2011_trade_deadline_small Eric Stephen

Editors

100_1427_small Phil Gurnee

Dgy_small David Young

Hanauma_bay_small Chad Moriyama

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