nl cy young: brandon webb

Webb?

Oswalt I could live with, maybe even expected, but Carp being 3rd behind Webb and Hoffman sounds like a bad joke.

I hope MVP votes make more sense.

by roebirds on Nov 14, 2006 2:30 PM EST reply actions

how did webb win? he only had carp by one win(16 to 15), same amount of losses, around the same strikeout total and carp's era was a little better. were these voters watching webb's last start in which he got shelled for 7 earned runs(seven!). oh yeah, webb's team did not make the playoffs. you know what, it doesnt matter anymore, webb can have his cy young, carp already has one and now.....he has a world series ring.

www.redbirdramblings.wordpress.com

by cards4life on Nov 14, 2006 2:30 PM EST reply actions

Webb deserved this one.

He did. He was fantastic all year. I would have given it to Hoffman just to honor his career achievements (and more specifically, to keep from awarding it to a starter who has 15-16 wins), but I can't argue with that selection.

by matt reeder on Nov 14, 2006 2:34 PM EST reply actions

webb

he wasnt fantastic all year. he had two months with era's over 5.00. still, its hard to separate webb, oswalt and carp. either one is a good choice.

hoffman at 2nd is a poor choice. career achievement award? bah. thats a terrible idea. i guess they should give the mvp to barry bonds because he hit a lot of homers a few years ago?

by dmb60614 on Nov 14, 2006 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

ah, yes.

I had forgotten about that.

I still think he deserved it, or at least, I can't argue against him. I don't think anybody in the NL truly deserved to win a Cy Young, honestly.

by matt reeder on Nov 14, 2006 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

BWebb had two months with ERAs over 5.00...

But every other month his ERA was below 2.50.

Carpenter had only one month (April) with an ERA under 3.00.

Why break the season up arbitrarily into months?

by Joe on Nov 15, 2006 6:16 AM EST up reply actions

Carp had...

a lower era, allowed fewer hits and walks per 9 innings, had a lower batting average against, struck out more per inning pitched, and walked fewer.

What did Webb do that was better?

by guayzimi on Nov 14, 2006 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

Carpenter lost it in the final few weeks

He had some pretty lousy games when the Cardinals needed him to come up big.

I think Webb deserved this one. Carpenter should have been 2nd, but since he didn't win, its no big deal.

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

I don't get that...

All 162 games count equally in the standings. A win in April counts the same as one in September.
The Cards didn't really need Carp, apparently, since he wasn't that good in September and they still won the division. In part, the reason for this is that Carp was excellent all summer, and so put the team in position to lose 7 straight at the end of the season and still win.
Webb tanked in August, and his team fell out of contention. He then performed great in September when his team's games were irrelevent.

How is that better than pitching great all summer, putting your team far out ahead, then having a poor September, but not so poor as to cancel the good work of April-August?

I could have lived with Oswalt winning, but not Webb.

by guayzimi on Nov 14, 2006 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

Your points are well taken, but...

Is there such a thing as seasonal WPA? Just like late inning at bats have more leverage than early one, last season games have more leverage than early one.

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

I think the vote was a tossup among Webb, CC, and

Oswalt, but to answer your question about what BW did that was better than CC...

Webb pitched 13.1 more innings, or two additional games.
Their ERA differed by ONE TENTH OF ONE POINT (0.01), so it's not as if there was a dramatic difference (though BW allowed 5 more unearned runs than CC)
But, and this is the main point in BW's favor, Webb pitched in one of the hitter-friendliest parks in the sport. Therefore, despite Carpenter's very slight advantage in ERA, BWebb's 154 league leading ERA+ bettered Carpenter's fourth-place 143.

Again, though, I think this vote was a tossup. I'm just glad to see they didn't give it to Carp just because he was on a playoff team. I'm pretty sure that is not one of the voting criteria.

by Joe on Nov 15, 2006 6:12 AM EST up reply actions

I don't buy that

Chase Field is "one of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball" argument. If that is true, how does one account that no one had the D-Backs had 30 home runs?

Invisible Gophers---2006 Tempe, AZ Slow Pitch Softball Champs!!!

by BigdJC on Nov 15, 2006 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

The average player on the DBax

had fun playing baseball with Ted Williams when they were all children together.

by Valatan on Nov 15, 2006 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

you know what?

Those writers didn't spend 30 minutes pouring over stats and splits when they voted. They received a ballot, picked a player and turned it back in. They have the right to vote like they did, and we have the right to pick apart their votes. We're always going to root for our favorite players to win, but it just ain't gonna happen. Yadi wasn't going to win a GG this year, Carp wasn't going to get his Cy Young, and Pujols very well may get passed by for MVP.

It's probably better that way. Missing an MVP doesn't keep Pujols out of the hall of fame in 15 years. But if he wins every year then we're favored, and the favored team usually ends of being hated (ie Yankees).

I wouldn't have voted for TLR for manager of the year either, and I couldn't care less about the MVP (Unless hombre wins, of course.) We got a world series title and I got to go without shaving for 24 days and all feels right with the world ever since.

Wow. too much coffee tonight. time to shut it.

by effin fisk on Nov 16, 2006 1:20 AM EST up reply actions

yep

And carp would have gotten a 250k bonus for winning it, which we now have available to spend on retaining spezio.

Hooray for silver lining, and all that.

2006 stl cardinals - all of the glory, none of the goat hair.

by SleepyCA on Nov 16, 2006 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

oswalt

he deserved to be atleast in the top 3, but i am not surprised that carp didnt win

by cards4ever on Nov 14, 2006 2:35 PM EST reply actions

I think a case could

be made for oswalt, carp, or webb, so I have no problem with webb winning it. I think Oswalt would have been the correct choice, but who cares really. 99 percent of baseball fans will have forgotten that webb won it two years from now.

by PGeorge @ Viva El Birdos on Nov 14, 2006 2:44 PM EST reply actions

I don't think

Closers deserve the Cy Young very often. I'm surprised Hoffman was as high as he was.

by Toddius396 on Nov 14, 2006 2:46 PM EST reply actions

I just can't see Hoffman with a Cy Young

and Mo Rivera without one...

"IT WAS F**KING RAINING FROGS!!"

by iron duke75 on Nov 14, 2006 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

Agree that Oswalt probably should have won,

with Carp a close second, Webb third, Hoffman fourth. It was a strange vote - Webb and Hoffman split the first place votes, but neither got many second place votes; Carp got most of them. Either you really liked Webb/Hoffman or you didn't think much of them, apparently.

by BTown Birds fan on Nov 14, 2006 2:51 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn't be suprised if some voters

thought that Carpenter didn't deserve to be back-to-back cy winner, and therefore tended to put him at second, and put their next top choice first

by Valatan on Nov 14, 2006 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

World Series

I'm sure Carp would rather have the ring than the Cy Young trophy.

by raisin @ Viva El Birdos on Nov 14, 2006 2:52 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

The ring won't take up as much space on the shelf... :-)

"IT WAS F**KING RAINING FROGS!!"

by iron duke75 on Nov 14, 2006 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry to digress LB, but...

I got a pop up when I clicked on the comments for this post. I have been getting them once in a while for the last few days only when I click on comments for a main post. (just did a spybot check, and comp came up clean). I know you wanted to know about this.

by sdelek on Nov 14, 2006 2:59 PM EST reply actions

thanks sdelek

yes, i definitely want this information --- am tracking the instances and passing them up the line. there's a difference of opinion between our network and the ad agency as to why these pop-ups are happening; it helps if we can document specific instances.

by lboros on Nov 14, 2006 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

lb

i have been getting a popup every time i check the comments too, have no idea what it is cause they are blocked, but there it is for what it is worth to ya

by bigcardsfan5 on Nov 14, 2006 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

Silver Sluggers (digression)

I missed this... how did Ryan Howard beat Albert Pujols out for a Silver Slugger?

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:06 PM EST reply actions

How do you justify this?

CREDE -- .283 batting average, 30 HRs, 94 RBI, .323 on-base percentage, .506 slugging percentage in 150 games.

RODRIGUEZ -- .290 batting average, 35 HRs, 121 RBI, .392 on-base percentage, .523 slugging percentage in 154 games

Crede won the Silver Slugger for third base in the AL.

"Forget about the curveball Ricky...Give him the heater!!"

by BleacherBum on Nov 14, 2006 3:13 PM EST reply actions

I am guessing Rodriguez was hurt by

his attrocious feilding? I know that isn't supposed to count, but I think it often does a bit.

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

Similar to the way

hitting seems to have some impact on Gold Glove voting...

"IT WAS F**KING RAINING FROGS!!"

by iron duke75 on Nov 14, 2006 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

My thoughts exactly Iron Duke

BTW, wouldn't this make a better tagline?

Wouldn't this be better:

"IT WAS F###KING RAINING FROGS!!"

(a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/story/2006/10/30/6113/8307" target=new>"IT WAS F###KING RAINING FROGS!!"</a)<p> (replace parenthesis with <> and # with *)

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

My thoughts exactly Iron Duke

BTW, wouldn't this make a better tagline?

Wouldn't this be better:

"IT WAS F###KING RAINING FROGS!!"

(a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/story/2006/10/30/6113/8307" target=new>"IT WAS F###KING RAINING FROGS!!"</a)<p> (replace parenthesis with <>)

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

It does help to

alleviate any confusion...

Although I'm probably gonna change it in a week or so anyway... :-D

"IT WAS F**KING RAINING FROGS!!"

by iron duke75 on Nov 14, 2006 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

I hope you lave that one for a while.

I consider that post (along with 'earn you pennent') one of LB's two best.

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

LB's best...

That's not a short list... :-)

"IT WAS F**KING RAINING FROGS!!"

by iron duke75 on Nov 14, 2006 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

He chokes in the playoffs

and wants to be liked. He has a big contract, and therefore, is an awful player that no one would want.

by Valatan on Nov 14, 2006 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

ummmm....

i'll take him.

all day.

twice on sunday.

by busch league on Nov 14, 2006 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

Just for, (I think) unnecessary clarification

I was being sarcastic.

by Valatan on Nov 15, 2006 2:24 AM EST up reply actions

Don't they vote before the postseason?

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

Yes...

by cardsrul on Nov 14, 2006 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

Disappointed

Even though I expected Webb or Oswalt to win, I'm still disappointed that Carp didn't win. I know in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter, but it still kind of bothers me. I know he didn't have the greatest season and his last few starts were shaky, but I think he had as good a shot at the award as Webb, Oswalt or Hoffman.

And I do agree that closers should rarely win the award; they simply don't pitch enough innings and usually are in situations where they have a 2-3 run lead and are coming in for an inning or 2/3 of an inning. Saves are overrated.

"I only am who I am because I was born that way. I have a gift and I'm trying to not be selfish about it, but to use it, OK? Jealousy will get you nowhere!"

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Nov 14, 2006 3:25 PM EST reply actions

And...

if Ryan Howard wins the MVP I'm going to be livid and might destroy my computer at work. That will be the biggest injustice if AP doesn't take the hardware home again this year.

"I only am who I am because I was born that way. I have a gift and I'm trying to not be selfish about it, but to use it, OK? Jealousy will get you nowhere!"

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Nov 14, 2006 3:27 PM EST reply actions

I think Albert should win hands down too

But I could accept it if Beltran won.

To me Howard and Berkmann are close to equal after them.

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

Don't even go there!

While I really wanted Carp to win, I fully realized that there was a better than even chance that he would lose out to Oswalt or Webb.

If AP loses out the Howard I will be beside myself. I will be so freaked out that it will disturb my students.

On a different note. does anyone know where to find the Shannon/Rooney WS #5 radio call? I'd love to hear that.

Summoning the Spirit of Jack Clark!

by Big Mike on Nov 14, 2006 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

MLB.tv

by Zubin on Nov 14, 2006 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Webb...not a joke

but was not "lights out" all year long, and as pointed out, faltered when the D'Backs needed him the most.

Hoffman...completely absurd.

by ryanisforever on Nov 14, 2006 3:37 PM EST reply actions

Well, there goes the theory...

that you have to be on a winning team to win a major award. I have always heard that you need to be on a winning team and possibly a playoff contender to win an award. Webb was on a last place team and won it.

With that said, I don't really have a problem with Webb winning the Cy Young. Carp, Webb and Oswalt all had very similar overall stats. No one really ran away with it. Any one of them would be deserving. I agree with Valatan that voters may have voted Carp 2nd because he won the award last year. I was surprised that Hoffman finished 2nd. I think he got some votes for his career achievement, which is wrong.

"Don't fail to miss tomorrow's game!" - Dizzy Dean

by jdubya on Nov 14, 2006 3:41 PM EST reply actions

They didn't give Ripken the MVP

the year he broke Gehrig's record...

"IT WAS F**KING RAINING FROGS!!"

by iron duke75 on Nov 14, 2006 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

derosa

mark derosa signed with the cubs for 3yr/$13M per mlbtraderumors.com

by cards4ever on Nov 14, 2006 4:16 PM EST reply actions

this is bigger news if it happens

Cubs Info From Bruce Levine
Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 has some new Cubs info for us. He reports that the Cubs have asked the Indians about a possible deal involving Cliff Lee or Jake Westbrook in exchange for relief pitching.

In addition, the Cubs may consider Ray Durham as a source of power for second base.

Kenny is a "dirt" bag?

by punchinjudy on Nov 14, 2006 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Yipes!

I'd hate to see Jake Westbrook pitching for the wee bears.

by liam on Nov 14, 2006 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

cubs over paid

say hello to the new neifi perez.

by dmb60614 on Nov 14, 2006 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

What exactly happened to DeRosa and Matthews in Texas this year? DeRosa jumps about 30 points in every category avg/obp/slg and becomes a doubles machine at 30. Matthews jumps about 50 points and becomes a doubles machine at 31! You have to assume both these guys are in for big declines moving away from Arlington ballpark. Both of the increases in their performances are attributable to the doubles production alone. Weird.

All my friends became Cardinal fans and grew up happy and liberal. I became a Cub fan and grew up imbittered and conservative." -- George Will

by wannabeGedman on Nov 14, 2006 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

2B

So it's pretty much Belliard, Kennedy, Loretta, Lugo and Durham?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it kind of a buyer's market for second basemen at this point? It seems like most teams are basically set at that position; at least enough so not to go out and buy up one of the aforementioned players

by Fitz on Nov 14, 2006 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

buyers market

i think its still a buyer's market...especially if the giants fill their opening from within as expected and the padres trade for marcus giles.

dont forget aurilia on your list.

by dmb60614 on Nov 14, 2006 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Cardinals

Lately the Cardinals 2nd baseman is like the drummer from Spinal Tap.

by Robb on Nov 14, 2006 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

Yes!

spontaneous combustion!

by hjkinboston on Nov 14, 2006 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

More like a globule, really...

I hate to say it, but a $120MM payroll and decades of #1 picks can make for a pretty good ball club. The cubs could be tough this year.

We have similar situations, both with a proven ace, a rookie with a lot of potential, and a bunch of question marks. Were also at a similar $$ level, yet were going to cap at $95MM. Its going to be very tough to be the better team on paper this year.

by Jonathan23 on Nov 14, 2006 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know

You never know - the Tigers and White Sox came out of no where, basically. The Cubs could be due. (Everyone has a bad century now and then.) But it's hard to imagine them improving the 17 games they'd have to just to replicate what the Cardinals did last year, even with a full season from Lee - and it's going to take more than 83 wins to win the Central in 2007.

Maybe it's just me having trouble taking a team with Pierre, Jones, and DeRosa all getting significant playing time seriously.

by Robb on Nov 14, 2006 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

Didn't the Cards go from

85 wins (or so) in '03 to 105 wins in '04?

Would you have thought in the offseason they would go up by 20 games?

He called fate's bluff on a cool New York night, October 19th, 2006.

by Number47 on Nov 14, 2006 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

Word

I felt much better when I knew Pierre was going to get 700 abs, when Glendon Rusch and Angel Guzman were both going to get 15 starts, etc. The cubs haven't made great signings, as they will probably over-pay for an OF & SP (and have already overpaid for Mark DeRosa), but I don't feel like they're completely blowing their money, like they have in the past.

In so many words, I don't think the Cubs will spend their money more effectively dollar-for-dollar than the birdos, but with the potential payroll gap, they won't really have to.

by Jonathan23 on Nov 14, 2006 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

03-04 Cards

The Cards went from 85 wins in 2003 to 105 wins in 2004.

But a lot of things went wrong for the Cardinals in 2003, and they still won 85 games. A lot of things went wrong for the Cubs in 2006 and they managed to lose 96 games.

A few things about that 2003 Cardinals team:

-I'm going off my basic memory since I don't know how to check past DL Stints, but I think that all of the following players missed notable amounts of time that season: JD Drew (obviously), Jason Isringhausen, Scott Rolen. I think Jim Edmonds missed a little bit of time.

-The Bullpen included Jeff Fassero, Esteban Yan, and Brett Tomko. Tino Martinez was the first baseman, and Bo Hart was the second baseman. Good grief.

- In 2003 we had 5 All Stars, 4 Gold Gloves, 2 Silver Sluggers, but didn't make the playoffs. In 2006, we had 4 All Stars, 2 Gold Gloves, and Zero Silver Sluggers, but we won the World Championship. Awards seem kind of meaningless put in that context, don't they?

by Fitz on Nov 14, 2006 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

...subject

The awards seem somewhat meaningful in this context. The '03 team with all the hardware had a better record and a better run differential than the '06 version. The '06 Cardinals don't make the playoffs in 2003, or any other year for that matter.

by Jonathan23 on Nov 14, 2006 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

Buyers or sellers?

I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I don't see much in the way of any ground breaking free agent signings by the Birds. Mostly low/mid level FA's.
The big spenders will outbid our false media driven FA prospects on just about every player.

Nuthin'....I got nuthin'over here.

by Handsome Jimmy on Nov 14, 2006 5:06 PM EST reply actions

Thats Fine

Getting big name free agents isn't Jocketty's style.

by Fitz on Nov 14, 2006 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Nixon

you guys think that Nixon may fit into the mix this year as the "injured guy trying to make a splash" They usually do this with guys and sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt...

T.Womack
J.Spivey(ick)
Speezer-wasnt he injured somewhere in between his M's reds days?
if they could co a low ball deal for nixon Id do it...he gets injured alot so maybe give incentives for games.

Kenny is a "dirt" bag?

by punchinjudy on Nov 14, 2006 5:28 PM EST reply actions

webb was a good choice

to me, carp, oswalt, webb are nearly interchangable and i would've been fine if either of them won. but hoffman? please. 04 Izzy was about as good as 06 Hoffman. I realize he hit a milestone, but how much extra points does that score someone?

"Go Crazy, Folks! Go Crazy!"

by erik on Nov 14, 2006 6:32 PM EST reply actions

Is there such thing as a team anymore?

Although I understand the power of the almighty dollar, I just don't get some players thinking in all this. I just won the WORLD SERIES with my team. Shouldn't I want to stay? This might sound weird to some but really what is the difference between 4 million and 5 million dollars? I mean you're pretty much set for life with either sum. I just don't get it. I don't know if this stat is out there or anything, but I'd be curious to see if there is a noticable slip in production from any player on a championship team that got traded to another team. Example: Say Suppan gets traded, would his ERA slip significantly? Like they're thinking "Hell with this, I just cashed in and I've already won a ring." That'd be interesting...

Here Comes the King! Here Comes the Big #1! Budweiser Beer the King is Second to None!

by OKCardsfan on Nov 14, 2006 6:41 PM EST reply actions

rumor mill...

... has Cubbies offering Soriano 17 million a year for at least 5 years. if they can get Soriano and another SP or two, they might be the team to beat in NL Central.

lineup:
Pierre
DeRosa
Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
Barrett
Jones
Cedeno
Pitcher

Rotation:
Zambrano
Prior (if healthy)
FA/Trade (Westbrook/Eaton)
Miller?
Wood? Marshall?

Bullpen:
Dempster
Howry
Eyre
Ohman
Wood?
etc.

Bench:
Murton
Izturis
Blanco
Theriot
etc.

if a few things work out, they could be tough. fortunately, they're still the Cubs, so they're still bound to lose.

by kindred on Nov 14, 2006 8:13 PM EST reply actions

This just in!!!

The Yankees trying to keep an OF away from the BOSOX have just agreed to pay me 30 mil for 2 years. I came highly touted and marketed, so they felt it was a win win...

ok thats a stretch but does anyone else think The Red Sox over bid on Matsuka or whatever his name is...great over there hey thats fine...but D.P. made a good point that Seattle paid 13 mil for Ichiro, maybe this guys cashing in on that succes...But the red sox should have consulted the Mets about over paying for "hot" unproven MLB prospects...

Kenny is a "dirt" bag?

by punchinjudy on Nov 14, 2006 8:18 PM EST reply actions

heh, team?

It's easy to say someone should stay with the Cards(Like SUppan and Weaver) instead of taking the big payday. A 25% difference in pay is pretty significant.

I'll look at it with my job. I'm a teacher. If I could make almost an additional $10,000 a year(which is close to what I'd make with a 25% raise) for jumping ship to another school where I might or might not be as happy, but I know my job will be safe for a few years and I'll be making the extra cash, you better believe I'd take the extra 25% and run.

Most of these guys only get one real chance in their careers where they can cash in for the big bucks. I'd love to see Suppan stay, but I wouldn't blame him for grabbing the biggest contract offered to him just like I didn't blame Mike Matheny for jettisoning off to San Fran.

by mtalken on Nov 14, 2006 8:49 PM EST reply actions

The Cubs...again?

The Cubs are sounding like they are serious about making some definite waves in the FA market. As much as I like to dismiss any and all Cubbie success, I have to give them an e for effort. Of course they will beat up on our team in the regular season once again, and of course finish out of the playoffs.

Nuthin'....I got nuthin'over here.

by Handsome Jimmy on Nov 14, 2006 9:07 PM EST reply actions

Matsuzaka = 51.1 MIL!

"The Boston Red Sox emerged Tuesday night as winners of the bidding for Daisuke Matsuzaka with a $51.1 million offer and have 30 days to sign the Japanese pitcher to a contract."

by Fitz on Nov 14, 2006 9:26 PM EST reply actions

Sheer insanity

by bailorg on Nov 15, 2006 1:37 AM EST up reply actions

Posting Fee

Japan's population in July was estimated at 127,463,611 people A customized replica Boston jersey goes for $99.99 If .4% of Japan's population (510,000 customers) bought a Matsuzaka jersey, it'd cover the posting fee. Dry humor doesn't work in print, so I'll point out that's meant as a joke. But Boston's famous for their bean counters (aren't they?) and a reasonable guess is they figured that between fees for televising games in Japan, merchandising, and other auxiliary forms of income from that market, they'll easily recoup that fee within the length of the contract they plan to negotiate. Matsuzaka may be a once in a generation talent, but here's hoping this isn't the way things are done from now on.

by liam on Nov 15, 2006 2:38 AM EST up reply actions

matsuzaka

I just saw a picture of him on the back of the Boston Herald, wearing a Red Sox cap and jacket. Would that be a doctored photo, or am I missing something?

by hjkinboston on Nov 15, 2006 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

never mind

Turns out it was a doctored photo. I was about to say, they still have to sign him. Weird.

by hjkinboston on Nov 15, 2006 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

DeRosa Breakdown

How does career .262/.317/.378 hitter put together a line of .296/.357/.456 in a career year?

K rate is up 2.2% over career (13 fewer balls in play, or 9 outs). His walk rate is up a measley from .7% (4 bb) over his career. His HR/Fly ball ratio is up 1.5% (3 hr).

Adjust these peripherals back into his career line and you get someone to the tune of .259/.315/.377, or slightly below (a very mediocre) career average.

So how did he make this jump without improving these peripherals? Easy shots are "hitter friendly ballpark factor", "more at bats" or "good spot in a goodlineup". The real answer is this:

Mark Derosa's 2006 Batting average on balls in play was a whopping .348! His career numbers are right around .303. A jump like this is often explained by luck, as it is said a batter can't control much beyond making contact with the ball and hitting it out of the park (we've already established it isn't additional homeruns, a slightly better hr/fly ball rate offset by a slightly lower flyball rate overall).

A regression to career norms for BABIP this year would actually put him below his career norms. His defense and versatility are a redeeming factor in this signing, but that just might make the Neifi comparisons even better.

by Jonathan23 on Nov 14, 2006 9:52 PM EST reply actions

Good Observation

I see that Wes Helms put up a .394 BABIP and the recently extended Rockie 2B, Kaz Matsui was .441 this season. Caveat emptor.

by liam on Nov 14, 2006 10:26 PM EST up reply actions

Cubs? Pashaw.

No way that Juan Pierre is a Cub if they sign Soriano. And that's alot of question marks behind Zambrano. D.GOOCH

by GOOCH24 on Nov 15, 2006 2:16 AM EST reply actions

It's wrong.

It's just flat wrong. I can't belive Carp didn't win the CY. He clearly was the best pitcher in the NL. Most will say it was a muddled group this year. But I strongly disagree. So Carp didn't have the 20+ wins he did last year. If the bullpen didn't blow 5-7 games, he would have. Then Carp gets it. One would think that the voters would be educated enough to realize this fact.

So I'm a Cardinals fan. So I am biassed. Big deal. If Webb would have done enough to earn the CY, I would have no problem saying he is the best. But he wasn't. And I won't. It's a slap in the face that Carp was 3rd in the voting. It's really shamefull that hoffman was second. just because he took aver a record most baseball "experts" don't think is a real record in the first place. Then they give him the second most votes? Unbelieveable.

Carp and all the Cardinals asked today are far more gracious in defeat that I. If I was Carp, I would have ripped the voters. He clearly got screwed.

I would say more, but it seams like no one else really cares that much here. I'm kind of surprised actually. I really thought there would be a lot more anger. I guess the World Series really melloed a lot of people. I know it did me. After the win, I didn't really watch sports for about two weeks. I didn't care to. It was great. I still am feeling the "high" I guess you can call it. It's great. Anyway, I don't care if I am the only one angry. I am. Thanks Lboros for having a place where I can vent. I tried to be civil.

The 2006 St.Louis Cardinals. WORLD CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. My Blog: And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Nov 15, 2006 4:03 AM EST reply actions

Vent away, man!!!

Although I really wanted to see Carp go back-2-back, I think Webb actually deserved it just slightly (and I mean slightly) more. Thier numbers were pretty dang similar, but Webb was pitching in front of a much worse defensive team. I have no numbers to back that up - but come on! Cards defense (especially the infield) was pretty solid as usual. Hoffman... I just don't get that at all.

On the other hand - I will be pissed if El Hombre doesn't win the MVP! Howard might've edged him out for the silver slugger because his power was pretty solid, but as far as a Valuable Player to thier respective team??? Albert wins it hands down in my book.

by ArachNerd on Nov 15, 2006 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Cubs & Free Agency

I think the Cubs will be much improved if they get Westbrook or Lee, but the key to their season is if their starters are healthy and effective. Derrek Lee being healthy certainly helps but without healthy starting pitching they'll lose 90-something games again in 2007.

Regarding the analogy about jumping ship for more $, that's reality these days. I try not to get too upset when athletes leave my teams because it's a business and that's how they look at things. It's upsetting when players you like leave for more dollars but that's just how it is. I would think players would want to stay with a team that just won a championship and where they've had success but the allure of more money and their one shot for a big contract has to outweigh returning to your team for less $.

"I only am who I am because I was born that way. I have a gift and I'm trying to not be selfish about it, but to use it, OK? Jealousy will get you nowhere!"

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Nov 15, 2006 8:11 AM EST reply actions

I agree BUT

That addition would only give them 2 major league starters. Heh.

by sdrone on Nov 15, 2006 9:09 AM EST up reply actions

Derek Lee

Will never repeat his 05 season; that was an incredible fluke. He's a .290/.350/.500 hitter, who will hit about 30-35 home runs, and they paid him like he's a .335/.420/.600 guy.

I think we'll be saying the same thing about Soriano's '06. If that is the case, I hope the cubs give him 7Y/$90M...

2006 stl cardinals - all of the glory, none of the goat hair.

by SleepyCA on Nov 15, 2006 5:03 PM EST up reply actions