Right here, right now
by chuckb on Aug 8, 2009 2:00 AM EDT
in St. Louis Cardinals News
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PrintFor one thing, aside from Franklin, only two righties have ERAs below 4.00 and one of them – Blake Hawksworth – is not very likely to get the ball in high leverage situations down the stretch. In terms of FIP, only Brad Thompson is below 4.00 and, again, he’s not the righty setup man Tony’s looking for. Jason Motte is the only righty averaging more than 7 K/9 which, in and of itself, isn’t necessarily determinative but sometimes we need those relievers to be able to get a strikeout and Thompson and Hawksworth just aren’t strikeout pitchers. Only Josh Kinney has a GB% greater than 50% and he’s currently pitching for the Memphis Redbirds. Let’s see how we stack up as a pen vis-à-vis the rest of the league.
| ERA | BB | K/9 | HR | AVG | OBP | SLG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cards’ pen | 4.06 | 124 | 7.0 | 35 | .246 | .326 | .393 |
| NL Rank | 10 | T2 | T14 | 10 | T5 | 4 | 10 |
Our bullpen FIP is about 4.50 – not very good. And that includes impressive performances so far from Franklin, Trever Miller, and Dennys Reyes (who’s been better than some here believe). Let’s look at our righthanded corps.
| ERA | BB/9 | K/9 | HR/9 | FIP | WPA | RAR | xFIP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McClellan | 3.13 | 5.09 | 6.65 | 0.59 | 4.27 | 0.59 | 0.3 | 4.83 |
| Motte | 5.26 | 3.89 | 7.78 | 1.60 | 5.11 | -0.21 | -0.4 | 4.62 |
| Kinney | 10.95 | 7.30 | 5.11 | 1.46 | 6.97 | -0.77 | -0.4 | 6.05 |
| Thompson | 4.37 | 1.19 | 3.18 | 0.40 | 3.60 | -0.30 | 1.3 | 4.77 |
| Hawksworth | 2.75 | 1.83 | 4.12 | 0.92 | 4.09 | 0.47 | 0.3 | 4.18 |
From here forward, xFIP likes Blake Hawksworth more than anyone else in our pen (from the right side, that is). That’s a little disturbing. Tony tends to turn to McClellan as the setup man from the right side but it’s somewhat confounding that his BB/9 is 2 BB/9 higher than it was last year. He’s walking more hitters and appears to be getting away with it…so far. Of course, he’s also benefiting from a .268 BABIP. Considering our lack of depth from the right side, I’m somewhat surprised the Cards didn’t claim this guy when placed on waivers by the Padres. Maybe he wasn’t worth trading for but the Yankees only gave up a PTBNL. He’s not a star but he’d likely be better than anyone else we’ve got.
The good news is that our starters have thrown more innings than any other rotation in the league (678.1 IP coming into last night) and are averaging 6.17 IP/G – first in the NL. And that’s likely to rise down the stretch since our fifth starter will only have to go 7 more times (I think) and Carpenter, Wainwright, and Pineiro will be starting a disproportionately large percentage of the remaining games. If we can get our starters into the 7th and then -- w/ the lefties and w/ Franklin in the 9th – McClellan, Motte, et al are only called upon to get a batter or two out, we might be able to survive some shaky 7th and 8th innings.
To this point, only Motte and McClellan have been trusted in leverage situations greater than 1.00 so those are the 2 Tony’s likely going to turn to when needed in the 7th and 8th. Still, the way Hawksworth’s been pitching, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him get the ball in some higher leverage situations down the stretch.
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Comments
Wait, wait, wait...
Ryan Franklin, as we’re all aware, has been terrific this year but behind him we’ve had some problems.
Excuse me? Ryan Franklin is a big bag full of suck.
V, b.
I think you'll find that chuck was being deeply sarcastic.
The numbers for Franklin were too sucky to post and so he avoided doing so.
by notmorganfreeman on Aug 8, 2009 3:22 AM EDT up reply actions
He didn't want to get us too down.
And I thank you for that chuck
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Aug 8, 2009 3:29 AM EDT up reply actions
like a plastic bag with all the suck mushed together like chicken parts?
or a paper bag with the suck sticking out like baguettes?
/Louis C.K.
But that Franklin really does suck for sure. I mean, all he’s got this year are saves, and we enlightened few at this site realize what a dubious stat that is.
he is
mechanically separated suck
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
With
ALL the flavour of 100% prime suck™
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 10, 2009 5:07 AM EDT up reply actions
he's terrific at sucking
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I was going to post the same thing.
chuckb’s credibility is shot due to nonsensical and downright incorrect statements like this. Franklin sucks!
Are you talking about the
Ryan Franklin that has 25 saves with a 1.27 era and an allowed .194 against him. It gripes my ass that in every post some people feel the need need to to post Franklin sucks! Franklin sucks! Truth is without Franklin it would be bullpen sucks! bullpen sucks!
Frankin is horrible
and I’m pretty sure he’s a Communist. Also, I have it on reasonably good authority that he’s never, ever helped a little old lady across the street.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
(Psssst....it's a ru-
…nevermind…)
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05jP8GK18Adeh/610x.jpg
by EsemplasticSaxum on Aug 8, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
maybe he doesn't read photo captions?
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
you really don't get it do you...
Read the caption on the picture in this post…
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/8/4/976255/anger-management
Maybe that will explain it better for you.
Albert Pujols is ridiculous.
We'll excuse me!!!
Thanks, but you see I have trouble reading small print and don’t take trouble often to decipher it. I wondered why these sill comments showed up every day. My error, carry on.
You have to pay close attention
to get the culture of VEB. It has its own memes.
I kind of worry that Franklin will log on here and read this stuff (even though he sucks).
Gregatron is not responsible for any of the crap he just wrote.
St. Louis vegetarian blog
This might help:
VEB Glossary, with thanks to Y2S.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Franklin would probably fall down trying to turn on a computer.
I’m surprised he can even walk from the mound to the showers.
Shut up, Fritz™.
even if he did read this, he'd get a kick out of this
I somehow don’t think you survive long in the St. Louis bullpen, or any bullpen, without being able to take a joke.
Besides, I don’t recall any meme related to Izzy gaining such mythic proportions.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Ridge has been around here
for a while.
The first thing that a pitcher has to understand is that Albert is better than you.-- Jim Palmer
Small print is conteracted by holding the control key whilst scrolling up on your mouse wheel.
It even magnifies pictures!!!
or by not being old lol
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Those numbers are wrong!
He as a 10.29 ERA, a K:BB ratio of 1:928, and has blown 25 saves. Aren’t you paying attention?
by cloistermaximus on Aug 8, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Good flick
“…And who here is the key grip? You? You! Hit that director in the face, really fucking hard!”
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 8, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
When you put 'Ryan Franklin' in the Google oracle of translation
It comes out to equate to suck in 57 languages, overrated in 32, Regressor to the Mean in 11, and when you translate it back from Original Latin, it comes to mean:
He who sucketh immensely.
People sleep peacably in their beds at night because rough men stand at the ready to do violence on their behalf--George Orwell.
i'll echo chuckb's comment about
Gaudin and note that I’m surprised at what’s gone out on the waiver wire so far. Gaudin, smoltz, rios – some interesting names.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
by tom s. on Aug 8, 2009 4:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
are we out of PTBNL?
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Mobile posting
Is a blessing and a curse
by purple_haze on Aug 8, 2009 12:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I watched Gaudin with the Cubs
He didn’t seem worth getting. He impressed for a few outings, then started downhill.
One name
Eduardo Nazareth Sanchez.
He has 44 K, 12 BB, and a 3.09 tERA for Double-A Springfield. Last night with Mo present in Springfield, he hit 99 on the stadium gun (probably was hitting more like 96,97) and he has a knee buckling breaking ball to go along with the heat. He recently replace Francisco Samuel as the team’s closer.
Methinks he could probably could help now. He struck out 6 in three scoreless the past two games, both games Mozeliak was there. I have to think that sort of performance may have struck a cord with Mo.
godfather of futureredbirds.net
a lot of the 40-man problem has been take care over the last two months. and there are still plenty of guys (stavinoha, hoffpauir (who may have been kicked-off already), thompson, scherer, thurston) that nobody’s going to miss.
St. Louis Cardinals -- 2006 World Champions
yeah, we have two slots right now.
One belongs to pagnozzi. You could promote sanchez to take the other. If you want to see craig and jay in sept you could put mather on the 60-day dl and outright stavinoha or thurston.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
by tom s. on Aug 8, 2009 2:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Is it "struck a cord"...
or “struck a chord”? I’m not nitpicking… I seriously don’t know.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
I googled it...
seems split down the middle. I would guess chord, but there might be some arcane reasoning behind cord.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
dont say that
that makes the rest of us feel worse about our own intelligence/lack there of…
R.P.O.F.Y.M.
I'm more worried about over-use of the starters
I would have liked them to stick with a five-man rotation during this lull to build in some extra time off for our big four. Granted that Carpenter and Lohse have had some time off this year, but this is a lot of innings for Carp after two years off.
And Adam throws a lot of pitches.
I think Pavano would have been a good pickup. Let’s hope the Colonel can right the ship or that Boggs/Garcia/Walters have a few good games in them.
Even better, let’s put this division away by middle of September and allow for for down-time in late September.
Just win
going to be very tough to put the division away at this point.
looks like it is going to be a fight.
Our starters should be fine. This is what a staff is supposed to do. They are used to pitching every 5 days. I see no problems with dropping down to a 4 man whenever possible. although i do think it is foolish to run Waino and carp late into games when we have big leads. That is when you can get them some rest. 80-90 pitches sometimes is good enough, we don’t have to take them up to 100+ with comfortable leads. I saw no problem running carp back out last night in a one run game, but there have been other times we have sent them back out when I would have called it a night
I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby
by hoofhearted-pujols on Aug 8, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
John Smoltz was DFA'd
Does he enough left in the tank to be a reliever?
Moz says “Right now I would say no, but things can change”
Stat Whore
Quick Look at his numbers
And it looks like he has been rather unlucky not horrible. Most of his numbers are inline or around his career numbers. Looks like he is giving up a lot of HR"s to skew his numbers, plus he has a high BABIP, and a poor LOB%. All these numbers point to small sample skewing with is relevant in his 8.33 ERA
He might retire before he goes in the bullpen but to me it seems to make sense
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I like it
The man can be simply dominant. Plus if picking him up means keeping him away from the Cubs that means even extra kudos. I like him for the bullpen though. I’ve repeatedly shared chuck’s feelings on the weakness that is our right handed relief.
You may run like Hayes, but you hit like shit.
Could do a double really
He could replace Wellemeyer on the team and then come playoff time go back to relief.
Not afraid to nitpick
Where can one find pitching stats broken out per-inning?
MLB Net was discussing Smoltz last night. They were saying that he’s been pretty effective in the early innings. Just wanted to look at some numbers, but I’m not well versed in stat hunting.
Anyway, it seems like the RedSox would have asked him about going to the bullpen. Maybe he just isn’t willing?
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Many thanks
Dunno why BR doesn’t leap to mind for me. I’ll get better at this.
I didn’t realize he’s only appeared in 8 games, sidelined in April over his barking shoulder. Small sample sizes to be sure.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
doesn't seem to be much of a discernible pattern from inning to inning
except that in general he is much better from innings 1-3 than innings 3-6. What really catches my eye is that 1) he’s getting absolutely destroyed by lefties and 2) he’s good against hitters in their first PA of the game against him. Those two stats, coupled with some of the unluckiness Flim discussed, suggest to me that he could definitely be serviceable, if not more than adequate, right handed relief. I wouldn’t want him filling Welley’s rotation spot (I like what I’ve seen from Boggs and Hawk might warrant a start soo enough) but I’d definitely take a gamble on Smoltz coming out of the pen, where we can try to mitigate his suckiness against lefties. The question, I guess, becomes whether or not he would accept such a role. That, and whether MO will change his mind and pursue him.
I don't know if I'd go w/ dominant
His K-rate right now is in the 7’s, which is good but hardly dominant in my book.
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 8, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
What's Carp's K rate?
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
Carp's game isn't mowing batters away
unless he has to, though.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Which pitcher aside from Motte
has the MO of blowing hitters away though? Smoltz is a seasoned vet and no dummy. I’m sure that if he were to get placed into a situation such as the Cards bullpen or 5th starter he would adjust.
You may run like Hayes, but you hit like shit.
As I see it...
There are different ways of being a dominant pitcher. As such, different types of pitchers have different statistics that best show their dominance. Carpenter is a sinkerballer with good breaking stuff, so FB/GB and things like that are better indicators of how good his stuff is. Smoltz, on the other hand, is a power FB/SL guy, so in my book K-rate is your best test of his “dominance.” He’s TRYING to get you to swing and miss, whether he would say that or not. He’s not getting swing-and-misses as much, and since he’s not a heavy GB guy he cannot be considered dominant with a good-not-great K-rate. I think that made sense anyway…
On a side note, I think that Smoltz has pitched a lot better than his high ERA and WHIP would indicate, and as such I hope he gets another shot with someone. His bugaboo has been the long-ball, and if he gets out of a HR-heavy park like Fenway it should help. I think he’s been such a great pitcher and competitor that I’d like to find out anyway…
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 8, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
we can send Wainwright to plead the case
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
My brain isn't working right now,
what would it cost us to get him, going thru waivers?
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 8, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
The RedSox have 10 days to work out a trade
then he’ll go on the waiver wire. If he goes on waivers, all of the AL (worst-to-first) will get a shot at him, then the NL in worst-to-first order. If he’s claimed on waivers, the new team takes on his contract.
If he clears waivers, the RedSox can release him, eat his contract and he becomes a free agent (for pro-rated league min, I think?). Or they can (attempt) to send him to the minors.
I think that more-or-less covers it. Someone smarter than me will come along and correct any grievous mistakes / fill in the gaps.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I think I heard Buster Olney
say yesterday that Smoltz might accept an assignment to the minors to work on coming back as a reliever.
Screw That
I bet he would rather be a Cardinal than be Chris Duncan’s room mate
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for that,
I don’t see how that would realistically happen since we would be one of the last ones to get a shot at him. Unless MO does an about face.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 8, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
My guess
is that he’ll clear waivers (no one will want his contract). Beyond that, I don’t know. A trade or a minor league assignment seem like stronger possibilities than releasing him outright.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
It takes 7 days to clear waivers
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
sox would be on the hook for the contact
the team picking him up would owe him league minimum.
See Lugo, Julio
R.P.O.F.Y.M.
not necessarily
if that’s the way they work it out, then yes
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
We could offer up something in the way of minor league talent
and see if the Sox will eat the rest of his contract, like they did with Lugo.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 10, 2009 5:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I am assuming that he just clears waivers
He makes a lot of money still and has a lot of options still remaining
Smoltz’s Contract
1 year/$5.5M (2009)
signed by Boston as a free agent 1/13/09
$5.5M in bonuses based on days on active 25-man roster:
$125,000 for his first day
$ 35,000 per day, June 1 – Oct. 3
$500,000 for Oct. 4
award bonuses
$0.5M assignment bonus if traded
DFA by Boston 8/7/09
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Well damn,
I wonder if the old boy will give us a discount if we get him into the WS again. He makes pretty good bank yet, don’t he?
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 8, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Does that mean there will be six of them?
Or is first one to six HRs?
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 8, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
At T. R. Hughes?
That tiny place will be overrun (~4000 capacity).
For the curious: Dimensions: LF: 320 CF: 382 RF: 299
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Like the Ark of the Covenant
So beautiful, that if you looked at it your face would melt then your head would explode.
by cloistermaximus on Aug 8, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
he was not wearing his stirrups
So maybe your head wouldn’t explode.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I'll pick up the slack for these wiseasses
Looked fine in the field, made a nice Boog-esque play. Grounded out every time at the plate.
by Andyfantastic on Aug 8, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
The Cards bullpen scares the pee out of me
Franklin has truly been excellent, but he’s also been the beneficiary of some BABIP luck and doesn’t really miss enough bats to make me feel completely comfortable with the guy. K-Mac has pitched way worse than his numbers indicate, and Motte is such an odd case that I don’t ever feel good with him in the game. That leaves Puppy Kicker, The Hawk, and The Colonel (The Private now?). The Hawk, IMO, has done well enough to warrant a high-leverage situation trial, but that won’t happen b/c he needs to be protected and shielded from evil pressure situations or something (drats on you, TLR!). I’d rather gouge out my own eyeballs than see PK or The INSERT MILITARY RANK pitching in a leverage situation. I would hate to see this team fall by the wayside AGAIN this season b/c they can’t hold a lead late in a game.
On another note, I was over at MLB Trade Rumors just now and saw the Yankees “quite a few more names going through waivers now, including A.J. Burnett and Melky Cabrera.” (linkification) This, along with Robinson Cano who already cleared. Burnett’s FIP is up b/c of a dramatic spike in BB rate, but this seems a bit soon to be running him through waivers to me. Maybe they think he’s injured or just want him out of town or something? Anyway, I found that interesting.
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 8, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions
See I really don't know one way or the other
I aren’t smart.
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 8, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
It's basically no-risk, so yeah, tons of guys get put through
If good players get claimed (i.e. Burnett) then they can just pull them back.
I see...
…said the blind man…oh shut up, me!
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 8, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
That put a bunch of players
To run cover for the few guys they might actually want to trade
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Some foolish team claimed Rios
And his 60M contract. The Blue Jays would be fools if they didn’t trade him for even nothing
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
rios is actually a valuable player.
He’s not quite holliday level, but we could have gotten him apparently for nothing. Ask me I’d rather have wallace, mort, and rios for $60m or holliday alone for $80m (or $100m or whatever you think we’ll pay for him), I’d pick the former. Or imagine our team’s prospects if we’d traded for wallace for lee and then gotten rios on the waiver wire.
Wells is the blue jay with the ridiculous contract without the skill to match.
the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus
by tom s. on Aug 8, 2009 3:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You're handing a guy...
a 5/60 contract for one fluky season with the glove that’s probably just a UZR anomaly. He’s not a consistent +24 run fielder anymore than the sub-replacement level fielder he is this year.
No sane exec is handing out eight-figure contracts based on UZR. Rios isn’t injured, he hasn’t changed positions, and yet he’s gone from +25 defensive runs to -2 in a single year.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
5/60 for his prime
and he’s been a roughly +13 UZR/150 defensive outfielder on average over the last SIX years. In both CF and RF, though most of his CF time was last year.
The fact that the “fluke” year coincided with the year he spent much of his time in CF is interesting, as well.
it’s definitely risky, but imho whenever you have a chance to pick up a guy who has the ability to be a 5+ WAR player, you do it.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
5 war...
based on other-worldly defense and the ability to post an 850 ops. With merely above-average defense and a 750 ops he’s a 2 win player not worth his salary… and there’s additional down-side risk from there.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
if he had his "otherworldly defense" year
(which is a decent characterization- +23 is probably not repeatable) with half his time in CF, the same year that he had an .850ish OPS over 700 PA’s, he’d have been closer to a 7 WAR player.
He was a 4.6 WAR year player in ‘07, with what is probably about his true-talent level of defense in RF, and was 3.3 the year before, despite only getting 500 PA’s. I think, barring any revelations about steroids or injuries, that he’s a good bet to recover. Especially if a team picks him up who needs a CF.
But yeah, there’s also the chance of complete collapse. He has been hanging out with vernon wells for a couple of years, after all, and it might be contagious.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
didn't melky just hit a cycle?
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Yes
Just because you were put on waivers doesn’t mean you will be traded or even thought about being traded
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
fantastique
Some bozo has just asked about the Dominican connection to the steroids list during the Ortiz conference. Poor choice of words “many players on the list are Dominican.”
Albert’s gonna be under fire now, just wait.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
then they cut to the Home Run Derby
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Wow, how many times are they going to show that?
I’m not complaining, but they’re really getting their money’s worth out of it.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Pujols analyzing Musial's swing
is still pure gold, though.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I wish I had a recording of that
That should go in his portfolio.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Latin America is a haven more for Amphetamine's
Amphetamine’s are legal over the counter in most Latin American countries. You hear about in Latin America club houses about the normal coffee and the “Hot” coffee spiked with Amphetamine’s
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
What are the FIPs of K-Mac and Motte? My imagination or has each been in decline?
Related-unrelated – Has Barden been dropped from the 40-man roster? Maybe Sanchez moves up?
Related-unrelated – quick improvement idea – have Welly toss a high and inside pitch soon and see him suspended along with Brad – two for the price of none. Who says Selig is so bad?
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
www.fangraphs.com
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Maybe we could pick up
this guy who has been pretty lights out for the past month:
9.2 IP, 2H, 3.0K/BB, 0ER, 0HR, 11.2K/9
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
Unless you are really in love with the solo HR
I think the hole still gapes, especially when the .212BA with the .269 OBP hits in front of APu. BTW, DeRosa is also -18.1 UZR/150 at 3B for the year. I think he has taken over the team lead in futile dives from Skip Schumaker. At least he has grit and intangibles…
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
I think that's a little unfair
his BABIP with the Cardinals is .185, .127 below his career mark of .312. .127! Dude is getting absurdly unlucky. And as you alluded to, when he has hit for the Cards this season its often been a homer; He’s what, tied for 4th on the team in HRs. That said, his strikeout% is sitting around 26% right now which is way too high for my liking. But the entire reason we got him was to help us get into the playoffs this year and then win once we’re win. That HR ability—provided its coming behind Pujols, Holliday, Ludwick—is a very valuable thing.
HR's are not accounted into BABIP
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
stupid clogged bases
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Because home runs are rally killers
People sleep peacably in their beds at night because rough men stand at the ready to do violence on their behalf--George Orwell.
Doesn't matter if he's unlucky or not
in looking at the past numbers saying that “the hole still gapes.” If you’re predicting future production, one would assume it would go up…but the hole has existed since the beginning of May.
so DeRosa's Cardinal OPS is .775
what’s hilarious is that his career OPS is .772. So maybe when his home run binge ends his OBP will regress too? ;)
yeah, regress
to the mean. which is higher
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Tbh, I'll take the 8 home runs in about a month from my "gaping hole"...
TWSS.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 10, 2009 5:20 AM EDT up reply actions
DeRosa has hardly been awesome
A ton of K’s, very few BB’s, and not many hits to speak of.
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 8, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
except all the hits have been HR's
Sounds like a good number 6 guy
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
appetizer
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
hmmmmmmm
i think we’d be better off now with perez and todd instead of dero
with freeze or craig at 3rd
i’m ok with the risk trading for holliday, but i think the rosy trade was not a good one for us
"No matter where you go, there you are" Buckeroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension
If only we could get valuable players for nothing...
it would be really great.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 8, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I was advocating for a van
Raid and run.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Its great how his control and velocity have started to come back right after he left.
Its like there was a pitching coach messing with the way he threw the ball here or something…
Ya think...
Then again, is he’s not walking anybody, it’s a first in his pro career. He couldn’t find the plate in the minors, either. So could just be a lucky streak.
Do you think
we could trade a certain pitching coach with a great reputation to Cleveland for Perez back?…maybe throw in a manager.
Carlos Zambrano to the DL
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4385714
THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!
I honestly don't think that will adversely effect the Cubs.
5th starter doesn’t work out? Call up Randy Wells who magically becomes lights out. Left handed Lilly goes on the DL? Pick up Tom Gorzelanny off the scrap heap and Rothchild fixes him and he throws a 2 hit game. Dempster stubs his toe? Have Kevin Hart make a spot start and only five up 1-run over 7 innings. Clutch 3rd basemen loses his arm? Call up Jake Fox and watch the home runs fly.
Seriously—The Cubs have had a ton of injuries, but everybody they call into to replace the injured somehow out-perform the people they replace. I fully expect Stevens to throw a no-hitter in his first start spelling Zambrano.
by cloistermaximus on Aug 8, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
He'll only miss one start...
if I’m reading things right. They’ll go with Gorzelanny and Marshall for the next 10 days. They’ve got a tough week coming up… three more in Denver, then Happ, Cliff Lee, and Blanton.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
Tonight's lineup via FSN tweet
Schumaker 2B
Rasmus CF
Pujols 1B
Holliday LF
Ludwick RF
DeRosa 3B
Molina C
Lugo SS
Wainwright P
....my quick smells like french toast...
hey kids
I’m going to be at the KC game tonight. Oakland is coming to town and tonight’s starter is none other than….Clayton Mortensen. If I get a chance (and I’m not too hammered before the game to see straight) I’ll try to post some observations later tonight, or maybe during tomorrow’s thread.
Anything I should be looking for?
A tremendous number of Royals walking to first base...
and KC doesn’t walk much.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
and I completely overlooked
that Greinke is starting for the Royals tonight. Cool.
(Sucks for Mort, though….welcome to the big leagues, eh?)
a little stat talk
This is way OT, but i thought was interesting:
There are only two players out of the top 35 (ranked by wOBA) that have batting averages higher than their BABIP. One is Adrian Gonzalez who has a 0.250 BA and a 0.242 BABIP. The other is Albert who has a 0.327 BA, and a 0.294 BABIP…
My assumption is that this means that those two hitters both have batting averages on balls not put in play (which I think is just K’s and HR’s, not sure about Foul outs…) ABOVE their normal batting averages.
In Gonzalez’s case, that might not be so hard since his BA and BABIP are both very low and his difference is quite small. But for Albert the difference is enormous and he has a high average…
Another note: I find it kind of sad that we may miss out on Albert winning the triple crown purely because of a bad luck season… his career BABIP is 0.322, if he had that BABIP instead of his current 0.294, he’d have a BA of 0.349 good for the NL lead.
Final thing… how the heck does David Wright have a BABIP of 0.424, he is a full 31 points of Ichiro, who is only 5 points ahead of the next guy. Somehow Wright has managed to run away with the BABIP crown!
Albert
may be having some bad luck, but he’s also hitting more HRs. This partially explains the low BABIP.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
And he's hitting more flyballs than usual, in general
they have a lower BABIP than GB and LD, so that probably explains it. I don’t think he’s necessarily being unlucky on balls in play. He’s just traded some singles for dingers & outs.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 10, 2009 5:27 AM EDT up reply actions
and sac flies, also
SF don’t count against your batting average, but they do hurt your BABIP. Foul balls do count against both, though.
Albert’s BABIP is low because a large percentage of the line drives he hits leave the ballpark, so they are removed from BABIP. LD’s go for hits 70% of the time for the average player.
The key to having a BA > BABIP is to hit a lot of home runs, hit a lot of sac flies, and not strike out much.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
Clayton Mortenson...
starting for A’s today
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Aug 8, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions
The good news?
Carp pulled to within 1 of the NL lead in Wins.
The bad news?
Carp fell to 3rd in the NL in ERA.
gonna be 2 away after tonight
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
hopefully behind both
Wainwright AND Marquis (vs. cubs)
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Aug 8, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Third?
What a wuss. DFA!
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 8, 2009 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Clay Buccholz...
looks like Jim Carey on a hunger strike. It just takes too much effort to get the ball to the plate.
In other news, Youky makes Duncan look graceful. Yikes…
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
Poor Josh Hamilton
the guy is a recovering alcoholic, falls off the wagon and people take great joy out of it because he puts his spirituality out on full display.
just saw the photos...
yikes…for most of us non-millionaires those photos would mean divorce.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Aug 8, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Licking whipped cream
off a waitress.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
And
women doing body shots off him
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring" -Rogers Hornsby
And clothed simulated sex.
I’d kill my husband.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
I don't think you marry Hamilton...
unless you’re attracted to the bad boy stuff on some level.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
My husband is a
reformed bad boy. So, I understand what you’re saying. But he was thisclose to losing his family once before.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
Maybe not if your wife already stuck with you
through massive addiction to alcohol and drugs.
Apparently he was so drunk he couldn’t remember what happened or how he got where he was.
by Hardcore Legend on Aug 8, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
funny, i can't picture that excuse working for me
“honey, you can’t blame me, i was too drunk to know what I was doing”!?!
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
It's all an expectations game...
fail catastrophically and you can’t help but go on a winning streak.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
subject:
In all seriousness, however, this is something he’s going to be fighting his whole life. He says he told his wife and counselor as soon as it happened, so there’s gonna be more forgiveness there than if he hadn’t told her. He’s come a long way from where he used to be, though.
The first thing that a pitcher has to understand is that Albert is better than you.-- Jim Palmer
aj has killed deadspin. i hardly even read it anymore. it's a joke
i have no problem with him “reporting” this, but i do have a big problem with how he did it & what he’s said while doing it.
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
I might believe A-Rod...
got hit in the shoulder there, but then he points to the wrong shoulder.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
by the way
re: the title of this post, am I supposed to get Van Hagar or Jesus Jones stuck in my head?
I keep thinking
about Crystal Clear Pepsi.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
Or...
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Waivers
if a player is in the AL and is put on waivers, he has to pass through the AL first and then the NL, right?
correct
worst to first in the league that the player resides then to the other league
....my quick smells like french toast...
Luke Gregerson
Wish he was still around…
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4090&position=P
"I will grow a mustache bigger than Wyatt Earp's if we keep winning," - Adam Wainwright
by Beware the Molinas on Aug 8, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions
at least
we got a great return on him !!!!!111
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
well
it seemed like a gamble worth taking. i wouldn’t go much further than that
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Luke Gregerson was my prospect of choice this winter
He breaks my heart like Todd did
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 8, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
fucking why?
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
one last hoo-ha
before we dfa him?
one can dream
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
why GOB why
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.
On second thought, just get me a whiskey.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 8, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Screw both coaches
and screw the GM if he isn’t willing to take these matches away from them.
by Hardcore Legend on Aug 8, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem with both coaches is simple, neither will ever adapt
They expect the world to bend to them. In this case they see something in Welly, so they just expect if they keep trying him it will happen. See also: Mark Mulder and Kip Wells.
Jason Isringhausen's charred remains
Chris Duncan’s limping body
Rick Ankiel’s blind squirrelishness.
by Hardcore Legend on Aug 8, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Micheal wiener wow
is there a union chief who doesnt look like a scumbag? And does anyone buy the whole “i bought stuff over the counter” i think it’s been played..
If you’re a pro stay away from GNC…really not that hard..
I can't believe i gave up a homerun to that punch and judy hitter-major league 2
Max Muscle
just discovered that one of their best-selling product lines has steroids in it. It is a problem because supplements are largely unregulated.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
yeah, and they know that now
that fact wasn’t so well publicized in 2003.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
precursers are a big deal though
and that has been around a bit. My point is how many times have we heard the “i didnt know” Jayson Taylor, Pujols and many others go through extensive research…Maybe the MLBPA isnt as good as NFLPA..When merriman was busted J.T. ousted him saying that the NFL basically gives you a huge list..sorry at this point I think they’d be more careful..but again we are talking about 03..
I can't believe i gave up a homerun to that punch and judy hitter-major league 2
I did an art show last night
and a Cardinals fan showed up. awesome.
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 8, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
you love it
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 8, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, it's sweet
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Boog sez
he feels great and he’s ready to go off the bench / for a double switch.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
Boog!
Talkin’ to Shannon.
I want the ball. I want the ball. That’s where the fun’s at!
We know, Boog. We know.
He’d like to be at shortstop for many years to come.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
gotten more chances to flash the glove
and play all over the place. Still “soaking it up” from all the other guys, in terms of his game.
Boooooog.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
and he was genuinely grateful when Shannon said he'd blossomed this year
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Carp likes Wainer's mind and will to win
He likes the preparation and how much he wants it.
Carp had a locker next to him in ’04 and saw him grow up to be a man in his own image. Okay, I made that one up.
Stache talk! “When we started it, we played some really bad baseball…”
Somebody at the starter table yelled out ‘mustache’. They jumped on the bandwagon, killed for about six games. Then they stunk again and everyone jumped off. “Me and Joel and a few others are still rockin’ it.”
Wainer wants to close out a World Series … as a starter.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
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