The St. Louis Lineup and ZiPS
by DanUpBaby on Jan 29, 2010 12:48 PM EST
371 comments
ZiPS projections for the 2010 season have been out a few days, now, so you probably already have a rough understanding of the lineup, but sometimes these things look clearest when laid out in a more familiar format. Here, then, is the lineup, as I understand it:
| Name | POS | AVG | OBP | SLG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | OPS+ | |
| 1 | Skip Schumaker | 2B | .299 | .355 | .404 | 145 | 488 | 75 | 146 | 27 | 3 | 6 | 49 | 42 | 64 | 103 |
| 2 | Colby Rasmus | CF | .260 | .327 | .411 | 138 | 489 | 74 | 127 | 25 | 2 | 15 | 65 | 46 | 105 | 97 |
| 3 | Albert Pujols | 1B | .333 | .442 | .635 | 149 | 531 | 109 | 177 | 38 | 1 | 40 | 138 | 102 | 60 | 185 |
| 4 | Matt Holliday | LF | .308 | .387 | .528 | 142 | 562 | 104 | 173 | 38 | 4 | 26 | 125 | 66 | 112 | 143 |
| 5 | Ryan Ludwick | RF | .282 | .348 | .511 | 138 | 468 | 74 | 132 | 27 | 1 | 26 | 97 | 43 | 114 | 127 |
| 6 | Yadier Molina | C | .289 | .352 | .389 | 133 | 460 | 42 | 133 | 23 | 1 | 7 | 63 | 42 | 42 | 99 |
| 7 | David Freese | 3B | .265 | .326 | .429 | 105 | 389 | 57 | 103 | 21 | 2 | 13 | 66 | 33 | 92 | 101 |
| 8 | Brendan Ryan | SS | .274 | .326 | .372 | 122 | 387 | 59 | 106 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 37 | 27 | 59 | 87 |
The changes from 2009 are mostly good ones; among other things Yadier Molina's newfound on-base talent finally shows itself, after a two year delay, in the projections. That season from Ryan Ludwick would be especially welcome—twenty points of batting average and 15 extra base hits are the difference between a passable solution in the outfield and a difference-making one. Otherwise it is mostly holding steady or incremental improvement all around, with the exception of Brendan Ryan—who did, in ZiPS's defense, hit .244/.307/.289 in half a season in 2008.
This lineup resembles all Cardinals lineups of late, surrounding Albert Pujols with a bunch of guys who are or are nearly average hitters, but this is, it seems to me, a better version than the 2009 edition. Certainly Matt Holliday as a second focal point helps—there was a time, on July 1 of last year, when Skip Schumaker was arguably the second best hitter on the team. But David Freese and Troy Glaus falling out of commission, and the shortstop situation failing to resolve itself until relatively late in the season, left two holes in their basically average armor.
Laid out like this I can understand the worries about depth that have cropped up—the ones after the worries about pitching depth burn themselves out, I mean. When the team is built on average play all around there are a lot of relatively important players to miss, and when there are no obvious holes at the start of the year the whole team looks wider and shallower. Last year the Cardinals had to lose two third basemen to end up in a sinkhole and they still managed it; this year there's no David Freese behind David Freese.
But perhaps my favorite part of the ZiPS report is the optimistic projections for some of the teams' bench and minor league pieces. Allen Craig (.279/.330/.434) ends up looking a lot like the bad version of Ryan Ludwick, which the Cardinals sent out last year, and Jon Jay (.276/.329/.388) is a reasonable facsimile of last year's Colby Rasmus; Ruben Gotay (.246/.346/.376) and Daniel Descalso (.266/.326/.393) are more appealing replacements at third and second than Joe Thurston proved to be last year. At catcher, where Bryan Anderson is no sure thing on defense and in the eyes of La Russa, there is no great fit, but that is the Jason LaRue tax they must pay. (And ZiPS hates Tyler Greene, who just edges out Matt Pagnozzi in the worst-projection derby, but I'll take the over on that.)
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Nice write up, Dan.
If Clobby can outperform his projection, I think this team becomes a monster.
* is an Asshat
Also, Dave Concepcion.
one of these days
i’m gonna put up a fanpost comparing the phillies to the cards. probably not as big of a gap as most would think
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Don't forget the Rockies
They’ve got a pretty decent lineup too, except for the Deer Meat Hunter.
"Haywood leads the league in all offensive categories, including nose hair. When this guy sneezes, he looks like a party favor." - Harry Doyle
by Futility Infielder on Jan 29, 2010 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
The Rockies have young outfielders coming out of their ears
Smith, Gonzalez, and Fowler will once again be competing for the LF/CF playing time, it seems.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
Tulo is an absolute stud
and Iannetta/Stewart should keep getting better too. If they were to sign a guy like Felipe Lopez to play 2B, they’d 6-7 guys with 20+ HR power.
"Haywood leads the league in all offensive categories, including nose hair. When this guy sneezes, he looks like a party favor." - Harry Doyle
by Futility Infielder on Jan 29, 2010 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
They have an offer in to Orlando Cabrera, supposedly
I imagine to play 2B.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
They already have 6-7 guys
but I imagine Barmes .300 OBA can be improved on, their rotation could use an inning eater but they seem pretty balanced to me
Good stuff, Dan.
Our offense does look pretty solid, if not overly awe-inspiring (Pujols excepted, of course). I am worried about our lack of much depth as well. The Mets starting 8 looked pretty good at the start of last year too…. If we can stay healthy, this should be a pretty fun season to watch.
Albertofstan.
F* Yeah!
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jan 29, 2010 1:04 PM EST reply actions
I really like that lineup
especially when compared to how we started out last year, wow, that’s a big improvement! I think our bench will be a lot better too, the offense should be a lot more fun to watch in 2010
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 1:11 PM EST reply actions
What exactly...
Leads you to believe our bench will be better at this point in time? Lugo? Cuz that’s what we have. Craig is supposed to be able to hit, but there will most likely be an adjustment period. Also, he’s not going to be in the lineup everyday so that adjustment period could last for a while. Greene is not a hitter, he’s a defender. Ruben Gotay? To me, our bench clearly needs help. The only semi-proven hitter we have is Lugo.
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
Allen Craig had no problem in the minors hitting
he was well above average. so I think he’ll at least be decent at first. Lugo is a good hitter. our bench last year was not very good, so it shouldn’t be too hard to be better
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Being better...
Than last year does not mean we will have a good bench. Our bench was pathetic last year. If you ranked all the benches in the league, this years bench could probably finish 24th and still be better than last year. Would you call that a good bench?
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
+1
Lopez + Baldelli – Ank = a real bench
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
Amen..
Lopez and Baldelli is the tune I’ve been singing as well. Versatility with a lil pop. That is bench that could do some things. Not the “Oh hell, who’s coming up to lose the game this time?” we’ve been seeing for a while now.
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
well that's the feeling i've been getting with the 'pen
more than the bench, so if it was a choice between Baldelli and another ROOGY, i think i’d take the ROOGY.
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 1:51 PM EST up reply actions
I would like another reliever as well..
But Bernie said Moz told him we’re done signing pitchers. So I’m resigning myself to chirping for bench additions.
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
Bernie also said he wasn't going to have that last piece of pizza
that he was going to wrap it up and take it into work the next day for lunch. But we all know what happened at midnight.
by mattyp on Jan 29, 2010 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
haha
rec’d
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
would lopez sign for a non-starting position
after his good year last year?
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
I believe he would get a decent amount of AB's...
He would basically be the super-sub on the team. A winning team and possible title contender.
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
I'm not sure if he would see it that way
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
i think if he comes to St. Louis
the 3B job will be his to lose.
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
that's my guess, as well.
we aren’t going to sign him to be a super-sub for the kind of money he’ll likely want/get.
"I knew they were up to shenanigans." --TLR
Don't forget the horrendous bout of DunKs that beset the team early on. That minus is a definite plus
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
duncan went .304/.417/.522 in April
Wheels came off in May, though.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
Lugo is a good hitter.
OH OH OH! I spotted the deliberate mistake! Do I get a cookie?
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:08 AM EST up reply actions
your semi-proven hitter has a projected wOBA of .314 by CHONE.
by contrast -
gotay: .329
craig: .348
"It doesn't have to be terribly prolific! Just so that it isn't childish and silly." She reflected. "I prefer stories about squalor." J.D.S.
Just an idea
I really don’t like Rasmus slotted in the 2 spot. That said, our most prototypical 2 hitter is leading off in this lineup. If Rasmus and Skip really are going to hit 1 and 2 in this lineup, why not flip them? Pros: Rasmus has more tools that equate with a leadoff hitter once on base (read: speed) and we still get the advantage of Skip’s OBP directly in front of AP. Con: Rasmus probably hits into fewer rally-killing double plays in front of AP than the ground-ball-happy Schumacker would.
Other than our clear lack of a 2 hitter, I really like this offense.
Idea #2: Hit Luddy 2 and move Rasmus/Freese/Molina to 5.
I keep thinking
TLR is going to decide he doesn’t like having his two lefty regulars batting consecutively. I imagine, since he seems comfortable w/ Skip as leadoff, that he’ll tinker with Rasmus’ spot in the lineup.
another reason to sign floppy
he’d be great in the 2-hole, and rasmus can bat sixth, where he should be.
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 1:32 PM EST up reply actions
Yes...
Sign floopy. Sign Baldelli. Reed Johnson? Crede?? Sign someone…
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
if they sign Reed Johnson or Joe Crede
I will literally puke. Literally. And while I have always like Baldelli, I just don’t think the Cards can waste money on signing anyone else based on the hope the ha can maybe, possibly, get back to a form he hasn’t been at in 3 or 4 seasons. And Rocco isn’t exactly a high OBP guy either.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Crede would be great...
…at least for teaching our guys how to roll their pant-legs up and how to apply ice to their backs. Other than that though… ehh…
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jan 29, 2010 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
I don't really like the idea of signing Crede either...
Just saying we could use a little depth a third is all.
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
at
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
We currently have 4 guys on this team that can play 3B
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
Who else can play third besides Lugo and Freese?
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
OK. That's my point.
How about someone else on the team that CAN and actually WILL play 3rd? If Freese sucks we don’t really have another option
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
If you look at Craigs TZR numbers from the minors at 3B
He would probably only be slightly below average
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
I can live with that...
I was just under the impression we had no backup plan for 3rd.
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
Do I dare get excited about Craig?
I thought he was outfielder and that was all. With suspect defense.
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
for some reason
everyone seems to have this impression. i did too until someone corrected me. i think the FO is running a propaganda campaign!
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
there's some typecasting involved
to say he can’t play third, because his numbers make him adequate, and easily so if he hits as he should/can.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Well, I guess time will tell...
Although, now you can mark my box as interested to see what the kid can do.
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
There's always that guy who plays at the other corner
what was his name again? I think he played 3rd once upon a time…King something, or Prince something, or The something…man, my memory ain’t what it used to be.
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 29, 2010 7:05 PM EST up reply actions
i suspect all of these
could out-perform Mr. DeRosa, who managed to post a -2.0 UZR during his time with us
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
SSS = Short! Short! Short!
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:12 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It's not like any one lineup
is going to be used more than 5 – 10 times throughout the season anyway.
* is an Asshat
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I just wonder
how many different lineups we will see this year… 120? might be a conservative estimate
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
having two names in ink
instead of just one, should decrease the number of lineups…I would think
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Sounds like TLR's kind of challenge
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 29, 2010 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
don't forward today's VEB comments to Tony, Mo!
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
i can see tony sitting there
“i’ll show this regalia guy. who the f is regalia, anyway. i am the manager of one mr. albert pujols!”
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Oh no doubt
Rasmus definitely shouldn’t be hitting second.
by vivaelpujols on Jan 30, 2010 1:32 AM EST up reply actions
anybody know
how many runs a lineup of eight 100 OPS+ guys and a pitcher would be expected to score per game?
whatever league average is minus a few points?
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
man if this line up
performs they way its projected….dayaaaaaaaamnnn….just, wow those projections are pretty good
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
am i the only one who thinks that's a generous projection for luddy?
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
no
i think its fairly generous as well and its almost 600 runs of offense not including runs for the pitchers
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
just a little
but he did hit 37 homers in ’08… 25 seems doable
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
doable, yes
i like being generous before the season starts, but it won’t take long for us to find out which version of Ryan Ludwick we’re going to get
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
You never know
Didn’t Ludwick win player of the month at some point last year?
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
after some altercation with luggage
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
I'm curious what you mean by...
“won’t take long”?
At the end of April last year he was OPSing .883. When he went out on May 12 he was still at .877. In other words it took a month and a half for him to turn into a pumpkin last year. He also OPS’d .966 in July and .814 in September.
If you see a guy open the car door for his girlfriend, either the car is new or the girlfriend is.
that's not too long, really
i was thinking end of may, not the start of intrasquad games
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
he had around 25 homers last year
or maybe my memory is not correct
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
he had a few niggling injuries
no surprise there, but i could envision that affecting him some mentally, considering his history. to me he often seemed bummed-out.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
that's because he was in constant fear of being luggaged again.
"I knew they were up to shenanigans." --TLR
lud is to carp
as puppies are to…
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
it's possible he was blindsided by losing Chris Duncan
his spirits seemed higher after he was sold to a primary schooler for a game of kickball. our true worry is his secret dream to form a kickball league.
"It was like two ankles." 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
It's bullish, but I do think his power is real.
The dude’s ISO’s have always been pretty good. Hopefully McGwire can talk him into swinging at less shit.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jan 29, 2010 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
in 539 PAs, which is what Ludwick had last year
the difference between a .775 OPS and an .859 OPS is 5 singles, 5 doubles, and 3 home runs over the course of a season.
That’s extremely do-able.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
yeah
especially as he was rocking a pretty miserable BABIP last season…
He’s definitely a true-talent .800+ OPS guy.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:15 AM EST up reply actions
That 3-Headed Hydra...
of Pujols, Holiday, and Ludwick looks REALLY good – MP3 mark II anyone??
:=8D
Add in excellent D from the likes of Moolina, Colby, Boog, and (probably) Tasty, and I have to say I am feeling pretty good about our chances. I am still a wee bit cowcerned about lefties – here is where additional bench help will really make a difference, exp in the form of a 4th OF. With Edmonds off the board and Craig Allen Allen Craig etc seemingly cowspicuous in his absence, who will man that 4th of glove? Baldelli? (PLEASE, so I can call him Baldy!), Reed Johnson (yawn…), Gabe Gross, Mark Kotsay – maybe even (SHUDDER) Garret Anderson??? And I’d still feel happier with 1 moore arm.
But overall, I like these projections – except I hope Tasty gives us moore than 105 games at third.
:=8)
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
I've been waiting for a better version of MP3s to come out
j/k
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
I still have no clue, other than bad memories of Dunc, Ank and the boys in 2009, why people are saying this:
I am still a wee bit cowcerned about lefties
We should do just fine against lefties. Although Rasmus should be worse against them, and Luddy has a reverse split for his career, the entire rest of the lineup (if you sub in Lugo for Schu) should be as good or better against lefties than against righties. I think we’ll be fine (if anything, we lack a lefty bat off the bench).
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:17 AM EST up reply actions
yeah
I can’t wait to see how this team does… CAN’T FRIGGIN WAIT!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
i'm just ready for summer generally
ready to stop all this sneezing and wretching
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
*fixed
ready to stop all this sneezing andwretchingretching
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 29, 2010 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
man it's so bad here
it’s been warm and windy and the cedar pollen count is through the roof
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
ha
where are you?
i’m in new orleans – no cedar pollen in the air that i know of, just a few random bullets.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i seem to recall that now.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
lots of dingers
did someone tell ZIPS we have a new batting coach?
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
plus I think it's a little conservative w/r/t Clobby
If he doesn’t hit more than 15 dingers I’ll eat a whole Straussian unicorn
that would almost be worth seeing.
almost.
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
MOAR DINGERS!! lol
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
Colby won't hit a single dinger next year
unless he unveils his thus far unseen switch-hitting skillz.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:18 AM EST up reply actions
Current Roster
1B: Pujols
2B: Schumaker
SS: Ryan
3B: Freese
LF: Holliday
CF: Rasmus
RF: Ludwick
C: Molina
Bench
Lugo
Gotay
Craig
LaRue
Jay
Rotation
Carp
Waino
Penny
Lohse
Hill/Garcia
Bullpen
Franklin
Motte
McCellan
Reyes
Miller
Boggs
Hawksworth
Right now as I see it. This is our current roster. If you could replace any of these people who would you replace?
I'd love a more dependable 5th starter
Rich Hill slotted as our #5 scares the shiznat out of me.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
I am actually sort of excited to see how it pans out
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
the immortal words of dr. frankenstein
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Probably my favorite classic book of all time.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
The Time Machine by HG Wells is also quite good
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 29, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
I liked Time Machine as well.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Then you lose. . .
Dracula is far, far better than Frankenstein, wich was, frankly, quite dry and boring, IMHO.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jan 29, 2010 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
I really do disagree
I really can’t remember Dracula, might have to reread that, but Frankenstein was fascinating to me at any rate.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Dracula was. . .
absolutely terrifying.
I just couldn’t get into Frankenstein. It’s like it was written by a teen-aged girl or something. Oh, wait. . .
Yes, I’m aware of the controversy over whether Mary Shelley actually wrote the book.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jan 29, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
I am aware of that also
Nice teenage girl reference at any rate ;)
I am not sure what to make of Percy Shelley. There was a book out where the author compared the book written by just Mary Shelley and the book written by both Shelleys. He said that Percy made many parts better, but horribly screwed up some parts. Don’t really know what to make of that, but there ya go.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
I hated Frankenstein.
Dry and boring are perfect words to describe it.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Pride and Prejudice
just because.
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 29, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
The Great Gatsby.
And if that’s too new to fit into this discussion, A Tale of Two Cities.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I hated Great Expectations,
but I loved A Tale of Two Cities.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I loved it.
I think Faulkner is the only “classical” author I don’t like. I failed an English class sophomore year in college after equating Faulkner to a soap opera writer. My professor HATED me after that.
Faulkner is just kind of confusing.
But I actually kind of like The Sound and the Fury. Even if I’m not entirely sure if I know what happened or not.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
it took me like 6 weeks to
read A Light in August. Boorrrring. Although I guess my take on Faulkner is probably like Bob Dylan’s (From Chronicles Vol. 1 – def recommend that one): I know he’s doing something really great, I guess I’m just not smart enough to get it. Which is odd, because Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who considered Faulkner his mentor, is probably my favorite author ever, and 100 Years of Solitude possibly my favorite novel ever.
i like him pretty much
and also vargas llosa (if it’s two l’s – i have an aversion to l’s from this place)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'm sorry.
My Ed Psych teacher also hated the Great Gatsby so his English teacher told him he could Read Catcher in the Rye instead, which he loved. And if I recall correctly you also liked that book so maybe that has something to do with it.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
i just could never finish the Great Gatsby
Didn’t like the writing style at all.
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah.
I can see how people wouldn’t like it but I love it. All of the symbolism and language is wonderful.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
i like both, so that may not be it
i prefer a couple other fitzgerald books to gatsby, though
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
one novel
tender is the night – maybe it’s the name dick diver and my familiarity with all the locales, but i liked it more than gatsby.
any book of his short stories – here again, i prefer almost anyone’s short stories.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Maybe I do too, now that I think about it
After all, I like Dubliners far more than any James Joyce novel.
Obviously I wasn't sying you couldn't like both.
But maybe it has to do with their specific styles and likes/dislikes. Not that you can only like one or the other.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
I hate Dickens
but a Christmas Carol is one of my favourite things ever. I like literally nothing else he ever wrote. Weird.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:19 AM EST up reply actions
great gatsby is great
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Jan 29, 2010 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
sad catcher is sad.
I'm living in an age that calls darkness light...
by spants on Jan 29, 2010 9:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I wanted to burn Pride and Prejudice after I read it.
I seriously don’t get how the book is so good. You have only 2(Darcy, Elizabeth) characters that are at least worth discussing, and the rest of them you are supposed to love or hate.
Also, I am not one to enjoy reading about rich people and their problems.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
i would too
if the alternatives weren’t so unpredictable
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
Looking at the Bench
Lugo – Can play SS/2B/3B. He is about as good against LHP vs RHP. He is a solid backup MIF especially for lg Min
Gotay – Like Lugo can play SS/2B/3B but he seems to be even worst on D than Lugo. Even though he is a switch hitter. He has terrible splits vs LHP
Craig – Can play 1B/3B/LF. He is currently the best bat we have off the bench
Jay – Plus defense in all 3 OF positions. Currently only backup for CF (I don’t count Ludwick)
LaRue – Backup C
I have the least amount of faith in Gotay even though most projections seem to like his OBP. Seems to much like Lugo. Jay bat is probably not good enough to play in the majors yet. His glove is though. Would probably be the fastest guy on the team though.
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
If I could get rid of anyone and sign one more player
It would be Russell Branyan. CHONE has him as a .247/.338/.503 hitter. Easily the best hitter remaining on the market. Can also play 1B/3B/OF. Now I am not sure he would want to come back to the Cardinals to take a non starting role.
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
jay is faster than colby?
i don’t dispute it, just that his speed never stood out to me.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
He has been a +15 to +25/150 CFer the last 2 years
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
isn't there an MLE that needs to be performed on minor league defensive numbers?
I don’t remember what it is, just that one apparently exists.
On infielders yes
But on OFer’s the numbers pretty much stay true from the minors to the majors
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
hollywood wasn't fast, though
i was talking pure foot speed, on the basepaths.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
LaRussa would never do that
and leave himself with one catcher.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
Good thing we have Freese to be the third catcher
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
You guys have lost me on Gotay
Tyler Green bats right, correct? So it’s not him . Who is it?
Allen Craig adopted a pseudonym
trying to get some notice
Albertofstan.
F* Yeah!
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jan 29, 2010 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
Backup CF
Don’t forget Skip as a backup CF option. I’d like to see Jay make the squad, but if they had to, they could get by with Ludwick and Skip as the backups for a short stretch. That’s probably not a good idea for more than a few weeks, though.
by southsidepat on Jan 29, 2010 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
McClellan and Boggs
with Kiko and Perez.
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Gotay for Floppy
I think bringing in Lopez is the best way to go. I’d love to see him in the 2 hole on a nearly everday basis, platooning with both Freese and Schumaker.
I’d love to have a LH bat like Branyan, Blalock, or Gross (meh on Gross), but there just isn’t the room, as I’d rather have Jay’s defense on the bench and Craig’s bat finally on the bench.
I know the chances are slim, but could the Card’s convince Hudson to platoon full time between 2nd and 3rd? That would be ideal IMO, but not likely at all.
Gotay and way don't rhyme
Not to rain on your parade or anything.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
I'm not your jerk, buddy.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
by mojowo11 on Jan 29, 2010 7:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
gotay = lugo
only need one and floppy better than either
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
yeah
I much prefer Greene on the bench. At least he’s got a competent MIF glove, and I suspect his bat may end up being better than Gotay’s.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:23 AM EST up reply actions
Not ready to Jay as our lefty 4th/5th OF
He is one of the funniest-looking dudes ever, and I’d rather have at least one proven lefty on the bench. The problem is finding someone who can also play CF, as Jay apparently can.
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 29, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
If Smoltz and Pedro are asking for about the same amount ($5 mil?)
who would you rather have, if MO could convince DeWallet to open up one more time?
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 29, 2010 7:27 PM EST up reply actions
Okay, now let's say
they decide on Martinez over Smoltz, and he actually signs with us instead of Philly. After all recriminations get documented here, could you be happy with Martinez in the rotation?
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 29, 2010 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
instead of smoltz, no.
over anyone we currently employ, the k-macs and hill etc., yes.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Both were unlucky on BABIP,
but Smoltz had worse luck. (Or maybe not luck, according to some.)
Pedro has a better BB/9, Smoltz a better K/9.
Pedro’s LOB% was 23 points higher than Smoltz.
Smoltz’s FIP was 3.87, Pedro’s was 4.28.
Every projection has Smoltz better going forward. So, yeah. Pedro would be disappointing compared to Smoltz.
I'm living in an age that calls darkness light...
it's smoltz k ability i like
for, eventually, the pen.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Closer?
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 29, 2010 8:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
you got it, jd
i’ve always been on your side there.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
How about we sign both
And they can split the 5th starter spot. Each gets half the season as the 5th starter while the other goes to the bullpen.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
Telling John Smoltz
to go the bullpen is like telling Raquel Welch she needs to swing her arms when she tap dances. He doesn’t take it well.
Now, THERE'S a name I haven't heard in a long time
I wonder what she’s up to these days?
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 30, 2010 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
From the way back machine of 2007
PROJECTED 2010
LINEUP
Catcher Yadier Molina
First Base Albert Pujols
Second Base Adam Kennedy
Third Base Scott Rolen
Shortstop David Eckstein
Left Field Jon Jay
Center Field Colby Rasmus
Right Field Chris Duncan
No. 1 Starter Chris Carpenter
No. 2 Starter Adam Wainwright
No. 3 Starter Anthony Reyes
No. 4 Starter Jaime Garcia
No. 5 Starter Blake Hawksworth
Closer Chris Perez
Skippy as the best defensive outfielder?
Really?
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
It is kind of funny,
I picked up a cheap copy of MLB 2K9 to get me through the winter. Skip is the default starting LF’er. And Ank defaults into the cleanup spot in the lineup.
Albertofstan.
F* Yeah!
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jan 29, 2010 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Aha
When i picked 2k9 up and franchised with the Cards, I just signed Dunn Hudson and Cabrera for my lineup. It was so cheap :)
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
This makes laugh every time I watch it
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
Indeed
Some of em are just hilarious.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
I don't really have an informed basis for it, but I would have expected more improvement in Rasmus'
projection. I’d hope for more than ~20 points increase in OPS. I guess a lot of that has to do with him being sick/weakened/injured a good part of last year, which ZIPS won’t see.
by BTown Birds fan on Jan 29, 2010 2:28 PM EST reply actions
Born October 1, 1963
Height: 6’5"
Weight: 225 lbs
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
i don't know who that is
does he play on the same team as puhols and ludwig?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
he bats behind Shoemaker
Albertofstan.
F* Yeah!
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jan 29, 2010 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
Its really to early to say where he'll bat
It’s all up to LeRusseau
by Ray Lankford on Jan 29, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
aaaaaalllllriiiiiiighhhht
jeeez. lesson learned.
pwn3d
dingers
that is all
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Jan 29, 2010 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
hey
do you still want the walrus back? i’m kinda in limbo on it right now, but i think i do.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Well...
Putting aside the Holliday re-signing, I believe we allowed great talent to walk. I do believe he will be a slugger for many years to come. I kind of predict this a J.D. Drew-ish situation. But I digress… By the end of 2010 I might be grinning over accurate projections or quickly erasing my avatar while taking VEB smack!
I want the Walrus back...
PECOTAs came out today
they like StL a lot -- Cards are projected to an NL-best 89-73 record and MLB-low runs allowed total of 724
They are pretty crazy across the board
Here is another projection system, CAIRO. They have the Cardinals as a 92-70 team. Also, tops in the NL
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
Nats
projected at 82-80. I’m frankly shocked, although I guess their pythagorean record was not horrible and their offense was above avg. just their defense and bullpen were horrible.
They signed Ivan Rodriguez and Jason Marquis
Their problems are solved completely
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
by Taskmaster on Jan 29, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
marquis alone
guarantees the wild card.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Philly better watch out
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Well in that case...
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jan 29, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
I've love to see the pitching/defense
do that well.
That MLB-low runs allowed is pretty surprising
Also kooky is that the three teams with 90+ wins are all in the AL East – and led by Tampa Bay!
by BTown Birds fan on Jan 29, 2010 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think our pitching will be quite that good, but man I hope so.
I'm living in an age that calls darkness light...
Sounds good to me!
Hopefully it plays out that way.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jan 29, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
This announcement
just got posted on the BP Unfiltered page, regarding the PECOTA team projections:
To be blunt: we messed up, and are working to fix the issues.
by StanTheManFan on Jan 29, 2010 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
Seidman is funny
Another problem revolves around BABIP, as defense was being double-counted (double-counted).
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 29, 2010 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
Do you have a link for this?
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
+1
"A slick way to out-figure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ~ Whitey Herzog
ah, tomato soup and PBJ
nothing better on a cold day
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
Tomato soup and grilled cheese sammys > TS and PBJ
Time for a new sig.
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 29, 2010 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah that actually sounds disgusting
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 29, 2010 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
chili and just a peanut butter sandwich is quite awesome though
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Jan 30, 2010 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
blowin' my mind
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I've been trying to sell people on this for years
It’s so f’in awesome, yet I don’t think I have ever convinced anyone I know in person to give it a try. I am always quite disappointed when I get back to people who I have recommended it to, and they never gave it a go. I am going to a chili cook-off in a couple weeks, so I might just take some PB sandwiches along.
I’d really appreciate it if someone off VEB would back me up on the awesomeness of this combination!
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
I haven't tried it,
but it makes sense….the peanut butter would probably hold the spice pretty well …. think thai peanut sauce.
* is an Asshat
Also, Dave Concepcion.
i know someone who puts salami on his pbj
its actually not awful…but really farking weird
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
IT'S PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!
THERE YA GO! THERE YA GO! THERE YA GO!
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:26 AM EST up reply actions
with the way payroll is shaking out
it’s like they planned it that way…
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
They don't seem very young to me.
Colby is really the only young guy. Yadi and Freese are almost young.
I think that says more about the oldness of teams past.
30 is the new 25
Albert, Skip and Holliday are entering their age 30 season, Ludwick is 31, Ryan 28, Freese and Yadi 27 with jailbait Colby at 23. For the SP, Carp is 35, Waino 28, Lohse 31, Penny 32, Smoltz 43 (j/k)
curiosity...
so there are 1,458 innings in a full season. on average, how many of those will be pitched by the starters?
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
A team that never goes into extra innings?
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 29, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
looking at those PECOTAs that were posted...
they have the Rays winning the most games in all MLB (96) while their starters are responsible for just over half of the IP (786). is this typical?
last year, the Yanks won 103 games in 1,450 IP. their starters pitched 1,010 of those innings. the Angels won 97 games in 1,445 IP, starters’ IP was 980 2/3. If the Rays are going to live up to their PECOTA numbers, it seems like the starters should pitch considerably more than 786 innings.
Heaven has brick walls and St. Peter is a red bird.
by EinFesteBusch on Jan 29, 2010 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
yes, that seems odd
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
ZIPs obviously (and egregiously) forgot Boog has chosen to start hitting like the mang this year
why i don’t trust these silly projection systems
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
A month ago
Would anyone have been interested in trading for Liriano? Now, the Twins probably won’t trade him, since he has been fantastic in Winter League, but would you have given up the spare parts for the guy? I sure as hell would have.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
im sure, if he was really even available, it would have been for a lot more than spare parts
but yes i would liked to have gambled on his arm
Yeah, I said spare parts
because really it is hard to gauge his market. They don’t want to give him away when he has no value, but there’s also that risk that he may never be worth anything later on.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
He pitched this winter
man, why would the Twins do that? You’d think they’d want him to rest.
No idea
seems to have worked though.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Smoltz and dry powder
Update on one of our favorite targets from Jayson Stark
Clubs that have spoken with his agents, Keith Grunewald and Lonnie Cooper, report that if Smoltz doesn’t think the fit is right, he might wait until late in spring training to sign. He’s also considering waiting even longer, to position himself as somebody’s midseason cavalry force. And if Smoltz wants to be a starter, which he does, we’ve heard execs from several teams say that’s exactly what he should do.
“I honestly think that would be his best route,” one of those front-office men said. “He should come back in the second half, like Roger Clemens and Pedro [Martinez] and Paul Byrd. Who wouldn’t love to have John Smoltz on their club? But the truth is, he doesn’t have a full tank anymore. He needs to save his bullets. So I think that would be a good fit in his case. And I hear he’s thinking about it, but I don’t think he’s there yet.”
"I honestly think that would be his best route," one of those front-office men said. "He should come back in the second half, like Roger Clemens and Pedro [Martinez] and Paul Byrd.
Hmmmm. Someone here doesn’t quite fit, I can’t put my finger on it…
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:28 AM EST up reply actions
Holy crap!
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
He's no Skip Schumaker
but I’d like to see him on the team
Think; It's not illegal yet.
by azruavatar on Jan 29, 2010 8:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Whoa!
He’s off the milk carton and into, um… reality? Flesh? I don’t know… It’s been a long week.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jan 29, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
in the flesh
there’s a moocow reply there but I’m not going to speculate on it
"It was like two ankles." 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
wait, his ordeal as a missing person turned him on to politics?
is he our new overlord?
that’s interesting. it’s like MLB summer camp.
also this interviewer asking what position he wants to play leading into a La Russa club… is not very smrt. I swear if they’re not all learning sinkers in Jupiter…
Craig still seems a little tense. Maybe Shannon should do his first interviews.
"It was like two ankles." 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
Not only did she find him- she is very impressed
Q:
"So Allen, not only were you the minor league player of the year, but you also played all over the field. You’re pretty much superman.
Holy cow lady, please try to hide your girl boner
Freese was on Bernie's
taking softballs, as per usual. For what it’s worth, the life-change sounds legit (unless he’s in raging denial, and yeah, we have noooo experience with that)… just took a while (read: a few incidents) to take hold. He was trying too hard with the ankle, and had a blast in Memphis. Started hitting after Thanksgiving rather than January, working with Scott Cooper; took some turns with Albert recently. Mentions the Man Stew (used the word camaraderie, very good, high-school-in- St.-Louis boy). Apparently Skip Schumaker is friends with everyone; I bet he texts all the time. Anyway, Freese sounds… cool as a cucumber. I think his nickname might stick (ha. ha.)
With the help of the strength and conditioning coach, he went from 17% body-fat to 9%. So apparently … welcome to your Cardinals of the 21st Century, where Wasting Away is the team goal.
"It was like two ankles." 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 have heard before that Schumaker is pretty much the Captain of Man Stew before
We probably under rate Schumaker to much here on VEB. He is a pretty solid player. Above average bat that is pretty consistent and hopefully better defense this year at 2B
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
we get real distracted by the dirt on his jersey
among other things
"It was like two ankles." 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
that said, I do wish the national media idiots would've talked him up more
the stuff he’s been doing is frickin’ incredible
"It was like two ankles." 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
hear hear
Should be interesting to see if he continues to improve @ 2nd this year, with a full season’s experience already under his belt. Wonder what kind of effect McGwire will have on him. It’d be awesome if he could pick up the slugging a little while maintaining the contact/on-base skills.
He’d probably get more love if he would quit with the sliding into first crapola….
He's been working Mac
the last 3 off seasons, so I would say we have already seen the effect.
* is an Asshat
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Me neither
Especially now that he’s a second baseman.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
uh
uh
uh
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
this subthread wins. with extra grit.
"It was like two ankles." 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
by Yadi2Second on Jan 30, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
i just had grits
not sure how that sounds, though.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
that used to be an old meme
or a past meme. pictures of grits everywhere.
"It was like two ankles." 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 last nite was at a bar called grits
somewhat oddly, they don’t serve food.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Who wants to laugh at an old crotchety sportswriters being old and crotchety?
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
also, who wants to laugh at my butchering of the english language?
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
I cracked up reading
According to Epstein, the Red Sox will be competitive through the use of kung fu baseball, the art of winning without scoring. They will be so flawless in the field that opponents will simply forfeit, their inability to penetrate the Steel Curtain Defense so frustrating that the other side simply resigns
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 29, 2010 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
lol
another guy who thinks billy beane wrote moneyball and another guy forming an opinion about something he knows nothing about
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
another guy who thinks billy beane wrote moneyball
He’s an asshat but if you re-read it, it’s pretty clear that he doesn’t think that…
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:35 AM EST up reply actions
great read
because the whole time I was reading it, all I could picture was saber-dudes & dudettes throwing stuff around in their moms’ basements…
that dude is way off, but that was very enjoyable
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
I miss FJM so much
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
by mojowo11 on Jan 29, 2010 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Moneyball, which became defined as the love of sabermetrics over old-school stats like HR and RBI, has led Billy Beane, the godfather of this con job, to build an economic Oakland A’s team that hasn’t won a pennant in 20 years or a World Series in 21, but did manage to have a best-selling book written about the concept. The A’s did win division titles in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006, but what they have actually won during the Moneyball era is nothing. No sequel is planned.
Now it seems the Sox have headed down the same road of quantum baseball over your grandad’s version, which was mistakenly centered on foolishness like hitting and scoring runs.
Yeah, and what fucking good has building a team based on statistical concepts done the Red Sox in the last 5 years? NOTHING, I tells you, NOTHING.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:34 AM EST up reply actions
hehe
I bet McGwire is Stephen Jackson’s biggest fan right now.
I really like that lineup. Holliday makes that thing go from horrible to really good.
by Evilfrog on Jan 29, 2010 8:32 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
have you seen the St. Paul minor league team...?
"It was like two ankles." 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
by Yadi2Second on Jan 30, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
over at mlbtraderumors...
heyman tweets that the rockies and cards are in on felipe lopez.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
good news
i’d be surprised if we sign him, though
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Jan 29, 2010 10:47 PM EST up reply actions
i don't know now
i’ve been baffled by why we haven’t signed smoltz, and thinking about it this is perhaps the most reasonable explanation: if we get lopez (obviously mo’s priority over smoltz, in this scenario) rather than some 1 mil-type utility guy, then there is no money for smoltz…until mid-season, anyway, when we could give him half of what he now wants, and have him strong for the finish. and it sounds as if he’d do that, rather than pitch for the mets or nats. what do you think?.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
also
who coined “Albertofstan”?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
thanks
so ducttape and yesweoquendo (certainly in cahoots) are like the george washington (or jefferson) and…well, maybe john hancock (or patrick henry) of this nirvana?
anyway, it’s cool it happened like that. i was there some comments below chatting with danup about murakami – don’t know how i missed (or forgot) that.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
<3 Murakami
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
Moar christopher columbus-y
In this life I’m far closer to a crazy idiot sailor than a revolutionary patriot
Also I bought Norwegian Wood today. Haven’t started yet. Can’t wait
"There's a lot of things we say that don't make sense to our viewers. Okay, primarily me." ~Al Hrabosky~
by YesWeOquendo on Jan 30, 2010 1:22 AM EST up reply actions
Norwegian Wood is next for me as well
Although at the moment I’m starting White Noise by Don DeLillo, so I won’t start it for a little bit yet.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
oh...Norwegian Wood in this context is book
carry on…
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
i was never been able to read DeLillo
but that dates back many years. should i try again?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i never got this either
i guess it’s supposed to be like pakistan or afghanistan
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Jan 30, 2010 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
Or any of the other 20 or so countries that end in stan...
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
smoltz
is just a risky way to spend 5 of our remaining 7 million dollars
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Jan 30, 2010 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
but lopez + half a year of smoltz would be dandy for that money
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Well
At the later half of the year, we won’t exactly need a 5th starter (As it stands right now), so he wouldn’t be worth the 2-2.5 million he would be asking for imo unless we have an injury.
Lopez, however, would make me so happy.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
a bunch of off days or what?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Jan 30, 2010 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, that was what I was alluding to
Should have put that in.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
i think he's worth it
that’s cheap insurance for the stretch, imo, and he might even be needed at that point as a 4th starter, if something goes wrong.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I totally agree that we should sign him
IF (You never know) we have an injury. If we have Lohse, Penny, Carp, and Wainwright performing well and healthy, i would not go for Smoltz ..
Unless he likes the bullpen ofcourse… :)
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
i'll get out the crystal ball and see what is says
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
only two scheduled off days Aug 20 - Oct 3
the Cards have two scheduled off days in the last six and half weeks of the season. A competent 5th starter will be critical to avoiding a September swoon and missing the playoffs.
wow
isn’t that about the exact opposite of last year? and those off-days might become make-ups.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
+1
"It was like two ankles." 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
Meh, rather have Smoltz personally
I think he would be a better fit.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
You mean option(not fit), because I know Smoltz can close
but I can see two options in Motte, and Boggs who can take over for Franklin in case of a Franklin meme holds true. that and signing Pedro+ Gregg(or someone else) could actually be cheaper than smoltz.
gregg?
you have forced my decision. i’m off to the 24-hr bar two blocks away.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
just putting my shoes on
seriously.
i call it the yellow bar but i think it’s called three brothers bar…something like that. sounds like a pizza joint, and definitely isn’t. painted canary yellow on the outside (a genuine dive, but a good dive), which is appropriate, in a yellowfish/symbolism sort of way – salute to salinger.
it’s on magazine, uptown, where i am, just below audabon park.
any other questions i will answer in a drunken state after i wash the thought of gregg out at the yellow bar.
cheers.
btw, must be hundreds of 24-hr bars here, and the ones that aren’t generally stay open 24 on weekends.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
cool
I usually go to NOLA once a year, and I spent a whole summer there a couple years back. Lived uptown too, right at Magazine and Lousiana. Awesome area. My friend worked at a place called Fat Harry’s, so we’d sit up there getting free drinks til 5 or 6 in the morning sometimes, or hit up the other uptown bars. Bulldog, Buddha Belly, places like that iirc, plus some of the Tulane bars. I really love NOLA as a city, especially the garden district.
mattyp
you stayed very very close to me. i know fat harry’s…but buddha belly? that is right across the street from the yellow bar i speak of. that’s my hood. i do my laundry at buddha belly. i was there last night for some music, in-between yellow bar visits. i know all the bartenders. what i love is you can just walk out with your drink, go to another bar, and walk in with that drink. i hope this is allowed in albertofstan.
going to a bar called Grits tonite. down my street riverway. will probably watch the super bowl there.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
sounds like a time for a roadtrip
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
when the mattys come marching...
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I just shuddered at the thought of Gregg
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
From the mouth of Boras....
or at least his proxy.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
I really like Kurt Warner
but I think he is going to reverse this decision. This is coming off of a game where New Orleans made it their personal priority to hit the crap out of the opposing QB, ala Favre, and that the pains of that game still plague him, making his choice a bit biased.
Still, if he feels he has a higher calling and will stay retired, more power to him. He’s a first ballot guy in my book.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
john daly retired?
is he going on the senior tour – how old do you have to be/is he?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I tried to dislike Kurt, I really did
All the blatant “Praise God” stuff kind of rubbed me the wrong way. But what can I say, he won me over. He treated every game he got to play like a gift, and there’s nothing you can do but just admire that. Maybe the most accurate passer we’ll ever see in our lives, not to mention one of the toughest QBs I’ve seen play, and just generally a genuine guy who lives by what he believes in
by mattyp on Jan 30, 2010 1:14 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
you should introduce him in canton.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I was the same way
and for some reason I ended up with a Kurt Warner Rams jersey in my closet. And I don’t even like pro handegg much.
If I actually watch the Super Bowl, it will be the first game of the season that I have watched more than one quarter of.
I really want ST to hurry up and get here.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
So the lil' bears got X-Nady for 3-5m
earlier in the off season they got Marlon Byrd for 3m
that’s 6-8 for a pretty meh couple of outfielders
they could have gotten Mike Cameron for an Aaron Miles difference
I know they aren’t awful franchise crippling moves, but these aren’t the types of moves that winning teams make either
feels like these signings are just going to take them sideways (if that) and they’re throwing in the towel before the season even starts
Mostly this makes me wonder if they have any real money to spend. Are they really going to go after Kiko or Chan Ho Park?
Besides the bizarre Bradley-Silva trade their off season seems like something out of Kansas City
"There's a lot of things we say that don't make sense to our viewers. Okay, primarily me." ~Al Hrabosky~
I really like both these moves
Nady’s nothing special but for a 4th OF he’s pretty decent at that price. Marlon Byrd is a steal for $5m/yr for three years, IMO. He’s only an average player, but he should fit in well in that Stadium and he’s pretty reliable all-round. He’s exactly the sort of player they wanted (though I agree Mike Cameron would’ve been better, I doubt he signs in Chicago unless they want to pay him considerably more than Boston did).
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 1, 2010 7:39 AM EST up reply actions
Any guesses
on how much Lopez would cost? I would think $3-4 million per for 2-3 years would get it done. Between being the primary/platoon 3B and spelling Skip against lefties, he would be well worth the money, as well as being injury insurance at other positions (SS, OF).
I think a 1 year deal is fine
Freese should be able to eventually take over the role, and he probably thinks he can get a better deal than 2/8 next offseason.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
i'm thinking it will take 2 years
and i’m fine with that. the lugo freebie runs out after this year.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
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