The Cardinals and Jason Motte and momentum
by DanUpBaby on Aug 5, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
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PrintThe more I think about it the more I'm convinced that a lot of the old-sportswriter tropes we laugh about now, or at least wonder about now, come from the real need to understand just how schizophrenic a sport baseball is. The Cardinals lost the last two games by a combined score of 27-8; their bullpen allowed 17 earned runs in six innings.
Football teams who play like that across two consecutive games are apt to finish 1-15 and draft Sam Bradford. Baseball teams who play like that across two consecutive games are apt to put up seven runs in two innings and run away with game three of the series.
So Chris Carpenter is a Stopper, a guy who can diminish two days' worth of momentum, which has to exist, I mean, because why wouldn't it exist, by sheer force of will. He's a gamer, because he didn't always look great but ended up with a suitably outstanding night of run-prevention.
Aaron Miles does all the little things right because he doesn't do any big things right, and because when you watch him play it looks like he isn't doing much at all, but he's on the roster and a manager who is legitimately great keeps playing him, so he has to have something to do with their occasionally bewildering success, right?
Albert Pujols—okay, that one's easy to figure out. As of yesterday afternoon Albert's second half wasn't as scintillating as I'd hoped or expected, but such is 20 games; the double and the home run added 50 points to his post-break slugging percentage, pushing it to a shade under .550. My money's on it going higher.
After the jump, more injuries still—clicking on it exposes you to a 15% chance of instantaneous oblique strain.
I like Freese a lot, I was hoping Ludwick would stay healthy the entire year, and I knew the Cardinals could hardly afford to miss Penny and Lohse for significant amounts of time, but Jason Motte going on the DL with a not-as-serious-as-the-usual-shoulder-injury shoulder injury hits closest to home. At Get Up Baby I was one of the first people on the Motte bandwagon, and all last year I waited for him to turn his season around; in 2010 he finally seemed to be doing it.
In the end his peripherals only look a shade better than they did in 2009—mainly his home run rate fell down to mere-mortal levels, and his control got a little finer. But that's the eight mortal innings in the second half bringing him (and me) down—until he gets back to further wreck them I'll remember the first half stats, where he struck out 38 batters against 12 walks in 35 innings.
One thing we got out of it: a sterling example of Motte's not-publicized-enough tendency to sound like a self-help guru in post-game interviews—though not as well as Rich Hill once could:
"I was a little bit lower," Motte said. "I think it was one of those things I think my mind was telling my arm we're not going to do it right now. We went and got it checked out. Everything is fine right now."
Fernando Salas, who might finally get to spend more than a week and a half with Major League meal money, is another long-time prospect hound favorite, which is always fun, but despite his perfectly reasonable start to his MLB career I remain a little worried about his stuff.
His fastball wouldn't impress if it were coming from P.J. Walters, and his changeup is great but it's not exactly one of those minor league reliever trick pitches. Command isn't one something you can eyeball, so I'm not about to write him off, but his AAA numbers to date don't strike me as anything Blake Hawksworth couldn't do given two months as the Memphis closer.
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Albert
It’s great to see Albert have a consistent stretch —feels like the first time all year he has strung together a bunch of good games. This team is so much better when he’s hitting like this.
I’m mystified why we don’t put Craig at 3B for 2-3 games to check him out there. Can his bat/glove be worse than Miles bat/glove?
Will be good to Lohse back shortly and Hawk permanently in bullpen. Even Supp as a long reliever spot starter doesn’t bother me that much.
Just win
Albert
It is nice to see some good games out of him, but I would like to see him do this against better pitching. He looks great when he goes up against the Pirates and the Astros and for some reason they want to pitch to him.
nothing to lose
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Because Lopez is a lot better than Craig at 3B
Miles should never be playing 3B, but Craig shouldn’t either so long as Lopez can go.
Not afraid to nitpick
I disagree
Craig’s bat is valuable enough that they should find a way for him to be in the line up. Lopez can then give some flexibility in the middle (although a Craig/Lopez left side would not be pretty). But it would basically mean Craig’s bat over Skip’s or Boog’s although they have both earned some ABs recently.
Lopez is a better hitter than Craig
And Craig was a bad defensive 3B in the minors who hasn’t played there, you have to figure he’s a -15 type defender at 3B, he’s not very far from a replacement level 3B.
Not afraid to nitpick
So, not far from .5 WAR above Miles?
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
God know, he's not that bad
If you call him a .340 wOBA hitter and a -15 3B, he’s a solid 3.5-4 WAAFM seeing as how Miles is at least -10 himself there.
Not afraid to nitpick
God knows all
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Ahahaha
Many skits running through my mind atm.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
I know the Cardinals moved him off 3B
but I think Craig’s defensive woes are overblown. I’ve been saying this for years though. His arm was a little questionable there but statistically, he was fine. Defense translates well from the minors to the majors — I don’t think he’d actually be a -15 player at 3B.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
Right now though
He hasn’t played there in a year. Maybe he could work himself to be passable by next year, but right now there’s just no way that he’s a realistic option to start any more games than he has to.
Not afraid to nitpick
The question should be then
Is RF-Jay;2B-Lopez;3B-Craig better in some cases than RF-Craig;2B-Skip;3B-Lopez? It’s less a matter of whether Felipe is better than Craig at 3B than whether he’s MORE better than skip at 2B.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
I have him at -8 to -5 runs over a course of a year
Converting his Total Zone numbers to MLE
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Why would there be that much difference for an infielder?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
...which was a year ago when he was actually practicing the position regularly
There’s going to be a hefty “hasn’t played there in a year and is totally out of rhythm” tax.
Not afraid to nitpick
So saying he is -10/150 at 3B
That just means he has to be 10 runs better than average with the bat to be a league average 3B. 3
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
If he was -5 to -8 when he played there
He’s going to be -15 after a year of not playing there….and he’s not 10 runs better than average with the bat anyway by any projection that I have seen.
Not afraid to nitpick
CHONE has him at 5 runs above average
So to think he might be 10 is not that huge of jump and I don’t see him being -15 runs at 3B. You are just making shit up at this point.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
You don't see him at -15 based on what??
You yourself said he was -5 to -8 when he was actually playing 3B.
If you don’t do something for a full year (or anything related to it, like playing 2B), you get bad at it. Really bad at it. He’s going to be fucking terrible at 3B this year.
Not afraid to nitpick
Based on what
A lot of downside of him playing 3B was his arm was weak. But Craig has said his arm strength has improved since moving to the OF.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
And who again is just making shit up?
"He worked hard at it," said Springfield manager Pop Warner, who coached Craig here in 2007 and 2008. "But some guys are just suited for other positions."
Not afraid to nitpick
What was the date on this article?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 5, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Not me
Craig is, understandly, weary about the defensive questions. He’s really faced them since his time in Class AA. But he’s also worked to improve those throwing mechanics. The shift to the outfield has helped as he learned to get more carry on his throws and adopt a more streamlined motion. He said this past spring that working on his arm to play right field has helped when he’s taking grounders and making that throw across to first base. This much is clear — whether Craig is playing left, right or third — he has the athleticism that makes him a viable option at all of those positions.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
His limited footwork made it difficult to react to grounders hit to his left and, thus, start double plays.
And again, this was when he played 3B.
Not afraid to nitpick
One question:
Why do you care this much? Even if we put him there and he sucks for a little bit, what have we lost?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Exactly
We have tried so many different options on this team. To not even try someone at 3B that used to be a third baseman makes no sense to me.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
He can get PT there
I’ve said that…….Miles should never ever step foot at 3B and Craig is the one who should be getting those innings (really should probably be Gotay, but whatever).
Not afraid to nitpick
What else am I doing today?
People posting dumb ideas about starting Craig at 3B and Lopez at 2B is annoying when there’s every reason to think he’s going to be just god awful at 3B.
Why not start Holliday at 3B? He’s more athletic than Craig with a stronger arm.
Not afraid to nitpick
But Craig has never been god awful at 3B
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
He also hasn't been a 3B for over a year despite the Cardinals actually needing a 3B desperately last year
Not afraid to nitpick
He wasn't hitting when we needed the 3B
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Not even in September?
When DeRosa was halfway to the glue factory and Craig was coming off of 2 months of .383/.430/.709?
Not afraid to nitpick
What harm is there in giving him a chance?
The downgrade from a Lopez/Schumaker configuration to a Craig/Lopez lineup isn’t that great
It’s worth a try
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
What harm is there in giving Holliday a chance?
The harm is that he hasn’t played there and might actually be Ryan Braunish bad without having Braun’s bat. Get him a few innings when Lopez needs a break and then re-evaluate the situation.
Not afraid to nitpick
exactly
the harm is he could very easily be worse than what we have.
Miles, in at third for his defense
Not trying to address your larger point here
But the Holliday example is a false analogy, and fairly disingenuous. Craig has played 3B before, and I believe it’s been said by people in the organization that he’s been taking ground balls there. Not a fair comparison to Holliday who has no experience at all at 3B.
Erroneous!
Holliday was a full time minor league 3B from 98-00, though yes it’s a bullshit example seeing as how he also made 79 errors in basically 2 1/3 seasons. But it was merely an example of how playing a guy who was moved off the position for a reason can hurt you if you rock the Braunian defense.
Not afraid to nitpick
we're talking about a handful of games, here
the reward if he pans out (no more floppy/miles at 3B) greatly outweighs the 2 errors and one mental mistake he makes in his 10 game cup of coffee there
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
the question is, is the difference between craig's defense and flopex's defense at third less than or greater than the difference between flopez' and schu's defense at 2b?
if the answer is that the difference between flopex/schu is GREATER than the difference between craig/flopex, then craig should be playing third and that’s the end of it. because we KNOW craig is better offensively than skip.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
all true...
but it seems that people are disagreeing on the answer, to the question based on how good/bad Craig’s 3b defense is likely to be, which is a difficult thing to judge.
On the flipside I think everyone can agree that no matter how bad craig’s defense is, Miles should never start at 3b, even if Lopez is unavailable.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 5, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, the common middle-ground
So sweet and rosy
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
And what's Freese's prognosis
will he be ready in 2011? If not, is Craig a long-term solution at 3B or does Mo go shopping this off-season?
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
mo won't commit to his availability early next season
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I would advise Craig
to get w/Oquendo daily then. He may have a spot next year.
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
Craig has a roster spot.
It’s a question of whether he is the primary starter at a position.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 5, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
i think he was penciled in as the RFer
but it would be easier to found a RFer than a 3ber.
Miles, in at third for his defense
it is difficult to judge
and if we had the division locked up or if were already out of the running, I’d be all for it.
Miles, in at third for his defense
I'll simulate a few games in MLB 2K10
in a bunch of scenarios and let you guys know the results.
That will become the prevailing opinion and ultimate truth.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
MLB 2k10 Craig
has been a reliable spot 3rd baseman for my 74-22 Cardinals team. His arm is pretty weak though
Albert Pujols also has 43 homeruns and 47 stolen bases. Both Waino and Carp have 0 losses with sub 1.00 ERA.
Mike Shannon: "That strikeout was brought to you by...by...well, I don't know what it was brought to you by!"
John Rooney: "It wasn't brought to you by anything Mike."
my simulation has craig with 140 HRs through 70 games
while Jaime+waino+carp+penny combine for a 70-0 record. Albert is clearly the MVP though with 268 RBIs and 160 HRs.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=craig-002all#standard_fielding
In 246 games at 3B, Craig accumulated a total of -2 Rtz.
His most recent (limited) experience was in 2009, at the AAA level.
I am skeptical on MLEs for defense based on offense being a promotion driver, and because I imagine that baseball is still baseball on a defensive level. Plus people are known to tee off at the lower levels – giving defenders plenty of work with lasers – and I imagine that position players might care less about defense down there too.
This isn’t to say that I assume Craig will be even an average defender at 3B today, but I can see having both his and Lopez’s (2B) bats in the lineup making it a worthwhile move.
yes
and we also shouldn’t underestimate how appallingly bad Miles is at 3B, before you even begin to consider his bat.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
So is Mo trying hard to find us a 3rd baseman
I mean is he going to be agressive with this…or is he going to just platoon Lopez, Miles, Greene and maybe Craig the rest of the season on a wing and a prayer? I haven’t heard any rumors but I would hope Mo is checking around.
It is going to be tough because there are not a lot of options that could be had that won’t cost us much at least in prospects..which is my guess. Only names that come to mind are Casey Blake (if the Dodgers go in sale mode), Edwin Encarnacion (not great but not bad if the price isn’t too high) Ty Wigginton could probably be had. I guess there is always the dumpster diving approach which would be the likes of Hank Blalock.
I think Mo needs to try and get one of these guys. We need the defense and to be honest another decent bat in the line-up would be good. So in a perfect world = Casey Blake but in a realistic world with the resources we have = Hank Blalock. Right?
Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon
will DET put Inge on waivers?
he just got back from DL yesterday
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
why not sign blalock today?
he is totally free, will take minor league deal, and would only displace howard/gotay in memphis. this would not prohibit looking for someone ready to play, but cost essentially nothing in opportunity lost for young players or money
sub joe crede if you prefer, but deal is the same
why did we sign gotay and why is he still around if he isn’t our first back-up infielder?
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Why would we want to sign a first baseman who can't hit anymore?
Blalock hasn’t been a viable option at 3B for about 3 years now. I’d almost rather go with Miles, and Gotay is certainly a better option.
I’d see if Edwin Encarnacion is any way viable, otherwise, I don’t see anyone available being any sort of upgrade.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I should point out
overall I think you talk a lot of sense there, sportsman. I just don’t think Blalock is an option at third anymore.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Overall, none of these options are significantly better than Lopez at 3rd and Schumaker at 2nd
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Blalock is probably a no-go.
On May 18, 2008, Blalock and the Rangers announced that upon his return to the team, he would return as a first baseman. Blalock had never played first base as a professional, but he felt it was the best move for the team, as the Rangers had not seen much offensive production from their first basemen in 2008. Blalock worked with Ron Washington and spoke with Phil Nevin (who made a similar switch from third to first with San Diego in 2002) to start learning the position. However, upon his activation from the disabled list, due to the emergence of Chris Davis at first, Blalock returned to third base.1 However, to avoid more shoulder problems, they moved him to first and put Davis at third.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
The last two years, he's played 19 innings (3 games) at 3B
I’d rather try Craig/Lopez/Greene than bring in Blalock.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
Don't Forget Lowell
The Sawks cud put Big Pappi at first and get rid of Lowell, whom I suspect they are finished with. if he can field ok at third he’d be a welcome addition, if he takes Winn’s roster spot.
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
Youkilis is on the DL
they probably need Lowell now.
Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue....
by Futility Infielder on Aug 5, 2010 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Supposedly they are kicking the tires on Carlos Delgado.
Helton is on waivers too, if they see him as an upgrade over Lowell. His back is shot though, so I don’t know about that.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
1) He can't field okay at third
2) He’s been horrible with the bat this year
3) If we claimed him, they’d dump him on us, and we’d have to pay an immobile, old, punchless 3B about $4M
is there any real reason to get lowell if he can't field, can't hit, and is overpriced
shit, i think i just answered my own questions
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
idk.. heard that farther up
besides he’s been worth 0.1 WAR… lopez at 3B, schu at 2B blows that out of the park (lowell at 3B, Lopez at 2B)
especially when you add that we are giving up a prospect and paying him money
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
no to Lowell
everything else aside, the last thing we need is yet another third baseman with trouble staying healthy
to be honest, i'd stick with lopez and wait for greene to get off DL
because… the options that i’ve heard, are not at all appealing and are massive contracts with mostly more years coming next year
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
Motte's HR rate
was “assisted” by Randy Winn flipping a Mark Reynolds fly ball over the fence. He has been getting better and will be a loss, but hopefully not for too long.
by vinniefromjersey on Aug 5, 2010 8:35 AM EDT reply actions
Am I on record stating Randy Winn is my least favorite cardinal?
Because if I am not, I’d like to be.
And if I am, can I change that to Aaron Miles?
Miles, in at third for his defense
rhetorical question:
Would Aaron Miles be on the 25 man roster of any other team in MLB?
And Randy Winn isn’t much better.
by vinniefromjersey on Aug 5, 2010 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I know it's rhetorical, but,
three MLB clubs dumped him during the offseason. He was then available on a MiLB deal to any takers. There was one taker: St. Louis. So, no, there were no other takers. This is because he cannot play the field—that is, he has no range or throwing ability—and he cannot hit (.280 wOBA, and dropping).
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 5, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that rhetorical question has already been literally answered
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
many times over
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Miles
Has the 2nd worst RoS ZiPS wOBA projection left in the big leagues next to Kevin Cash, a catcher, so yes, being a -5 defensive 2B makes him the worst player in the big leagues.
Not afraid to nitpick
Well we have that going for us
the worst player in the major leagues regularly starts for our team. It’s nice to stand out from the crowd in some area.
this means gotay is worse?
.400 obp included
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Apparently!
I am totally sick of this Miles nonsense now. When he was the 25th man, fine. Now he’s regularly starting, it’s time to give Gotay a chance or make a move.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Winn's been fine
I know I’m his only fan here, but I just don’t get the hate, really. The “proven veteran” thing pisses me off as much as anyone but the guy’s been an above average hitter for us and has an appallingly unlucky BABIP. From the left side, at least, he’s still a productive hitter, and I’m loath to make defensive judgements based on just seeing a few games of a new player (as with Holliday last year, who everyone here thought sucked in the field based on a couple of badly timed errors, despite his career huge +ve UZR and the fact he’s been near faultless this year). He’s been a good, if unglamourous player in the past, and although I’d rather see Jon Jay get the ABs from the left-hand side in RF/CF next year, Winn’s been about as good as you’d expect a mid-season freebie to be, really.
He’s keeping Nick Stavinoha off the roster. I don’t know if it’s possible for me to bestow a bigger accolade on any baseball player.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't mind winn on the team
but I do feel he was an unnecessary signing
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I have been a Winn fan as well.
He just gets lumped in with the Suppan, Miles, and Stav crowd, which is pretty much an insult to the guy.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
I got no real beef with WInn
If he is the 5th OFer
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
That Winn play was thing a beauty
he not only threw the baseball over the fence (a ball that had no chance of leaving the yard) but he also threw his glove over the fence with the ball! Amazing.
It takes a real talent to do that and make it look like an accident.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
This.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
He lost his glove on a different play. In the same game.
The home run bounced out of his glove when he was 6 – 8 feet in front of the wall.
jprutherford Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 5, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Allen Craig and 3B
This seems like the key decision of the season. Honestly, it sucks to have a 3B without pop, but what compounds the issue is how crappy Felipe/Aaron is over there on defense. As bad as DeRosa was for us last year, just the defensive upgrade over Thurston and whoever else we had there was huge. I just want a player who can make those plays and is comfortable at third. The one hop backhands, the charge and throws, the plays down the line. Craig has to be better than these two over there. . .
What bothers me the most
Is that TLR doesn’t even seem to be open to the idea of Craig 3B. Even though he probably has the most innings at 3B of anyone on the roster.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
It's not just TLR, it's the whole organization.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
and TLR just put Craig at third two days ago
And there are reports that Craig has been fielding balls at third.
Miles, in at third for his defense
Taking infield = Good sign
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
The Secret Weapon will train him.
After all, anyone can play third, right? Thurston, DeRosa, Miles, Lopez….
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 5, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Oquendo does the best he can with what he's got.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
On M. Shannon's pregame show yesterday
he asked TLR if Craig would see some time at Third now regularly or even in emergencies and TLR’s response was essentially (I’m paraphrasing):
“that wouldn’t be fair to him. He hasn’t played there all year—none is Spring Training, none in Memphis. To do that to a guy who’s up here to hit is an unfair expectation and could do damage to his development. he’s making good progress in right (field), so we’ll keep him there.”
Sounds to me like he is not going to do so.
Stupid Sexy Flanders!!!
by timmycardinals on Aug 5, 2010 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
It was totally fair to throw Joe Thurston up there though
Tony is so infuriating sometimes.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Thurston played third during spring training
and wasn’t making good progress anywhere.
Miles, in at third for his defense
He did?
Crap, I totally forgot about that. Hrm.
Well, it wasn’t exactly fair to the fans to do that!
Anyway, I still would like to see Craig taking grounders at third and all that stuff. Maybe try to work him up to it or something.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
we could just switch to Boog at third and short
and four outfielders.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 5, 2010 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I love it when Tony contradicts himself........
What’s true?
La Russa said it was likely they would ease Craig into any action at third base, such as if the game was out of reach in the later innings.
"We have discussed it and you’ve seen him out there taking ground balls," La Russa said. "This would have been a day (to do it) but it’s so tough to pull the trigger. It’s one of those things that has to happen in a game and that’s different from making it happen. One thing, I haven’t seen him flustered with anything. He played the infield in college, started, so I don’t think he’d be shook up.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Craig used to be a SS in college
I think he can handle 3B
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Colby Rasmus pitched in high school.
DFA REYES!
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
he was in high school 8-9 years ago.
More like 4 years ago.
craig is 26 you know?
26-18 = 8 years ago….
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
18 is when you finish high school
He’d be in college for something like his age 19-22 years. So assuming he was still playing SS in his senior year of college (if he even stayed in college that long), that would be something like four years ago.
Yeah, my exaggeration on that one
He played SS sometimes in college 4 years ago…….which has about as much significance on his 3B ability as Aaron Miles having big league experience at SS.
Not afraid to nitpick
i read that directly
he said he was in hs 8-9 years ago…. more like 4 years ago
instead of he was in high school 8-9 years… more like 4 for college
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
So... any of the last three days
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Just as a compairison.
Crag has had 332 games (doesn’t list innings on BR minors) at 3rd in the minors. all but 13 of those were in AA and below.
Lopez has had 1127.2 innings at 3rd. Which comes out to 125 games if you assume he plays all 9 innings. That’s in the majors.
Miles, in at third for his defense
I guess Craig could suck at third. . .
I’m sure my logic is flawed, but it just seems like that means that Craig has a chance to be average at 3B as opposed to Lopez’s guarantee to be below average. Even if Craig is below average at 3b, it still improves the defense because that guarantees that Jay plays right, and our outfield becomes very above average.
Also, is Albert’s arm too shot to play third?
why craig wasn't thought to be a third baseman.
"He worked hard at it," said Springfield manager Pop Warner, who coached Craig here in 2007 and 2008. "But some guys are just suited for other positions."
In Craig, Double-A Springfield had a corner infielder that showed improved footwork and improved range from his early days in the farm system.
But that improvement was good for the Texas League, evaluators say in so many words, not adequate enough for the National League.
"Stuff that doesn’t show up in the box score," Warner said.
His limited footwork made it difficult to react to grounders hit to his left and, thus, start double plays. He also had a funky throwing motion, sort of sidearm, and had the strength to retire Texas League runners.
Obviously it’s because Tony hates him.
Miles, in at third for his defense
Psh. You and your "evidence"!
Just let us wallow in the fantasy that Tony is a completely corrupt and evil tyrant already!
In all seriousness though, I am totally OK with Lopez being the primary third baseman, and I am at least happy that Craig is getting playing time, because his bat will help us if nothing else. But Lordy, it’s so hard to stomach Miles starting at third over Craig, ever.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Jon Jay is likely a better 3B option than Miles
By wOBA projections, Jay would have to be something like -40 to justify Miles playing there. Even though he’s lefthanded, he could probably justify starting at 3B over Miles.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Aug 5, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Miles is the anti-Pujols.
Whereas, with Pujols, you can find so many ways to demonstrate his greatness, with Miles, there are just as many ways to demonstrate how terrible he is.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
In TLR's world
does grittiness = greatness?
Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue....
by Futility Infielder on Aug 5, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
no I don't think so
I think it means- I can count on you to do all the things that I would do if I were in your place.
"I told myself from the very beginning: 'If he's going to throw a shutout, then he's going to tie,'" Wainwright said. "He was not going to beat me today."
exactomundo
pet underdog as an example of what relatively talentless people can do if given a chance
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Not trying to be contentious. . .
And I don’t think Tony hates him. I don’t follow prospects nearly as closely as most of the members on this site. But could the bat upgrade + defensive upgrade in the OF (ie Jay) mitigate the possible downgrade of Craig in the field. . .
Against righties:
1)Schu 2B
2)Rasmus CF
3)Pujols 1B
4)Holliday RF
5)Craig 3B
6)Molina C
7)Jay RF
8) P
9)Ryan SS
??
Another good point
I mean, Lopez’s defense isn’t sterling either, and good offense can offset any defensive downgrade. I guess the question is whether Craig would actually be any worse at third than Lopez or Miles, and I have no idea. I would assume he’s better than Miles, but that doesn’t count as insight.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Well, not "any" defensive downgrade. See Dunn, Adam, and Ramirez, Manny
I actually just meant bad defense in general. It’s possible.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Basically, I think Skip can still rip RH pitching.
So Skip should play 2B against righties. Ryan’s defense has looked sprightly lately, and as long as he is defending at this level, I see no reason to take him out except for pinch hitting purposes later in games.
Against lefties it will be:
Lopez 3B
Miles 2B
Craig RF.
Or it can be:
Craig 3B
Lopez 2B
Jay RF . . . .I guess it’s not that big of a deal either way. Does Jay have bad splits against lefties?
He is pretty mediocre against lefties
minorleaguesplits.com says he’s a career sub-700 OPS against lefties in the minors.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
So slightly higher than Miles's current line?
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
Probably!
With much better defense too.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I'm kind of a whore for defensive upgrades
I love how much ground Rasmus and Jay cover out there. I’d like to steal a few doubles this season. That’s what bothers me so much about Miles and Lopez. The defense is so shitty. At least with Jay we know we have his defense while he’s out there.
Speaking of covering ground...
Does anyone think that Rasmus is not being aligned in a way that best suits his fielding style? I can’t tell for sure, but it seems he is more comfortable coming in on the ball than moving backward. His alignment has been pretty shallow.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
definitely agree
He seems to be a plus fielder to his right, left and in. His only trouble catching balls has been with those over his head. He often seems stationed too shallow.
His lack of throwing accuracy is his other defensive weakness.
by vinniefromjersey on Aug 5, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
This year, it has been.
He threw in the 90s as a pitcher in high school and when I saw him in AAA he made three terrible throws over a weekend series. Most scouting reports on him in the minor do not reflect a poor arm. Two nights ago, he made a good throw. I think his throwing is a correctable problem.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
his "throwing problems"
are a result of poor approach. Most people, including me, will say he has a “bad arm” if he makes poor throws, even if it’s a result of approach and not arm strength.
Anyway, that’s something that should have been corrected in the minors. I have no idea why it wasn’t.
Miles, in at third for his defense
I saw him make a good throw the other night
The only problem was that it was a bit long and short-hopped Yadi. However, it was still quite catchable and came in on a line.
I was surprised and impressed given some other throws I have seen,
Any insight on Motte's injury?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
It's Motte,
weird is already factored in.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Might post later but it's not really that involved:
IMO Motte’s mechanics are not suited to him throwing as often as he had been, and it’s probably just a short-term overuse injury. Probably will linger beyond 15 days if it’s an actual strain. Probably will not linger if it’s just soreness.
He did lower his release point during the game, which is troubling, since that often leads to a cascade of other problems that eventually lead to elbow problems. As long as his mechanics straighten out, he shouldn’t face serious problems for at least a few more years.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
Dimished velocity and lowered arm slot both point to problems in the rotator cuff
And not just some weird AC joint injury.
Unless the AC joint injury is secondary to a problem elsewhere.
Frankly, AC joint injury just makes no sense and sounds like bullshit.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
we are so privileged here on VEB to have all these smart people
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Yeah, what value do YOU bring us?
Pfffft
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
hours later, mysterui is served.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
ha. no one has ever asked me for legal advice, which is actually pretty surprising.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
easy. self defense.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
by IHeartBoog on Aug 5, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Actually, if it was Miles
then there is no defense.
GET IT?
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Annnnnnnndddddddd
Scene
Good job everybody! Great show tonight!
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
This is going to lead to an interesting subthread
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Not on this team......
Our staff gets Moto-cross injuries for cripes sake.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
you could count on one hand
the number of people on this board who’d heard of “compartment syndrome” before Lohse developed it ….
I had heard of it
Because my wife is a doctor. One of her classmates in med school a couple years ago got it. She is a runner and was pushing herself way too hard. One of the ways you can get it.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Heh
And when she got it she hadn’t even been doing motocross or getting beaned by pitchers.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
me
but I don’t really count, because I’m one of them “medical perfeshunals” myself.
Cardinals Baseball 2010: Why have only one 25th man when you can have four?
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Aug 5, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I had heard of it
because a friend of mine got it after a football injury. Leg is still a bit messed up. pretty much ended his athletic career. But there were other things going on besides compartment syndrome.
"I told you, I don't like to be manhandled!"
I had heard of it
I’m a big fan of compartments and do everything I can to keep up on the latest information regarding them.
Still hoping this was a misunderstanding...
And Motte’s air conditioning went out, not his arm.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
I always thought AC injury
was from contact. Has Motte been wrestling Jeff Murphy in the bullpen?
AC strain is really a weird injury for a pitcher.
Generally pitchers strain their supraspinatus, screw up their glenoid labrum, tear their elbow ligaments or forearm muscles, or suffer oblique or hip injuries.
Generally, AC joint strains are, like jjray said, from contact. AC separation is what happens to QB’s because they are trying to get away from contact and get hit from the side, crushing the joint.
It’s not impossible for Motte to have strained his AC joint, but that seems unlikely considering his supraspinatus is just under that joint (so hurting it could give you a similar pain), and he threw a baseball rather than getting crushed by a football player.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
Motte has been dealing with on and off again
soreness in his shoulder all year.
Miles, in at third for his defense
I don't know how to judge Jay's splits.
His ’09 AAA numbers against LHP were much better. Has he improved? Is that a blip (his limited AAA ’10 numbers are not good)?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Yeah, I noticed that
He hit better against lefties in 09 than against righties. I assumed it was just random weirdness but maybe he made a huge leap that hasn’t manifested itself yet this year. He was terrible against LHP in the minors this year. That could also be random.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Over 61 ABs this year.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Hold me closer tiny sample
Count the bloop hits past the infield
Lay me down a bunt with men on
Do things that the box score conceals
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 5, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 16 recs
Last line was a reach, but I'll rec it.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I know it was, but not bad for literally about a minute of brainstorming, right?
Thanks for the rec.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
impressed me
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Just from watching him hit against lefties
and not considered statistics…he swings at a lot of junk.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Both UZR and DRS have Lopez above average in his time at 3B in the majors
SSS and all.
Not afraid to nitpick
Huh
I thought he was a tad below average, maybe I was just confusing that with his UZR for 2010. I’ll take a tad below average.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
i wasn't suggesting that you think Tony hates him
it’s a VEB thing to assume Tony hates players when he doesn’t play them as much, or where, we think he should.
Miles, in at third for his defense
Yeah, I'm just trying to play around with stereotypes and stuff now
Didn’t mean to imply that.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
As in, I got mixed up andthought you were replyingto one of my posts
Maybe I should just quit until the coffee kicks in…
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
It's the entire organization, without question.
What I believe people have a hard time swallowing is that, somehow, Craig is not good enough defensively, yet Joe Thurston, Mark DeRosa (who was not good at third base defensively), Felipe Lopez, and Aaron Miles are all acceptable. Obviously, TLR is giving those players the starts at third base once they are on the 25-man roster. He could conceivably do the same with Craig, bucking the FO in the process.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
well not aaron miles
That was a one off thing, again, Tony has put craig at 3rd this week!
But there is a chance, something that we seem to completely dismiss, that Lopez, DeRosa, and Thurston are actually better at playing third than Craig.
Miles, in at third for his defense
True
Part of the problem is that it’s impossible for a fan like me to really know since I’venever seen Craig play at third. And he did get that inning at third!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Sigh...inning at 3B in an 18-4 blowout...
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
which he could have prevented if he was over at third
and could have made some plays that Miles didn’t. However; what better time to get a guy you are unsure of playing time at third?
Miles, in at third for his defense
Yeah, it was a good time to do it
Take a chance at maybe seeing a ball hit to him. If he effs it up, it’s not going to significantly increase the chance of losing the game at that point.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
But then we wouldn't have had Miles to close out the game for us.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
He got an inning
in which nothing was hit even close to him and all he got to do was scratch at the dirt. The camera didn’t even come close to focusing on him that I saw, so we don’t even know if he could scratch at the dirt like a major leaguer or not.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
That's more of an issue I think with putting players there because they've played there with other clubs.
A MLB groupthink scenario, results be damned.
…and there is the chance of what Evilfrog says could be true. (But how does any of this explain Mather’s presence at third earlier this year?)
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
Mather just looks like a third baseman
I guess when Mather was destroying the minors for a year or two they were just hoping to get him on the lineup and third seemed like a need he might be able to fill.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
he was actually in like at 3rd
over Thruston before being hurt last year.
Miles, in at third for his defense
Wait, I'm confused now and having trouble remembering...
did Mather actually play third in the MLB a little last year before getting hurt?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I don't think Mather had a PA in MLB until maybe September.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
right
he was playing it in ST after Freese went down. Then he hurt his wrist, and thruston was moved in.
Miles, in at third for his defense
Ah, this I did not know.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
4 innings total.
3 in 2008
1 in 2010
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
And very limited appearances above A ball (Peoria)
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
weird as it feels
i think tlr is right about craig not playing 3rd. they should get a real 3rd baseman somehow, and have him replace miles.
craig should concentrate on learning to hit mlb pitching and playing right field, which he seems fine at to me so far
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
uh, real 3rd baseman please
wasn’t aware pedro the happy would be on that list
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
i pretty much agree with this
i may not have when ludwick was still here, but it’s pretty clear to me that jay/craig (one or both) will be the RF of the future. its more important for craig to get better in RF so they can keeping playing him for his bat.
and from what i’ve seen this year, which i know isn’t much, craig looks much more likely to be an everyday OF than Jay. Jay had the D, but Craig has the bat. despite Jay’s hot start, Craig really hits with authority. i do not doubt that he can succeed as a hitter at this level.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Jay is significantly faster and better at D though
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
right. and craig has significantly more power.
can we platoon them forever? that would be nice, but not likely.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
we will just have to figure out if Craig's bat is that much better than Jay's to make up for the defensive adjustment
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
i have a feeling it is
i’ve never been too high on jay
it’s a little unfortunate, though, that he decided to show his true self the moment that luddy left
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
You're smoking the wrong j if you've never been too high on it.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
heh today i am simultaneously arguing for AND against craig at 3B
i must be bored
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Craig undoubtedly sucks at 3B
He’s not going to be anywhere close to being close to average, he’d probably be lucky to be -15 right now. He was a bad minor league defensive 3B who hasn’t played there in a year.
Not afraid to nitpick
His Total Zone on minorleaguesplits.com does not suggest a horrible third baseman.
I suppose this depends on what one thinks of that metric. (I haven’t really looked at it.) I’ve never seen him live and in person, so I can’t add anything to this critique.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
This is what most of our arguments are based on:
His TZ numbers compare favorably against the MiLB track record of people like, say, Ryan Braun.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
Gross
Again, I am very disheartened by all these logical arguments that Craig might actually be a really bad third baseman. Not cool, doods. Not cool.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Well. . . .
I’m comfortable with Craig being a really bad 3B. Aramis Ramirez was a REALLY, REALLY bad 3B for a number of years, but still added a lot of value because he was at least a 3B. Jeter was an awful SS for the better part of a decade, but was still a good option. Joker seems to be indicating that Craig is not even at the acceptable enough level to call him a 3B. . .not even a placeholder. And that surely sucks.
Well that's not quite the issue
You can theoretically be productive as a -15ish 3B, but he is not a good enough hitter to justify that. Jetes and Ramirez were legitimate star caliber hitters, which Craig is not.
Not afraid to nitpick
Yeah, I think people misinterpreted my comment:
Compare favorably, as in, Braun had the type of defense that has to be moved to LF. Craig, apparently, did not.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
There is a reason your
screen name is joker. “Craig undoubtedly sucks at 3B.” Your main evidence for this point is that he hasn’t played the position in a year? And that he was rated an average defensive 3B in AA? That does not equal a metaphysical certitude that the guy will suck defensively at 3B. And it certainly does not guaranty that Allen Craig would be as bad as the worst defensive major league baseball player to start a game at 3B this millennium (otherwise known as Aaron Miles). The more reasonable conclusion is that Craig will be better at 3B than Miles. The open debate is whether Craig is equal to or better than Lopez at 3B and, also, the value of their bats and the collateral value of having Lopez freed up to play 2B.
It’s a reasonable debate not subject to all encompassing finality.
Oh boy
So if the Cardinals thought there was a chance that Allen Craig could be a productive major leaguer at 3B, do you think they move him to the OF, 1 Win further down the defensive spectrum to a position he never really played? You really think that the player development people like Luhnow and Abbamondi don’t understand the concept of positional scarcity?
They determined that he couldn’t be good enough for 3B, and that was over a year ago when he was actually playing 3B. What happens to a guy when he doesn’t do something for over a year? Oh yeah, he gets worse at it. So no, I don’t really think Craig can be a productive MLB player at 3B right now. He’s a shit ton better than Miles—-who shouldn’t be on the roster, let alone playing 2B, let alone playing 3B—-but that’s not really saying much.
Not afraid to nitpick
I think the move was related to Brett Wallace and David Freese
as well as some concerns about Craig’s throwing arm. Really your argument is just an appeal to authority.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
Yes, it is
I’ve never seen him play there, you apparently have, but most haven’t. Are we really going off of TZ numbers that say he’s just below average?
You pretty much have to trust that a bunch of smart guys who say “our philosophy in the minor leagues is to keep players at their most demanding position as long as possible” know what they are doing when they moved him off of there. And aside from that, even if he was just below average then, he hasn’t played there in a year!
Not afraid to nitpick
I believe Az's point was that we had a surplus at third base in Freese and Wallace,
so the only way to move Craigs bat up in the system, and get him regulars PAs, was to shift him off of the hot corner.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
That is the way I see it also
He is not a butcher in the field. Freese was just a plus fielder though and Wallace was the stud prospect moving up the system.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
How do we reconcile this though?
I agree that Abbamondi and Luhnow and Mejdal, et all “get it”. But they aren’t infallible. They were trying to address a need in the system (power bat in the corner outfield) when they had a (seeming) surplus at 3B.
My personal opinion of Craig is just that. That doesn’t mean I’m right by any means but your argument is just, “Trust the front office.” as if these weren’t some of the same people who added Aaron Miles to the team.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
It's not just trust the front office
It’s “trust the front office that he was at best a below average fielder” and “he hasn’t played there in a year so he’s going to be extremely rusty”.
Take a below average 3B, make him play the outfield for over a year and put him back at 3B and it’s just not going to be pretty. And that’s assuming that he was “just” below average when he actually played there.
Not afraid to nitpick
Have you watched the Cardinals the last few years
They tend to put players not in the regular positions all the time
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
And the dumb thing about this argument
Is that I’m saying Craig should get some time at 3B, just as Lopez’s strict backup and/or in blowouts. Hell maybe he shows in a couple of those games that he doesn’t appear to be a monkey tossing shit at a wall, but that’s not what I’m expecting…
Not afraid to nitpick
Box of Rocks
If players on the Cardinals didn’t play out of position, we wouldn’t have skippy at second this year. While I know he hasn’t been very good, there are no AB’s for him in the outfield and who you gonna run out at second most days?
If Craig shows he can stick for some starts at third, how does lopez look at second? I believe the general consensus is.. awful?
wat? no, i think second is lopez' best position
i think the general consensus is that we want lopex starting at 2b all the time.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Lopez is going to be better than Craig at third
seriously, I don’t think that’s even in doubt. The question is whether Craig’s bat and crappy glove at 3rd is better than Miles/Schu’s crappy bat at 2nd against left-handed pitching (even if it means Jay or Winn in left). I’m not sure myself, but I’d say there’s a good chance it is.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point
Still doesn’t explain Miles ever starting at third, which I know you wouldn’t defend.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
If Miles would to start at third...
I’d prefer he’d just lay down his glove, go into the stands and sell beer.
There were rumblings that Tony thought about putting Craig there. (which would have been his first game back from memphis) instead of Miles. That whole protecting the young guy thing.
You know, it isn’t fair to miles either. Because if Tony would just platoon him with skippy at 2nd against righties i would be fine with it. But he puts him into this positions to fail, and he fails.
Miles, in at third for his defense
to be fair
felipe has played a ton of 3B in his career, over 1100 innings
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
That's only like 125 games though
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
yes, but this is only his major league career.
1128 innings in the major leagues is a lot more than 1 inning. who knows how many he played in the minors.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
But defense translates MUCH better from the minors to the Majors
As a hitter, the pitchers get progressively better as you move up
As a defender, the balls don’t necessarily become harder hit
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
i don't understand what you mean defense translates better from the minors to majors
Literally
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
If you're a good defender in the minors, you're going to be a good defender in the Majors
If you’re a good hitter/pitcher in the minors, there’s a much lower chance you’ll be that good in the Majors
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I would say that is true for OFer's but necessary for IFer's
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
err
but not necessarily true for IFer’s
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Once again, I'm not talking about the numbers
Yes, according to TZ, there’s a negative correlation, but that could mean any number of things
There has to be a narrative to the numbers, and I don’t see WHY there would be a negative correlation
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Because OF is more about covering ground and speed
While playing IF is more about being skillful at the position
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
And the most skillful move up, so TZ should improve
That doesn’t help your argument at all
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
it does improve with every level up
Did you even read the article
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
...yes?
For infielders, players perform worse, relative to the league, as they move up in levels.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Oh I see the issue. Nevermind.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Wait, do these two sentences put together not make sense to anybody else?
Or am I being stupid?
For infielders, players perform worse, relative to the league, as they move up in levels. In other words, major league third basemen are better fielders than Triple-A third basemen, who are in turn better than players in the lower minors
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I wanna call you stupid but...
It simply states the higher league you are in the better 3B you are on average.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
But it says that players perform worse relative to the league as they move up
So at A-ball, they would be above average relative to the league
At AA, they would be average relative to the league
At AAA, they would be below average relative to the league
etc.
Am I really being that obtuse?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
yeah kind of
Better fielders get promoted more to higher levels.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
that would be self-selecting, wouldn't it?
if you’re bad at baseball, you’re less likely to be promoted.
this is really, really, ridiculously poorly worded
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Yeah. I think I finally figured it out
I hate those moments… Like a joke that a friend tells that everybody else laughs at and you’re just sitting there going “I DON’T GET IT WHY AM I SO STUPID”
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
i did not get it at all at first.
its not just you
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
but the average defender in the minors is worse
so, assuming TZ is modeled the same way as UZR, he’s held to a lower standard
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
Oh, this has nothing to do with numbers
Ryan Jackson could probably be a ML shortstop right now, but he won’t hit for shit. That’s what I’m saying
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I think that's a hectare or something
Cardinals Baseball 2010: Why have only one 25th man when you can have four?
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Aug 5, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
is it a long ton or a short ton?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Aaron Miles ton
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
"She'll go three hundred hectares on a single tank of kerosene!"
“What country is this from?”
“… It no longer exists.”
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
MIND OVER ARM! WORDS OVER GLOVE!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Matt Holliday does not make the final Web Gems cut
I’m not sure if he made the top plays cut.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
There's even intense focus when high-fiving.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Craigerator has more RBI (8) than Stavinoha (7)
in about half as many at bats.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
how many of those ABs were RBI situations?
How many of those came from his knees?
Miles, in at third for his defense
Craig has 15 official ABs w/runners on and Stav has 41.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
It's difficult to put much stock in RISP numbers, but when a guy is driving in more runs in
those situations with about a quarter of the ABs, it is striking.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
padrewick
:(
Miles, in at third for his defense
by Evilfrog on Aug 5, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Pudwick?
No, I still like him way too much for that.
There’s another video of him breaking up a no-hitter in the 7th. wtb the former Cardinals with the Padres.
you're right
there is another video no no-no for Padilla courtesy of Studwick
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
also here's a link to a hummel article about craig
from the PD: Craig hopes Cards keep him around
So, despite the fact he has had four hits in his last seven at-bats in two games since coming up from Class AAA Memphis, manager Tony La Russa said, “It’s best for him not to assume anything. I’m playing the role of the Grim Reaper. That’s the role I played in my kids’ play.”
terrific, keep the vets that need to be DFA’d but by all means, cut your young talent…
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
I think that's just TLR keeping a player grounded.
Keep him hungry, keep him thinking that every AB could be his last with the big club.
You see what happened to Jon Jay when he felt he was going to be an everyday player…not doing so hot lately.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
chief justice will bounce back
i think he’s probably more scared than anything that the job might be his to lose now
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
I don't know how much bouncing back Jay will be doing.
By season’s end, his OPS will probably be below .800 and it’s going to be frustrating to watch.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Jay will never bounce back to hitting .380 or whatever it was with a BABIP in the 400s
I have no idea if he’s scared of losing an everyday gig or not, but his not doing so hot lately looks to me like normal regression that was inevitable.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
You see what happened to Jon Jay when he felt he was going to be an everyday player…not doing so hot lately.
Yes. Jon Jay not hitting .400 anymore is entirely due to complacency.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's just ignore that incredibly high BABIP.....
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
the site for the performance is gone
so went with an RFT cap.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Sorry. Can't let an excuse to post this slip by
jprutherford Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 5, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, playing Grim Reaper Rabbit, looks down on a begging Paris Wages playing Arabesqua, while Elaine LaRussa, playing Mother Ginger Rabbit, views her daughter Devon LaRussa lying on stage and playing Formerly White Rabbit during a dress rehearsal of the dance “The MAD Hatter Performance and Tea Party” on Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, in San Francisco. The dance will take place Saturday at the Cowell Theater in San Francisco. (AP Photo/John Storey)
jprutherford Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 5, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
there it is
good google-fu.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
now who's doing the photoshop...?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
With Miles as Arabesqua, Mozeliak as Mother Ginger Rabbit, and Freese as Formerly White Rabbit.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
no, no
I’m going off the original quote
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Ah. So Craig plays Arabesqua, with Ludwick as Formerly White Rabbit.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
Nah,
that’s too good to leave in the hands of Google. That stuff lives on my hard drive in perpetuity.
jprutherford Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 5, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
do you visit it often
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I guard it jealously.
Like Cerberus at the gates… of my hard drive(?)
jprutherford Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 5, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Tony's "genius" routine is getting really freaking old
not every answer to a reporter’s question has to be some pyschobabble jedi mind trick directed at the kid’s subconscious to lure him into some mental state amenable to managerial machinations. Tony, just say “the kid’s doing great a job so far, we’re proud of him, we hope he can stay up”….then STFU
So, he shouldn't refer to himself as "the Grim Reaper" as it relates to our players?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
i dunno
i think i seen him give Penny a high five after the grandslam….
Miles, in at third for his defense
on a different note
I think it’s more a side effect of the “old man joke” Anyone ever notice that when old people tell jokes they aren’t being funny? And more than likely they are just pissing the people off who they are trying to come off as funny to?
Miles, in at third for his defense
Perhaps that's what freaked Anthony Reyes out.
SCENE:
POST-GAME press conference- ANTHONY REYES has just pitched the game of his life, going eight innings for a win in the second game of the world series against the DETROIT TIGERS. REPORTERS crowd into the room opposite the winning manager, TONY LARUSSA.
REPORTERS: Tony! Tony!
LARUSSA motions to one of the reporters
REPORTER: That was just incredible. Anthony Reyes, right! What did you think of his performance?
TONLY LARUSSA: Well, what can you say?
Mortal! the loftiest attributes of men,
Reason and Knowledge, only thus contemn,
Still let the Prince of lies, without control,
With shows, and mocking charms delude thy soul
I have thee unconditionally then!
Fate hath endow’d him with an ardent mind,
Which unrestrain’d still presses on for ever,
And whose precipitate endeavour
Earth’s joys o’erleaping, leaveth them behind.
Him will I drag through life’s wild waste,
Through scenes of vapid dulness, where at last
Bewilder’d, he shall falter, and stick fast;
And, still to mock his greedy haste,
Viands and drink shall float his craving lips beyond—
Vainly he’ll seek refreshment, anguish-tost,
And were he not the devil’s by his bond,
Yet must his soul infallibly be lost!
REPORTER: Is that Faust?
LARUSSA: Yeah. It just came to mind when I thought of the game tonight.
REPORTER: Oh…kay.
LARUSSA motions to another reporter
REPORTER 2: How ’bout them Tigers pitchers?
/SCENE
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
by hazel on Aug 5, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
Not to quibble on such a fine post
but it was the first game of the WS.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
wasn't game two
kenny rogers, and his mucky palm?
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
yes
what a d-bag. B/c of the rainout of Game 4, once we finally got to Game 5, Rogers could have started again on normal rest…..Leyland didn’t want to expose him to the hostile fans though. One of the great what-ifs of baseball IMHO.
really? that was the reason?
fear of the Sign Guy?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I thought it was because they didn't want Rogers to bat
"Very accomplished bunter" - Rick Horton about Aaron Miles
that may have had something to do with it
but I think it was more that they were trying to protect Rogers from Operation: Midwest RAGE.
But they inadvertently caused Operation: Midwest RAVE
"Very accomplished bunter" - Rick Horton about Aaron Miles
by jd is legend on Aug 5, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that's my recollection
I mean, this was only a few days after the pine tar game and people were still pissed. He would have been booed every time he stepped on the field, threw a pitch, in between each pitch, and every time he got the ball back from the catcher. If he was doing well, I can’t even imagine what people would have been yelling at the umpires. People might have thrown stuff on the field. It would have been epic. It would have been the theme of the national broadcast, too.
And who knows, maybe he shuts down the Cards, maybe not. Verlander wasn’t a bad choice as a substitute, although he did not play particularly well.
we oughta ask someone who was there.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
did you go streaking?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
not necessarily cut
but keep them on a shorter leash, with a bus ticket to memphis at one end of it
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Boog's middle name is Wood, sweet.
Check out his splits though…encouraging!
Last 7 days he’s hitting .500 (very high BAbip though, .524)
Last 14 days he’s hitting .476 (.472 BAbip)
Last 28 days he’s hitting .317 (.328 BAbip)
He’s not a .300 hitter, by any means, but hopefully he can level off around .270 or so and get that OBP into the .330 range?
Do those splits have batted ball data, too?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
He's not hitting .270 this year, obviously, but maybe he can get it to .250.
Keep in mind, he was hitting .080 at one point and .162 on May 18!
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I just hope his OBP creeps up over the Izturis line (.300).
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Cesar.
I disliked that signing so much that I began trying to create new measures of offensive futility and name them for Cesar.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I just hope his D remains stellar.
Bat him nine. PH him late. He’s been dazzling lately.
by EddieHarsch on Aug 5, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I hate off days......
bright side: Aaron Miles is not in the lineup today.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on Aug 5, 2010 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
I was almost happy about that
but then I realized that Albert, Colby, Holliday, and Craig aren’t in the lineup today either.
Srsly Don Tony, wai u haet us???/2
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
What I am struggling with
is how successful a platoon of Jay and Craig will be against pitchers who can make pitches. Both can rake when they get a consistent diet of fastballs, but they both show vulnerability against the off-speed stuff and the word is going to get out.
I worry about them both being over-exposed in the middle of a run for a division title.
you mean Randy Winn doesn't qualify?
/tongue planted firmly in cheek
Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue....
by Futility Infielder on Aug 5, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I think any hitter who is only expected to hit about .260 .340 .450
struggles against good pitching. Jaig isn’t an awesome player. But they each give us a little something. Defense/Pop platoon is pretty cool and about as good as what any other team has in their outfield corners.
I wonder which force will prove more powerful
Craigression, or Jaygression?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 5, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Short-term, Craig has a good psychological advantage.
Due to his 1-19 start, even if he’s not performing amazingly he gets to watch his numbers creep up for a bit.
Fun with selective endpoints
He’s at .333 .370 .542 since being called back up in 27 PAs (.368 BABIP yay!).
Not afraid to nitpick
2010 AAA Line:
.322/.389/.558/.360 BABIP
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Craigression transcends league.
(I know this isn’t true.)
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I will personally be overjoyed if Jay hits .260/.340/.450
I’m not sure we should “expect” that from him.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
That's about what I'm hoping for with Craig actually
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I hope so
but I just try to knock a good amount off of minor league production so as not to get my hopes up. And I’d be satisfied with that line from Craig, not overjoyed or anything. From Jay I’d be plenty happy, like Monk.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
i just think he has too good a swing to be a .790 OPS guy
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
Allen Craig is a laser show, with more homers.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Well, I guess that is a tad low
I would think he could bat better than.260 now that I think about it more, which would push the OPS over .800. I dunno. Could he slug .500 in the big leagues right now?
I think he can definitely be an above average hitter, and maybe I’m off on what that means. It’s been a while since I checked what that means other than for wOBA.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
i think average is like .730-ish
i see him as low .800s with high-.800s potential
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
Average is lower than I remembered I guess
I had a hard time remembering that average wOBA/OBP is in the .320s instead of the .330s. I thought average OPS was something like .750 to .760.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Craig's MLE for his 292 AB in Memphis this year
is .277/.330/.452. He also has a .360+ BABIP. You kinda have to remember that the MW league is crazy good for hitters.
I think we’ll see a bit more power from him as he develops, but I dunno if he’s really got much growth left as a major league hitter. As with Matty, I think I’d be reasonably happy with the line someone quoted for Jon Jay above. I think he’ll hit lefties better than that, and so I think a Jay/Craig platoon in RF might be an above-average offensive “player”, and probably pretty good in the field too.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 6, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
lower the slugging percentage a lot, OBP sounds decent although im guessing his average will have to be higher
cause he doesn’t walk that much…..
.275/.340/.400 sounds good with plus defense
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
Yawn.
Many very good hitters suck against good offspeed pitches. That’s why pitchers throw them. Consider the man they are replacing: Ludwick is an excellent hitter but he has never, ever been able to hit a slider for shit. He looked like he was on drugs earlier swinging at some of the outside sliders he was getting.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
I don't disagree with you.
But they are rookies, and a veteran-ish player struggling is different than a rookie struggling.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Mental approach, comfort, the whole "been there before and got through it" attitude.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Also
With Jaig out there, we can definitely play the “hot hand” if one of the young guys is strugglin . ..
I'll simply say again,
EVERY hitter is better against fastballs than offspeed stuff. Some hitters more than others: Ludwick, the Lemur from Milwaukee, Mark Reynolds, Soriano are all examples of hitters who have serious problems with some offspeed pitches yet they are still good hitters.
Young hitters are not markedly better or worse than older players against offspeed stuff simply because they are young. If Jay and Craig are talented enough to be in the majors, then they should be able to handle offspeed pitches. Craig especially seems like he will be able to adjust well because of his decent pitch recognition and good swing. Jay I am a bit more worried about because he has a slightly odd swing routine and doesn’t seem as patient.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
by hazel on Aug 5, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Doesn't work for me for some reason.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
try this
go here and click on the PDF link under publications #14 “Batting Average by Count and Pitch Type: Fact and Fallacy”
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
way to go Eric Bickel
He is obviously a baseball fan.
I bookmarked this cause I’m at work and no time to read it now. I probably won’t understand it, but I’ll give it a try.
"I told myself from the very beginning: 'If he's going to throw a shutout, then he's going to tie,'" Wainwright said. "He was not going to beat me today."
I thought I was old-fashioned, Ghost!
I’m way more skeptical of the omniscience of peripherals and sample sizes than a lot of the contributors are here. But I’m pretty sure ability to get into or come out of a slump has historically only been significant when a player is old and regressing. DeRosa was a vet who sucked his entire time in St. Louis last year. I just want a playa.
he had no wrist.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
But you are forgetting the TLR factor...
Will TLR be so inclined to get them PAs when they are struggling? Or do we see the Winn/Stavinoha/Jay/Craig carousel?
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
This is true.
Tony loves him a veteran. But he made the choice to go with the young guys when he got rid of Ludwick.
(Disclaimer: I’m aware it was Mo and not TLR that “got rid” of Ludwick. However, I am of the opinion that Mo is literally a puppet for Tony to pretend that his GM and managerial duties are actually two different people. This is why he keeps resigning himself to favorable one year contracts.)
no stav is in AAA until september callups, i'm sure
i know its only been a few days, but winn has not started since luddy left. this is important. and even last night when craig came out of the game, TLR replaced him with jay. everything i’ve seen when jay and craig are on the 25-man suggests that they will both get a lot of playing time.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
I was going to say
“What about Monday night?” when I remembered that Craig was not up yet. As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather not ever see Winn playing outfield again this year. (OK, maybe in 18-4 blowouts, but not when he can lose another game by not being able to go back on a ball more than 10 feet.)
by ArkansasTravs on Aug 5, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Ummm
I’m pretty sure Craig is better suited to hit off-speed vs. fastballs relative to most hitters. He doesn’t have the lightning quick bat.
Not afraid to nitpick
Craig will probably have more contact issues, but he has way more power.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
Which is not uncommon.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
People who hit for more power often strike out more than people who are slap hitters.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
You're saying we have a potential Dunn?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Pujols actually doesn't have that quick of a bat either, IIRC
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
btw, the entire 10 minute video
riding to work with Waino is up on FSNMW
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
by d-dee on Aug 5, 2010 10:35 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
He'll be in the best shape of his life
in about 7 or 8 months.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Waino for Cy.
I already cast my nonexistent vote for him.
That cancels out Keith Law's uninformed vote.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Keith Law's vote is pretty informed
Even if you disagree with the stats he’s looking at, you can’t argue that the guy doesn’t put in a lot of thought/work into his voting.
Not afraid to nitpick
Healthy grass is green.
Let’s see you disagree with that!
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Not a palindrome
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
What shade of green though?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Media pseudonym, Margaret. All right, abdicate! Get Acid Bath Girl! Later, a Grammy. No dues paid, Em
Big McLargehuge!
:=8O
Knock it off dude
"Very accomplished bunter" - Rick Horton about Aaron Miles
by jd is legend on Aug 5, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
This makes way more sense than most palindromes.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Law puts a lot of time into his research and writing . . .
However, his postseason awards are always based upon whose results are most easily repeatable in future years. I understand that K/BB rates are important predictive measures of success; and that BABIP has a lot to do with luck . . . But sometimes people deserve awards for what they actually accomplished in a season and not for just what they would have accomplished in your hypothetical world.
He is also arrogant as hell.
by EddieHarsch on Aug 5, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Cy Young
One might argue that an accomplishment is better if it is less lucky and that a pitcher who had similar numbers and was less lucky is more deserving of an award that is based on an individual pitcher’s performance.
Also, I like Law’s moxy.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I agree with you.
However, it is pretty arrogant to assume that we “know” who was lucky and who was not, based on the fact that someone struck out more and walked fewer. K/BB rate is huge, I know. But I DO think pitchers pitch differently in different situations. I do think that defenders make single plays over the course of a season that can transform a pitcher’s stats for the year. The equations that mitigate park factors and opposition and weight pitchers with better K/BB rates are EXTREMELY valuable. I’m just not willing to say that because one pitcher has a lower xFIP than another, that that pitcher was DEFINITIVELY better than another one. I think looking at IP and ERA for a season gives a VERY accurate tally of a pitcher’s effectiveness, and shouldn’t be discounted. I don’t give a shit about wins at all. But I do think a pitcher that routinely goes over 7 is way more valuable than a guy that goes 6. I have an awful lot of trouble with WAR saying Johnson has been worth an entire win more than Adam, despite Adam having thrown some 15 more innings than Johnson has this year. I think all the stats are good and anything new is a benefit. But all they do is paint a fuller portrait of what kind of season a player had; rather than exclusively rank them based on a single stat.
Johnson would have had to pitch 13 more innings at a 4.84 ERA to match Wainwright in IP/ERA
Or basically the equivalent of a below replacement reliever—-he’s been better than Wainwright.
Not afraid to nitpick
Fine. . .He's "better"
That’s different than who has accomplished more this season. Who is to say that Johnson wasn’t pulled early in games because he was so tired that his stuff would be worse than a reliever’s. You are cherry-picking your innings. Those 13 extra innings Adam has thrown have been late innings in a ballgame, where SPs are worse. Make Johnson pitch 13 7th innings after he has thrown 95 pitches (or whatever his avg pitchcount through six is), and his stats definitely would be higher than they are.
The point is that
If you started the game with a replacement level reliever for an inning and then let Johnson go, that combination would be better than Wainwright. The extra 13 innings don’t make up for Johnson having been better.
Not afraid to nitpick
Yes, in the land of hypotheticals. . .
But you have also taxed a reliever for 13 more innings this season. And you are not acknowledging (similar to the Clemens vs Carpenter Cy Young race) that if a pitcher is expected to throw fewer innings, he can have greater success.
Yes he can
And perhaps by that reasoning, Wainwright would be better suited to not pace himself for 9 innings and focus on being better for 7-8.
There are a shit ton of 4.50 FIP relievers that the Marlins hypothetically could mix and match, DFA and call up if you wanted to get 13 innings out of them. If you are building your team, you want the guy with the 1.96 ERA in 147 innings over the 2.19 in 160 (even ignoring FIP/xFIP/tERA)
Not afraid to nitpick
Joke,
I know your logic is sound when looking at the game not as 162 individual games but as the 1500+ single innings played over the course of the year. And I know that is the “best” way to look at data when analyzing a player’s effectiveness. I just do not believe that it is the “only” way to look at the data.
From 20 years of watching baseball, I prefer SPs that throw more innings and can get deep into games. (IE: Garcia has been a fine 3 this year, but I just can’t be thrilled until I know he can win a game with very little offensive or bullpen help.) There are no current models to account for this leaning I have, but I do believe in the future there will be.
Just as I still think defense is not quite properly analyzed and is still undervalued, because there has not been extensive look at how outs save pitch counts and get better pitchers with higher K-rates to throw more innings.
But thank you for illuminating the discussion with your thoughts. They make a lot of sense.
There are a shit ton of 4.50 FIP relievers that the Marlins hypothetically could mix and match,
I’ll give them Mike Fucking MacDougall for free….
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Check Johnson's game log
Look how many times he needs 111 pitches to get 6 innings, for God’s sake. Adam trades a little BB/K and a little contact so he can get deeper into games. If you told Adam he could throw 111 pitches in 6 innings against the Nationals, I’m pretty sure he’d strike out plenty, go 5 2/3 be gassed, and his peripherals would look GREAT. But he doesn’t. He and Halladay (who gets my 2 vote) go deep into games, save their bullpen arms, and lead to their team’s success.
I don't think Johnson has been better than Wainwright
Those IP means Wainwright averages like .5 IP more game than Johnson
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Eh
But that’s his definition of “best”…..there’s a billion factors affecting “luck” the majority of which have nothing to do with the pitcher and he chooses just to ignore it all. I think he basically says “if I had dropped the CY’s performance on any given team for the year, he would have been better than any other pitcher.”
That’s not quite how I would approach it, but you can certainly understand where he’s coming from, no? (aside from the pompousness)
Not afraid to nitpick
I feel like that guy at the end of Titanic. . .
Is anybody alive out there?
Halladay has Wainwright beat in most stats
Wainwright
IP: 160.1
K/9: 8.25
BB/9 2.19
ERA 2.19
FIP 2.98
xFIP 3.22
WAR 4.2
Halladay
IP: 178.0
K/9: 7.99
BB/9 1.06
ERA 2.17
FIP 2.80
xFIP 2.91
WAR 5.5
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Than the numbers that currently put Halladay over the top
8 Complete Games with 3 shut outs. Both best in the NL
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, I concur.
It is purely my love of Wainwright which causes me to select Wainwright over Halladay. His stats in that ball park have been incredible. To this point through the season, though, I would rather have had Wainwright on my team than Josh Johnson.
Johnson doesn't have enough IP per start imo
To win the Cy Young. The best pitchers in the league go deeper into games
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
As I said above
If Wainwright could be better for 6-8 innings than he is for 7-9, he probably should go ahead and do that unless the bullpen is taxed to hell.
Not afraid to nitpick
It really is a toss up to me between Johnson and Wainwright
Halladay though has been simply the best. He has pitched 30 more innings than Johnson. That is like 5 Johnson starts.
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 5, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh yeah Halladay wins this
But I’m definitely taking Johnson’s 2010 so far over Wainwright’s. That’s not really a knock on Waino, Johnson has been amazingly good.
Not afraid to nitpick
I think it's a toss-up as well.
I just don’t think Johnson has been decisively better. And on this Cardinals team, I would rather have Waino than Johnson because of how few innings Suppan, Hawks, Penny, Lohse, and Garcia have given the team. At the same time, by the end of 2010 I think Adam’s ERA will be just a tic under Johnson’s and let’s hope his wins carry him to a slightly undeserved Cy.
are u saying a toss up bw johnson and wainwright for 2nd?
and Doc gets 1st outright
i think its a race bw Waino and Johnson
halladay has gotten shelled a couple a games and i look at consistency
by guillermozeliak on Aug 6, 2010 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions
damn, halladay's ERA is lower than waino's now
and he had 18 more IP in the same amount of games. HFS™
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
thought this deserved its own gif
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
by d-dee on Aug 5, 2010 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Haven't been there, so I'm asking...
Are the billboards in play or out of play?
(Where is the top of the fence for HR purposes?)
He looked like a real outfielder and everything on that play.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
Above the line I thought.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
That's what I first thought.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
The side angle they showed
It was pretty clear the ball wasn’t going over the fence. Still a great play…
Not afraid to nitpick
Actually, as I think about it
…it looked like his gloved flopped over on top of the wall.
But maybe that’s just me.
Now, we just need a gif of Walrus giving Boog the finger waggle.
Still don’t know why that cracked me up so much.
what's he been doing to Boyer's name?
the Y looks blackened
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
He's trying to change the "y" to an "n"
"Very accomplished bunter" - Rick Horton about Aaron Miles
by jd is legend on Aug 5, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
(tee hee)
"Very accomplished bunter" - Rick Horton about Aaron Miles
by jd is legend on Aug 5, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
so you're saying this was Braun's fault?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
he does draw penises in the dirt
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Can't believe they retired it, really
I mean, he had that one good relief appearance against the Diamondbacks last year, but it just seemed a little premature to me. They really have egg on their faces now he’s been DFAed.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They were trying to convince us he was worth trading Brian Barton for
If his number is retired he must be awesome!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Ok, that's what it looks like.
Wonder why there’s no yellow line to help with that.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
I was wondering that too as I looked at it last night
Probably because it would ruin the green on green motif/aesthetic.
Looks over function.
iBusch Stadium.
(I kid, I kid)
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
camera work sucks
would it have gone over the wall?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
the other camera also sucked.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I was about 100 feet away
And it looked like Holiiday’s glove flopped on top on the wall after making the catch.
Wasn't a HR from every angle that they showed on FSMW.
He jumped as much laterally as he did vertically, if that makes sense.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Did anybody else see this?
Torii Hunter was thrown out trying to steal THIRD down 7-9 in the 9th inning after mounting a 6 run comeback…
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
What out was it?
Not that it really matters since that’s a pretty stupid point to try to steal. Was it a botched hit and run maybe?
by Cardfanintherock on Aug 5, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody. And not a botched hit and run... it was just a straight steal
“That was stupid,” Hunter said softly. “That was so stupid. Can’t take it back, killed the rally, terrible. They teach you that in Little League — don’t make the first out at third. [It] might have been the dumbest thing I’ve done in years.”
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I rarely watch the Angels, but I get the sense that Torii is kind of above the law out there?
I kind of got that vibe from some of his comments during the All-Star festivities as well.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
A thought: Would taking WPA and then subtract all of it related to hitting
Be an okay stat to judge “playing the game the right way?”
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Even if you did that
Miles still would suck.
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Aug 5, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Only if it confirms my judgment that Milton Bradley sucks at it.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
Ryan's group won the bid
for the Rangers. I was really hoping to see Cuban own a team other than the scrubs.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
The Astros might be available soon.
If he wanted a franchise, he might be able to buy them. I am pretty sure McClane has been trying to sell the franchise.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Let me reitterate:
a team not in the NL Central.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Hahahaha
Kinda forgot about that…
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
hm
anyone else here ever received a personal email from one of the STL direct sales representatives?
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
tickets. but
it’s the usual i noticed you bought such and such tickets for the cubs series, we have some exclusive offers bla bla
what surprises me is not they’re trying to get me to buy more tickets, but that it’s from a guy listed in the front office and his direct line phone number is in there and everything. it’s not like i bought out the champions club either. just a bit puzzled that’s all
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
They've been much more aggressive with sales lately.
I used to never hear from my ST rep during the season, but she’s been sending me regular offers for additional discounted tickets for the past month+.
jprutherford- Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 5, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Cardinals should have a vampire night like the Mariners do
Or the famous “I can haz cheezburger” night
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Maybe those things would jump us to #6 in the organizational rankings
"Very accomplished bunter" - Rick Horton about Aaron Miles
by jd is legend on Aug 5, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hm, that's what i thought
they seem to be pushing sales
especially since that is the only type of people they are looking to hire too
just startled me for a second that it was not the standard email they send, but it actually came from the address from one of the main sales reps and had some details in it as if someone actually took a minute to write it. hm…
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
the diamondbacks do this. i scored some great deals this way. they operate like car salesman, you can always try to get a better deal
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Did you sign up for
an autographed ball? I got a phone call.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I got one too...
and a guy left a voicemail. It was something like “I noticed you attended the Military Appreciation Day and boy have I got another upcoming for you!”
maybe Mo came 'round the sales offices and said
We need moar pie, jerks.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
There are some initial inquiries to determine
if Westbrook likes mostacholi or gooey butter cake.
jprutherford- Bud Norris could get @dgoold and @matthewhleach to stop twittering. #layup
by The Continental on Aug 5, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
let's do the smart thing and ask Austin Wilson
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
first destination of the Holliday family last year
…that free car from Albert might’ve helped.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
went to the game yesterday
- i regretfully say that aaron miles looked good last night…. im not sure if it was the AM syndrome (looking good compared to previous results) but he crushed a ball into right and the groundout to first…. the base hit was decently hit ball as well…. im gonna go hang myself now
- nice having two aces right… i mean besides the whole two aces are the foundation of our team, i really wonder what we would do in terms of a losing streak if we didn’t have carp or waino… or garcia really…. i guess 2006 provided the answer
- Randy Winn is batting .250 with a .264 BABIP and a .333 OBP and a .417 slugging percentage…. basically he’s getting pretty unlucky but he’s exactly league average… i say this because with Craig up, he’s officially not blocking anyone now that ludwick is gone and if can get hot, he’ll be pretty good with the bat
- i love Allen Craig
- comments from the hilarious people behind me – “Aaron Miles looks like a sex robot” (im sure i heard this wrong, but this is what came to my hears)…. “Walk it off… bitch” (referring to Michael Bourn…. “Molina means Mexican (something i can’t remember)…. i thought it meant badass”…. they also had a discussion of how one guy’s shoelaces didn’t match his shoes which was only funny because of how loud they were
- the Fredbird girls look way better up close that’s for sure
- it was cool seeing at least an oppurtunity for the cycle for Pujols, but I was about 95% sure that it wasn’t happening because a tripe is the hardest thing in baseball…. it depends on the fielders making a blunder mostly… Pujols does have the aggressive baserunning required though
- JA Happ has sucked with the Astros… 16 walks, 15 strikeouts before he gave up 3 walks and struck out one
- Carlos Lee contract i realized is godawful… so far they have gotten a $0.74 surplus (i used the 4.4 per WAR)…. but its a fucking backloaded contract so he was paid 11 and 12 million the first two years
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
I think Dan'n'Al mentioned last night that they were thinking of moving Lee to first
That says a lot both about what they think of Lee’s defense and what they think of the Walrus
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
that is, if you trust dan and al
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
This time, it's safe
Lee to get look at first
Carlos Lee stands to get a trial run at first base before the season is over as manager Brad Mills looks to gauge all available options.
“There’s a good chance of getting him at first base. When? I don’t know that yet,” Mills said.
Lance Berkman’s departure to the New York Yankees prompted the call-up of recently acquired rookie Brett Wallace to take over duties at first base.
Lee, who has played in left field for most of his major league career, came up as a third baseman in the minors but also saw time at first.
Mills believes Lee has the stuff to handle the duties but cautioned against reading too much into the experiment.
“I think we need to find out what we have; that’s all,” Mills said. “It’d be just to see how he does in one game and see if maybe he wants to do it again.”
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
what a crappy player
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
so, walrus at 3rd after all
better than pedro de happy i guess
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
I think I'd give him a try at third if he was on my team
oh wait, shit
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
?
From same article….
Wallace fine where he is
The Astros have given no consideration to having rookie Brett Wallace playing third base, where he garnered most of his starts through his first two years in the minors.
“There’s no reason to move (Chris Johnson) from there or move Wallace there for him to get some at-bats,” manager Brad Mills said. “He’s going to be getting plenty of those at first base.”
Wallace, 23, will get the bulk of the playing time at first, although he is likely to sit against certain lefthanded pitchers, Mills said.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
that has to be a good move
he’s below average defensively in LF and it hurts his value
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
But it blocks Wallace.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
if they move Lee to first over Wallace then they obviously don't have much of an opinion on him
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
if they want to be a better team
the question is – is there a guy in LF who can match the value of Lee at LF and Wallace at 1B…. without knowing there farm, im sure there is… its not difficult when all you have to do is having a league average LF with the bat with plus defense or vice versa
problem is the astros suck so who gives a shit about adding wins
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
I was just curious
Lee’s wOBA for ’10 is .299
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
So, they are putting a player who has had a season equal to Skip at first base?
Wonderful!
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 5, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
These are your Houston Astros.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
for an exhorbitant price!
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the theory is that a position player will put up the same WAR in any position: whatever good or harm done by moving down or up the defensive spectrum is offset by positional adjustments. It’s more of a stretch with something dramatic like a C → SS conversion, but that’s the idea.
i don't like that theory
think about moving colby to LF or holliday to SS
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I could easily see Colby him adding ~10 defensive runs in LF, breaking even on WAR. Something like a LF → SS conversion is another extreme example which would require experience to even settle, but it’s still the fundamental basis for positional adjustments.
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/fielding_differences_in_the_positions/ is a starting point, including the studies referenced in the comments.
It'll also smell gross the whole time you cook it
My mom’s family is half Mexican, and they love the stuff. They make a few different foods, including menudo every time there is a big family gathering. I’ve never been a big fan.
The tamales are great though.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
remember that idiot who was saying
they would rather have Happ right now than Oswalt.
Veb is full of morans.
Miles, in at third for his defense
i think i'd rather have Happ right now, contracts considered
Oswalt isn’t worth $15m next two years, and we don’t have it to spend….
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
an offday today
gather focus and drive, team
you can do better
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 1:24 PM EDT reply actions
Royals DFA Jose Guillen
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
This has to be heartening for KC fans.
Hopefully they install a young player in his place.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 5, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they have some Hawaiian kid in the minors that is awesome, or something.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually they called him up a couple days ago.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Fucking LOVE the Kila monster
What I wouldn’t give to work in the Royals front office
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
After further consideration
I would give one of my testicles to work for the Royals front office
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I don't think your testicle would be very successful in that role.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ask your mom
It would
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Considering the house-cleaning coming for them,
you’d have plenty of opportunity for advancement.
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
That's generally the plan
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Kaiahueahugaheua or whatever his name is
will be the guy that takes over at first when Butler is traded to Red Sox, or whereever….
Actually, Guillen was primarily DHing so Kila will probably move there
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Guillen was playing more OF than expected
between injuries to Ank and DeJesus, but you’re right he was their primary DH.
But IIRC Kila is a better first baseman than Butler. If Kila is in KC and Guillen has DFA’d, I’d assume that would make Butler the DH and KK the 1B.
Kila Ka'aihue
I know this because I had my part-Hawaiian girlfriend teach me the correct way to pronounce his name.
Also, his real first name is Micah, which is a bummer.
I can pronounce it cause I hear it on the radio all the time....
I can never remember how to spell it though.
Doesn't he have a brother who is in the minors right now?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Actually it's Kamehameha
If you say it really loud and slow and get real pissed off, you might go super saiyan and shoot a huge energy beam out of your hands.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
the groundskeepers will also hate ye.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Can he play 3B?
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Adam Wainwright reaches on force attempt, throwing error by Aaron Heilman. Jaime Garcia scores. Brendan Ryan to 3rd. Adam Wainwright to 2nd. None out.
He is a right fielder...
But due to the transitive property, I believe
Since Craig plays RF and he, allegedly can play 3B…
Then Guillen can allegedly play 3B because he plays RF.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
your alchemy is strong
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
cannot alex gordon play 3rd?
is he still at omaha?
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
he's in KC now I think
they’ve got him in left, apparently either cause they don’t believe in him at third, or because of Moustakas in AAA, or a mix of both. If it didn’t cost the Cards too much, I’d be all for taking a chance on Gordon at third….
$3.8 million still owed to him.
He’s a free agent after this year.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm just going to embrace it, now. sigh.
because I read this headline and was waiting for the Dragonball punchline.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I have not watched it for fifteen years or something
someone here started posting the 9000 meme and it all came back.
jerks.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
sure.
I’m also not good at math.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
They came out with a live action movie...
But it sucked…. bad…
"I don't like to sound egotistical, but every time I stepped up to the plate with a bat in my hands, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the pitcher." Rogers hornsby.
Tends to happen with this genre, it seems
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
how many Asians were cast in the lead roles, heh.
Hollywood is predictable. Asian cinema tends to be smarter about its own product. or at the same level of “campy”.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I can see Pujols hair glowing and becoming spiked personally.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
indeed
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Except for the bald parts
Apparently Pujols was born with a tail, but it got removed somewhere along the way…
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Yeah, about that...
that might have been me…
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Completely OT...
But the new Arcade Fire is fantastic. I wish they’d announce a tour date out here in the northwest.
That is all.
all these people talking about it
i guess i should listen. i didn’t think neon bible was very good. is it better than neon bible? funeral?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
Agreed.
They are maturing and finding ways to expand their sound without selling out or watering down what they are as a band.
They are also incredible live.
by mattisnotfrench on Aug 5, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
I would imagine a dead band to be quite boring and lacking sound.
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I.E. The Grateful Dead
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
They're at Lollapalooza this weekend...
in Chicago…
"I don't like to sound egotistical, but every time I stepped up to the plate with a bat in my hands, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the pitcher." Rogers hornsby.
At what point do they lose the indie categorization?
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
they're mainstream alt-rock
i don’t know why they’d have the indie label or what’s indie about them
and no, i don’t adhere to the “indie is bands on independent labels only” philosophy
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
they're indie, i assume the reasoning goes, because
they’re not signed to a major label.
in my mind arcade fire is nothing like alt. rock.
eh, i dunno
talking about genres is boring
i’m gonna listen to the music and we’ll talk about that!
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
i agree.
i suppose genre’s are subjective and too ill-defined. but yeah, give it a spin and then we’ll talk.
any albums you’ve been loving recently?
sure
my rotation right now is pretty much:
four tet – there is love in you
dirty projectors – bitte orca
band of horses – everything all the time
iron and wine – our endless numbered days
the rapture – echoes
and maybe john zorn – bar kokhba
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
Do they throw sinkers?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Zorn is good
no likey that other stuff
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
bullshit
I’ve listened to him and have seen him live.
if you are going by my last.fm account, that is like less than half the music I’ve heard. I have vinyl, cds, etc
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
i mean dubstep isn't really even my style
but how can you not like rounds. shit is so cash. it just immediately grabbed me on the first listen
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
fourtet isn't dubstep
it’s like experimental electronic music right? anyway, I think it’s ok, maybe I will give him a few more spins. he was cool live.
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
i dunno
i thought it was dubstep. maybe i don’t know what dubstep is
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
dubstep is a buzzword from a music journalist
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
but yeah,
i’m on kind of an indie/folk binge right now. my musical taste goes in phases. i’m probably due for a punk or avant-jazz phase assuming these things are cyclical
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I have nothing against fourtet really though
just razzin ya
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
probably my fave album right now that is new to me is
Scorn – Refuse; Start Fires
http://darla.com/?fuseaction=item_cat.ecom_superitem_detail&item_cat_id=37850
it’s really amazing
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
it's like that guy has been making dubstep since before dubstep existed
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
it's really awesome stuff
also, I like Odd Nosdam a lot, and just about anything Justin K Broadrick does
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I've been a fan for years
since the early mid 90s. very unique stuff. probably the most bass heavy music you could possibly hear
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
subject subject line line
the fake that sunk a thousand ships—sam quinn
heave yer skeleton—mr. gnome
the suburbs—arcade fire
silver starling—silver starling
high violet—the national
working through albums i’ve procured recently, pretty much.
also on an indie/folk/singer-songwriter binge.
it will let up and then i’ll listen to some trashy dance pop-punk and feel better about the world but worse about myself.
top 10 all time is more representative and all-encompassing
something like:
john coltrane – interstellar space
fela kuti – expensive shit
radiohead – kid a
pharoah sanders – the creator has a master plan
neil young – tonight’s the night
neutral milk hotel – in the aeroplane over the sea
okkervil river – black sheep boy
igor stravinsky – the rite of spring
akron/family – love is simple
alan silva – seasons
or something
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I'll have to give those 2 jazz albums a few more spins
I don’t think I have those yet.
just heard Optimistic off of Kid A yesterday, love it
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
whoops sorry
interstellar space I really should be listening to, since I have interstellar space revisited (a reinterpretation by nels cline and greg bendian)
also, pharaoh sanders, I’ve liked what I’ve heard in the past, maybe I’ll start with this one
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
you should also listen to
every fela kuti album you can get your hands on
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
yeah
I need more proto-funk in my life
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
What is the asterisk for?
Were there steroids involved?
by Ghostrider520 on Aug 5, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
people say he is the precursor to funk
hence the “proto”
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
seconded
that music is just endless. The best way to describe it is that afrobeat is what happened when Africans started getting influenced by James Brown, Miles Davis, et al.
FWIW Fela Kuti’s life story would make for a lengthy and interesting movie.
he was kind of a sexist piece of shit, in reality
but damn, he made some fine music
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
as with many great musicians
chief justice
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 5, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
getting persnickety about genre classification
is for people that don’t spend enough time actually listening to music….
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2010/8/5/1606093/the-cardinals-and-jason-motte-and#43743408
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
the first song
seems good enough to migrate to my phone. got it on the headphones now
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
folks should check out
Menomena, super awesome band
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 5, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
don't get more specific or someone will mute it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA90IlymdZ4
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i have one of their albums
but the first listen didn’t do much for me
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
this gets said about too much music i reckon
but they really do grow on you, their newest album: MINES went from being wow that’s pretty cool to holy cat-hats this is knocking my cat-socks off in a couple of headphone listens.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 5, 2010 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
um
sprawl 1 and 2 sound remarkably like a couple of the neighborhood songs on funeral. like the same songs. what
i don’t think i got a very good rip…
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
yeah,
i looked it up on youtube. i think i need to try again
sprawl 1 and 2 was actually neighborhood 1 and 2
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
yeah, i did
listened on the way to class, but i still need to give it a proper headphone listen. it’s better than what i thought of the fake leak that i downloaded
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I will see them tomorrow night at Merriweather Post Pavilion outside Baltimore
Spoon opens; should be an enormous show
phillies placed cody ransom on waivers
i don’t remember what position he plays, but can we pick him up just to cause epic confusion?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
Cody, Cody, Colby, Colby, Cody, Corey, Corey and Corky.
I’d do it just to listen to the different ways Mike Shannon would screw them up.
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Aug 5, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, we need this guy...
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1010676&position=OF
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 5, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay what are the rules to this game?
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
Sign Christopher Walken and Gary Busey!
"What exactly is that thing? A pessimism meter?" - Bruce McCurdy
Do they have to be alive?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 5, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Christopher Reeve and Stevie Wonder.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.