Your 2012 Cardinals
by vivaelpujols on Jan 3, 2012 5:07 AM EST
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PrintWhen its all said and done Tony La Russa will be considered one of the all time great managers. Despite his many flaws (strong anti-Boog tendencies being among the most prominent) his career record is impressive, and it's unlikely that he was able to guide his teams to so many wins without having a positive impact overall. That being said, in his last few seasons Tony had far too much influence over front office decisions. GM Mozeliak made moves under obvious coercion, and it was nice to see him gain more freedom going into the 2012 season.
By and large, Mo had a great offseason. He made some poor minor decisions, such as giving contracts to both Skip Schumaker and Kyle McClellan, which seemed to be rusted with some of Tony's old influence. But those were dwarfed by his competent handling of the big issues going into 2012. Although I will miss Pujols, not offering him a 250 million dollar contract was definitely the right move considering future wins and losses. And replacing the void left by Pujols' salary and production with Carlos Beltran and Rafael Furcal were inspired moves (more so Beltran) and right in line with my cursory desires for the offseason.
Payroll now sits at around 110 million, more or less the same as last year, and by all indications the Cardinals are done spending. Curiously enough, despite seeing the departure of my favorite player, I'm more excited about the 2012 season than I have been about any other in recent memory. Maybe the fresh blood on the roster has perforated my baseball apathy, or maybe it's just awesome to see Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal all on the same team. In any case, in an attempt to pass the time until opening day, I thought I would take a look at how the Cardinals 2012 roster stacks up.
Dan Szymborski recently published his ZIPS projections for the Cardinals, which you can find here. ZIPS has been one of the more accurate projection systems publicly available over the past few seasons, and I think its projections offer a fine outlook into 2012. Here is how ZIPS sees the position players shaking up:
| Lineup | |||||||||||||
| First | Last | Bats | PO | Age | PA | BA | OBP | SLG | HR/150 | SB/150 | wOBA | Def/150 | WAR |
| Rafael | Furcal | S | SS | 34 | 550 | 0.263 | 0.331 | 0.389 | 11 | 15 | 0.323 | 3 | 3.0 |
| Carlos | Beltran | S | CF/RF | 35 | 500 | 0.282 | 0.363 | 0.474 | 19 | 9 | 0.371 | -5 | 3.3 |
| Matt | Holliday | R | LF | 32 | 600 | 0.288 | 0.371 | 0.484 | 22 | 9 | 0.378 | 4 | 4.7 |
| Lance | Berkman | S | 1B | 36 | 500 | 0.269 | 0.381 | 0.471 | 24 | 6 | 0.377 | -3 | 2.9 |
| Allen | Craig | R | RF/1B | 27 | 450 | 0.276 | 0.329 | 0.454 | 21 | 5 | 0.345 | 2 | 1.9 |
| David | Freese | R | 3B | 29 | 500 | 0.269 | 0.323 | 0.406 | 15 | 2 | 0.323 | 3 | 2.3 |
| Yadier | Molina | R | C | 29 | 500 | 0.284 | 0.340 | 0.397 | 10 | 7 | 0.330 | 7 | 3.7 |
| Daniel | Descalso | L | 2B/3B | 25 | 400 | 0.263 | 0.328 | 0.378 | 7 | 5 | 0.316 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Bench | |||||||||||||
| Jon | Jay | L | CF/RF | 27 | 450 | 0.282 | 0.335 | 0.402 | 10 | 13 | 0.329 | 0 | 1.7 |
| Tyler | Greene | R | 2B/3B/SS | 28 | 300 | 0.233 | 0.309 | 0.364 | 13 | 27 | 0.308 | 4 | 1.1 |
| Skip | Schumaker | L | 2B/OF | 32 | 200 | 0.272 | 0.328 | 0.352 | 5 | 4 | 0.308 | -6 | 0.2 |
| Matt | Carpenter | L | 3B | 26 | 100 | 0.248 | 0.342 | 0.366 | 9 | 6 | 0.322 | 0 | 0.4 |
| Bryan | Anderson | L | C | 25 | 100 | 0.246 | 0.308 | 0.358 | 11 | 2 | 0.300 | -3 | 0.3 |
| Minors | |||||||||||||
| Adron | Chambers | L | CF | 25 | 100 | 0.240 | 0.317 | 0.350 | 7 | 19 | 0.300 | 3 | 0.2 |
| Erik | Komatsu | L | CF | 24 | 50 | 0.254 | 0.328 | 0.350 | 6 | 21 | 0.309 | 0 | 0.1 |
| Tony | Cruz | R | C | 25 | 50 | 0.237 | 0.287 | 0.352 | 9 | 2 | 0.283 | 0 | 0.1 |
| Zack | Cox | L | 3B | 23 | 50 | 0.278 | 0.327 | 0.377 | 10 | 1 | 0.315 | -3 | 0.1 |
| Matt | Adams | L | 1B | 23 | 50 | 0.264 | 0.315 | 0.418 | 19 | 0 | 0.322 | -3 | 0.0 |
| Mark | Hamilton | L | 1B | 27 | 50 | 0.249 | 0.329 | 0.380 | 11 | 0 | 0.319 | -5 | 0.0 |
I eschewed ZIPS playing time estimates in favor of my own, as I think I have a better understanding of the roster than Szym's computer. The playing time estimates are based on a weighted mean of all potential outcomes for next year (Matt Holliday, if healthy, will likely have more than 600 PA, but there is a not insignificant chance he gets injured and misses a large part of the season), so they are going to seem somewhat conservative. Really though, they are just guesses and shouldn't be taken too seriously.
I calculated wOBA based off OBP, SLG and also made an adjustment for SB and CS. In most cases, the SB adjustments didn't effect the numbers much, but in Tyler Greene's case they raise his value by about .007 points of wOBA. Greene is one of the best basestealers in the game. I also estimated defensive runs above/below average per 150 games. I referenced UZR and other objective measures, but quantifying defense is still an inexact science and like with the playing time estimates, those numbers shouldn't be taken as gospel. And for players like Beltran who are expected to play multiple positions, the Def/150 reflect that (Beltran might be a -10 run defender in CF, but an average defender in RF, so assuming he plays half the time at each, he'll be a -5 run defender overall).
Finally I calculated WAR - a total value stat based off offensive value, defensive value, positional value and playing time. WAR tells us that the Cardinals are a juggernaut on the positional side of the ball. Holliday is the best player on the team now with Pujols gone, and while he's not quite as good a 4.7 WAR projection makes Holliday one of the best players in the game. Furthermore, the supporting cast is by far the best its been in a long time. League average WAR is 2 per 600 PA, so every single one of the Cardinals starting 8 projects to be above average. Interestingly enough, Yadier Molina is our second best position player now - mostly on account of his defensive and positional value - and Berkman, Beltran and Furcal are close behind. Going on gut, I would say that Freese and Craig are better than their ZIPS projections.
The bench looks like a very solid unit. Jay's offensive projection is perhaps a bit too high, but its not too far out of line with expectations. Greene should get plenty of playing time platooning with Descalso at second and spelling Furcal at short, and he projects very well. A .308 wOBA is a bit below average, but he has high defensive value and projects to be around a league average player (2 WAR) over a full season. Matt Carpenter is the most interesting player here to me. Even with an offensive projection that is pessimistic considering his minor league performance over the past few seasons, he still projects to be a ~2.5 WAR player over a full season. With the high likelihood of a David Freese injury, Matt Carp should definitely get some solid playing time next year.
Schumaker still projects rather poorly (around .5 WAR per 600 PA), but he's not much worse than Chambers or whoever else would conceivably replace him. So as long as his playing time is kept to a minimum, I don't have a problem with him being on the roster. Matt Adams is a guy to watch in the minors this years. While he projects at around replacement level for 2012, a strong season in AAA could raise his projections significantly going into 2013.
If you add it all up, the Cardinals should expect to get roughly 27.5 WAR out of their position players next year. That would have placed them 5th in the NL last year, and remember that the spread in end of year performance is always going to be much higher than the spread in preseason projected performance. Not knowing exactly how well the Reds look for next year, I would guess that the Cardinals have the best offense in the NL.
Their pitching is good as well, but not quite as strong as the offense. I'll look at the rotation first:
| First | Last | Throws | Age | Starts | IP | ERA | FIP | WAR |
| Chris | Carpenter | R | 37 | 28 | 196 | 3.49 | 3.36 | 4.3 |
| Jaime | Garcia | L | 25 | 28 | 174 | 3.58 | 3.38 | 3.7 |
| Adam | Wainwright | R | 30 | 28 | 196 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 3.3 |
| Kyle | Lohse | R | 33 | 26 | 164 | 4.38 | 4.14 | 1.9 |
| Jake | Westbrook | R | 34 | 26 | 142 | 4.52 | 4.26 | 1.4 |
| Lance | Lynn | R | 25 | 11 | 70 | 4.17 | 3.83 | 1.0 |
| Shelby | Miller | R | 21 | 3 | 18 | 4.01 | 3.72 | 0.3 |
| Kyle | McClellan | R | 28 | 5 | 30 | 4.54 | 4.82 | 0.2 |
| Brandon | Dickson | R | 27 | 2 | 10 | 4.87 | 4.19 | 0.1 |
| Maikel | Cleto | R | 23 | 2 | 10 | 4.94 | 4.56 | 0.1 |
| Adam | Ottavino | R | 26 | 1 | 5 | 5.23 | 4.75 | 0.0 |
| Joe | Kelly | R | 24 | 1 | 5 | 5.78 | 5.17 | 0.0 |
| John | Gast | L | 23 | 1 | 5 | 6.03 | 5.25 | 0.0 |
Once again, I estimated GS and innings pitched myself. Again the projections are conservative to account for injury odds. I also adjusted the ZIPS ERA and FIP projections slightly to account for role (ZIPS projected about half of KMac's innings to come in the pen next year, so when considering his likely performance in the rotation, I adjusted ERA and FIP in those by 125%). To calculate WAR, I took an average of each players FIP and ERA projections. More information on pitcher WAR here.
ZIPS is ignorant of Wainwright's surgery, so I used my own projection (wild ass guess) for him. ZIPS projects him to have a 3.12 FIP and ERA, which would make him a 5.1 WAR pitcher. Feel free to formulate your own opinion as to how well Wainwright will do next year. Even if his performance drops off a lot, he should still be a valuable pitcher. So Carp is probably the best pitcher next year, although his age and recent work load are a bit scary. I projected him to make 28 starts, but that might be a little optomistic.
ZIPS sees Jaime having another great season, and Lohse falling back a little bit. Westbrook is projected to be around league average next year, but ZIPS thinks that Lynn will be better. I'm assuming Lynn will be in the minors and make spot starts, although he could very well start the year off in the pen. Either way, Lynn should get plenty of starts, whether filling in for injury or replacing Westbrook.
Shelby Millers is projected to be the clubs 4th best starter and is only 21 and hasn't yet seen AAA. I'm pretty excited to see what he can do and wouldn't mind seeing him come up at the end of the year. Brandon Dickson, Mikael Cleto and even Kyle McClellan comprise perfectly cromulent depth for next year.
The performance of the bullpen is usually much more of a crapshoot compared to that of the rotation, and in that sense the Cardinals very leveled construction of the pen is admirable:
| First | Last | Throws | Age | IP | ERA | FIP | LI | WAR |
| Jason | Motte | R | 30 | 55 | 3.12 | 3.22 | 1.60 | 0.9 |
| Fernando | Salas | R | 27 | 60 | 3.21 | 3.44 | 1.50 | 0.7 |
| Eduardo | Sanchez | R | 23 | 50 | 3.24 | 3.56 | 1.40 | 0.5 |
| Marc | Rzepczynski | L | 26 | 50 | 3.62 | 3.61 | 1.20 | 0.3 |
| Mitchell | Boggs | R | 28 | 50 | 3.79 | 3.69 | 1.10 | 0.1 |
| Chuckie | Fick | R | 26 | 10 | 4.00 | 4.08 | 0.80 | 0.0 |
| Jordan | Swagerty | R | 22 | 10 | 3.60 | 3.64 | 1.10 | 0.0 |
| Kyle | McClellan | R | 28 | 50 | 3.49 | 3.71 | 0.90 | 0.2 |
| J.C. | Romero | L | 36 | 50 | 5.80 | 4.70 | 1.10 | -0.8 |
No one is projected to be much better than than anyone else and no one is being paid much of anything. I would be happy to see save opportunities portioned out around the pen. Scrabble is a legitimately good LOOGY and should easily outperform that projection if used primarily against lefties. I would still like to see him in the rotation at some point in the future, but for next year the bullpen seems like a good home.
The Cardinals pitching projects at around 18.2 WAR for next year, which would have made it the 4th best staff in the NL in 2011. And again, the spread in end of the year performance is higher than the projected. So the Cardinals likely have a top 3 pitching staff next year.
Add up total WAR for the club (a replacement level team will win around 48 games), and the Cards projected to be around around a 94 win team next year, which is pretty fantastic. Probably right behind the Phillies for the best club in the NL. Honestly that's much higher than I thought it would be, but I think all of the projections are reasonably conservative. Perhaps I am underestimating the volatility of the projected performance (the Cardinals are an older than average team for sure). But we're definitely the favorites going into 2012.
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thanks for breaking the zips numbers down into
WAR and wOBA. Huge help.
I’m a little surprised by the WAR total, but I don’t quibble with the method.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Jan 3, 2012 5:35 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I thought we'd be 90-95 fully healthy
and this projection actually does take some injury possibility into account (Holliday’s PAs, every pitchers’ starts below 30 etc) so it’s encouraging. I think if we DO win that many, the national media will cast it us a “surprise team” or whatever (like when the WhiteSox sucked after 2005, which I believe most of the projection systems suggested), despite the fact that it could be (and has been) readily predicted.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 3, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
Great article VEP
Better than any penny pitch f/x could have been
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
by VolsnCards5 on Jan 3, 2012 7:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions 9 recs
I less than 3 fake captions
they should be a requirement for all front page posts :D
www.stlgatekeepers.com
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
McLellan has a contract?
I seem to have missed that. How much?
IIRC
He was not non-tendered, so he’ll go through arbitration
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
by VolsnCards5 on Jan 3, 2012 8:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
2.7 is the estimate I've seen
(of what he’ll get in arbitration). Take that and Schumaker’s $ and that’s a decent bit of change I would rather have seen spent elsewhere, but oh well. Hard to get too worked up given these 2012 projections.
my favorite words are goodbye and my favorite color is red
Ouch
That’s a bit more than I’d like to pay, but it’s not a ton of cash.
He's probably just about worth that
and I think it’s still possible we trade him.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 3, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
It would be realllly nice if we traded KMac
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
for ... a LOOGY, which KMac essentially should be?
just use him for what he’s good at, and he’s immediately a useful bullpen arm. The price tag is stupid, but we’re stuck with that. He’s not garnering that sort of worth in the trade market.
Great post
also, give me the over on Craig’s projection
my favorite words are goodbye and my favorite color is red
those bastards!
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
I love this meme
Bastard coated bastards with bastard filling!
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 3, 2012 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
He can go to Cancun in April when there is an annual turtle release. .. .1000s go into the Carribbean. . . .
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
I think I take the over on Craig too
but the under on quite a few others. Furcal and Molina especially.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 3, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
Questions
1) What are your wOBA coefficients?
2) What are your replacement level FIPs?
3) What is your league average wOBA?
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Er
I guess adjust question one since you aren’t actually calculating wOBA but rather some quick form version. What are your modifiers on OBP & SLG.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
not VEP
but based on this conversation, i’d bet he used .323
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
for league average wOBA, that is
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
For wOBA I used (1.75*OBP+SLG)/3
And then I added in the linear weights for SB and CS (~.2 and ~-.4 respectively) and reverse engineered that back into wOBA. I don’t calculate WAR using replacement level FIP, I use the league average and then put in the W% of a replacement level pitcher. Click on the link that I posted. League average wOBA was about .320.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
The pitcher method seems to attribute a lot of defense to the pitchers.
Are you trying to account for a projected ERA rather than a projected FIP?
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Uh, I'm averaging out FIP and ERA
I’m not sure how Szym calculates his ERA – whether or not he’s factoring the pitchers defense into his projected ERA. Averaging it out seemed to be a safe bet.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
yeah, but the shortcut is pretty close to accurate
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
Does ZIPS typically underestimate slugging?
Isn’t it odd that no one is projected to slug .500 or better?
Berk has slugged below .500 twice in his career: once in the injury-ravaged 2010, and in 1999. Holliday has slugged below .500 once, his rookie year. Beltran has a .496 career SLG, but he’s been at .500 or better in 9 of the last 11 years. Seems odd to me.
i was thinking the same thing
If healthy I think berk, beltran, & holliday will slug .500 or better. If beltran is in the 2 hole he’ll get alot of pitches to hit in front of berk, holliday, craig, etc.
Although as a child of the 80’s whitey ball its kinda awesome to see 7 guys with double digit hr pop.
"Chuck Norris CAN divide by zero"
This lineup would be fantastic in RBI Baseball
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
With substitutions the Boston lineup gets pretty sick in that game.
I remember the Detroit and Minnesota lineups are pretty awesome too but I haven’t played with them for a while so I can’t remember how much subbing optimizes them.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
I mean, Armas on the bench? Nuh uh!
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Hm, I don't think so.
What is it like?
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
its a hack
so that each team’s 1-9 is their worst hitter: wally backman, curt ford, dickie thon, etc
completely miserable to play, but funny
They're all players on the wrong side of 30
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
This is true
but i don’t think any of them will be asked to play 160 games. also, i really think matheny will use his bench alot, kinda like are departed leader. And with all of this age i don’t really think its a bad thing
"Chuck Norris CAN divide by zero"
It's also a less hitter-friendly era.
"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
So are you saying you expect
Holliday to lose 50 points of slugging, and Berk to lose 76?
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 3, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
I think Holliday and Berkman will probably slug over .500, if healthy.
"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
True, but...
…with teams valuing young players so heavily, I wonder if older players are not the current market inefficiency. This might be the best approach to roster construction at this current moment.
One might argue that older players are less valued because of injury potential and any team employing this strategy needs luck, but every team needs some form of luck to make the post season. So veterans with a younger bench might be the most efficient way to hedge your bets.
by BigJawnMize on Jan 3, 2012 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Mind=Blown
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
In all honesty, Jawn
I thought the very same thing the other day. All you hear from every club is “player development, player development and more player development”. And for the first time in several years, I’m hearing a lot of talk about how the free agent marketplace is getting softer and softer.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
i want to agree with you. what you're saying passes my smell test
but then albert and werth and howard sign stupidly huge contracts
free agency is weird and crazy. i think bargins exist in FA for both players who are younger or veteran, and it’s a stretch to say because some older players are undervalued there is a new market inefficiency.
to me, market inefficiency means systematic, league wide undervaluation
and we won the world series.
I think really old, injury prone players are the market inefficiency
Relatively healthy players just past their prime are still waaaay overpaid.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
that's a good point
the only counter-examples i can really think of are guys like jeter and ortiz
and those players and teams and situations are probably not very representative of the market
and we won the world series.
The other market inefficiency is hall-of-very good players being lumped in with other not-so-good veteran options in the "old, injury-prone, and declining" bin
Aubrey Huff is not the same guy as Lance Berkman – why? Because though both are old and potentially declining, one of these guys was really good before.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
yeah we hit the jackpot with Berkman and Beltran
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
I think we'd hit the jackpot woith Oswalt too
We just need more money…..
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
I think we will...
…do ok on the Carpenter extension as well. Hall of very good type player.
To minimize your risk you need to keep the contracts short. The move that keeps coming to mind for me was the Phillies and Raul Ibanez. They got a really good year out of him, a solid season, and a so so one. They signed him in his 36 season and were kinda pushing for 3 year, but he is off their books at this point.
ZiPS is going to apply an aging factor to all these players.
Also, ZiPS uses four years of data (sometimes three) and doesn’t know things like “Berk was fighting a knee injury in 2010, so take his 2010 numbers with a grain of salt.”
Basically, ZiPS is not going to project peak performance, especially for older players. It’s simply function of the projection inputs.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
I expect Lynn to be in the bullpen and be the primary setup man
I just don’t see any way that he’ll be back in the minors as a starter.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 9:03 AM EST reply actions
I'm not against treating the bullpen
like they were during the second half of last year—just cycle through guys for the advantage. Let Motte be the closer, and give scrabble some save opps if the 9th inning looks really lefty heavy
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
really?
we already have a pretty full bullpen without him.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
yeah but his performance as a reliever (especially in the playoffs) pretty much guaranteed him a spot
what he deserves is a rotation slot, though
yeah
hopefully if he is in the pen, he’ll be the fist one to get starts in case of injury.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
Doubtful. I'd bet KMac gets those starts or else they'll go to someone in Memphis like Dickson, Miller or Cleto
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
They gave him spot starts when he was still a starter, after being called up from Memphis.
I don’t believe that they gave him spot starts after he started getting more high-leverage innings in the bullpen. (though much of this time he was injured)
Again, I think he’s going to be the primary setup man for Motte – the “8th inning role.” I don’t think they’ll move him from that role (unless he fails or he gets promoted because of injury or ineffectiveness by Motte)
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
but he could be so much more
i don’t think the organization is ignorant to his potential as a starter just because he had some success in the pen. that would be totally backwards.
As a starter, Lynn was never seen as much more than a 4-5th starter.
Also, there is some inertia in moving a guy from a key bullpen role to a starter’s role. More so than moving the mop-up guy or long-man to the rotation.
I think Lynn is in the bullpen for good this year (unless there are a rash of injuries in ST, causing multiple starters to go down for long periods).
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 5:26 PM EST up reply actions
He wasn't seen as much of a starter until he struck out 14 in AAA playoffs in '10.
Then there were reports he upped his average velocity which would, uh, you know, greatly impact his potential.
I think he’s got more potential than a 4th-5th starter IF his fastball velocity is around 93-95 (it was actually reported if my memory serves as 95+ consistently).
Basically, until that point in AAA, you’re right but I’m not sure that is completely relevant if his velocity increased.
President of the Tyler Greene fanclub - Wikipedia Proof, Tumblr Page, and finally Baseball-reference
Twitter
by stlcardsfan4 on Jan 4, 2012 12:05 AM EST up reply actions
Supposedly, they changed something in his delivery
that accounted for the extra velo.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 1:45 AM EST up reply actions
Also, they may start the season with Sanchez in Memphis
to see how his shoulder looks. If he kills it in ST, Boggs will probably be the odd man out I’d think.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
Disagree
I think the club could see it as “Motte, Rzep, and a bunch of big question marks”, and perhaps they’d be at least partially correct (although I think Salas might be reasonably competent, and have high hopes for a healthy Sanchez). I’m slightly worried our bullpen might be disappointing next year – I think Lynn, Salas and (to a lesser extent) Motte might be fairly large regression candidates.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 3, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
okay, i want to know about the recurring beltran photo
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 78
by d-dee on Jan 3, 2012 9:14 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
I think it's
just that there’s been no news since Beltran signing so the photo feed is stagnant. It’s probably the default pic.
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Jan 3, 2012 11:58 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
There's something creepy to me about the picture
His face reminds me of Chernabog from Night On Bald Mountain in Fantasia.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
He looks youngers than the Angels 1st Baseman
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't read this post at first
Because I thought it was the post from yesterday based on the photo.
Boog would have made that play.
Really hoping this becomes a meme throughout the year....
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 3, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
This club is amazingly balanced
By losing our 7.0+ WAR superstar, it feels like we’re now solid (if unspectacular) at virtually every position. This seems like a great hedge against injury.
Yeah, that's the exact same feel I'm getting
I think it’s becoming the consensus… a team with few glaring weaknesses, if any. At least on paper this team doesn’t have any spots that scream to me “we must upgrade here”. Obviously I’d love to replace Westbrook with Oswalt or whatever, but that sort of move is a luxury in reality at this point.
Furthermore, our players that project to be very good (Wainwright, Carpenter, Garcia, Beltran, Berkman, Molina) all have the possibility of being even better than that. Surely they won’t all surpass these projections, but the talent is there. I could also easily be convinced that Craig and Freese could overperform their projections, at least offensively.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
our 7+ superstar only did 5.1 last year
so in the immediate term, beltran is only looking like a 0.4 WAR loss
and furky makes up for that over the full season, assuming he lasts the full season
TLR is gone, long live the king
It's probably unlikely that Beltran equals his 2011 production in 2012.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pujols surpasses his 2011 production in 2012. There will probably be a 2-0-to-3.0-WAR gap between Pujols in 2012 and Beltran.
"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 right, but comparing the 2011 team to the 2012 team uses Pujols' actual 2011 production
Not afraid to nitpick
Right, but I don't think Beltran is a 0.4-WAR loss compared to Pujols
because I don’t think he’ll post a 4.7-WAR season in 2012.
"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 again, as joker pointed out, is completely irrelevant in comparing this year to last year.
President of the Tyler Greene fanclub - Wikipedia Proof, Tumblr Page, and finally Baseball-reference
Twitter
by stlcardsfan4 on Jan 4, 2012 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
If Beltran stays healthy . . . with a rotation and time off, his overall numbers may be down, but his game by game production should be fine.
I just wonder why SF with its miserable offense let him go so easily. . . .
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
Wainwright/Beltran
probably make up for the loss of Pujols right there.
Wainwright – 6th starter + Beltran = Pujols
more or less.
I think a whiffleball match is needed in spring training,
with Beltran pitching to Wainright…
"There's only one way to play baseball, "the Cardinals' way." - George Kissell 1920-2008
Our team was amazingly balanced in 2011 too.
It finally came together at the end of the year.
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."
Yeah, ditto this.
Well, September-Cardinals had great balance. May-Cardinals was literally a different team.
They were in first place from April 20th to May 13th! And again from May 19th to June 11th!
The May Cardinals get a bad rap on this blog!
For as frustrating as the team was in August, the Cardinals weren’t 2nd place except for the days in third (Jul 19-21) after April 15th. Hooray NL Central!
"He probably misses his old glasses."
I think people forget that the 2006 Cardinals
Had the best record in the NL for the first 2 months
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 3, 2012 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
Thank goodness!
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 3, 2012 1:27 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Ryan Howard
MVP
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
Reminds me a bit of the Rays the last few years
lots and lots of 3-4 WAR guys, few black holes, few big stars. Nice rounded way to build a roster.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 3, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
Repeat the mantra
Just get into the playoffs and let then see what happens. Better teams don’t always win, and sometimes teams win without their best pitcher.
I like the approach the FO has taken. Keep flexibility, bring up youngsters, sign vets, and be gutsy enough to pull the trigger midseason.
by openside on Jan 3, 2012 10:14 AM EST via Android app reply actions
me too, but
we need to find some younger position players soon
keeping my hopes up that wong and cox can make it soon
TLR is gone, long live the king
Agreed, but that's the position
of most ballclubs most of the time, isn’t it? The point is that we’re not bogged down by any egregious long-term deals that will hamstring our future, so we’ll get to HAVE a future. The team is well-positioned to answer the door if and when opportunity knocks in the next 5 years.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 3, 2012 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
word.
in preparation of crafting a team around the monster Pujols contract, I feel the Cardinals have set themselves up nicely for the future. We have some GREAT prospects, we have some nice youngsters (or not-so-young-youngsters), and we have PUMA!
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."
Maybe it's just me
but I am a little concerned about Jamie Garcia and if he
is going to be the pitcher I expected him to be. For about
the last year he has not had the movement and action on his
pitches that he had in his rookie year and at times seemed to
be a little dead armed.
At times he has had it and it got to the point last where you
could tell early on in his starts if he was going to be effective
or not but I also noticed that he could have great movement on
his pitches for four or five innings and then he just lose it
and get hit hard. I don’t know if it mental thing with him or he
is just not a strong armed pitcher but I’m not quite ready to
pencil him in as a steady starter.
He had video game movement in
several starts last season. What he really lacked was emotional control.
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Jan 3, 2012 10:51 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
And pitch control.
He seemed to lose location after about the 5th last season, and his pitch count got out of control.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
I feel like any of us could have said something similar at the beginning of last year
But it ended up pretty well in 2011, so I think we should hope for the best and plan on a solid 2012 for Jaime.
As far as movement and action go, overall it looks pretty consistent:
2010 fangraphs game charts
2011 fangraphs game charts
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
I think he has projected as a #3 for some time now
If you were hoping for more, then you probably will be a bit disappointed. It may be still a little early to tell where Jaime shakes out. When his stuff is good, he is ridiculously good. The question is can he develop consistency.
I think it’s reasonable to slot him as a #3 for the next 5-7 years. More than an innings eater, but less than an ace. Occasionally, he will toss a gem.
What does this mean?
I think he has projected as a #3 for some time now
What is a “#3,” generally, besides simply the third guy in a rotation? These kind of labels, IMO, do more to obscure players’ abilities and talent levels than they do to explain or accurately categorize them.
Because Jaime Garcia is better than a “#3.” Over the last two years as a starter (i.e., Jaime’s career) – he’s 36th among qualified pitchers in fWAR. That’s 36th out of 30 teams.
Similar pitchers to Jaime (6.8 fWAR) over this time are Ricky Romero (6.9 fWAR), James Shields (6.9), Gio Gonzalez (6.7), and Matt Garza (6.6).
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2011&month=0&season1=2010&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&players=8137,3403,7448,3340,7059
That’s the #1-2 for the Jays, #2 for the Rays, #1-2 for the A’s, and #1 for the Cubs.
Jaime Garcia is not a “#3,” nor is he proejcted to be, by any objective measure other than that he’s the third pitcher in the Cards rotation.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
Bah - that link didn't work. It was supposed to include the pitchers listed in my post.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
You are splitting hairs
If you really want to call him a #2 pitcher, I won’t raise he’ll. But while Jaime’s fWAR might be comparable to your examples, I’m not convinced Garcia wins a majority of those match ups in a head-to-head competition. My major concerns are that Jaime is inconsistent and is still maturing as a pitcher. He also may have a stamina issue, given his fade last year.
Bottom Line: this is a fight not really worth arguing further. Garcia is good, at times great. He might be an ace or #2 on some clubs. But I’d like some more data and innings before passing judgement.
Honestly, the difference seems to be the use of objective criteria to measure Garcia
Versus nebulous and vague standards like “consistency” or whether he’s “matured as a pitcher.”
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
My last post on this (for real)
Willie, do you like to argue, just to argue?
I was complimentary towards Jaime, said he has ace-like moments, and suggested we may need more time before we know Garcia’s ceiling. Meanwhile, you spend your time sniping at people, belittling their opinions with loaded words like “nebulous” or “vague”, while self-righteously suggesting stats and saber metrics are the only way to judge what is by definition a wooly concept – a “#3 pitcher”.
I didn’t attack your position, but you almost went out of your way to be rude. Maybe I’m overreacting (it is late), but I am disappointed. Folks on this board tend to be a bit more civil.
Anyway, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I’m just not sure why you were so hell-bent on making this particular point.
by JWO on Jan 4, 2012 1:05 AM EST up reply actions
You made an assertion that Jaime was "projected as a #3 for some time now"
That people hoping for more would “probably be disappointed” and that the question is whether Jaime can “develop consistency” – i questioned your assertions and brought some data to bear suggesting that Jaime was better than a “#3” (and questioned whether such vague designations are helpful in accurately assessing a pitcher’s talent).
This is not sniping, or belittling and wasn’t directed at you personally. Phrases like “maturing as a pitcher” are nebulous and vague – those words are not loaded. And I don’t agree that using stats to buttress my points (with nary an attack on you) is self-righteous or uncivil. I guess for you civility is simply not addressing your opinions. Fair enough. I won’t do so anymore.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 4, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with Willie.
JWO’s term of #3 is nonsense and not a meaningful descriptor.
Agreed. AFAIAC he is
still a little too young to deserve slamming for his faults. He’ll be a more seasoned pro by 2013 and we won’t be worrying about this so much. For the time being I’m pretty happy with him as is.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 3, 2012 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
Probably just a sophomore slump
and honestly, I’d rather pencil him in as one of our starters instead of jake westbrook
by hr on Jan 3, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
cherry picking some of jaimes stats, 2010 vs 2011
163 IP vs 194
3.53 BB/9 vs 2.31
.292 BABIP vs .318
3.41 FIP vs 3.23
i don’t call that a sophomore slump. only thing that became worse was his obviously flukey ERA
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Jan 3, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
that's for the relievers; it's the opposite for the starters.
For relievers, I’d guess ERA 0 outs. For starters, I’m guessing they just get the short end of the “FIP is fit to ERA” stick (since relievers are included).
This is all just a WAG; someone in the know should feel free to weigh in.
by brackenthebox on Jan 3, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
ok, my less-than and greater-thans got mangled
Point is that reliever ERA may outperform FIP on average due to coming in with outs already recorded. Since FIP is fit to ERA, starters would then lie on the other side. Again, just a guess.
by brackenthebox on Jan 3, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
it is what it is
Miguel Batista had an ERA of 0.75 in April last year, but a FIP of 4.44.
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
yea, but these are projections, not results
There must be some reason the projection shows a disparity.
by brackenthebox on Jan 3, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
They project based on actuals
I just checked a Motte and Carp and they are project to be similar to what they performed last year. Motte had a higher FIP and Carp had a higher ERA. Although in prior year, Carp had a higher FIP than ERA. Damn, now I’m more confused
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
no that's not it
FIP uses the outs the pitcher gets in the denominator. Relievers usually outperform their FIP’s because they can throw harder, use more of their pitches, often have the platoon advantage, etc. That leads to lower BABIPs because BABIP is partially a skill.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
using outs wouldn't fix the bias
if a reliever comes in with two outs, he should be less likely to be charged with a run than someone starting an inning, even if pitching with the same effectiveness.
by brackenthebox on Jan 3, 2012 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
that's a good point, i'd never thought about that
it would be nice to see how much of a difference that makes.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
agreed
seems like it could be a little tricky to study given bullpen usage patterns. That said, given how much run expectancy changes based on the number of outs, it seems like it could be a relatively big factor.
by brackenthebox on Jan 3, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
Great article, VEP
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
I dig it.
nice article VEP. Well done! I agree that some of the projections are conservative, but it does paint a rosy picture of our 2012 season.
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."
Great article
once again from this site. And the final win tally is right in line with what my sim of the 2012 is showing (95.5 wins). And if you dock the Cardinals for any Carpenter/Wainwright pitching issues we’d probably have the exact same number.
Hm
This site has kind of a resurrected Minor League Splits. But it doesn’t appear to have 2011 data, at least not completely. Here’s Greene’s page: http://mlsplits.drivelinebaseball.com/mlsplits/playerinfo/460022
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
minor league splits
Here are his minor league splits last year. Bookmark this site, it is a winner. One of the members over at TBLA built this recently.
vs L – OPS of 1.075 (73 PA)
vs R – OPS of 0.975 (230 PA)
Look at his huge home vs road splits
.788 Home vs 1.145 Road
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 3, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
That's weird, as Autozone is a pretty good hitters' park
although there are some real bandboxes in that league.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 3, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
the sample size is just tiny
That .063 point split in Home/road BA (.286 vs .349) for example isn’t even close to statistically significant (pval=.35 by Fisher exact). Same thing for all the other stats which have even more possible outcomes.
by brackenthebox on Jan 3, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
That is why I think.....
Cruz might beat out Anderson.
Not that many teams will pinch hit their backup catcher.
That, or Carpenter doesn’t make the bench, and some “righty” replaces him. I’d actually be okay with that. I really want Carp playing everyday next year, and he isn’t going to do that in the majors.
Speaking of lefties
Komatsu will need to be on the MLB roster, or get sent back to the Nats, unless the Cards make some other kind of arrangement with Washington.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 3, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
I still think it makes some sense
to have both Cruz and Anderson on the roster. Then either could pinch-hit and we still have a back-up catcher. And Cruz can play some 3rd and 1st, at least in an emergency.
Really we probably should've spent the $1.5m (schumaker) on a righty backup.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 3, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
Cruz is fine, who are we going to get that's better?
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
or you mean at a different position
yeah, i agree. should have signed Nick Punto.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
LOL ROMERO
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
I think you mean LOLmero.
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."
by SheckieZx on Jan 3, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
RomeROFL
"I don't know, but it works. Doin it for Torty works... He brings us luck and we're gonna roll with it." Allen Craig
If he's that bad, will he get to 50 IP?
"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
Tony likes to stick with his veterans
oh, wait
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
by Hootie Who on Jan 3, 2012 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Dunc will fix him
He’ll be throwin’ LASERS by June. Watch out Aroldis Chapman – here comes the Romero love-machine!
Nerp
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
i felt the same way
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
I believe BP acquired Cot's Contracts almost 2 years ago now
It’s pretty silly that it took them this long to give it a facelift.
So am I the only one who doesn't notice a difference
other than the banner at the top. Looks like the same old format as always to me.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Looks about the same
Just a little cleaned up. Here is some more info on it
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 3, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions
You're basically right
They actually made it worse by adding a huge banner that takes up a fuckton of vertical space on the page. Terrible web design.
I don't usually notice stuff like that
but you are correct. That is awful.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
94 wins on ths conservative side
95.5 in the middle, over 100 on the high end guesstimate. Very exciting veb. Should be a hard team to predict though.
Question: how much more accurate is zips than Marcel?
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 3, 2012 11:17 AM EST via Android app reply actions
hard to put a value on "how much"..
but it should be decidedly more accurate as Marcel is what its name implies – a system simple enough for a monkey.
Actually, it is the most basic forecasting system you can have, that uses as little intelligence as possible. So, that’s the allusion to the monkey. It uses 3 years of MLB data, with the most recent data weighted heavier. It regresses towards the mean. And it has an age factor.
http://www.tangotiger.net/marcel/
Instead of regressing to the overall mean, ZiPS finds similar player types and regresses accordingly. Hopefully I didn’t activate the symbol.
Historically, all the major projection systems have been very, very close.
For hitters, anyway. They all have strengths and weaknesses that seem to balance out in the aggregate.
have you read Tango's
Forecaster’s Challenge? Interesting takeaways:
Another very interesting observation is that the consensus of all these systems is basically the best one across all four competitions. (…) It’s early to be definitive, but it could be that the best projection system overall is simply the average of the forecasts.
Unless you are very confident in your system, you would be foolish to stick to a single system. Hanson won two years in a row, but finished middle of the pack this year. Marcel did great last year as well, but not so well this year. But, everyone believes their system is an exception. So, save yourself the trouble: let everyone else worry about their system, then just take the consensus of those. You’ll do great.
Marcel finished in the middle of the pack. Think about that. There are 20 other individual pro forecasters (excluding the Consensus), and we know they put more thought into their picks than Marcel did. And yet Marcel was beaten by 10 of them and lost to 10 others. This is the kind of result you’d expect if there was no such thing as talent at being a forecaster.
by all4tookie on Jan 3, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Uh, Tango didn't write that very well
…And yet Marcel was beaten by 10 of them and lost to 10 others…
This would mean that he lost to all 20, not that he finished in the middle of the pack.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 3, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
FWIW
this consensus-of-many-projections technique is used in meteorology. There’s even a “dumb” model (called CLIPER) that is very similar to the idea behind Marcel.
The Cardinals and their fans were privileged to get the best of Pujols. It truly was an honor. And now the Cardinals and their fans don't have to worry about paying for the worst of Pujols.--Miklasz
I linked a projection system comparison in the post
its in the first paragraph after the jump.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
Also i have a hunch freese will get more playing time now
And will actually stay healthy
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 3, 2012 11:18 AM EST via Android app reply actions
My heart says that
Freese will be some kind of offensive White Wizard next year, my head says he’ll meet his ZIPS projection. (Sorry couldn’t come up with a good LOTR comp)
Bursting into song.
The brown
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 3, 2012 12:04 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Wait... Freese is in the klan now?
"He probably misses his old glasses."
by Alxfritz on Jan 3, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Hornsby is his idol
it was bound to happen
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
So are you saying Freese wants to move to second base?
To make way for Matt Carpenter to take over at third? That’d be a sick lineup.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
MUST HAVE OFFENSE
YOUR FIELDING IS INSIGNIFICANT. I CRAVE THE ON-GETTING OF BASES, THE SCORING OF RUNS. TO SEE OUR ENEMIES DRIVEN BEFORE US AND TO HEAR THE LAMENTATION OF THEIR WOMEN.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
by mattybobo on Jan 3, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oops, um, that was weird.
Anyway, there’s something thrilling about a lineup that destroys all who oppose it.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
And RBI Baseball spoils me by allowing me to just strike out two thirds of batters and never walk anybody
which makes defense much less important.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
It doesn't slow down Vince Coleman!
I think they’re just not trying hard enough!
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
its just like Obi-Wan says
you cannot destroy something half of the time only to have it destroy yourself the other half of the time, that is the way of the dark side of the force.
Bursting into song.
well maybe Obi-Wan didn't actually say that
but read it in Alec Guiness’ voice… its awesome.
Bursting into song.
It's also somewhat similar to what Darth Vader said...
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."
anyone can play second base
duh
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
If you want embarrassing, Geoff Baker once stumbled upon a picture of me dressed up for a New Years’ costume ball as a bishop and described me in a blog entry as “some kind of grand wizard.”
by D.Szymborski on Jan 3, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Random Question - Adam Reifer
Anyone got some good intel on this guy? I know he lost 2011 due to injury. I’ve seen some folks talking about him closing for Memphis next year, with possible call-up later in the year. Does this sound right?
Dissapointed that the Szymboski signal hasn't worked yet.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I was worried for a bit.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
i love how we have the same expectations for D.Szymborski
that we do for The Spanish Inquisition
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
His chief weapon is surprise...
…surprise and fear… fear and surprise… his chief weapons are fear and surprise… and ruthless objectivity… his three chief weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless objectivity… and a fanatical devotion to projections…
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
by mattybobo on Jan 3, 2012 5:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Have a seat over here.
NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!!!!
by The Spanish Inquisition on Jan 3, 2012 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Related, Joan my dear. How nice to see you. The bishop would like to chat.. .
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
I don’t have much in the way of fear, but as I work from a big soft chair in my home, I’m well-equipped with comfy pillows.
by D.Szymborski on Jan 3, 2012 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
BOOM!
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
Guess what, guys: after this month, we're in line for NINE consecutive months of at least some baseball action!
January is the dark before the dawn.
by dan on Jan 3, 2012 12:40 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
fucking love that. love that more than I love...well...you know :D
The 2011 season was so awesome the off season thus far has actually flown by…maybe with the help of great weather in December.
www.stlgatekeepers.com
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
yeah, the offseason is much different when you are celebrating a World Series win!
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."
the offseason is much shorter
when the previous season lasts an extra month
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
by BVHeck on Jan 3, 2012 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Does anyone else think it's stupid that Jeff Bagwell probably won't get voted into the Hall of Fame this year?
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."
I think it's stupid that Bagwell didn't get voted in last year.
I think it’s even dumber that he may not get voted in 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
I saw that article on SI or ESPN too
Can’t remember where. The criticism is that people think he used steroids. Except there is no evidence at all. It is a shame. He was a world-class masher back in the day, and I think he was clean.
on 41%! That is ridiculous.
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."
You think he should have just stuck with a double-wide?
I want more... More baaaacon!
Jim Gaffigan
by blueinmemphis on Jan 3, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
Stats would say it was smart
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 3, 2012 1:31 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Why stupid?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
my elementary school self would make fun of him for looking like he was taking a dump
…and it’s still funny to my present day self.
by purple_haze on Jan 3, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
err...
I don’t know if “stupid” would be the right word considering his production.
Trade Westbrook
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jan 3, 2012 8:06 PM EST up reply actions
I think I'm going to try something new
Sabermetrics 101 Required Reading: Day 1
Probability vs Certainty, by Graham Macaree at Lookout Landing (Now at SBN Blog We Ain’t Got No History, which is the best advanced soccer stats blog I’ve found)
This is as basic as it gets. Probability density functions, coin tosses, very basic stats stuff.
The takeaway:
’That’s why we play the games’ is not an acceptable response to an argument about probability any more than ’that’s why we flip the coins’ is. An argument against a prediction must be conducted against that prediction’s assumptions, rather than with a ‘Well we’ll just wait and see what actually happens then’ because that’s just not how probability works. Challenge the mechanism behind the prediction, not the expected outcome. I’m not saying the situation is as black and white as my hypothetical argument between friends, but invoking that statement means that 2 doesn’t really understand that 1 was NOT stating with 100% certainty that 5 coins would come up heads.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
NERD
"He probably misses his old glasses."
by Alxfritz on Jan 3, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
It's surely the most comprehensive
thanks for posting that.
I have read other articles there and found them helpful.
Who's got it better than us? NOBODY!
CHELSKI???? BOOOOOOOO
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
agreed
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
it doesn't impact the point of the article
but mixing up probability density functions and probability mass functions isn’t a great start to a prob/stat primer.
by brackenthebox on Jan 3, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
that's why they click the links
you just never know
by brackenthebox on Jan 3, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Soccer mention was highly unnecessary....
President of the Tyler Greene fanclub - Wikipedia Proof, Tumblr Page, and finally Baseball-reference
Twitter
by stlcardsfan4 on Jan 4, 2012 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Great article VEP.
But if Descalso hits 7 homers next season he’ll be hitting them from 2nd base.
by hangingfromatree on Jan 3, 2012 12:57 PM EST reply actions
yeah, what's with that
and schu hitting 5 homers in 200 PA’s? lol
by hr on Jan 3, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
oh, that's HR/150
But still, that seems a bit high
by hr on Jan 3, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe ZIPS knows something about the right field wall at busch moving in 30 feet.
But then Berk’s and Freese’s hr totals would be much higher.
by hangingfromatree on Jan 3, 2012 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
only move in when light hitting middle infielders are at bat
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
Yeah, that shortens the distance to the stands considerably . . .
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
This is mind-boggling to me.
Heyman on his No. 1 Hall of Fame-pick Jack Morris:
Sadly, it looks like that unsightly 3.90 ERA is going to continue to haunt him.
Sadly, the most widely accepted metric by which we measure a pitcher’s performance (and skill) is going to continue to haunt him. Are you kidding me?
"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
And regarding Dal Maxvill's Hall of Fame chances
Sadly, it looks like that unsightly .217 batting average is going to continue to haunt him.
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 3, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
I have no idea.
"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 Jan 3, 2012 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
I thought any player with 10 years of playing time
was automatically on the ballot after 5 years of retirement. Womack won’t make a second ballot.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
I poked around trying to find something definitive,
but couldn’t come up with it. That’s what my sieve-like memory says.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
Duh. Should have just gone to the source in the first place.
Eligible Candidates — Candidates to be eligible must meet the following requirements:
*A baseball player must have been active as a player in the Major Leagues at some time during a period beginning twenty (20) years before and ending five (5) years prior to election.
*Player must have played in each of ten (10) Major League championship seasons, some part of which must have been within the period described in 3 (A).
*Player shall have ceased to be an active player in the Major Leagues at least five (5) calendar years preceding the election but may be otherwise connected with baseball.
*In case of the death of an active player or a player who has been retired for less than five (5) full years, a candidate who is otherwise eligible shall be eligible in the next regular election held at least six (6) months after the date of death or after the end of the five (5) year period, whichever occurs first.
*Any player on Baseball’s ineligible list shall not be an eligible candidate.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
so do 1994 and 2004 not count, because there was no World Series?
RJ Swindle for LOOGY
I have a man-crush on Peter Bourjos
Five time All-Star!
This is a guy who pitched in three World Series!
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Like that Henry Aaron.
Compiling homers year after 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
by bgh on Jan 3, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, all those homers
but what I ask is this: How many rings?
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
ERA is a pretty fair evualator over a career sample size
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 3, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
well unless their's bias
like playing on good defensive teams or playing in a pitchers park.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
i am similarly frustrated that woody williams won't
Make the hall of fame just because he’s been slapped with the label: “not as good as most hall of fame pitchers.”
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Jan 3, 2012 5:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That borders on unreadable.
You know, fuck it, it was unreadable. Almost every comment he made was bordering on illogical. As a proponent of sending all steroid players into the Hall of Fame if they have the numbers necessary, this fucking reasoning pisses me off to no end.
he steroid taint doesn’t automatically eliminate anyone from my ballot. It’s all a judgment call, and if in my judgment I still believe a player would have fashioned a Hall of Fame career without his artificial help, I reserve the right to vote for him.
Well I feel like you should either allow ALL Hall of Fame caliber steroid users or none. The halfway in-between bullshit is nonsensical to me. Ok, so sportswriters judge the players saying that they cheated and don’t deserve to get in… oh except if I feel like they would have been Hall of Fame worthy anyway. What the fuck?
I’ve always thought that steroids users were chided and criticized for… USING THE STEROIDS. To me, that means everyone should get excluded. I do not hold this opinion. I think it’s a lost cause and that someone who took steroids will get in anyway so allow all steroid users to get in because it’s pointless and impossible to separate the non-users from the users. Also, there is zero incentive to come clean anymore as it’s clear McGwire will never get in.
/end rant
President of the Tyler Greene fanclub - Wikipedia Proof, Tumblr Page, and finally Baseball-reference
Twitter
by stlcardsfan4 on Jan 4, 2012 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
Excellent work, VEP.
Any chance that someone could go over last year’s Cardinals’ ZiPS, et al and see how close they came?
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
predicated 90 wins, a World Series crown and a moth in Holliday's ear.
by dmiles on Jan 3, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That amazing did it also call Waino's injury?
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions
New Year's Resolutions from Anthony Castrovince
St. Louis Cardinals resolve to again follow that tried-and-true winning formula of losing a key piece (how about a departed Albert Pujols in the role of an injured Adam Wainwright?), falling 10 1/2 games back in late August and three back with five to play, facing the team with the league’s best record in the first round and the team that beat them in the division race in the second and then finding themselves a strike away from elimination in the World Series — twice, no less — before winning it all. It works every time.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
I don't think my liver can take that again
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Jan 3, 2012 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
I would love to see something similar happen again.
My liver is in great shape.
Who's got it better than us? NOBODY!
you're not doing it right
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
60% of the time
it works every time!
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
OT: Heading to Cotton Bowl in Dallas this weekend and I am annoyed
Cowboys Stadium has no gluten free food options for the 600 (Statistically speaking) of us with Celiac Disease who will be present. Annoyed. It is annoying enough that I have to plot out where I can and cannot eat while in DFW. I will get them back by wearing my World Champion Cardinals t-shirt then…that will teach them!!!
Albert who? Nope, not familiar with the guy. Is he any good?
"It's okay, we still have Berkman."
Can you bring in your own food?
You can at Busch.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
apparently you have to call ahead,
which I have tried to do with no luck, and then they “might” work out something with you, but you may need proof of disease. Yankee Stadium has gluten free pizza, beer, and hot dog and hamburger buns available. Almost makes me want to be a Yankees fan if it wasn’t for the fact they are the Yankees…
Albert who? Nope, not familiar with the guy. Is he any good?
"It's okay, we still have Berkman."
by arthropodtodd on Jan 3, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Cardinals in on Roy Oswalt
Nick Cafardo reports in the Boston Globe:
Veteran free-agent righthander Roy Oswalt would be an excellent veteran presence in Boston’s starting rotation, and even though the Red Sox are aware that Oswalt would be open to a one-year deal, he still appears to be out of Boston’s price range.
The Sox may have competition from the Yankees on Oswalt, who is also being eyed by the St. Louis Cardinals, where Oswalt would love to pitch.
"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
"Oswalt, who is also being eyes by the St. Louis Cardinals"
is the writer saying Oswalt is eyes the Cardinals or the Cardinals eyes [sic] Oswalt?
"He probably misses his old glasses."
I think he's saying that Oswalt is being eyed by the Cardinals
or else he wouldn’t have added the “where Oswalt would love to pitch”.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
hooray for clarification via dangling modifier!
it sure would be nice if professional writers could all write.
eye surgery will do that
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Jan 3, 2012 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No, I think he's implying Mozeliak is outside of Oswalt's window, doing something furiously (grating a carrot maybe?)..
"He probably misses his old glasses."
...
The St. Louis Cardinals, led by General Manager John Mozeliak [above] are believed to be “watching Oswalt closely”
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
every breath you taaaaaaake
The Cardinals and their fans were privileged to get the best of Pujols. It truly was an honor. And now the Cardinals and their fans don't have to worry about paying for the worst of Pujols.--Miklasz
The Stalker Song
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 3, 2012 9:09 PM EST up reply actions
I think the whole thing is terribly written,
but I won’t care if the Cards’ decide they can afford him.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
The above post was terribly written,
but I don’t care.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
You just don't pass up an opportunity to make a sick joke, do you Fritz
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
They CAN definitely afford him.
Whether they decide to spend or pocket the playoff dividend is the question.
If we sign Oswalt we're the best team in the NL
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
this is an important point
And we don’t have a 1st baseman with a major injury waiting to start his $125M Contract
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 6:43 AM EST up reply actions
All old and good and shit.
this has a real lyrical quality to it – poetic, even
Ad Maiorem Tortius Gloriam
I'm sure the score is much more lopsided than that, for all of us
my favorite words are goodbye and my favorite color is red
your mom is lopsided
Ad Maiorem Tortius Gloriam
by peppermartin on Jan 3, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I learned my lesson about correcting typos.
"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 Jan 3, 2012 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
We'll be like the 2004 Astros!
Those dudes were pretty good.
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."
All your Bs are belong to us
Uh…and your O.
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
Craig Biggio can still play 2nd right?
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Jan 4, 2012 12:34 AM EST up reply actions
I'd rather be the 2005 Astros since they went to WS.
We could just pretend we resigned Beltran instead of letting him go to the Mets. Since we are making this up, might as well make a few tweeks.
Who's got it better than us? NOBODY!
but wait...
that would require us raising our payroll.
i have been personally assured that this is impossible.
Yay for Dickens!
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
Actually didn't Mo say post losing out on AP that they had still planned to spend the AP money and will if the right opportunities present?
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 6:44 AM EST up reply actions
thought there was still some of the 20 something left that they had offered
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
Does our current 2012 total team salary = what it would have been had Pujols accepted the 5 year deal then?
Thought there would have been some left but guess not
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno for sure...
according to cots, last year’s was at 109 and this year is at 89 (including Furcal, not including Beltran), so it seems like there should be a little room.
Because Matheny
Hello there.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
If he really wants to pitch here
I could live with a one-year, $5M contract. We’ll make up the salary with lots of hugs and free Clydesdale rides.
I'm imagining the convo to go something like this:
Mo: “Please, sir, may I have more?”
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 1:57 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Dunno if it was linked last night
but the Future Redbirds Top 20 came out yesterday
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
Those are from last year
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
i'm dumb
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
i was reading about oscar taveras
and going WTF guys?
why did put this as the top post, az?!?
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
re-reading this list is odd
This description of Taveras
He’s the classic toolsy player who projects well in all aspects of the game
Seems pretty inaccurate. Goes to show how little we know about short-season ballplayers until they make it up to a full season.
How is that inaccurate?
He’s got a great hit tool, speed, power, defense, and a good arm
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
i don't think that's the general sentiment at all.
i think the speed and defense have been perceived as fringy (as noted by his move to a corner) and the power hasn’t really shown yet. If anything, I think Oscar Taveras seen as a pure hitter with mixed tools.
his ISO was not that overwhelming; he had a crazy BA.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Jan 3, 2012 6:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think the "general sentiment" about OT's tools is informed by lots of baseless internet chatter.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
i don't think it's baseless
i just think it’s docking him for having a hamstring injury. but in any case, I don’t think what we have here can be described as “the classic toolsy player”
if he were a classic toolsy player, then he wouldn't be stuck in a corner.
that’s not baseless in the least.
OT played 24% of his games in CF last year
Bryce Harper played 18.5% of his games in CF last year.
Bryce Harper must not be “a classic toolsy player,” because if he were, he wouldn’t be “stuck in a corner.” That’s not “baseless in the least.”
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
no Bryce Harper is not described as toolsy
google" Bryce Harper" + toolsy and Google will try and show you “Bryce Harper” + tools instead. if you specify “toolsy”, it’ll give you 11,900 results. if you Google say, “Anthony Gose” + toolsy, it will give you 5 times as many results. But Gose certainly doesn’t have any 80 tools like Harper’s arm and power. He’s just got speed and some power so he gets called toolsy. That’s just how that word gets used.
Anthony Gose has hit a home run in 1.4% of his minor league PAs, which is lower than OT.
Whatever. Like I said, you have your own definition of what constitutes a “classic toolsy player” -
So far, it’s “fast, african-american CF’ers who strike out a lot” – got it.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
this is such an obnoxious comment that i'm not sure how to respond.
here, i’ll just repost what I already said about defining tools three times and we’ll see if that gets through.
i’ll give you my definition of classic toolsy player (and I think it reflects in the general usage of the word toolsy): you have speed and power. mostly speed. that’s it. that’s why you don’t see guys like Zach Cox described as toolsy even though he has an exceptional hit "tool". it’s a dumb designation, I know, but it’s out there
i’ll give you my definition of classic toolsy player (and I think it reflects in the general usage of the word toolsy): you have speed and power. mostly speed. that’s it. that’s why you don’t see guys like Zach Cox described as toolsy even though he has an exceptional hit "tool". it’s a dumb designation, I know, but it’s out there
i’ll give you my definition of classic toolsy player (and I think it reflects in the general usage of the word toolsy): you have speed and power. mostly speed. that’s it. that’s why you don’t see guys like Zach Cox described as toolsy even though he has an exceptional hit "tool". it’s a dumb designation, I know, but it’s out there
It'd be especially baseless IMO if the reason for knocking his tools was docking him for a hamstring injury.
Toolsy players can still pull muscles – doesn’t really make them less toolsy as a general matter.
It’s fruitless argument anyway – you’ve got your own definition of what constitutes a “classic toolsy player” so it really doesn’t matter what else could be said.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
when you say baseless, I take it to mean "internet people making shit up"
there’s clearly a reason people are chattering about his tools being less than stellar, the question is whether or not the reasons will carry forward.
i’ll give you my definition of classic toolsy player (and I think it reflects in the general usage of the word toolsy): you have speed and power. mostly speed. that’s it. that’s why you don’t see guys like Zach Cox described as toolsy even though he has an exceptional hit “tool”. it’s a dumb designation, I know, but it’s out there. Speed and power are not Oscar Taveras’ primary game so I don’t think he fits the designation of a classic toolsy player.
You kidding me?
He’s black/latin, in what way is he NOT toolsy? He could run an 8.2 60 and hit .220 and could still be described as toolsy. Dude is a sparkplug athlete who just needs to focus his talent, reminds me of a young Vlad Guerrero mixed Jose Reyes and Robinson Cano—-or even a skinny, fast David Ortiz playing CF without the power but a better bat.
I have never even seen him play and I know that.
/It’sSatireDamnit
Not afraid to nitpick
dang
i was gonna say that sounds pretty good to me!
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
Don't forget the comp to the immortal Yoennis Cespedes
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Don't forget that warm, Dominican smile!
Reminds me a young Roberto Clemente. And so willing to give back!
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
You don't know Oscar Taveras, Joker.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I don't have a problem with describing him as "toolsy."
Taveras is a fast player who is good at defense. It’s my understanding that the primary reason for not playing him in center field every day was because of lingering hamstring problems. As for power, Taveras slugged .592 with 8 homers and 27 doubles for the Quad Cities.
"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 Jan 3, 2012 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
BP says this about his power
Taveras’ power grades vary, ranging from 40 (future) to 60 (future)
it’s not hard to slug .584 when you hit .386
Eh, that's still a little unfair if you ask me
He did put up an ISO of right around .200, which is not nothing.
I sorted the Midwest League for batters with a minimum PA of 300, and he ranked 16th. He was also the youngest person on that list. I don’t think that is an “easy” slugging percentage.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
I meant that nobody on that list I sorted who had an ISO above his was younger than him, if that was unclear
Even without a minimum number of PA, he was 32nd highest in ISO (and there were some tiny samples in there due to no PA filter) and was still younger than everybody above him.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
I pretty much agree, it's not like the consensus (so far as there is one and so far as I am roughly aware of it)
describes him as this stellar all-around athlete. But I think some credit is due.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Other reasons for him not being in centerfield:
Michael Swinson – who was probably the fastest player on QC’s team last year.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
I mean this with all due respect
but you are out of your fucking mind if you think a .198 ISO in the Midwest League (pitcher’s league) at age 19 is power that “hasn’t really shown yet”. That is top 15 ISO.
He’s not an 80 in terms of speed or defense but the demise of his fielding prowess is being greatly exaggerated.
There’s lots of things wrong with last year’s top 20 list. The writeup on Oscar Taveras just isn’t one of them.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
That is all meant light-heartedly (but for realz).
I’ve got issues with Taveras and yes, long term, he’s probably a corner outfielder but he’ll be a very good corner outfielder. And that kind of ISO at age 19 is just not common.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
*sigh* i'm done with this argument, really
i like Oscar Taveras, I really do. I put him at number 2 on my list over Martinez/Wong/Whoever. But I don’t think I’m being all that controversial for saying that there have been questions about his speed/defense and power tools (from a SCOUTING PERSPECTIVE. SCOUTING.) Yet I’ve been all but called a racist for suggesting as much. Whatever.
well maybe if you weren't such a bigot you'd see tavaras as the perfect ballplayer that he is
and we won the world series.
@Buster_ESPN
Coco Crisp is signing with Oakland, for a $6m salary in 2012, a $7m salary in ’13, a club option of $7.5m for ’14, with a $1 m. buyout.
I like the Beltran deal.
"He probably misses his old glasses."
Put the gun down, Flim
before you hurt something you’ll regret later, like your legacy.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
basically the Furcal deal, minus the option
I like the Furcal deal.
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
This is Coco Crisp, rumored to be interested mostly in playing for a winning team
“It’s always about the money.”
-Lance Berkman
by mojowo11 on Jan 3, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think the part after the "and" tells us more about what Coco was looking for...
The California native seemed to prefer West Coast teams, but explained in September that he was also looking to play on a winner and find a good “financial situation” for himself.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/as-to-sign-coco-crisp.html
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
"I would like to play for a winning team."
“Provided that the winning team also offers me more money than everyone else.”
I'd cheerfully play for the Pig Pens in a Charley Brown t-ball league for MLB minimum.
then let my wife talk about getting over the insult. . .
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
After trading all that
they had to throw their fans some kind of bone, even if it is a little skinny on the meat…
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
I don't really know where they're going with this
For the last 5 years most of their moves have made sense in a vacuum but there just seems to be no direction or plan for the whole deal.
Not afraid to nitpick
That makes sense because being in Oakland is pretty much like being "in a vacuum" - and not ones of those nice Dysons either.
More like one of those old Hoovers, with a bag full of pet hair that needs to be changed.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 6:08 PM EST up reply actions
what else are they spending money on?
it seems like an overpay in years but just because they are punting this season doesn’t mean they can seem like they are punting this season.
they just traded away Bailey and whats his face to save money, ostensibly
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
what did Willigham get?
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
Question for VEB
I have a few hundred MP3s that I bought under my parent’s account on iTunes (before switching to my own account) and about a month or so ago Apple put out a software update making it so that I cannot play them now. Does anyone know of a program or a way to fix the files so that they aren’t blocked?
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
You really do live in your parents's basement.
by Forsch's2nohitters on Jan 3, 2012 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
He has his own iTunes account now though
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
I'm glad to have so many serious responses
I’m overwhelmed by all of the love
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
you did get a 50% helpful response ratio, I was just bring attention to your question so those that had the answers could you
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
One of those was a lmgtfy though
So its more like 37.5%
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
It works though
lmgtfy takes you to this here
You have java enabled right?
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
which is
How to Remove DRM Protection from iTunes for Free
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 6:38 PM EST up reply actions
No I saw it
Gonna do it later. I just thought that the smart assery nature took away from it somewhat
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
hah, how do they do that lmgtfy anyway?
first time i saw it, I had NoSrcript enabled so it just looked like the google website so I thought it was real smartassery!
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
Ah go to home page and search something and it creates the linky
simple thanks, going in the tool kit
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
thanks RR
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
You only beat me, because I spelled it out.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Love this post, VEP.
I’d like to do some similar number-crunching for the Brewers (their ZiPS just came out today) – we’ll see how the math goes. This is awesome work, though.
Red Sox sign Carlos Silva to minor-league deal
by Forsch's2nohitters on Jan 3, 2012 5:57 PM EST reply actions
heh
i remember when cubs fans were talking (admittedly sarcastically) about how silva was a cy young candidate
and we won the world series.
And VEB thinks the Lohse contract was bad ?
Remember when the Mariners gaves Silva a 4/46M contract ?
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 3, 2012 9:35 PM EST up reply actions
No but it does
help take the pain away.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
"Aah not a bear in sight, the bear patrol must be working like a charm"
“That’s specious reasoning dad”
“Thank you honey”
“By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away”
“Oh how does it work?”
“It doesn’t work”
“uh huh”
“It’s just a stupid rock”
“uh huh”
“But I don’t see any tigers around here do you?”
“Lisa I want to buy your rock”
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
by vivaelpujols on Jan 3, 2012 6:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I'll give you one thousand dollars for it!
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
There was talk earlier of old injury prone previously very good players being the new market inefficiency.
Which one of you is goin to write the book “OldBalls: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game…and Getting Off My Lawn”
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
by VolsnCards5 on Jan 3, 2012 6:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions 5 recs
Great post
and a nod to all the mods who have been knocking it out of the park for several weeks now during the off-season. I read BP every day and the authors here are, quite frankly, better writers and their ability to translate data into meaningful analysis never ceases to amaze me.
It is not a surprise you are regularly getting 500-1000 comments.
Just win
Edwin Jackson wants 5 years/$75M+
Per mlbtraderumors
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
by VolsnCards5 on Jan 3, 2012 6:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
lolz
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
Rafael Soriano somehow got 3/33 last year to be a set up guy
With two straight opt outs
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
Yes.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
Well he's not going to set out for a year
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 6:49 AM EST up reply actions
If/when he signs, how does that signing affect the Cards' compensation?
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
That's... quite a title there, Sig.
Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggart
The Astros have hired Sig Mejdal as Director of Decision Sciences and Stephanie Wilka as Coordinator of Amateur Scouting.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
Another big blow
to the Cardinals front office. Hopefully there are many more unheralded analysts to make up for the loss to the sabermetric side of the organization.
by deadpullpitcher on Jan 3, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
Funny how back when we had these guys we did things...
like trade for Ryan Theriot, dump Colby Rasmus, tender Skip Schumaker and Kyle McClellan, draft Pete Kozma, get suckered by Boras on Kyle Lohse, etc…
Sign Roy O
but those things were all caused by TLR right? right?
The Cards will never do anything foolish again.
because coordinators of scouting have so much to do with each of those things. . .
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
There is an acknowledged blend
of quantitative and qualitative analytics in the organization. If you’re implying that past decisions were too heavily weighted toward the latter, then shouldn’t the departure of a former NASA researcher who pursued a career in baseball to use his quantitative background concern you more than others?
by deadpullpitcher on Jan 3, 2012 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
Im for hire
Lol
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 3, 2012 8:38 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Decision Sciences?
The Cardinals and their fans were privileged to get the best of Pujols. It truly was an honor. And now the Cardinals and their fans don't have to worry about paying for the worst of Pujols.--Miklasz
sounds like game theory stuff
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
Yeah you need that...
in order to not sign Brandon Lyon to a three year contract.
That or just read the internets.
Sign Roy O
by guayzimi on Jan 3, 2012 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
But seriously, I've done a lot of work with him and he's been gigantic part of us drafting well in the last few years
But unfortunately, I don’t think he had much autonomy to do other things in the front office, which is why his new title is Director of Decision Sciences – He’s quite literally helping with the analysis of almost every transaction that the Astors are going to make
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
But he's got a really douchey title, right?
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
well we can trust you because you've done work with him
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
What does this mean
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
According to Sean Forman (B-R founder), in a BTF post...
6. Sean Forman Posted: January 03, 2012 at 09:40 PM (#4028320)link
I happen to have heard that the Astros are looking for some folks with some serious DB chops if anyone here is interested you might want to send along your resume.
"Our son Dick was sitting in his high chair, and I looked at that money, and I knew I could never look my son in the face again, if I took that money" (to leave the Cardinals) -Stan Musial, 1946
Why trade "The Mang"for "El Salmon", for less than $2M/yr, after taxes?
Wow
Has 2 engineering degrees and …
Mejdal has been active in baseball statistics and analytics since earning his membership in The Society for Baseball Research (SABR) while in grade school.
Not only is that cool, while having an engineering focus has obviously had a lifelong interest in baseball analysis
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:05 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, hey.
Stubby Clapp is managing the Astros’ Tri-City NY-Penn League team
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
Harold Reynolds just said he is "sick"
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
by VolsnCards5 on Jan 3, 2012 7:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
your phone is priceless
The Cardinals and their fans were privileged to get the best of Pujols. It truly was an honor. And now the Cardinals and their fans don't have to worry about paying for the worst of Pujols.--Miklasz
SOMEONE GET HIM A DOCTOR
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
Harold Reynolds just said he is "sick" of batters working the count
Abd his proof that it was stupid? 7 HR hit on first pitch during the WS
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
by VolsnCards5 on Jan 3, 2012 7:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I hate how former players are automatically analysts
Harold Reynolds is about as qualified to spew any type of analysis, as I am to give medical advice.
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Jan 3, 2012 7:03 PM EST up reply actions
He was first on MLB.com to be in on the Cardinals during the post season and seemed like a supporter with his enthusiasm
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 3, 2012 7:07 PM EST up reply actions
Said the guy with the .258/.327/.341 career line
Explains a lot of Reynold’s career
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions
Had 81 one year
was weird to see that.
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
That's really odd.
Joe Morgan, with over 14% walk rate, despes walks as an analyst right? Weird shit going on with former players.
President of the Tyler Greene fanclub - Wikipedia Proof, Tumblr Page, and finally Baseball-reference
Twitter
by stlcardsfan4 on Jan 4, 2012 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
In case you've forgot,
Harold Reynolds is an asshat.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Harold Reynolds doesn't get nearly enough snark from these boards
probably because he’s on the MLBN, far from where he can do any harm, but any time he talks he just spews crap. it’s the worst.
I remember how horrible he was on BBTN
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Jan 4, 2012 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
after watching a show on MLBN about sabermetrics
that got me wondering… how did VEB become a saber-heavy blog?
When a mommy saber-heavy blog and a daddy saber-heavy blog fall in love...
by Forsch's2nohitters on Jan 3, 2012 8:53 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
they have a baby saber blog who grows up to have an alcohol problem
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 9:16 PM EST up reply actions 11 recs
i'm not even convinced it is a stats heavy blog
i’ve always thought of it as information focused. i think we talk about news reports and beat writers and baseball stories as much as stats and numbers.
seriously sometimes VEB can’t shut up. numbers or not, if it’s cardinals related VEB will talk about it.
i expect one day someone put up a cardinal players numbers, and shortly after everyone knew what WAR was
and we won the world series.
Doesn't even have to be about the Cardinals
Could be gifts for IHB boyfriend, or the merits of mysterui’s wardrobe choices, or mameshiba.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
I think lboros was a relatively early adopter
And he picked a sabr-friendly successor, who picked sabr-friendly authors
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
plus we have a bunch of people
who are good at explaining things (for people like me)
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
this is an important piece of the formula I think, as well as members helping others learn the VEB skillz and etiquette ropes and other OT things
Friendly environs and ofttimes witty banter keeps it fun as well
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:11 AM EST up reply actions
yes there are mornings when I am laughing out loud at VEB late night insanity.
Who's got it better than us? NOBODY!
sabermetrics?
I thought this was a music and drinking blog that likes to talk ill about people’s mothers.
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
We also give advice on a variety of topics
Fashion, relationships, family letters.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
YES
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
2011 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!
Oh dear. I don't think I can pull that off.
It’s just so effing pink.
by peach concrete on Jan 4, 2012 12:38 AM EST up reply actions
Updating my profile always makes me wonder...
how many veb members have identified a favorite figure skating team.
by peach concrete on Jan 4, 2012 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
Team?
I didn’t know there were teams in figure skating, other than National teams. Is this like Team Tennis, only more rediculus?
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:53 AM EST up reply actions
pairs, dude, pairs.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 2:15 AM EST up reply actions
pairs can be teams
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:13 AM EST up reply actions
it's the terminology
it’s called pairs skating not team skating
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
I know, just meant to say that you can refer to a pair as a team
in referring to a figure skating pair, “they make a good team” in same way the dynamic duo is a duo, but can be referred to as a great crime fighting team because they work well together.
or “Oh, Neeevvvvveeeer mind then” … name that skit
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
I would cgirly, and her alone.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Weird comments out of context for $200, Alex
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
by mysterui on Jan 4, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I mised a word there.
I would assume,
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
They did make a Mario Baseball game, you know...
How about one of these:
or:
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
How did you get
action photos of IHB playing slow-pitch?
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
Some days, it's more of a
god-I-hate-the-Lohse-contract blog than anything else. God I can’t wait till next offseason when i might be able to go a whole 10 minutes without reading those comments.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 3, 2012 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
No people will still refer to it when new judging or evaluating new/future contract possibilities
Although I believe others have pointed out that if he has an avg Lohse season, his WAR cost will be about evened out to contract cost or something to that effect
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:16 AM EST up reply actions
Honestly, from what I remember
LBoros fully embraced SABR as a means of measuring players before he left, then heavy commenters such as Azru expanded on his writing in the threads with some really insightful stuff.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
Eck, is that Edmonds as your avatar?
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
testing testing
1,2…3?
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Jan 3, 2012 8:58 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Is this thing on?
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions
heh
Testing out my new iPhone
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Jan 3, 2012 11:00 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Bastard Coated Bastards
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:17 AM EST up reply actions
with Bastard filling
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 9:22 AM EST up reply actions
o/
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 9:23 AM EST up reply actions
\o
Sorry had to get ready for work earlier
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry
posted this yesterday or the day before.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
ok got it.
the opposite of naive bubble headed optimists who walk around vomiting sunshine.
Who's got it better than us? NOBODY!
is he the one with the hot sister or is that hawksworth (always mix em up)?
there’s a joke there about “the twins” amirite?
and we won the world series.
warning: self-serving and off-topic
Oh hey guys long time little see
For those of you ignoring me on twitter (good choice!), I’m currently supposed to be writing about my 2011 for the family letter. So, um, you guys get to do it for me because 2012 is looking preeetty lazy so far.
Or just give me ideas, whatever.
Last year’s letter indicated I spent the year teaching sign language to the Keebler Elves
The year previous I rescued Ponce de Lion from the British children and was a pokemon street fighter by night
so um, ideas are welcome so I don’t have to come up with ideas. If I do, it will probably be about bees.
Yeah, bees.
Still not a werewolf.
by clank on Jan 3, 2012 9:19 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
You performed an experiment to solve baseball
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
by mattybobo on Jan 3, 2012 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But the only variable you forgot to include
Was the human heart.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
by mattybobo on Jan 3, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
IN MY SMALL INTESTINE
Still not a werewolf.
by clank on Jan 3, 2012 9:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I still like this one.
Hit game tying triple and game winning home run in World Series game.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
sounds too much like a lie
There’s no way this could have actually happened in a World Series game
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
every year my parents send out a letter to pretty much everyone they kind of like
outlining what the family’s been up to.
Still not a werewolf.
I have a cousin who does this as a Christmas letter.
He keeps it up because his dad (RIP) did it. It’s neat, I think.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
Yep. My dad uses a simple format wherein we each submit a picture and 3-5 bullet points
Still not a werewolf.
some in my family do this as well
not me, but some
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 2:18 AM EST up reply actions
just talk about your spiral into drug abuse and prostitution
describe that scene in requiem for a dream at the end
You always make me laugh.
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Jan 3, 2012 10:34 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Finally got Minecraft 1.0 released
then was immediately named the Cardinals new bullpen coach.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
In spare time
discovered Earth-like planet Kepler-22b.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 9:27 PM EST up reply actions
I think you mean
Keebler-22b
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:57 AM EST up reply actions
You are 3 months pregnant with Skip's kid.
by Forsch's2nohitters on Jan 3, 2012 9:47 PM EST up reply actions
performed as Brian Wilson's beard double
for all of his awful commercials
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Jan 3, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Was in charge of bullpen communications
during Game 5 of the World Series
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 3, 2012 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I'm trying to convince everyone that I'm really cool
not really incompetent. Gee whiz. I’m trying to make friends and influence people here.
Still not a werewolf.
Oh OK
Was in charge of the bullpen during the NLCS
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 3, 2012 9:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well, it has the influence part down...
It’s just a negative influence.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Completed work on your groundbreaking John F. Kennedy assassination research
establishing disturbing evidence that a time traveling Corey Patterson played a crucial and hitherto unknown role in events surrounding the president’s death
CoPa was the second bunter?
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 9:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The evidence is in
the Rzepczynski film.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
by TBender on Jan 3, 2012 9:39 PM EST up reply actions 9 recs
Needs 1 more
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:21 AM EST up reply actions
the magic derpcannon theory
The Cardinals and their fans were privileged to get the best of Pujols. It truly was an honor. And now the Cardinals and their fans don't have to worry about paying for the worst of Pujols.--Miklasz
did someone say Corey Patterson?
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."
you really gotta stop that shit
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Hey, he's a WS winner!
With a ring on the way, and everything!
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
So's Ryan Theriot, not that it means anything
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
I just can't.
I would post the picture of him in a confessional…but it’s way too big.
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."
whatever you decide to do
don’t talk about fight club
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Jan 3, 2012 9:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
signed a $254 million dollar contract with a new family
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Jan 3, 2012 9:49 PM EST up reply actions 15 recs
just make sure you let them know it wasn't about the money
it was about the respect your new family showed you.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Jan 3, 2012 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
and the personal services contract
The Cardinals and their fans were privileged to get the best of Pujols. It truly was an honor. And now the Cardinals and their fans don't have to worry about paying for the worst of Pujols.--Miklasz
by nota bene on Jan 3, 2012 10:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Can someone please explain this joke to me?
It’s pretty obnoxious not getting the context.
President of the Tyler Greene fanclub - Wikipedia Proof, Tumblr Page, and finally Baseball-reference
Twitter
by stlcardsfan4 on Jan 4, 2012 12:38 AM EST up reply actions
Also, while I'm asking for popular cultural happenings,
what in the fuck is YOLO?
President of the Tyler Greene fanclub - Wikipedia Proof, Tumblr Page, and finally Baseball-reference
Twitter
by stlcardsfan4 on Jan 4, 2012 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
Skyrim
it’s generic dialogue from the guards. “I used to be an adventurer like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee”
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
Someday this site will collapse under the weight
of its collective nerdism.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
BUT NOT THIS DAY
Bursting into song.
by Aranathor on Jan 4, 2012 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Says the man
with the robot from a syndicated cartoon as his avatar.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
Asked to replace John Lennon in Beatles reunion.
Had to decline as the proposed tour conflicted with your work with Interpol.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
You should have asked McCartney when you had the chance.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
managed to collect the eyelashes of forty albino infants to summon the Mayan jaguar goddess Ix Chel
and then sold her to the producers of an upcoming Michael Bay movie.
Announce that you are Inigo Montoya
and that they killed your father
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Also, not lefthanded.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
In the last year
you scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro because you wanted to look down on Africa. You ran in the Boston Marathon because you find jogging to be an underrated exercise. You found the Higgs Boson particle and let it go to start an alternate universe. You wrote a book and immediately thereafter directed your screen play adaptation of said book. It won 2 Oscars – best director (you) and best actor in a leading role (you, which was especially impressive). In January, you rescued and raised two wolves. In June, those wolves found a baby and they raised the baby. The baby turned out to be a velociraptor and ate the wolves but you killed the velociraptor. Late in the year you found the cure to cancer (patent pending). You hit a homerun and made a slapshot winning goal for the Blues in a shootout 1-0 (God knows the rest of the team can’t score during a shootout).
After all these things though, you are still not a werewolf.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
by azruavatar on Jan 4, 2012 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 14 recs
Winnar
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 1:07 AM EST up reply actions
Wish I could Rec from the app.
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Jan 4, 2012 1:42 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
needs 1 moar
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:24 AM EST up reply actions
This doesn't seem very believable
I am having a hard time believing the Blues scoring in a shootout
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 4, 2012 9:58 AM EST up reply actions
hay
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
Don't call zach a wanker, you wanker!
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
takes one to know one
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
SUGAR BOWL
WOOOOOO!
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
Now that I've watched five minutes of the game, I withdraw my WOOOOOO!
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
I feel strongly that Mizzou would wax both of these teams
I mean, SEC Speed® and all.
Not afraid to nitpick
Neyer:
But man, doesn’t Roy Oswalt just feel like a St. Louis Cardinal already? Can’t you see him wearing those beautiful home whites already? Didn’t you just spend three seconds confirming in your head that Roy Oswalt hasn’t already been a St. Louis Cardinal?
Make this happen, everyone. The American League East has plenty of talent already. My only concern is that the Cardinals might make a mockery of the N.L. Central race if they add Oswalt to an already stocked roster.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 10:51 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Just when I thought I was out...
they pull me back in.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Leave the gun
take the cannoli.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 1:09 AM EST up reply actions
My only concern is that the Cardinals might make a mockery of the N.L. Central race if they add Oswalt to an already stocked roster.
Meanwhile, 5 years ago,
Prediction The Detroit Tigers’ biggest obstacle to a championship will be keeping a straight face. The Tigers in three. (OK, make it four.)
by hr on Jan 3, 2012 11:05 PM EST up reply actions
(that was Bob Nightingale)
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
(er, Nightengale)
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
lets sign oswalt
and then trade him for stephen strasburg
/steve phillips’d
and we won the world series.
by YesWeOquendo on Jan 3, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
If Mo finds the money for this
I will be incredibly impressed. Then again, maybe Roy wants to hang out in the Midwest with his buddy Berk, takes a super cheap deal, and we make it happen.
But this is just silly talk. This ain’t gonna happen.
2004 Astros
Make it happen Mo
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 3, 2012 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
Who has that detailed roster matrix (it was yellow and white)?
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
FreeRedbird
of the Korean VEB contingent.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
Oh and let me just say...
that this sig dates to October… back then everyone was telling me that I was forgetting that Wainwright was coming back and I should learn how to count.
Sign Roy O
I stole this from Freeredbijrd so we could figure who to dump to afford Oswalt...
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 3, 2012 11:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Tell Westbrook he needs to go climb K2 to one-up Dickey.
Quietly take out insurance policy.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 3, 2012 11:38 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
you shut your dirty mouth
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Jan 4, 2012 1:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
In this magical fantasy world where we somehow sign Oswalt and he takes Westbrook's place...
how many wins does that add to our projected total, VEB? I’m thinking two wins. I think Oswalt could be a 3.5 WAR pitcher, and Westbrook is probably something like 1.5.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
more i suspect in real life
westie has been wearing out the bp
i expect oz would average noticeably more innings per start
indirect benefit and total more than winning 2 games
TLR is gone, long live the king
Yeah, could very well be more (or less)
I would obviously hope for, and personally predict, more. But I think it’s a fair, unbiased projection.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
also who would oswalt replace on the 25?
kmac? boggs? or lynn down to start at memphis??
and we won the world series.
by YesWeOquendo on Jan 3, 2012 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
They'd almost certainly have to trade Lohse or Westbrook
Which makes this thing pretty unlikely.
Not afraid to nitpick
Personally I kind of doubt it but who knows?
The club does know now that they won’t be paying Pujols his mega-deal, and we have few long term commitments other than Holliday. I guess they might be willing to blow up the payroll once, relatively speaking. I have no idea if that’s plausible or likely, or whatever.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Let's wishcast a bit.....
The chart above charges 500k to Adron, but shouldn’t.
We could gain 4.2mm by trading KMac and Skip. (500k comes back though, because a min. salary player takes Schu’s spot)
Let’s hope Cox’s salary doesn’t actually count against the ML budget.
Let’s assume Oswalt takes a 1yr/8mm deal, because he wants to participate in Berkamania ’12.
Then we assume, the Cards expand payroll to 113MM out of a couple of million they made for winning the WS.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 4, 2012 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
I think as long as we
let him play with his bulldozer in ballpark village, any time he wants, he’ll sign a pretty team-friendly deal.
"Our son Dick was sitting in his high chair, and I looked at that money, and I knew I could never look my son in the face again, if I took that money" (to leave the Cardinals) -Stan Musial, 1946
Why trade "The Mang"for "El Salmon", for less than $2M/yr, after taxes?
and kyle lohse can't have one either
and he has to watch and be super jealous
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
by BVHeck on Jan 4, 2012 12:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Trading Skip to save $1M is really not going to happen...
as much as I’d like it to. I also think $8M is too low for someone like Oswalt, but who knows.
Sign Roy O
Yes, that's why we're wishcasting. None of this shit will probably happen.
I’m sure we’re stuck with Skippy and KMac.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jan 4, 2012 12:20 AM EST up reply actions
Are you saying we are getting to the point of diminishing returns?
That it may be cost prohibitive to add so few wins to the team?
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Jan 3, 2012 11:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, I wasn't really trying to say that, I was just asking a neutral question
Though SecondHalfMatt’s comment does hint at something I felt as I thought it over. It probably shouldn’t be as big a projected upgrade as I was hoping. Oswalt has not been a 5-WAR type pitcher for a long time. He has been a 3-4 WAR pitcher. So it’s not like he’ll be “another Ace” most likely, but another very solid Garcia-type pitcher, maybe.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Actually Oswalt was a 5 WAR pitcher in 2010
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
At least close, by fWAR standards (4.7)
only 2.8 bWAR.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
how is that possible?
his ERA was much lower than his FIP.
He was worth 2.8 bWAR in 82 innings with the Phillies. 5.1 overall.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
You are correct, sir
did not look as closely as I should have.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
Huh, I thought it was 2009 for some reason, guess I just got mixed up.
Anyway, most of the last several years he has been more of a 3-4 WAR pitcher. That’s a better way to put it.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
not at all, I would say
two wins are actually more important for the Cardinals than, say, the Cubs, since those wins are more likely to matter to the Cardinals in terms of making the playoffs.
my favorite words are goodbye and my favorite color is red
I'm sticking to my prediction that this doesn't happen sans a weird trade of Lohse or Westbrook
in large part because I hear crow tastes shitty.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
by azruavatar on Jan 4, 2012 12:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd for "mockery" line in blockquotes
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:26 AM EST up reply actions
What would Howard get as a FA if he never got that extension?
Has a FA ever signed a big multi-year deal while seriously injured?
Sign Roy O
I'd guess something like the Berkman/Sizemore deals
5-10M, with maybe some incentives? Though that might have been an overpay for a healthy RH at this point. Given the fact that he lost a lot of weight after ’09, which coincided with the big performance drop, I wonder if he might be better off getting fat again?
BTW, anyone know what this means (from the cots page for Ryan Howard)?
most favored nation no-trade protection (excluding contracts later acquired through trade or assignment)
"Our son Dick was sitting in his high chair, and I looked at that money, and I knew I could never look my son in the face again, if I took that money" (to leave the Cardinals) -Stan Musial, 1946
Why trade "The Mang"for "El Salmon", for less than $2M/yr, after taxes?
Can't be traded to China
RE-SIGN EVERYONE
by Notorious PSC on Jan 4, 2012 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
the beijing dragons baseball team has just
Filed a complaint with the WTO.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Jan 4, 2012 1:09 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I personally frown on trade protectionism.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Has there ever been a contract signed
With the incentives heavily outweighing the guaranteed?
by Cheeseballs on Jan 4, 2012 1:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
carp and mulder
and we won the world series.
by YesWeOquendo on Jan 4, 2012 12:19 AM EST up reply actions
heh
@Xavier_Scruggs
why is the #sugarbowl trophy so small? #popwarnersize
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
so, did we sign oswalt today?
the berkman and holliday FB pages are asking me to like him
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
2011 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!
i don't know what this means but
i was asked to like beltran days before we signed him. i was not asked to like coco crisp.
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
2011 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!
it is what it is
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
EVERYBODY likes coco crisp. it's just taken for granted.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Jan 4, 2012 1:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
haha
I thought you were bowing under peer pressure from random sports athletes. (sheep + people = sheeple)
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Yeah, I had the same thing happen.
although, I think Holliday’s FB page had something about Coco.
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."
Chris Duncan
has switched positions with Bob Ramsey and is now a member of The Fast Lane.
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Jan 4, 2012 1:02 AM EST reply actions
I like Duncan.
He always comes up with something different that I never even thought of. And he calls beers man sodas.
by Cheeseballs on Jan 4, 2012 1:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
heh
man sodas
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
He's got talent and enthusiasm
so he may have a future in broadcasting. But he really worships at the altar of experience; loves “experienced” players, coaches, etc. to the exclusion of others.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 4, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
I think he'll be much better once all the guys he played with are retired.
Man does he love Skip!
"He probably misses his old glasses."
He was opposed to Matheny getting
the manager’s job. On one hand I don’t think his reasoning was completely sound, but OTOH it can’t hurt to have some contrary opinions in the STL sports media, as a matter of principle.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 4, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
he calls them brewskies too
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Jan 4, 2012 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
Cards Hire Dan Kantrovitz
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
Interesting background
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
that piqued my interest too
Kantrovitz possesses a background in analytics fostered as an undergraduate at Brown University, where he starred as a shortstop, and further developed as a graduate student at Harvard, where he earned a master’s in statistics.
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
I'm a bit suspect of anybody that comes from the A's.
But he must be fairly sharp to get a job at the MLB level. Rui, your assignment should you choose to accept it, is to get as close to this guy as you can. We need to know what he knows.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 2:34 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
But he was drafted by the Cards and served in FO before heading back to grad school
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:34 AM EST up reply actions
was joke
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 8:35 AM EST up reply actions
Dude must have something
on the ball that the Cardinals saw at one time … drafted as a player in 2001 and working the FO by 2004?
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 4, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
I just watched O Brother Where Art Thou
It started off slow, but it picked up steam quickly and was kind of amazing by the end. I really liked the devil character, and the way the fire always reflected off his glasses. The only problem with the Coen Brothers is that I can’t tell when they are being ironic – so I’m not sure the movie had much of a point. I’ll have to watch it again.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
are you familiar with The Odyssey?
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
My sister used it in her AP English class as a parallel to the Odyssey.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 2:48 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I know it was a loose parrell
But AO Scott said the Coen Brothers didn’t even read the Odyssey.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
ah
i was just checkin. my parents watched the whole thing and went Ohhhhh when tossed that out there
"He may have been only .213 but they were the clutchest .213 of all time."
Running list of Molina pick-offs | twit
And the music is awesome and humor very funny ... "My hair!!!"
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 7:35 AM EST up reply actions
fiery cross
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
You mean you just now watched it?
hfs, I woulda thought that you had seen that one by now.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 2:47 AM EST up reply actions
I still have to watch a lot of the older Coen Brothers movies
I watched Miller’s Crossing when I was drunk one time and it flew by. Have yet to see Blood Simple, Hudsucker Proxy, Barton Fink…
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
I liked Miller's Crossing a lot.
I don’t remember Blood Simple but the other ones are pretty good for the most part.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 2:51 AM EST up reply actions
Miller's Crossing is probably my favorite CB movie
though I have become fond of Lebowski over the years. I also think The Man Who Wasn’t There is somewhat underrated. It’s not a great film, but I enjoyed it. The thing about Blood Simple is, yeah, it’s their first, and is not as tight as a lot of their others, but you can see the potential all over the place. It’s one of my wife’s favorite films.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
Miller's Crossing is the only Coen Brothers movie I really like
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 4, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
Wat
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 4, 2012 10:18 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Big Lebowski is the most over rated movie imo
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 4, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
Over rated in what way?
I’m not challenging your assertion. In fact I might agree with it. I’m just curious what your specific reasoning is.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Too many treat it as some amazing movie
When I consider it like a 5/10
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 4, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
Huh.
So you just don’t like it very much?
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
That's just, like, your opinion, man.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
that's typical of "cult classics" like Lebowski.
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."
I could take or leave the movie as a whole
but it has replay value imo because of Walter’s character, one of my favorite movie characters ever probably. What can I say, I dig people who compare everything to ’Nam.
Kind of like Gangs of New York is somewhat meh on the whole, but I can watch it anytime just because of Bill the Butcher’s character.
my favorite words are goodbye and my favorite color is red
I totally feel the same way about Gangs of New York.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Well, I don't only like Bill the Butcher
but I like particular elements of that movie way more than the whole.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
THE NEAREST THING IN NATURE TO THE FLESH OF A MAN IS THE FLESH OF A PIG
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
I feel like this is something Brick Top would know
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
I think because everyone raves about how amazing it is
I mean, there are Lebowski bowling festivals around here. I kinda want to watch it again because I’ve heard that watching it more than once makes you “get it” more, but I doubt I’ll ever get around to doing that.
youneverknow
To be honest
I was much the same way. Saw it once, seemed somewhat forgettable. Then, years later, I kept hearing about “The Dude” and all the Dude-isms. So I watched it again, and I enjoyed it more the second time around. Maybe it was just me getting older, not sure. It’s not my favorite, but I like it more than Barton Fink, or Fargo for that matter. IMO, Fargo is overrated.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
It is a little weird how people have latched onto it. It's not like it's a transcendent film or something.
It’s almost pure goofy comedy, and the Coen brothers are talented enough that they can do pretty dark serious movies but also goofball non-serious movies very well.
All of their movies that I have seen have at least a slight touch of dark humor. But The Big Lebowski is just non-stop funny in my opinion. I consider it one of the funnier movies I have ever seen and cleverly so, but I do think it is probably a little over-rated the way, say, Derek Jeter of over-rated. Still great, but not quite so amazing as a lot of people seem to think.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
It's highly quotable
and full of colorful characters and imagery. That goes a long way in making a film a “cult classic”.
It’s a good movie, but it isn’t the best storytelling.
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 4, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
I think scarface sucks.
Piss off Tony, get shipped to Canada.
by beer me on Jan 4, 2012 11:34 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I haven't seen the whole thing
But the parts I have seen sucked. In my opinion.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEN'!
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
I've watched it a few times
There’s nothing to get, really. Either you like the characters and the dialogue or you don’t. There is some funny irony “THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FUCK A STRANGER IN THE ASS!”, but there isn’t any kind of overarching theme that ties it all together.
I mean it’s a pretty funny and good movie, but its not even close to the best by the Coen Bros.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
Disagrees
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 4, 2012 10:58 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Also, I just realized you said "most over rated" instead of just "over rated"
Missed that the first time. So I think I very much disagree with you because I don’t think it is that over rated.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
yeah I don't like Big Lebowski that much
nor Fargo. But most of their other movies I like.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
I really like Raising Arizona
I thought I’d really like Lebowski (had heard so much about it) but was somewhat disappointed. Really like Brother where art thou.
youneverknow
Finally watched Firefly/Serenity. And, yea, wow. Amazing show.
Can I get some VEB suggestions for other shows I should watch (preferably on Netflix)?
Chief Economist of Tyler Greene Fanclub
I don't know what you have seen, but off the top of my head:
Breaking Bad
Mad Men
Parks and Recreation
30 Rock
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Jan 4, 2012 7:46 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Breaking bad x4000
and Walking Dead was good!
"I don't know, but it works. Doin it for Torty works... He brings us luck and we're gonna roll with it." Allen Craig
Yep to all of those.
Boss (stars Kelsey Grammar…probably not on Netflix…only one season)
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."
We knocked out Homeland in the last two days. It was pretty dang good.
"He probably misses his old glasses."
Discovering Homeland was, in fact, the only upside of this season of Dexter
my favorite words are goodbye and my favorite color is red
I really like Human Target before Fox killed that one.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 8:36 AM EST up reply actions
a little cheese never hurt anyone
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
Have you watched the new
Battlestar galactica? is very good
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 4, 2012 10:20 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Excellent but with a handful of truly terrible episodes...
is usually how I describe BSG. I also usually warn people that if you don’t enjoy the episode titled “33”, which is the first one after the opening mini-series, you probably won’t make it through the series. That said, I do know a few people who became truly sold on it during the Pegasus episodes.
by peach concrete on Jan 4, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
yeah, BSG is phenomenal
although the ending was very Lost-like to me, meaning it pissed me off more than anything, after being a devoted fan for years. still, BSG is significantly better than your usual scifi series.
RJ Swindle for LOOGY
I have a man-crush on Peter Bourjos
I pretended that the ending was a dream sequence and didn't happen.
I ignore it.
Still not a werewolf.
i lost faith in the narrative after Kara reappears.
RJ Swindle for LOOGY
I have a man-crush on Peter Bourjos
Speaking of, is Lost worth checking out?
I also did not watch the Sopranos. Worth it?
Chief Economist of Tyler Greene Fanclub
Sopranos are must-see.
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Jan 4, 2012 4:35 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I'm pretty sure this is the one I was looking for. I'll finally be able to get through now that I don't have to download everything.
The other one I had been forgetting was Arrested Development, which I’m stunned nobody on VEB has mentioned. I guess it’s assumed I’ve watched it.
Chief Economist of Tyler Greene Fanclub
Oh my God we blue it.
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Jan 4, 2012 4:36 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Phineas and Ferb is pretty damn good.
Also, American Pickers.
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
Holy shit...
I feel like I know you… love both of those.
"I don't know, but it works. Doin it for Torty works... He brings us luck and we're gonna roll with it." Allen Craig
I don't know what American Picklers is
but I love Phineas and Ferb so much. Coincidentally, I was watching the movie at 3 am this morning.
Still not a werewolf.
American Pickers is a history channel show
where these 2 guys drive around and buy up antiques from people, mainly farmers. They buy motor cycles, gas pumps, old toys, signs, etc. The guys they buy from remind me of my grandpa and my great-uncles.
Sometimes they have leads on where to go and sometimes they freestyle.
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
And if you love American Pickers
Picker Sisters is pretty darn good too!
"I don't know, but it works. Doin it for Torty works... He brings us luck and we're gonna roll with it." Allen Craig
Haven't seen that one but do like American Pickers
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
And I thought I was all special
because I have both of those shows DVR’d
Ahhh, the joy of trading Colby Rasmus for a World Series. I'll take that every year please.
You can still get bonus points if you watched both shows in their first season
I didn’t catch on to P&F until the middle of season 2.
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
I have no idea if it is on Netflix
but I really like Anthony Bourdain’s shows.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
The No Reservations Christmas show was epic.
I watched the Samantha Brown bit three times.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
I actually missed that, I will have to find it on Netflix or on demand on my tv.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
The Wire (not on Netflix, obliterates all other television)
RJ Swindle for LOOGY
I have a man-crush on Peter Bourjos
oh, yeah
sorry, i keep thinking that’s called Quikster
RJ Swindle for LOOGY
I have a man-crush on Peter Bourjos
Touching Evil.
Luther.
Wire in the Blood.
by Forsch's2nohitters on Jan 4, 2012 7:43 PM EST up reply actions
So I was watching the movie
Airborne last night. During the final scene when Blane try’s to take down Mitchell Goosen in the final stretch of the race but falls over the side into the water. I just can’t stop thinking Blane probably died right there. The water was probably 50 degree’s at best and he was wearing roller blades. He probably sunk like a rock. I saw no one coming to help him.
ummm... a "spoiler alert" would be nice.
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."
The movie is 19 years old
Dear God, I am old
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 4, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
you shouldn't have to say 'spoiler alert'
For anything released more than 10-15 years ago.
OMG YOU GUYS VADER IS LUKE’S FATHER.
Bursting into song.
I graduated High School in 1992.
Spoiler alert: I ended up doing nothing with my life.
by Forsch's2nohitters on Jan 4, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
Spoiler alert?
that movie’s about 20 years old and has a very young Jack Black in it.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
and Seth Green for that matter
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
"Did he just call you a piece of underwear?"
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
*gigglesnort*
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
I was joking.
the age of the movie is not that important. it’s a teen movie about roller blading.
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."
also, IMDB's plot summary is awesome.
Mitchell Goosen is sixteen/seventeen year old kid from California who loves to surf and roller blade. Yet, his parents, who are two zoologists were given a grant to work in Australia. The only problem was: Mitchell couldn’t go with them. So, he gets sent to stay with his aunt, uncle, and cousin in Cincinnati, Ohio. When he arrives, he meets his cousin who is also his new roommate for the next six months: Wiley. Mitchell then goes to school and gets on the bad side the high school hockey players. Mitchell and Wiley end up enduring weeks of torture from the guys. Then, the big guys and Mitchell and Wiley have to learn to get along to try to beat the Central High School rivals in a competition down Devil’s Backbone.
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."
The race really wasn't too bad.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
My wife went to Central
just not in Cincinnati.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
I went to Cincinatti and was having deja vu all over...
little did I know, it was because I was driving down Devil’s backbone.
"I don't know, but it works. Doin it for Torty works... He brings us luck and we're gonna roll with it." Allen Craig
EVERYONE ON TWITTER @EVERYONEONTWITTER
Joe Torre is leaving post at MLB to pursue Dodgers ownership
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
It's an interesting thing.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
Good for the dodgers
Maybe bad for MLB until TLR takes his place
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Jan 4, 2012 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
Joe Strauss @JoeStrauss Close
Team source downplays Cards’ interest in Oswalt as starter.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
The Cardinals have never done that before
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
It's all but a confirmation!
All hands on deck! Oswalt incoming. We are not, repeat, not trading Colby Rasmus. This is no drill.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
I'm actually curious what, exactly, the word "downplays" means in this context
Does it mean that they are not as interested as earlier reporting said? Does it mean they are not as optimistic about the chances of it happening as the fans hope? Does it mean that they just don’t want to talk about it?
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
It means Joe Strauss was not person to ask the question.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
not the person
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
Oh yeah that's completely legitimate
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
Trivia time
Which cardinal reliever was the first man in baseball history to play in the world series the year before winning the rookie of the year?
bollocks
Todd Worrell, 1985 WS, 1986 ROY
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
Mine's different, but you gotta guess which calendar it is...
Person 1: This recession frightens me.
Person 2: That’s nothing! During the Crimean War, all I had to eat was the cold stench of death!
Person 1: You don’t seem old enough to…
Person 2: I use moisturizer!
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
I believe it's the Monty Python calendar
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
Nope.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
Black Adder?
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
No again.
Hint: the subject line for this day’s “comment” is “Topper”
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
Not sure.
But I’m assuming you know what it is, and are just not saying. Well, it’s noon in the ‘Lou, so I guess rb’s post is (hopefully) coming soon, so I’ll just say, it’s a Dilbert calendar. Santa brings me desk calendar (chosen by myself) every year. Last year was Jeopardy. 2006 was also a Dilbert, iirc. Guess I should pay more attention, try to work the coincidences in the Cards’ favor.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
I have that one too!
> tebow
by cschepers on Jan 4, 2012 1:40 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
More trivia time
Name the Cardinal rookie who homered in the top of the 16th in 1976 to propel St Louis to an extra inning victory over the Mets
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:37 AM EST reply actions
No
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Was it Templeton?
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
No
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Bob Forsch?
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
No
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
Lindeman was 10 years later
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
No
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Was Keith Hernandez
technically a rookie in 76 even though he had appeared in MLB in 74 and 75?
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 4, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Don't know if he was a rookie or not - but it wasn't him
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Dammit man,
you’re reminding me of the gruesomeness of Cardinal baseball in the ’70s.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 4, 2012 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Ok...that's obscure.
The guy’s final game was on my actual birthday.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
It was Doug Clarey
Who’s major league career consisted of 4 at bats and one hit – the aforementioned home run.
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
I was going to guess that.
No really. I cheated and looked up the roster and he was the only person who made sense.
Who's got it better than us? NOBODY!
Dude, you gotta
get the terms of the your question right. I spent too much time looking up HRs against the Mets.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 4, 2012 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
Mea culpa
I pledge to do it right next time.
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
You're not talking about Doug Clarey, are you?
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
Shoot, nexdef'd
By the way, it wasn’t against the Mets, or I would have had it earlier. It was against the Giants.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
Arrgghh
The Mets was the team he was traded to. You are right – it was the Giants he homered against.
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
way to throw a bunch of statheads for a loop
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
#sabr101 Day 2: Colin Wyers' introduction to Regression to the Mean
The takeaway:
So what we notice is that when we observe something repeatedly, whether it’s baseball players or students, is those who did better or worse than the mean (or average) tend to perform closer to the mean as we add more observations.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
i like helpful rui
i would add that mean selection is an important part of the concept as well. for instance, a 21-year-old no-bat speedy CF shouldn’t necessarily be regressed to the same mean that a 38-year-old slugging 1B is. this is much more work in practice, but is helpful when objectively looking at projections. touches on our ZiPS talk earlier.
Also read this, for a more theoretical approach
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/a-treatise-on-true-talent/
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
Trivia time again
Name the Cardinal catcher who homered in his first two major league at bats (only the second major leaguer to accomplish the feat) He is the only major leaguer with multiple homers in his career who never had any other hits.
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 12:05 PM EST reply actions
Kid named McDonald, right?
This happened during the TLR years?
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 4, 2012 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
Yes and Yes
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
Born in Japan
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
430 OPS+ in 2000, when he went 3 for 7 (all homers)
-100 OPS+ in 2001, when he went 0 for 2.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
Yep
3 homers in 11 career plate appearances
Lifetime OPS 1.788
Career OPS+ 327
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Jan 4, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
kid should be in the HOF for that
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
Unfortunately, it looks like his unsightly 11 PA will continue to haunt him
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
todd worrell says wassup.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Jan 4, 2012 1:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
* mark worrell
this comment made no sense.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
tim worrell
is still confused.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. - Joe Posnanski
Even more amazing is that
he had only 3 career hits, all HRs. Career OPS+ of .327, .438 OPS+ in 2000. Hall of Famer!
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jan 4, 2012 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
that would be funny as hell
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
mumble mumble SIGN OSWALT mumble
that’s all I heard….er, read….one track mind
Who's got it better than us? NOBODY!
mumble mumble Oswalt to the bullpen mumble mumble
RJ Swindle for LOOGY
I have a man-crush on Peter Bourjos
whoa. whoa.
I love it.
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
think of all the ad $ possibilities.
we can call them the Super 8 and lay the foundation for a huge anti-Motel 6 campaign. Motte’s intro could be a card alumni saying, “I’m Todd Worrell, and he’ll turn the lights out for you.”
Step 1:
Start pitcher
Step 2:
Start 2nd pitcher at 2nd base
Step 3:
Interchange as necessary
Step 4:
?????
RJ Swindle for LOOGY
I have a man-crush on Peter Bourjos
you forgot the last and most important step
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
Does this have anyting to do with the"Wheel" and the Paquette seqence?
Did TLR brief Matheny on the secret button in the desk drawer prior to his departure?
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
nope
South Park
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
ah ... no wonder I didn't get it
Didn’t watch much South Park actually
11 in 11' √
12 in 12', WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Jan 4, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Step 5: Profit!
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Jan 4, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Only if he has no contact with his dad
Or he can stay in Canada
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Jan 4, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
step 6 is kind of like the fenway scene in "the town"
except its at wrigley in september and affleck’s role is played by matheny. and jon hamm is in on the con this time, obviously
Anyone know if a team has tried this format out?
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Jan 4, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
Lunhow did it with one of the minor league teams
Found the STL article in my email, but the link I have is now broken (damn you, P-D!). It was back in 2007.
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
I got this from Goold earlier
In the same way they “eyed” Coco Crisp. It may not be the role he wants, but Cardinals want to be aware of the market. Oswalt’s interest in pitching for the Cardinals is well known. He pushed for a trade to STL in 2010.
It seems easily forgotten this winter: the Cardinals have no plans to go with a six-man rotation.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
trade lohse!!!
/probably impossible to trade westy.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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Damnit RB, i'm bored
i need some post-Christmas cynical cheer with possible video arcade batting story to excite and interest me.
Bursting into song.
i was going to wish all my favourite VEBers
a personalised merry christmas. That seems kind of pointless now.
Bursting into song.
Dear Clank
I hope you can be my werewolf
From
Arana-Mystery-Erotic-Lycanthrophilliac-athor
Bursting into song.
by Aranathor on Jan 4, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
all of this tells us so much about you
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
i'll take mine now
oh wait, you said favorite
nevermind then pffff
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 78
he said "favoUrite"
obviously a made up word.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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I was looking at the info for the 2012 fancave applications
and I thought I wanted to apply, but now that they changed the format to a popularity contest, I’m not going to bother. I was interested in the possibility of writing daily from the fancave and getting to watch every baseball game, but it seems as if that’s no longer the primary focus.
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Jan 4, 2012 1:35 PM EST reply actions
The application process turned me off right away
I wanted to play baseball!
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jan 4, 2012 2:50 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Sudden weird realization
If we hadn’t signed Beltran and were still looking for a back up outfielder who could cover all three positions and hit right handed… would Ryan Ludwick have been a bad choice?
Consider: CAIRO projects .258/.325/.428 for Ludwick, .255/.317/.417 for Ross, and .254/.317/.376 for Crisp.
Bill James projects .249/.329/.426 for Ludwick, .254/.324/.433 for Ross, and .271/.333/.395 for Crisp
(I used those two because I was able to quickly reference them for all three players)
Obviously Crisp is more of a defensive specialist, but a switch hitter. He has never really been an above average hitter either way, career-wise.. Ross and Ludwick are strikingly similar in some ways to me. Both hit righty, both are perfectly cromulent in the outfield, though I think Ludwick’s numbers are overall a bit better. Ludwick is the oldest, but Crisp is only one year younger and Ross two years younger.
Also, Ross has the ridiculous platoon split; he mashes lefties and against righties he plays almost average outfield defense (that was a joke, he’s capable of being average or not-too-far-below-average against righties). I guess it boils down to this: do you believe in reverse splits. Ludwick shows a pretty stark lifetime reverse split in his results. Lifetime 99 wRC+ against lefties, 116 wRC+ against righties. But it takes a lot of PAs to determine if something like that is predictive, and furthermore depending on who you ask, the reverse split doesn’t actually exist but might sorta kinda exist in Ichiro and nobody else.
But anyway, how realistic would it have been to expect us to pick up Ross and actually platoon him against left handers as strictly as we all would have liked? So the more I look at it, the more similar Ross and Ludwick look to me, and Ludwick might actually be a better defensive player.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
I kind of wonder what sort of contract Ludwick is looking for.
After his power disappeared, what does his market look like?
#HappySeason #SadOffSeason #ImFeelingBetterThough
by The Continental on Jan 4, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
1 year/ ?M
teams in needs of corner OFs, so the braves?
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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I love looking at these things, how cool is this?
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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their age 26, 29, and 31 wOBAs were very similar.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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I haven't made a penny pitch f/x yet... so there's that.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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seeing as how VEP has more comments than I do, what makes more sense?
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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I'm actually Y2S if you didn't know it.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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sorry i killed the account, I fooled you all TOO well.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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last login 12/12/2011 post a disagreement
hopefully still lurking/commenting under a different handle. at one month we should start to really worry.
Maybe that's what you want us to think!
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Matt Holliday is quite the youngin'
Also, I forgot that he started in the majors as late as he did. Not that it’s all that late, but for such a good player I kind of expected him to have broken in earlier.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Joey Bombs, NOOOO
@Kevin_Goldstein
The Cubs signed Triple-A OF insurance type Joe Mather.
Still not a werewolf.
well they do need a third baseman...
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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ahh the days where Joe Mather was being considered at third over Freese, Craig, Wallace, and Greene,
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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the days where Wallace still played third...
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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The days when the farm
was little more than a pile of rocks and a skip full of old carpets.
Bursting into song.
well put
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jan 4, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Today its called Houston. .. but Farmer Jeff might plow it up and start a bumper crop
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
I can see RB's post, but I can't read it all!
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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ok it works
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2012/1/4/2682387/war-what-is-it-good-for-and-how-much-is-it-worth
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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The arb to K-Mac and the Skip signing seem to preclude Oswalt. would a tem trade Oswalt for those two?
doubtful . . .
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
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