Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Gee, Mike Lupica is rooting against Jacoby Ellsbury.
While specifically dismissing the potential health concerns of Jonathan Niese and Grady Sizemore, he's predicting doom for Ellsbury. Because Lupica knows the future health of humans. I guess he knows because he's God.
A deity would probably understand the difference between pre-free agency deals and free agency deals:
"If you’re keeping score at home, the Angels keep 22-year-old Mike Trout on essentially the same deal that the Yankees had to give 30-year-old Jacoby Ellsbury."
And half of what Seattle paid for Cano and 40% of what the Tigers paid for Cabrera. More or less, numbers don't matter, anyway, when we round off to the nearest 1/2-billion.
Before you discuss MLB contracts, google "free agency" and maybe you can figure out how this works. It's basic stuff.
A deity would probably understand the difference between pre-free agency deals and free agency deals:
"If you’re keeping score at home, the Angels keep 22-year-old Mike Trout on essentially the same deal that the Yankees had to give 30-year-old Jacoby Ellsbury."
And half of what Seattle paid for Cano and 40% of what the Tigers paid for Cabrera. More or less, numbers don't matter, anyway, when we round off to the nearest 1/2-billion.
Before you discuss MLB contracts, google "free agency" and maybe you can figure out how this works. It's basic stuff.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Matt Harvey a Yankee?
Well, no:
"We certainly can dismiss this as a story for another day, because Harvey cannot be a free agent until after the 2018 season, and so much can happen between now and then."
Consider it dismissed.
"We certainly can dismiss this as a story for another day, because Harvey cannot be a free agent until after the 2018 season, and so much can happen between now and then."
Consider it dismissed.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
This is why I love Maddon as a manager.
He messes with the batters' heads:
"This spring, the club has utilized more defensive shifts against opponents – putting three infielders on either the right or left side against a pull hitter. And it’s not just against the David Ortizes or the Jose Bautistas of the AL East.
'Any little edge we can get. The numbers don’t lie,' first baseman Mark Teixeira said of the data behind the philosophy. 'We’re just trying to save a run here and there if we can.'
A sampling of pro scouts following the Yankees this spring have said it was inevitable; that the Yankees’ aging infield – with range issues at third base, shortstop and second base – had to evolve a better defensive strategy.
Others say it’s just a sign of the times, with more clubs hooked into statistical analysis."
Naturally, Teixeira doesn't see the value in picking his spots:
"The extra infielder in shallow right field has turned Teixeira’s share of would-be singles into outs, though it hasn’t altered his perspective.
'I’m trying to hit line drives, hit balls in the alley, hit home runs,' Teixeira said. 'When I start trying to hit groundballs the other way, it’s time for me to retire.' "
Is that a threat or a promise?
"This spring, the club has utilized more defensive shifts against opponents – putting three infielders on either the right or left side against a pull hitter. And it’s not just against the David Ortizes or the Jose Bautistas of the AL East.
'Any little edge we can get. The numbers don’t lie,' first baseman Mark Teixeira said of the data behind the philosophy. 'We’re just trying to save a run here and there if we can.'
A sampling of pro scouts following the Yankees this spring have said it was inevitable; that the Yankees’ aging infield – with range issues at third base, shortstop and second base – had to evolve a better defensive strategy.
Others say it’s just a sign of the times, with more clubs hooked into statistical analysis."
Naturally, Teixeira doesn't see the value in picking his spots:
"The extra infielder in shallow right field has turned Teixeira’s share of would-be singles into outs, though it hasn’t altered his perspective.
'I’m trying to hit line drives, hit balls in the alley, hit home runs,' Teixeira said. 'When I start trying to hit groundballs the other way, it’s time for me to retire.' "
Is that a threat or a promise?
Friday, March 21, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Jason Giambi forgives Barry Bonds, good to know.
Joey Votto says it out loud:
"It would have been challenging playing during that era, and certainly without using drugs it would have been challenging. Whereas now, if you use drugs you're kind of the black sheep, it seems like. Who knows how many guys are using something?"
"It would have been challenging playing during that era, and certainly without using drugs it would have been challenging. Whereas now, if you use drugs you're kind of the black sheep, it seems like. Who knows how many guys are using something?"
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Bill Madden is enabling Terry Collins.
Approximately one year ago, Collins was dishing some spiel about Johan Santana pitching 200 innings and every starting pitcher on the Mets pitching 200 innings.
With the understanding that nothing is impossible, Collins once again crosses the fine line between optimism and delusion. It's difficult to tell if Madden is speaking for himself or relaying Collins's over-the-top prognoses, but this article is basically predicting everyone on the Mets to be an MVP candidate:
"But while Collins’ attempts to keep his head while all of those above him in the Mets command are seemingly losing theirs by suggesting anything less than 90 wins from this Mets team this season will be viewed as a major disappointment, the manager at least has an idea of what he’s going to need to get from each of his players to achieve that goal. Injuries are not part of the equation, and while Collins’ expectations may have seemed, on the surface, a bit of a stretch in some cases, it’s not as if these players haven’t demonstrated an ability to attain them."
A bit of a stretch ...
"The time is now for Travis d’Arnaud, who must assert himself as the No. 1 receiver by staying healthy and catching a minimum of 125-130 games and hitting at least 15 homers, which he did twice in the minors."
In the minors?
I hit more than 15 HRs in a season lots of times. In fact, while playing Atari RealSports Baseball, I have hit 15 HRs in one game. Does that qualify as a demonstrated ability to attain this goal?
1) 15 HRs is not a lot.
2) HRs are not the only stat in baseball. He can be an effective offensive player if he has a lot of singles, doubles, and walks.
3) He hit one HR last season in 99 at-bats. Fifteen doesn't just sound optimistic, it sounds completely irrelevant. If his batting average is floundering below .240 at the all star break, Collins and Madden are just going to talk about how well he handles the pitching staff.
"No matter whom it winds up being — Duda or Davis — Collins agreed he needs to get a minimum of 20 homers and 80 RBI out of this power position."
20/80 combined from your first basemen? It's an improvement from last year. Still pretty bad.
"No matter where Chris Young plays in the outfield, Collins is looking for him to match or surpass his career bests of 32 homers and 91 RBI. No one expects Curtis Granderson to approach his 40-plus homer production of 2011-12 now that he’s playing at Citi Field, but anything less than 25 bombs and 90-plus RBI, especially if he also has 170-plus strikeouts, will be a huge negative for the Mets. In the case of Eric Young Jr., if he wants to keep his place in the outfield, he needs get on base more — think a .340-.350 on base percentage, as opposed to his career .325 number by using his speed to get more bunt hits. If he does that, Collins sees him scoring 125 runs and stealing 50-60 bases out of the leadoff spot. That, especially, is a major ingredient for a 90-win season."
Wow.
If Eric Young Jr. steals 60 bases and scores 125 runs, I'll give him the NL MVP and the Mets could win 100 games. Since we're being delusional, why not go all the way?
He is a 28-year-old with 173 career runs, but he's going to score 125 this year.
The Mets got Mike Trout on the cheap. Who knew?
"But considering the Mets’ uncertain bullpen, it is almost imperative for Collins to get 175-plus innings out of four of his starters. When it came to closer Bobby Parnell and his offseason neck surgery, Collins held up his crossed fingers and said: 'I’m going to assume Bobby will be fine, because I have to, and assuming that he is, I’m looking at 40-50 saves there, with 65-70 appearances from my set-up guys.' "
Fifty saves for Bobby Parnell?
In one season?
In the 2014 season, Bobby Parnell is going to save 50 games?
Bobby Parnell, out of nowhere, is going to lead the majors in saves and shatter the Mets' single-season record for saves?
The problem is, with Eric Young Jr. scoring 125 runs and everybody driving in 90+, you'll win all your games by too many runs. Parnell won't get enough save opportunities.
You know what? I'll go the other way. I'll predict less than 25 saves and losing the closer job due to injury or poor performance. How's that for an optimistic prediction?
With the understanding that nothing is impossible, Collins once again crosses the fine line between optimism and delusion. It's difficult to tell if Madden is speaking for himself or relaying Collins's over-the-top prognoses, but this article is basically predicting everyone on the Mets to be an MVP candidate:
"But while Collins’ attempts to keep his head while all of those above him in the Mets command are seemingly losing theirs by suggesting anything less than 90 wins from this Mets team this season will be viewed as a major disappointment, the manager at least has an idea of what he’s going to need to get from each of his players to achieve that goal. Injuries are not part of the equation, and while Collins’ expectations may have seemed, on the surface, a bit of a stretch in some cases, it’s not as if these players haven’t demonstrated an ability to attain them."
A bit of a stretch ...
"The time is now for Travis d’Arnaud, who must assert himself as the No. 1 receiver by staying healthy and catching a minimum of 125-130 games and hitting at least 15 homers, which he did twice in the minors."
In the minors?
I hit more than 15 HRs in a season lots of times. In fact, while playing Atari RealSports Baseball, I have hit 15 HRs in one game. Does that qualify as a demonstrated ability to attain this goal?
1) 15 HRs is not a lot.
2) HRs are not the only stat in baseball. He can be an effective offensive player if he has a lot of singles, doubles, and walks.
3) He hit one HR last season in 99 at-bats. Fifteen doesn't just sound optimistic, it sounds completely irrelevant. If his batting average is floundering below .240 at the all star break, Collins and Madden are just going to talk about how well he handles the pitching staff.
"No matter whom it winds up being — Duda or Davis — Collins agreed he needs to get a minimum of 20 homers and 80 RBI out of this power position."
20/80 combined from your first basemen? It's an improvement from last year. Still pretty bad.
"No matter where Chris Young plays in the outfield, Collins is looking for him to match or surpass his career bests of 32 homers and 91 RBI. No one expects Curtis Granderson to approach his 40-plus homer production of 2011-12 now that he’s playing at Citi Field, but anything less than 25 bombs and 90-plus RBI, especially if he also has 170-plus strikeouts, will be a huge negative for the Mets. In the case of Eric Young Jr., if he wants to keep his place in the outfield, he needs get on base more — think a .340-.350 on base percentage, as opposed to his career .325 number by using his speed to get more bunt hits. If he does that, Collins sees him scoring 125 runs and stealing 50-60 bases out of the leadoff spot. That, especially, is a major ingredient for a 90-win season."
Wow.
If Eric Young Jr. steals 60 bases and scores 125 runs, I'll give him the NL MVP and the Mets could win 100 games. Since we're being delusional, why not go all the way?
He is a 28-year-old with 173 career runs, but he's going to score 125 this year.
The Mets got Mike Trout on the cheap. Who knew?
"But considering the Mets’ uncertain bullpen, it is almost imperative for Collins to get 175-plus innings out of four of his starters. When it came to closer Bobby Parnell and his offseason neck surgery, Collins held up his crossed fingers and said: 'I’m going to assume Bobby will be fine, because I have to, and assuming that he is, I’m looking at 40-50 saves there, with 65-70 appearances from my set-up guys.' "
Fifty saves for Bobby Parnell?
In one season?
In the 2014 season, Bobby Parnell is going to save 50 games?
Bobby Parnell, out of nowhere, is going to lead the majors in saves and shatter the Mets' single-season record for saves?
The problem is, with Eric Young Jr. scoring 125 runs and everybody driving in 90+, you'll win all your games by too many runs. Parnell won't get enough save opportunities.
You know what? I'll go the other way. I'll predict less than 25 saves and losing the closer job due to injury or poor performance. How's that for an optimistic prediction?
Monday, March 03, 2014
Huh?
I think Joel Sherman is exploring dadaism:
"The Mets told Jhonny Peralta they had a Ruben Tejada problem, but only offered him two years to solve it or one fewer than the superior team in New York, the Yankees, were proposing and two fewer than arguably the best-run team in the whole sport, the Cardinals."
Who said what to whom about who?
"The Mets told Jhonny Peralta they had a Ruben Tejada problem, but only offered him two years to solve it or one fewer than the superior team in New York, the Yankees, were proposing and two fewer than arguably the best-run team in the whole sport, the Cardinals."
Who said what to whom about who?
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