Tuesday a.m. stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 31, 2009 9:16 AM CDT
Email
PrintJeff Wilson writes that yesterday's outing may have sealed Kris Benson's spot in the Opening Day rotation. Ron Washington wants him in the rotation, and although the final call isn't necessarily his, it looks like Benson will be there and Scott Feldman will go to the bullpen.
Washington says that Warner Madrigal has won a job in the Rangers bullpen, as well.
Wilson also says that the decision still isn't made on who the final bench player will be, with both Frank Catalanotto and Andruw Jones feeling that they are going to be on the Opening Day roster.
T.R. Sullivan says that Omar Vizquel has at peace with being a utility player, after being a starter for so many years. Jim Reeves says Omar Vizquel has been vocal in working with his teammates on improving the defense.
Evan Grant Mike Hindman runs down the moves the Rangers will have to make to get the 25 man roster in place, and looks at who could lose their spot on the 40 man.
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bbtia on the roster
http://www.bbtia.com/home/2009/3/31/pitching-clarity-the-40-man-roster-crunch-part-ii.html
It’s hard sorting through all the roster analyses this time of year, but this story features the word “thrusting.”
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
Benson
As much as I would rather see Feldman in the rotation it’s really a wash in terms of what they will give you production wise. But with Feldman being only 26 years old I’d rather see him get the shot. But now my problem is Benson bumping McCarthy down to the 4 slot in the rotation. Between those two I want McCarthy getting more starts.
Also are they still gonna keep all 5 starters up to start the year and just give them more rest in between starts or are they considering sending Harrison down to stay on normal rest until the 25th?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Omar
is at “peace” because he knows Elvis Andrus is going to fall hard on his ass this year and that he’ll getting most of the playing time by early May.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
god you're such an asshole
go here to view my blog: http://dirtfromd.blogspot.com
by studcrackers on Mar 31, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 12 recs
I second this
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
Third.
"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.
by Kinslerhomer on Mar 31, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
why do you even speak?
Why are you even a Ranger fan? How are you even a Ranger fan? I think you’re pretty worthless.
by thad728 on Mar 31, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 8 recs
Just wait till you see Omar
and compare him with the 20 year old Andrus (a salty .630 ish OPS in the Cactus League?!).
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hell Josey Omar is what 88 years old?
Andrus is 20 he is already pretty good. By the time the Rangers really compete next year he will be very good.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
boomer1
I’d love to be wrong on Andrus but I know what I saw in Arizona and I also know there are very few players capable of surviving a year in The Show as a 20 year old.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
"I'd love to be wrong"
That’s a cop out that allows you to have it both ways. If Andrus struggles, you can play your “ha ha, told you so!” card, and if he succeeds you can pretend to act like you wanted him to succeed.
Keith Law: (1:45 PM ET ) I think Michael Young should shut his mouth and move to third base.
the only reason...
Josey is against Andrus is because Josey thinks that he has a good chance of being right with his argument. The problem with his argument is that few people are saying Andrus will hit well.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Andrus may struggle with the bat, but I want him up here to take his lumps regardless of what he hits.
by death of the cool on Mar 31, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
That makes no sense
Predicting failure is not the same thing as hoping for it.
by brettgardner on Mar 31, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
bg from way downtown,
bang!
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
My feelings on Andrus will do in 2009 are pretty well
known. I want him to do well because if he does so at that age, that’s eventually going to be a hellacious (very good to star) player.
For whatever reason, I’m able to separate my heart from my brain when it comes to honestly assessing our talent.
You don’t believe it but I’d much rather be wrong and have the Rangers do well because watching losing baseball year after year sucks.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
*
“My feelings on how Andrus…”
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
i keep telling him to go follow the dodgers full time
but no luck
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Mar 31, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
I was thinking about having waffles for breakfast
and I did.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Mar 31, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Watched Andrus all weekend.
Kid is straight legit.
My 2009 New Years Resolution: Quit feeding the trolls.
by ghtd36 on Mar 31, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
He was terrible and completely
overmatched the week I saw him in Arizona.
Didn’t notice his aura either.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
That's because your giant aura and ego
got in the way of everyone else.
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
by boomer1 on Mar 31, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
He was terrific this weekend.
The glove is out of this world, the speed is pretty legit, and the bat (while it isn’t great) is coming along.
My 2009 New Years Resolution: Quit feeding the trolls.
I did love how Andrus
ran the bases. He just glides without looking as though there is much effort needed to get from Point A to Point B.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Was that a compliment?
Who are you and what did you do with JW?
by NorCalRangersFan on Mar 31, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you subscribe to the Newberg e-mails?
If so, did you even bother to read the last part of today’s?
what happened to the "no reply" policy
As of today anyone who replies to Josey gets to fight tommy “flank” hunter and Thomas “doughboy” diamond over a T-bone
Stick your head in the sand
and your ass in the air like an ostrich, goyo?
The truth hurts THAT much?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry if I come across like I'm bitching to you
because that’s not my intended tone at all.
I’m very matter of fact when I say (think CNN"s buttery smooth Bernie Shaw commenting on Clinton/Lewinsky) Elvis Andrus is going to be a fucking disaster at SS for the Rangers this year.
Let’s all hope I’m wrong but I don’t think so.
As for Studcrackers…who cares what he says?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
as a question, if teagarden’s glove will play if he hits .220 why wouldnt andrus’ glove play up the middle as well?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Mar 31, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Agenda
Because hes made a statement that says that Teagarden will play while Andrus isn’t ready.
What do voluntary mean?
JKolar
I like Teagarden but the organization seems to be bent on making sure Salty gets first crack at the job.
I like Salty as well (may be primed for big year with the bat)and don’t really know what the answer is but if you have with Teagarden as BP says, “Mickey Tettleton with Gold Glove level skills” that’s a helluva player to have on your team.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
The problem with that
I don’t think Teagarden likely has a career OBP in the 360+ range. Right now I’m thinking more in the 330 range.
What do voluntary mean?
mickey tettleton
career 121 ops+
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Mar 31, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
If Teagarden has a career ops+ of 120
Hes likely to be a border line HOF candidate, if not better. I mean catchers just are usually below that line, unless they are the best of the best. Look at HOF catchers. They just don’t get too much higher than that level.
I don’t think we have heard any one project Teagarden to be that good. We hear solid mlb player to potential all star. We don’t tend to hear all time great.
What do voluntary mean?
Just so we know and everybody's clear
it’s Baseball Prospectus who called Teagarden “A Mickey Tettleton with Gold Glove skills.”
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I think that was just in reference
to the high slugging/low average player.
I really don’t think I’ve heard anyone call him anything more than a good MLB catcher.
What do voluntary mean?
OPS baby.
You can’t carry Teagarden’s glove if he has a .600ish OPS especially if you’re already carrying Andrus’ weak bat.
BP projects Teagarden for a .700ish OPS this year which is borderline if you’re still carrying Andrus.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Heh.
Elvis Andrus is going to be a fucking disaster at SS for the Rangers this year.
We’ll see, but unless he magically forgets how to play in the field, he’s already a giant improvement defensively.
So…your odds are long, pal.
My 2009 New Years Resolution: Quit feeding the trolls.
as a question
if andrus has a weak first month why would they bench him? what would they gain by doing that
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Mar 31, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
You wouldn't bench him
you would option him back to the minors with one of his 3 options.
What do voluntary mean?
There seems to be so much
organizational pressure to get off to a good start and if Andrus makes 9 errors in April with a .500 OPS while the team plays footsie with .500 (when playing an easy part of the schedule) you can see where they’ll be desperate for change.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
I will still say
that for Andrus the OBP is a more relevant number than the OPS. I think theres a reasonable chance that this year he could have an OPS of around 600 and be an above replacement level player and approaching an average player. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him end up with an OBP of 320-300, which for a #9 hitter isn’t horrible. The problem is the slugging isn’t going to be there and OPS over rates slugging.
What do voluntary mean?
Agreed about OBP being much more important for Andrus.
From what I’ve read, he’s not going to hit for power.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Well theres no sign of that
and to boot he is not in the part of his career where most hitters are power capped anyway.
I bet he ends up somewhere in the 10-15 HR range long run.
What do voluntary mean?
Forgot
In general the problem with OPS is that it undervalues OBP in general. Its a nice tool but still somewhat blunt. I’ve heard some people arguing that doubling onbase and adding slugging would give a better stat. Honestly I don’t know, but the fact that most OPS numbers are 1.5-2x heavier in slugging makes the stat questionable.
What do voluntary mean?
also
it might make sense to take into account steals for a guy that hits a lot of singles but has the ability to convert those singles into doubles with steals at a high efficiency
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Agreed
I almost like the RC or RAR/RAA from BP better. But am hazy on how those are calculated. I just know that OPS is a very good tool for power hitters but makes any speed player pretty much doomed to failure by that standard.
If Andrus keeps his OBP above 315 I think we can carry him this year. And it seems like every projection has him somewhere around there.
I mean we aren’t depending on him to be a run producer. We just hoping to get 50-60 runs scored from him this year. Though with Kinsler and Young right behind him I could see that number go up some.
What do voluntary mean?
EqA accounts for steals
BP’s latest weighted means spreadsheet has him projected at a .231 EqA. That’s not great, but not awful. They’ve got him at a 0.8 WARP, which puts him above replacement when you factor in offense and defense. If he outperforms his projections even just a tad, he’ll be a pretty solid all-around SS for a guy who is 20 and has never played a day above Double-A until next week.
Keith Law: (1:45 PM ET ) I think Michael Young should shut his mouth and move to third base.
thanks for the stats.
Honestly, that’s what I expect from him honestly. Being a little better than replacement and somewhere probably just short of average.
I don’t think hes likely to be a superstar so therefore getting him up and acclimated early is worth as much as the longer service time.
What do voluntary mean?
why should they be desperate for a change
its not like they are the yankees and spent 750 million in fA or have a payroll of 150 mil this year
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Mar 31, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
thats dumb
But now my problem is Benson bumping McCarthy down to the 4 slot in the rotation. Between those two I want McCarthy getting more starts.
How is that dumb?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Well
Maddux has already said the Rangers won’t be skipping starts in April so that means there is probably no difference in starts between the 3rd and 4th starters.
Fire Ron Washington
I guess it's more a vote of confidence thing to me then
McCarthy figures to be an integral part of this team going forward beyond this year while there’s a good chance Benson doesn’t make it past the ASB here. Bumping McCarthy for Benson when McCarthy has the better stuff seems to me like it’s not a vote of confidence in McCarthy
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
It's probably some silly matchup thing more than anything
Wasn’t there some recent chatter about Wash not wanting to have his 4-5 guys facing the other team’s 1-3 guys?
That being said, I agree 100% that BMac should be the #3, both for the vote of confidence and for his higher ide.
Sorry to reply to myself
But it might have to do with Benson being more ready to eat innings. One of those “play well in April” decisions that I think I’m going to hate watching unravel this year.
they should change their 2009 motto, "Built for fun"
to “Now with 25% more blown saves”.
This bullpen, as currently constructed, is horrible, and it may well cost many people their jobs this year. Real talk.
Speaking of...
…does the girl in those commercials drive anyone else as batshit crazy as she drives me? She is either being exceptionally irritating or she’s screaming at me or Ian Kinsler or someone. I am not sure I am prepared to see her in commercials every commercial break for half a season. Yow.
+1
seen the commercial twice and my wife is already yelling at me to turn it down whenever it comes on. Have to agree with her. That little girl is not building me for fun.
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
Why do you say that?
Fransisco and Wilson seem pretty solid as the 8th and 9th inning guys, after that I’m a little less confident but I’m not freaking out about it or anything….
because we have exactly two guys
in the bullpen who can be trusted to hold a late lead. the rest are long men. so we better hope a) Wilson and Frankie are truly dominant and can pitch every day and b) our well conditioned starters can regularly go 7 innings. are you okay with our success hinging on those hopes?
Again, I'm not freaking out about it....
….Madrigal has potential to be lights out, Jennings has had a strong spring, and Guardado can still be an effective LH reliever (I think). If either Frankie or Wilson get hurt or suck, then I’ll really start worrying, but right now I’m not terribly concerned.
If both of those guys can pitch about 70 innings each
You’re in pretty good shape. Madrigal looked pretty promising last year and could end up being the third reliable arm in the bullpen. If not, RPs on a hot streak aren’t that hard to find. Whether its Rupe, Guardado, or whoever, they will be going through some good stretches throughout the season. The thing that will decide this bullpen’s success, just like in past years, is going to be if the Rangers rotation can go past the 4th inning. If the starters keep leaving after a few innings and the bullpen has to pitch 5 innings a game, then we’re going to get killed again regardless of who is in the bullpen.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
i just really wish
we could give Madrigal more time in the minors. I fear we are going to ruin him. In the latter half of ST (the only half that arguably counts) he has been pounded pretty hard. I am not concerned about his future, but rather his present.
+ 1 yeh he does NOT look ready...
Josh Hamilton puts his pants on one leg at a time just like you but once he gets his pants on he hits baseballs 420 feet.
In a perfect world, he probably sees more time in the minors
but I don’t think its something that will ruin him. I think the only reason you start him in the minors is to play it safe which I just don’t think he really needs.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
If anything would've ruined him, it would've been that first outing in Yankee Stadium.
He seemed to recover from that OK. I’m not worried about him mentally.
also his failure as a hitter
He has made a pretty nice transition to the bullpen from that.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Yeah, no kidding
That was one of the most disastrous debuts I can remember, at a very intimidating place to play, and he recovered in fine fashion. I think he’s pretty mentally sound.
Mentally speaking, we’ve had other pitchers on this team who would have had to give up baseball altogether after going through what Mad Dog went through in the Bronx. Mad Dog took it in stride and gathered himself nicely.
Keith Law: (1:45 PM ET ) I think Michael Young should shut his mouth and move to third base.
Did you forget that
Nolan told the SPs that they are to pitch deeper into games? So the bullpen will only need to go 4 innings per game. :)
Seriously, I agree that the key to this team is it’s SPs.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
There's no way both Cat and Andruw can make the team, right?
I’ll be pretty sick to my stomach if that actually happened…
If you hadn't noticed, SBN made some upgrades...
I love this place.
Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.
also, per Ken Rosenthal
the Rangers are one of three known suiters (along with the Nationals and Indians) for Hammel/Niemann.
That would be a start, but they should be looking for another lefty as well.
Niemann
Grab him and slide Feldman back into the rotation and either trade Benson or stick him in AAA
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Benson
I am more okay with him being on this staff, but I would rather it be as a long man until one of our starters gets injured. Benson has sported a 1.06 WHIP through 17 spring innings. That’s pretty legit. I am much more nervous about Mad Dog, who could really, really use more time in AAA to hone his stuff and who I fear we will ruin by pushing him to the big leagues far too soon, and Guardardo, who brings no value to this team.
Benson
It may be better to have a 5-man from the start and let guys pitch longer.
Benson was a great signing. He buys us some cheap time.
Benson
I am starting to get onto his bandwagon. His career WHIP of 1.38 is actually a hair less than Padilla (1.39).
The likelihood of him giving this team 175-200 solid innings is not that far below Millwood or Padilla. People are quick to compare him to Ponson, but he could be more analogous to John Thompson.
What on earth makes you think he can go out and give us 175-200 innings?
Please point to something in his past, preferably recent past, that makes that the least bit likely
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
preferably recent past
174.3
183.0
Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
"AMMIITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHH!!!"
2005 and 2006
And considering he hasn’t pitched since then im gonna go ahead and take that with a grain of salt
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
More Benson Chatter
Even if he flames out by July, he still allows us to keep younger arms on the farm to start the year. The A’s are doing the opposite. I think JD is pretty damn good at the small moves. This small move could help.
I'm ok with Benson if we absolutely have to have Feldman in the pen
But if we grab a guy like Niemann then I would much rather have Feldman in the rotation than Benson
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Sheff in Arlington > Jones &/or Cat
Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
"AMMIITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHH!!!"
Sheffield
I don’t think hes likely better than either of those for the job that we are looking for them to do.
Anyone here think Sheff would like being on the bench for anyone, much less a combo of players like Blalock and Cruz.
What do voluntary mean?
IIRC, Gammons was saying Sheff would have a huge comeback year this year.
JD: Adamant about 78 wins in 2009. Go Rangers!
Wait a second
Are you telling me that Reeves may actually have a nugget of news in his column. I had not heard that Omar was jawing about better defense. Thats a nice little bit of news. I mean, I am not actually going to go read the column, but still nice to hear
Sheets could be a really nice late season reinforcement
if by some miracle the rangers are competing.
the preceding post was a great success.
The Rangers Competing
If the Rangers were in the AL Central or East I would say it would be miraculous if they competed, but in the watered down West they could easily hang in there with a sub .500 record. The Mariners might have the best rotation in the division going into the season, what does that say?
Fire Ron Washington
I don't watch ESPN, but...
…my friend said SportsCenter picks the Rangers to finish last with 69 wins. My response: when were any of the people on SportsCenter legit at talking baseball (meaning: not catchphrases and denouncing steroid use)?
by FuturePants on Mar 31, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I saw that
Pretty amazing, I thought. They really dissed our little Rangers. Granted, not many of us are predicting playoffs this year but behind the M’s? 10 games worse than last year?.
Every time I am flipping through and stop on ESPN and see something goofy like that I am reminded of why I watch so little of it
As odd as it sounds
I’d rather win 69 than something in the 70s, though I would hate it while it was happening.
If your going to be below average its better to be really crappy. We have spent too much time at Mediocre and not enough time at truly crappy.
What do voluntary mean?
Surely nobody is shocked by ESPN
predicting us to lose 90+ games.
Surely.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Honestly
We should be. Considering basically they have to be predicting both giving up more runs combined with scoring less, probably on the order of at least being 60 over all runs worse to get into the 90 loss area.
What do voluntary mean?
So why would PECOTA claim the Rangers
are going 72-90?
Why does a gambling site like bodoglife.com have the Ranger over/under at 74.5?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Because
Well a gambling site doesn’t care about the actual outcome, all they care about is getting close to a 50/50 break of the money so that they are guaranteed to make money.
As far as PETCOA I suspect it would be very dependent on what they are projecting for specific players. IIRC it predicted almost every pitcher and almost every hitter to produce worse numbers this year than last. I know I wouldn’t be willing to bet on that outcome.
I don’t have the numbers in front of me but it seems like they are predicting regression from pretty much everyone. From major for most of the lineup to minor from Hamilton, Kinsler, and Davis. If Hank Blalock, Marlon Byrd, David Murphy, Max Ramirez, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Michael Young all go in the tank, then yes we probably do lose 90 games, likely more.
What do voluntary mean?
Sorry to respond to Josey
But you’re an idiot. Gambling lines depend on one thing only: the bets made. The more people pick one side, the more it adjusts. To suggest that bodoglife.com’s odds on the Rangers is a) evidence or b) analysis is, not to put too fine a point on it, purely retarded.
I know you’re smarter than that, so just stop.
Feldman
here’s the other thing I don’t get. Feldman was never that good in the bullpen. He really seemed to take to being a starter, and his stuff is much more conducive to starting. If he is moved to the bullpen, he makes much more sense as a long man, but then we have Jennings back there as well. We basically have a pitching staff made up of 7 starters, two solid late inning guys, and three guys who are…just guys.
In fairness
Feldman as a reliever was a different pitcher. I think we’d actually have to see his current arm angle and repertoire out of the pen to draw a fair conclusion.
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam
by Brett Perryman on Mar 31, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
Who knows with his new arm angle how he will be. Last year he was damn good the first couple times through an order and was throwin low to mid 90s fastballs with good movement. Now going to a bullpen role who knows he may be able to ratchet up mid to upper 90s with consistency.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
"Last year he was damn good"
Your Feldman love is running amuck.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Wow
First off way to cut my quote off and try and make it look like I don’t know what im talking about.
Second you should check the stats before making yourself look like an idiot
Last year in the first three innings he gave up this line: .237/.334/.401
Thats pretty damn good for the first time through an order
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Fair enough
Except I have stats that back up my optimism. I fully acknowledge Feldmans overall stats weren’t great but its stats like the one I posted that go to my optimism. He was good the first couple times through an order and got hit harder later in games. I attribute that to not being used to starting and not having the stamina to throw 100 pitches a game. Considering he was a reliever up until the end of spring last year thats not that big a stretch to believe
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
To be fair
no one could love Feldman on this board more than myself.
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Thursdays 10 PM - 1 AM on FM 88.7 The Choice
"Computers can’t measure the size of a man’s heart."
- Hawk Harrelson, MLB Guru/Analyst
Fight me during the 7th inning stretch April 8th
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Thursdays 10 PM - 1 AM on FM 88.7 The Choice
"Computers can’t measure the size of a man’s heart."
- Hawk Harrelson, MLB Guru/Analyst
You want to loan me a ticket and a ride over there?
I’ll fight you in sumo gear if you do.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I think we could fund that
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
First Annual LSB Feldman Fight
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Thursdays 10 PM - 1 AM on FM 88.7 The Choice
"Computers can’t measure the size of a man’s heart."
- Hawk Harrelson, MLB Guru/Analyst
First rule of Feldman Fight
you don’t talk about Feldman Fight
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Thursdays 10 PM - 1 AM on FM 88.7 The Choice
"Computers can’t measure the size of a man’s heart."
- Hawk Harrelson, MLB Guru/Analyst
Little bit
Got my ass chewed at work this morning for leaving a whopping 15 minutes early yesterday
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Really?
OPS of opposing hitters against Feldman by inning in 2008:
1st inning: .820
2nd inning: .725
3rd: .646
4th: .843
5th: .670
6th: .967
And before you say anything about the 2nd and 3rd, inning, his BABIP in those two innings were .230 and .210. It doesn’t look like a skill to me. I don’t see any evidence that he is all that good the first time through the order
His average velocity in 2008 on the fastball was 90.5. I don’t think he is going to be sitting around in the mid-upper 90s even if he is in the bullpen.
Feldmans a ground ball pitcher correct?
With our defense last year if he induces ground balls and still had that low a BABIP I would consider that a skill. He wasn’t good in the first inning for some reason but in the third and fifth, most likely facing the top of the order in those cases, he was damn good.
And going by his splits minus his three relief appearances last year the line against him the first plate appearance for a batter was .226/.329/.382
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I don't understand this argument
You are saying that our infield defense was bad, right? If that is the case, shouldn’t one expect that BABIP for a groundball pitcher to be high? If more groundballs are hit, then a bad infield defense will cause the BABIP of the pitcher to be higher than that of a good defense. Are you saying that his BABIP of .230 and .210 is actually higher than what it ought to be?
Also, why would you subtract out the relief appearances when talking about stats?
Yeah thats pretty much it
Last year was his first with his new arm slot and his GB% was only 46%. So we can’t really go by any previous stats because its highly probable that changing his arm slot did in fact make a significant difference in a stat like BABIP. I don’t know if 230 or 210 is much higher than he will normally be but I don’t think its much lower than its gonna be this year.
The reason I took out the relief appearances is because at the start of this discussion I argued that Feldman was damn good last year the first couple times through the order in his starts.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
a BABIP of .230 is not a skill
especially for ground ball pitchers. The lowest single-season BABIP for a starting pitcher in the last two decades was the .237 by Chris Young in 2006, and even he averages around the .260s when you combine all of his seasons. That’s because everybody hits fly balls off him, and fly balls are caught more often than ground balls, and has a chance of being a HR which doesn’t count in BABIP. In any given season, a BABIP for any pitcher below .250 is miraculous luck, and not a sustainable skill.
Feldman had BABIP in the .280s last year, and that’s about normal for ground ball pitchers. He is exactly what he was last year. There is no need for any kind of regressions. Everything that he has done since the 06 season has been below average. There is no reason to think that he will be worse than he was last year, but there is no evidence that he will be better either.
I had a dream
last night that Joba was closing games for the Rangers. Go figure.
"Come on man you have to admit the average guy in a baseball clubhouse...... is relatively a douchebag." BGL.
The 2008-2009 Dallas Mavericks are the biggest teases in the world.
I will go ahead and assume you had a premonition of a trade
In which we dealt one of our catchers in exchange for Joba and Austin Jackson.
Good job.
Keith Law: (1:45 PM ET ) I think Michael Young should shut his mouth and move to third base.
TRS
has a bloggy note on Turnbow. Out date moved to 4/2 and he is willing to go to AAA if his agent can’t round up anything better
nice.
ideally, we can stash both Turnbow and Madrigal there until they are needed later in the year.
who is pitching the major league bullpen
are you going to will juan cruz to the rangers
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Has anyone ever gotten a look at Cat's slider?
He’s already on the 40, maybe he’s got some secret talent to be a mop-up guy.
Keith Law: (1:45 PM ET ) I think Michael Young should shut his mouth and move to third base.
I laughed at this
-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
I want to be the next Annie Savoy.
by The Best Micah on Mar 31, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
That sounds great
I like the idea of someone like Turnbow in AAA to see if he can hit the broadside of a barn consistently
What do voluntary mean?
Inside Corner
Evan says he would run Mendoza, Golson and Nippert through waivers before he’d chance losing Metcalf……
Weird.
he's always been a huge metcalf fan
for no good reason i can discern
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
The CF prospect we traded with the phillies for this winter using Mayberry
What do voluntary mean?
i think he is questioning the idea of runnign golson through waivers over metcalf
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Metcalf over Golson?
I have nothing against Metcalf, but geez…the odds are WAY better he makes it through waivers than Golson. On tools alone, someone would claim Golson four seconds after he got waived.
Keith Law: (1:45 PM ET ) I think Michael Young should shut his mouth and move to third base.
yeah
i hadn’t even thought about it like that. even if you got it in your head that metcalf was going to be a star and was going to be better than the people mentioned, its objectively certain that golson would get claimed before metcalf.
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
i peg the chances of metcalf being claimed off waivers
at 0.0%
thank god noone took cruz last year.
the preceding post was a great success.
i disagree
only because he is solid defensively and has some pop in his bat. those sorts always get picked up again and again until they have thoroughly proven they cannot cut it. With the number of teams with question marks at 3B this year, I think there’s a pretty good chance he’s picked up.
Still, to run Golson through over him, especially after a nice spring showing? That’s crazy talk.
Sheffield to Rangers?
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
Weakest rec'd comments ever in this thread.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
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