New Jeff Wilson mailbag
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 10:46 AM CDT
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PrintJeff Wilson has a new mailbag column up, running through a whole host of questions, including one that asked if we could start referring to Michael Young as Mikey Baseball.
I'm still trying to figure out if that was serious or intended as a joke...
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+++AAA WOULD READ AGAIN..!!
Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
Dykstra has all the money!
ElectricOkra.com
I really do appreciate MY, but some folks are far to willing to strap on knee pads:
With all that he has sacrificed and how he has played this year, is Michael Young an MVP candidate? He’s a great role model with his unselfish play and attitude.If not an MVP candidate, can we at least start referring to him as "Mikey Baseball?" — Marlin, Grand Prairie
Sacrifice? Unselfish? They must be thinking of a different Michael Young than the one that demands to be traded when asked to play third and has and has had a knack for sounding negative in previous offseason interviews.
The guy gets way too much credif for supposedly marching down to Buck’s office and offering to move to short for Soriano. Like moving to a more high profile position is some great sacrifice.
I’m sure I’m going to get my ass chewed for this one…
not around here
most people here said similar things when all that was going down.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on May 22, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Some people have short or selective memories
They either forgot how much bitching Young did about moving positions or chose not to remember it. Unselfish and sacrifice are not the words I’d use to describe Young’s move this offseason.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Wilson says next year the OF could look like:
LF-Murph, CF-Bourbon, RF-Hamilton with Cruz being the team’s DH.
I want Cruz’s arm in the outfield. Cruz over Murph in my opinion. Has Bourbon played well enough to still be though of as next years starting CF?
Not just that
But I think Hamilton has played well enough to show that we don’t really need a new defensive CF.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
It's tough
I don’t want Hambone to get beat up, but I fear what kind of offensive downgrade it might be to swap Bourbon for one of our current outfielders. And as you say, I’m not sure Bourbon’s defensive would offset the weaker bat.
by ncrangerfan on May 22, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
that last sentance got muddy...
Bottom line: I’m not sure Bourbon’s D is soooo much better that it would offset that offensive regression.
by ncrangerfan on May 22, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
It's Borbon...
Go Rangers...don't suck...
by Kinslerhomer on May 22, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
man I'm am cursed
I can’t type that guy’s name correctly if my life depended on it. Too much bourbon whiskey in my cabinet…
I'm not even sure Borbon's D is that much better than Hamilton's anymore
Hamilton’s been pretty good this year. I also think part of the problem with Hamilton’s defense in the past has been that he was away from the game for so long and it takes some time to get the instincts back. He’s got the athletic talent and has now showed some serious improvement in his defense.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Borbons D doesn't have to be better
If its the same or even slightly worse but by moving Hamilton you can keep him in the lineup you do it. 120 games from Hammy in CF is not as good as 145-150 games from Hammy in RF.
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.
If you don't gain any defense by making the move
Then why do it because you are going to lose offense by putting Borbon in CF. 120 games of Hamilton, 40 of Borbon, and 160 of Cruz or a Murphy/Boggs/Byrd platoon is better than 160 games of Hamilton and 160 of Borbon.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Well
Hammy is an improvement over Cruz both offensively and defensively. I would say Borbons defense in CF is on par with Hamiltons and he could do just as well as Byrd in terms of average and OBP. So all you are really losing is Byrds slugging which I would say is easy to give up if it means Hamilton plays everyday
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.
First of all
You’re still convinced that Hamilton won’t play 150+ games if he is in CF everyday or almost everyday. That just isn’t true. Playing a COF everyday would help out, but its far from a guarantee that a)Playing CF most days means Hamilton misses 40 games a season and b)Playing RF means that Hamilton is able to play in those 40 games. That is far from a guarantee.
And its not just Byrd, its also (and more likely) going to be some combination of Murphy, Boggs, Borbon, and Golson in the remaining COF spot next season. In the end, the offense is going to lose a lot more than just a bit of power if you play Borbon everyday.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Yeah
Considering hes had one DL stint already this year and the Rangers have expressed a desire to move him to RF I think thats where he ends up. I think he can play 150 games a year if hes in RF. Im not worried about our offense next year. Its better with Hamilton in the lineup than without him so I want to do whatever is possible to keep him in that lineup.
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.
What about last year?
And in 2007, I don’t believe any of his injuries were even somewhat related to playing in the OF. Yeah, he’s missed about 15 games because of CF related injuries, but its the first time that’s happened and its too flukey IMO to expect it to happen every year on a consistent basis to the point where you are making your starting lineup worse to avoid it. This isn’t like Blalock or Bradley where he steps out onto the field and misses 60 days.
Where is the gain from Borbon in the lineup? Just the extra time that you are expecting Hamilton to miss with specifically CF playing related injuries next year?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Gdawg said:"I'm not even sure Borbon's D is that much better than Hamilton's anymore"
I agree. I think many people assume that Borbon is a GG defender in CF because he’s fast and looks like a typical CF flycatcher.
Hambone looks much better in CF, and in one of the podcasts from early this season, Newberg indicated that the brass didn’t consider Borbon for the big league club specifically because his defense needed improvement.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
I don't think
playing RF is a guarantee that Hamilton stays healthier.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Yeah, the way he plays
and his basic fragility means the only way to get him out for a full season is to DH him, and we have enough DHs.
I think you just have to be happy with 120-140 games out of Hamilton.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
There are no guarantees
But in RF you lessen the chance of him getting injured. Thats all you can ask for.
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 helps
But I’d rather have a good 4th OF and maybe give Hamilton some time in RF or DH to try and keep him healthy and at 100%.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Well
With our impending 1B/DH crunch I think that eliminates Hammy from the DH discussion so if Hammy moving to RF means we get an extra 15-20 games a year from him instead of in CF then I will take it.
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.
Yeah
I didn’t get that either. I don’t think Cruz is going to be the every day DH. Either Max, Smoak or Davis, I suspect, will be the DH next year.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Why would they
do that? Its not like the OF positions are all sewed up.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Who are the two
corner OFs in that scenario?
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
Hamilton in left, obviously
Some combination of Murphy, Byrd, Boggs, and Jones in right the rest of this year.
Then Murphy, Boggs next year. Possibly even resign Jones.
I doubt
Andruw is around next year. I also kind of doubt Byrd is, but I’m less sure about him. Between what JD and others have said, he is viewed more as a core type than I would think he is.
I think Boggs and Murphy are 4th OF types. They can be your 3rd OF in an injury situation, but you really don’t want to start the year with either of them in your starting lineup.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
If they were platooned correctly I would be fine with them as our starting LF
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.
eh, I think as a platoon they could hold it down pretty well.
You could do much worse. If they struggle, I’m sure something will present itself.
so is Andruw this year's version
of Milton Bradley, as far as keeping him the whole year instead of trading him while we’re in the playoff hunt, and then expecting a Type B and maybe Type A (but not likely) payout when he signs in the offseason?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 22, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, if someone makes a good offer for him
they ought to trade him. I doubt you are going to get him on any reasonable deal just because you rehabbed him. After all, his agent is still Boras.
I can’t imagine that we have big room for him longterm, with 1B/DH being a fairly congested position, and Andruw not seeming to have the wheels anymore for the OF.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I think there is a good chance Andruw is back next year
I think the way the Dodgers structured his buy-out gives them half of whatever money he is paid by another team, so chasing after the biggest contract has diminished rewards for Andruw. He is getting bookoup millions from the Dodgers regardless of what team he’s with next year, so he may just decide to play here, where he appears to be pretty comfortable, on a good team, in a good park for hitting, and with a hitting coach that revitalized his career.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
Well, he's probably
more attractive than Blalock as the DH, but I still don’t see it.
I assume we are Hamilton-Borbon-Cruz in the OF, and Smoak-Davis at 1B/DH. I have to believe that AJ will try to go to a team where he is an everyday starter. Being a bench player and rebuilding his hitting is good for this year, but I can’t believe he’d be OK with it next year.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
I like bourbon just fine...
but scotch is better in my opinion
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 22, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
that's what I'm going to name my drunken punches from now on
I was in the restroom at a bar a few years ago, drunk off scotch (which tends to get me quite riled up), and a guy was impatient while I stood at the urinal. Kept saying, “let’s go…hurry up, buddy” and finally got right behind me, actually touching me, while I’m standing there peeing. I zipped up, turned around and punched him in the forehead, dropping him to the ground, and casually walked out…and was consequently thrown out of the bar by the bouncer. Good times.
This name could also work with Scotty Feldman, when he threw the infamous sidearm punch in that fight…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 22, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Huh.
Q: I’ve got a statistical-oddity question. Is it possible to have a perfect game without a 0-0-0 linescore? Scenario: the first pitch of the game is a foul pop fly dropped by the first baseman for an error. The batter is subsequently retired, as are the next 26.The linescore is 0-0-1, but it is a perfect game, right?
Steven, Austin
WILSON: Channeling Ed McMahon: You are correct, sir. If no opposing hitter reaches base, a pitcher has thrown a perfect game.
I thought you lost a perfect game if a fielder makes an error. Didn’t think of this iteration.
And LSB confirms…this is right?
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 22, 2009 11:29 AM CDT reply actions
If it's not perfect
it’s not perfect. A runner reaching on error is definitely not perfect in my book.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
In the scenario described, I don't think an error is charged.
IIRC, it’s only an error if the batter subsequently reaches base.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
bking would be right
if the guy doesn’t reach base, no error would be charged because the error did not have a negative impact on the pitcher’s line
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on May 22, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
That's not true
If you drop a foul pop fly, an error is charged.
by Adam J. Morris on May 22, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
made the mailbag...
and got a response from Jeff on my other two questions. I like this guy
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on May 22, 2009 11:56 AM CDT reply actions
If i didnt know better
I might think Jeff Wilson is a new name for our friend Josey Whales. In the question about who to give credit to, he gave it everyone accept Jon boy. Now i agree that all those mentioned in the mailbag do deserve credit, but how can you not give ANY to Jon Daniels for how this team is constructed now? We have 3 starters (2 position and 1 SP) from a trade JD made and 3 other starters that were drafted by JD. Not opening up this fight again but doesnt JD deserve part of the credit as well?
Elvis has "shook up" Arlington!!
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