Around Baseball 2014

[jaysblue]

Stanton has missed time besides the HBP. That being said, facts are Donalson has been the better player the past two seasons and has out produced Stanton's past 3 seasons combined during that span. I've already stated Stanton is the better long term asset, but if we're talking short term I'd take Donaldson. We can just agree to disagree.

 

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0708/mag_giancarlostanton_800.jpg

 

We can both agree that Donaldson doesn't have that bod!

[jaysblue]

What if Stanton gets hurt again? What if Donaldson gets better?

 

What if Stanton becomes a True Cardinal?

 

http://www.stlcardinalbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/giancarlo-stanton-cardinals-marlins-rumor-stlcardinalbaseball1.jpg

[GD]

When jaysblue starts posting images you know the discussion has deteriorated to an intolerable point.

[LongTimeReader]

Have to give him credit, though ... His sticktuitiveness is amazing. He's so wrong, so often ... Yet he doesn't react ... He doesn't even acknowledge his constant stream of failings ... He just moves on to his next prediction of doom for any team other than than Jays.

 

lol... having Moogy and jaysfan2014 on this board at the same time is comedic gold. It's like having our very own David Spade and Chris Farley!

Edited October 10, 2014 by LongTimeReader

[LongTimeReader]

And having the latest incarnation of what is now LongTimeReader is like having our very own case of herpes.

 

Are you that high-strung, you take offense to a David Spade comparison?

[Boxcar]

No.

 

Lighten ... up ... Moog!

[Boxcar]

Oh look, Jim Kaat took the random nature of the SSS playoffs to s*** on advanced stats. Can someone explain to me why this article was necessary? Yes, we know, Buck Showalter is extra managery, and yes, we know, CLUTCHNESS and EXECUTION are more important than dumb things like WAR.

 

Just reading this article was a massive eye roll.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/98115030/jim-kaat-advanced-metrics-dont-mean-anything-when-it-comes-to-postseason-baseball

 

Highlights:

 

These games are pleasing to me because they expose how the endless metrics and stats they inundate us with that have very little to do with who wins or loses. It's not pitch count, it's pitch selection and execution. More on that later.

 

Now he's become the most delightful, insightful, secure, unguarded manager I talk to for pregame preparation. How about him leaving a lefty, Andrew Miller, in to face Miggy? How many managers today would have the guts to do that? And walk the potential winning run intentionally? Great move. Brad Ausmus had no power hitters left on his bench.

 

So if it hadn't worked out, would it have still been a great move? Great hindsight analysis here and basing success over like one sample.

 

When are we going to quit "drinking the Kool-Aid" served by those who have never worn a Major League uniform or experienced what it is like to be in the game? There are hard-working managers and coaches who could have much more influence on their teams and players if they didn't have to be subjected to the metrics handed down from above. My longtime friend and teammate, Hall of Fame broadcaster Tim McCarver, and I delight in being accused of not embracing a lot of the metrics. We take it as a compliment.

 

Yeah, if only we could go back to being ignorant. This guy must love Ruben Amaro, he tells advanced stats to shove it all the time.

 

Probably because the organization's protocol is that this is what we do in the ninth inning when the pitch count hits 100. What a shame that our game has come to be science rather than art and feel. I'm sure Nationals manager Matt Williams was influenced by how things are done day after day, regardless of the situation.

 

Yup, Matty Williams is the most advanced status guy ever.

 

I like Kansas City's "Moneyball" -- not walks and home runs and taking pitches, but stolen bases, sacrifice bunts, great fielders and an outstanding bullpen. That's Moneyball for me.[/Quote]

 

Yup, sac bunts. Nothing better than giving away free outs.

 

That's the norm during the season. If you score four or more every game, you should win the series. Not eight one day and none the next. Averages are meaningless. A consistent four runs is what you shoot for every game. You can see how that "swing run" is a little lower with these four teams left. Three runs might be enough.

 

Just so much dumn

Edited October 10, 2014 by Boxcar

[BTS]

Well that was a bad read.

[BTS]

I'd easily move Lawrie, Sanchez, and Norris for Donaldson.

[BTS]

You'd move those 4 guys for Donaldson? I wouldn't, IMO, for the same reasons GP said, I don't get why you brought up his fantasy team? Has nothing to do with the original post, just saying.

 

I brought up his fantasy team because it's kind of annoying that he's condescending about keeping any player past 27-28, but his team of kids in the DDL is a disaster. No MLB team has had success without veteran talent, and to this point Gibbers has failed to even sniff the DDL playoffs. Maybe, just maybe, trading your best players before they hit 28 isn't the best way to win.

[BTS]

Meh, I didn't see it, thought he was just posting his point of view, which I happen to agree with. No big deal. The Jays dont have the money, and dropping more assets, would leave me despaired for the future, it's not like I wouldn't be elated, as long as they have money moving forward. Which I doubt, FO of f***ing liars, payroll is going up, it isn't a lie, if we don't know the truth...

 

Not just here. All the time. I just don't understand the absolute conviction that all players must be traded at their peak value.

[SpinalBiffada]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0708/mag_giancarlostanton_800.jpg

 

We can both agree that Donaldson doesn't have that bod!

 

Awkward

[BTS]

True, we'd be f***ed, if that were the case, especially position players, RP's absolutely and in some cases SP's I'd move; Marcum.

 

Oh I agree l. Definitely relievers, and starters in some situations. It's something to be assessed on a case by case basis though. I have no problem with the team holding on Bau and Edwin and enjoying that sweet surplus value.

[LongTimeReader]

No.

 

Yes. And I'm worried about you. But I'm happy you keep posting here, that way you're less lately to 'take it out' on your family and friends in RL.

[glory]

Lawrie can't stay healthy and Sanchez has a much better chance of sticking as a reliever than starter. Norris is really the only one I'd be reluctant to move, but the fact that you'd be getting a star 3B in return eases the blow.

[LongTimeReader]

Are you that high strung that you take offense to a comparison to herpes?

 

You're a strange guy. Please continue being so...

[GeorgiaPeach]

I brought up his fantasy team because it's kind of annoying that he's condescending about keeping any player past 27-28, but his team of kids in the DDL is a disaster. No MLB team has had success without veteran talent, and to this point Gibbers has failed to even sniff the DDL playoffs. Maybe, just maybe, trading your best players before they hit 28 isn't the best way to win.

 

We'll see, you piece of s***.

[Boxcar]

We'll see, you piece of s***.

 

Interesting.

[Dr. Dinger]

New DDL feud!

[Boxcar]

New DDL feud!

 

I think I have a shot at 19 next year.

 

I don't really see what was so wrong about what BTS said. I thing GP's strategy is pretty dumb too. Going this way, I don't see how he will ever finish top 10, honest assessment.

[jaysfan2014]

Yanks making some moves. Cashman extended for 3 years, Kevin Long headed for unemployment along with Mick Kelleher(1B coach).

[Laika]

I think I have a shot at 19 next year.

 

I don't really see what was so wrong about what BTS said. I thing GP's strategy is pretty dumb too. Going this way, I don't see how he will ever finish top 10, honest assessment.

 

Criticisms are fair, but it's hard to hate too much on his young core.

 

SS/2B - Profar

SS/2B - Baez

3B - Machado

CF - Marte

OF - Soler

OF - Myers

OF - Arcia

 

Josh Harrison is ok

[nmrch]

I don't know what you guys are talking about and i should probably stay out of this but i have literally never seen anyone build a good team in Dynasty baseball by obsessing over prospects and young players at the expense of guys who actually provide value, not exaggerating at all.

[BTS]

We'll see, you piece of s***.

 

I don't think it's unfair to point out that the strategy that that you seem 100% sure should be employed by major league teams has been a disaster for you in the dynasty league you're in.

[BTS]

Criticisms are fair, but it's hard to hate too much on his young core.

 

SS/2B - Profar

SS/2B - Baez

3B - Machado

CF - Marte

OF - Soler

OF - Myers

OF - Arcia

 

Josh Harrison is ok

 

I think any top-10 team could have a better group if they traded their high end producers for young guys with big questions marks.

[jaysblue]

Criticisms are fair, but it's hard to hate too much on his young core.

 

SS/2B - Profar

SS/2B - Baez

3B - Machado

CF - Marte

OF - Soler

OF - Myers

OF - Arcia

 

Josh Harrison is ok

 

That's a solid young core he has, better than some other teams in the DDL. I'm sure Chris moves Harrison in the offseason and adds more young pieces to that talented group.

[jaysblue]

As for Donaldson, I don't think the Jays could afford moving all those young pieces for him. They still have plenty of holes on their roster and will even have more come 2016. Depleting what is already a weak farm and with the tight payroll constraints they already have, I don't see a deal like this working.

[jaysblue]

I don't think it's unfair to point out that the strategy that that you seem 100% sure should be employed by major league teams has been a disaster for you in the dynasty league you're in.

 

At least he has a strategy, compared to some other managers which don't.

[Laika]

As for Donaldson, I don't think the Jays could afford moving all those young pieces for him. They still have plenty of holes on their roster and will even have more come 2016. Depleting what is already a weak farm and with the tight payroll constraints they already have, I don't see a deal like this working.

 

Call me a stupid homer, but I actually kind of like the roster mix Toronto will have going into 2015.

 

Yes, there are some bad contracts and the payroll constraints will probably prevent any real improvements. But, there is a mix of bankable veterans and exciting, high upside youngsters that I don't really ever remember seeing from a Blue Jays team.

 

They have a lineup anchored by two top ten hitters in baseball (2015 Steamer wOBA) and the 3rd best SS in the game according to Steamer, and it's a lineup that incorporates a pair of high end young players that could explode in any given season (Lawrie and Pompey).

 

The rotation is carried by a pair of veteran arms that seem like virtual locks for 200 IP and league average production, and those two are followed (or in the case of Stroman, lead) by four young arms with a crazy amount of talent.

 

That's a lot of players that almost any team in baseball would want, and aside from them, there are solid contributors in the fold like Navarro, Lind, Cecil, Loup, Happ... and a few not terrible bench pieces.

 

It will be a marvel of terrible roster construction if Anthopoulos and friends can manage to miss the playoffs for a third straight year with a core that promising.

[jaysblue]

I'm looking forward to a full season of Stroman, and I expect Hutch to improve in 2015 as well. Along with Dickey and MB, who might not be aces, though at least they are durable and can provide 200 + quality innings. Happ looks like a solid No. 5 starter, and with Sanchez and Norris in the wings, the rotation has a lot of depth. Likely MB and Happ are gone after 2015, so the Jays will need to fill two rotation spots, so hopefully Sanchez and Norris are those two and pan out. The Jays have a young, cheap and controllable rotation moving forward which is a plus. I feel more comfortable signing a big FA bat to a 5-year contract over a big FA pitcher.

 

EE and Bautista are two elite bats - and I'm sure not many teams have 3-4 hitters like Bautista and EE. Reyes can be better, no doubt. And if Lawrie stays healthy, he'll provide value. And who knows if Pompey explodes? I don't mind Gose in CF since he provides a lot of value with his defense.

 

And like you said, there are solid contributors in the fold like Lind, Cecil, Happ, Loup etc - if the Jays add more solid contributors, at second or third base, in left field, in the bullpen and strengthen their bench with guys who can hit and have versatility, then 2015 doesn't look all that bad. It's a solid roster mix they have.