Phillies sign Burnett

[Dick_Pole]

The players might not know the ins and outs but sure as f*** the agents do...and then the agents relay this information and tell their pitchers to go for the K more often. Come on guys, you gotta admit that when pitchers with mediocre tools start striking 7-10 guys per 9 IP something's odd about that. Even if the offense has reverted to 1980's level of output, K's are way higher than 1980 levels. We're in a strikeout binge just like we were in a home run binge 15 years ago.

 

And if we're in a strikeout binge because of advanced stats, then there's sampling bias and the predictive nature of the predictive stats lose their effectiveness.

 

Note that my argument I'm only focusing on pitchers. In every single circumstance a hitter wants to avoid a K (unless you're Adam Lind and a guy's on first) so advanced stats that penalize a hitter for one makes sense. But the mirror image does not hold. It's not optimal for the pitcher to always go for a K but the advanced stats always reward him for it.

[Orgfiller]

The players might not know the ins and outs but sure as f*** the agents do...and then the agents relay this information and tell their pitchers to go for the K more often. Come on guys, you gotta admit that when pitchers with mediocre tools start striking 7-10 guys per 9 IP something's odd about that. Even if the offense has reverted to 1980's level of output, K's are way higher than 1980 levels. We're in a strikeout binge just like we were in a home run binge 15 years ago.

 

And if we're in a strikeout binge because of advanced stats, then there's sampling bias and the predictive nature of the predictive stats lose their effectiveness.

 

Note that my argument I'm only focusing on pitchers. In every single circumstance a hitter wants to avoid a K (unless you're Adam Lind and a guy's on first) so advanced stats that penalize a hitter for one makes sense. But the mirror image does not hold. It's not optimal for the pitcher to always go for a K but the advanced stats always reward him for it.

 

A few things:

1) A pitcher should obviously always go for the K, there's way too much luck involved in pitching to contact

2) Who the hell pitches to contact anymore?

3) A pitcher can't strike out more because his agent tells him to, there's this thing called talent and tools.

4) K's are up likely because pitchers these days are better, and when I say better I mean at least have better stuff, you see many of the first round picks today throwing mid-to high 90's already, and have at least one out pitch with the really good ones developing more.

[Dick_Pole]

A few things:

1) A pitcher should obviously always go for the K, there's way too much luck involved in pitching to contact

2) Who the hell pitches to contact anymore?

3) A pitcher can't strike out more because his agent tells him to, there's this thing called talent and tools.

4) K's are up likely because pitchers these days are better, and when I say better I mean at least have better stuff, you see many of the first round picks today throwing mid-to high 90's already, and have at least one out pitch with the really good ones developing more.

 

I like pitching to contact! Defensive plays make more entertaining ball than watching some guy whiff three times in a row. Meh maybe I'm just upset from getting fat over too much damn free pizza.

[Orgfiller]

I like pitching to contact! Defensive plays make more entertaining ball than watching some guy whiff three times in a row. Meh maybe I'm just upset from getting fat over too much damn free pizza.

 

That's a bit different than what your post suggested. Either way, think of it this way, sure defensive plays are entertaining, but how much fun is it when a pitcher is throwing a gem, ala Brandon Morrow 17 K's dominance, when a pitcher is untouchable it makes for some great baseball.

 

And it's not a guy whiffs 3 times in a row (JP Arencibia-like), it could be 3 nasty pitches in which the batter has no chance.

[fatcowxlive]

f*** everything, now who do we sign? Jimenez? That's it?

[Boxcar]

Ya Ya, listen to Mr Wizard. Blah,blah,blah.........blah,blah,blah......ur dumn! Silly little chip dip.

 

I think it's about time for your pills and applesauce.

[43211234]

He would have been great in Toronto but I don't see why people would be mad at the organization for missing him. He was clearly never going to come here.

[G-Snarls]

He would have been great in Toronto but I don't see why people would be mad at the organization for missing him. He was clearly never going to come here.

 

I think everyone realies that. Jays never had a shot.

[G-Snarls]

To think that the vast majority of todays ball players don't know anything about advanced metrics is fckn ludicrous. The end.

 

That's not ludicrous. Some do I'm sure. Many probably couldn't care less about advanced stats or don't fully understand them.

 

What's ludicrous is suggesting that a player, in the midst of trying to make a play in the outfield, might make a decision on how to play the ball based on how it might affect his Ultimate Zone Rating. Please... (I have already forgetten who suggested that they might and would prefer to keep it that way)

[G-Snarls]

That's a very naïve way of thinking. I've watched him do it several times. Gose actually camped under a ball in RF only to have Rasmus come running over and practically push him out of the way to make a catch.

 

It happens and will become more and more frequent as more and more players become more aware of how to manipulate the stats.

 

I've seen him do it too. But he's doing it because he's the CF and Gose is a 22 year old rookie that he doesn't trust yet. There is NO WAY he's doing it just to inflate his defensive metrics.

[Smokey]

That's a very naïve way of thinking. I've watched him do it several times. Gose actually camped under a ball in RF only to have Rasmus come running over and practically push him out of the way to make a catch.

 

It happens and will become more and more frequent as more and more players become more aware of how to manipulate the stats.

 

If there's one player in the league who doesn't give a f*** and most likely doesn't even understand advanced stats, it would be Gump. Terrible example.

[Jays]

That's a very naïve way of thinking. I've watched him do it several times. Gose actually camped under a ball in RF only to have Rasmus come running over and practically push him out of the way to make a catch.

 

It happens and will become more and more frequent as more and more players become more aware of how to manipulate the stats.

 

I'm going to quote this post and then agree with Boxy.

[glory]

Yeah no one can be mad here. Burnett clearly wanted to play in the NL and close to home. The Jays provided neither of those options for him. Plus, who wouldn't want to have a contract given to them by Ruben Amaro? Free money.

[RIPEXPOS]

I'd insist on excluding position players from MIA, HOU, NYM, CHC, MIN, MIL as they aren't competitive and thus many players will be "starters" by default. Players on remaining teams must receive at least 500 PAs to be considered starters. In the event Goins doesn't reach 500 PAs the bet would be void. If you're truly interested PM me and we can work out the details.

 

Backtracking I see. You just knocked out 20% of the league! Still I'll take that bet, though I think it simply ends voided. I don't bet money with people I don't know, but I'll gladly do some sort of signature or avatar type of bet.

[RIPEXPOS]

Same goes here, even though, I've been stiffed 200 dollars by asshats like you, RIPEXPOS.

 

What the f*** is your problem?

[G-Snarls]

Oh my.........

 

I feel a new signature quote coming on for someone...

[RIPEXPOS]

Anyways....

 

Time is now to sign Jimenez, with only he and Santana really left. If Jimenez were to quickly sign somewhere, suddenly Santana's value skyrockets and that would not be good.

 

Just give Ubaldo what he wants!

[LunchBox]

Backtracking I see. You just knocked out 20% of the league! Still I'll take that bet, though I think it simply ends voided. I don't bet money with people I don't know, but I'll gladly do some sort of signature or avatar type of bet.

 

Backtracking? You do understand that "safe bet" was intended as turn of phrase that you mistook as a proposition? What you're referring to as "backtracking" is what most people would describe as coming to terms. I also would have insisted upon odds for obvious reasons, but apparently your unsolicited response of "I'll take that bet" came with no intention of wagering money, just bragging rights. What would your new avatar have to be 3x more silly than mine?

[KingKat]

Scott McMurtry @Scott_McMurtry

@jonbernhardt story is he parked in Nutting's spot every time he started at home and I've heard it from enough people that it's prob true

 

This is following a day of Pirates blog rumblings that AJ was the leader of a cabal of players who agitated for better player parking at PNC Park and were rebuffed by ownership, most of which was supposedly confirmed by Neal Huntington on some podcast or another.

 

Robert Nutting of course being the OWNER of the Pirates.

 

That's so hilarious/awesome, I'm officially an AJ fan.

 

What a baller. He probably wanted to stay in the NL just to keep sticking it to him.

[Boxcar]

Scott McMurtry @Scott_McMurtry

@jonbernhardt story is he parked in Nutting's spot every time he started at home and I've heard it from enough people that it's prob true

 

This is following a day of Pirates blog rumblings that AJ was the leader of a cabal of players who agitated for better player parking at PNC Park and were rebuffed by ownership, most of which was supposedly confirmed by Neal Huntington on some podcast or another.

 

Robert Nutting of course being the OWNER of the Pirates.

 

That's so hilarious/awesome, I'm officially an AJ fan.

 

Wow, what a bad ass. I feel bad for hating him after he opted out, by all accounts he seems like a pretty awesome dude.

[GD]

AJ is such a f***ing alpha.

[G-Snarls]

Interesting tidbits coming out re Burnett's contract:

 

 

[G-Snarls]

I guess that answers our question about whether a contract can contain language guaranteeing against a QO when top he contract is up. This is the first I've heard of someone having that. Makes a TON of sense for the player. Sucks for Phillies though...

[John_Havok]

I guess that answers our question about whether a contract can contain language guaranteeing against a QO when top he contract is up. This is the first I've heard of someone having that. Makes a TON of sense for the player. Sucks for Phillies though...

 

It's technically not language against a qualifying offer, it just means that Philly won't ever have the option to offer one for next season based on the mutual/player option. If Selig saw language that specifically said a QO couldn't be offered, he would nix the contract. This is just a creative way around it

[G-Snarls]

It's technically not language against a qualifying offer, it just means that Philly won't ever have the option to offer one for next season based on the mutual/player option. If Selig saw language that specifically said a QO couldn't be offered, he would nix the contract. This is just a creative way around it

 

Oh yeah. I didn't notice they only said "next year". Nothing about the year after that but presumably he retires.