Buster's best lineups...

[Governator]

No. Smoak is far more valuable to have in the lineup than Navarro.

 

far more? C'mon that's a bit of a stretch... They are what, both about league average bat at their best? Not to mention Smoak is coming off a 77 wRC+ season... From Adam Lind to that is a hole, even if strength was plugged elsewhere, a hole is a hole is a hole. Travis could be league average at 2B as well, but that's still a hole.

[Boxcar]

far more? C'mon that's a bit of a stretch... They are what, both about league average bat at their best? Not to mention Smoak is coming off a 77 wRC+ season... From Adam Lind to that is a hole, even if strength was plugged elsewhere, a hole is a hole is a hole. Travis could be league average at 2B as well, but that's still a hole.

 

Smoak has been poisoned by Seattle. He's shown glimpses here and there and was a former top prospect. Give him a chance and perhaps you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Spanky99]

Swapping Adam Lind for Justin Smoak is a real steamer alright.

 

lol

[Spanky99]

Smoak has been poisoned by Seattle. He's shown glimpses here and there and was a former top prospect. Give him a chance and perhaps you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

I hope you guys are right.

[Spanky99]

far more? C'mon that's a bit of a stretch... They are what, both about league average bat at their best? Not to mention Smoak is coming off a 77 wRC+ season... From Adam Lind to that is a hole, even if strength was plugged elsewhere, a hole is a hole is a hole. Travis could be league average at 2B as well, but that's still a hole.

 

I'm with you on Lind...I reeeeeally hated that move. Although, I do think he talked his way out of town. *sighs*

[Boxcar]

I hope you guys are right.

 

It's just not a huge gamble and there's still upside there. I would be shocked if he was as bad as last year.

 

Plus, I think maybe having his career on the line will help matters.

[gruber92]

Best hitter should NOT hit third. 1st, 2nd, or 4th. Can we also never say "batting champion"? It's batting average champion, totally different thing.

 

Why should the phrase "batting champion" never be used? The phrase has been around since forever and everyone with a shimmer of pubic hair knows it means batting average champion.

[Spanky99]

It's just not a huge gamble and there's still upside there. I would be shocked if he was as bad as last year.

 

Plus, I think maybe having his career on the line will help matters.

 

Like I said.

 

If it doesn't work out, having a roving DH, would be suffice.

[gruber92]

Best hitter should NOT hit third. 1st, 2nd, or 4th. Can we also never say "batting champion"? It's batting average champion, totally different thing.

 

2nd would arguably be the only other spot where your best hitter should hit. If you want to leverage Bautista's bat overall, then you give him a good chance of coming to bat in the first inning with runners on. Worst case he comes up with nobody on like he would hitting lead off anyway, just with two out now. He 's still guaranteed a first inning AB.

[Boxcar]

Why should the phrase "batting champion" never be used? The phrase has been around since forever and everyone with a shimmer of pubic hair knows it means batting average champion.

 

Because it implies best hitter, obviously.

[gruber92]

Because it implies best hitter, obviously.

 

C'mon,give me a break. Everybody knows it means batting average champion, unless you're new to the game. Worried about the casuals being misled? LMAO.

[KingKat]

Because it implies best hitter, obviously.

 

I get what he's saying but it seems like a battle you can't win. It's like trying to get people to stop calling four strikeouts a golden sombrero when originally that was a sombrero and the golden sombrero was 5 strikeouts OR that Mario Mendoza's career BA is .215 not .200 OR that the terms stoppers and closers aren't supposed to mean the same thing OR that the term West Coast offense didn't originate with the San Francisco 49ers, etc.

[Maine Jays]

Not gonna hit 30 HR but I think he'll break out.

 

I don't think he'll hit 30, either. 29, not 30.

[gruber92]

Two hitters have a season:

Hitter A: .240 AVG, .350 wOBA

Hitter B: .300 AVG, .350 wOBA

 

Assuming same park, age, competition, sample size, leverage, etc. Who is likely the better hitter?

 

Wouldn't they be the same, since their offensive contributions are equal? Be nice..

[Boxcar]

I get what he's saying but it seems like a battle you can't win. It's like trying to get people to stop calling four strikeouts a golden sombrero when originally that was a sombrero and the golden sombrero was 5 strikeouts OR that Mario Mendoza's career BA is .215 not .200 OR that the terms stoppers and closers aren't supposed to mean the same thing OR that the term West Coast offense didn't originate with the San Francisco 49ers, etc.

 

Too much dumbness to fight all at once.

[Spanky99]

Too much dumbness to fight all at once.

 

We have the CEEB line now, mate.

[gruber92]

Too much dumbness to fight all at once.

 

Who the f*** do you think you are, seriously.

[LongTimeReader]

Who the f*** do you think you are, seriously.

 

His attitude is a cover for his shame and anxiety. He uses derogatory remarks to try and boost his self-esteem (to no avail). By demeaning others he feels empowered, if only temporarily. Most likely he was treated similar by his peers or family at a younger age and now he needs to lash out at others. I also suspect an all-around incompetence in his "real life". That should answer your question, rhetorical or not.

[Spanky99]

His attitude is a cover for his shame and anxiety. He uses derogatory remarks to try and boost his self-esteem (to no avail). By demeaning others he feels empowered, if only temporarily. Most likely he was treated similar by his peers or family at a younger age and now he needs to lash out at others. I also suspect an all-around incompetence in his "real life". That should answer your question, rhetorical or not.

 

lol...kind of like the Bald thing Phil?!

[Spanky99]

Who the f*** do you think you are, seriously.

 

lol...why so mad, he was talking about casuals?

[gruber92]

lol...why so mad, he was talking about casuals?

 

No he wasn't. Casuals aren't familiar with that type of terminology. The guy is just an insecure prick.

[Spanky99]

No he wasn't. Casuals aren't familiar with that type of terminology. The guy is just an insecure prick.

 

You guys should fight...IRL?

[Boxcar]

Who the f*** do you think you are, seriously.

 

Is that a question? You didn't phrase it properly, so I have to ask.

[Zaun of the Dead]

first post. i would go

 

Reyes 6

Martin 2

Bautista 9

Encarnacion 1

Donaldson 5

Navarro 0

Saunders 7

pillar / pompey 8

goins 4

 

with slight variations. assume Smoak will get lots of playing time as well with Edwin DHing.

[Spanky99]

first post. i would go

 

Reyes 6

Martin 2

Bautista 9

Encarnacion 1

Donaldson 5

Navarro 0

Saunders 7

pillar / pompey 8

goins 4

 

with slight variations. assume Smoak will get lots of playing time as well with Edwin DHing.

 

Are you that guy?

[SpeedyGose]

I'm with you on Lind...I reeeeeally hated that move. Although, I do think he talked his way out of town. *sighs*

 

Lind only played 130 games in one of the last 4 seasons. I don't see it as a huge loss honestly

[Spanky99]

Lind only played 130 games in one of the last 4 seasons. I don't see it as a huge loss honestly

 

They made a stride in actually taking him out against LHP'ing. Add a 4th OF'er or INF'er that rakes lefties, that's a cheap and productive DH.

[KingKat]

first post..

 

Love the name.

[SpeedyGose]

They made a stride in actually taking him out against LHP'ing. Add a 4th OF'er or INF'er that rakes lefties, that's a cheap and productive DH.

 

Not just that. I recognize he is still a good hitter, however, two of the last three seasons he has played under 100 games. Consistently battling injuries and on the wrong side of 30 - I don't blame them for not wanting him to use a roster spot + get some value for him while they could.

[Spanky99]

Not just that. I recognize he is still a good hitter, however, two of the last three seasons he has played under 100 games. Consistently battling injuries and on the wrong side of 30 - I don't blame them for not wanting him to use a roster spot + get some value for him while they could.

 

Estrada isn't value bro, Lind holds much more when used properly, the foot incident was both freaky and BS, last year.