Around Baseball 2019

[Bobthe4th]

So is the Machado deal good or bad for baseball? I mean a player getting $300m in any sport is huge, but distracts from the real area of concern with MLB (player earnings during years 0-6). I wonder if Manny and Bryce’s impending deal makes the MLBPA pause a bit. Lord knows Tony Clark only cares about free agency.

 

A team that isn't expected to be a contender for at least a year being willing to spend in free agency is good, but yeah it shouldn't take away from career earnings for the majority of players not being fair value.

[BTS]

Haha, ********:

 

Padres clubhouse reacts to adding Eric Hosmer

 

Friars on Hosmer: "I couldn't be more excited"

San Diego clubhouse features multiple former Royals, who rave about new first baseman

 

https://tht.fangraphs.com/learning-the-language-of-the-clubhouse/

[Bobthe4th]

https://tht.fangraphs.com/learning-the-language-of-the-clubhouse/

 

You can do better than that, haha. A "reporter" tries to ask questions and he doesn't even know who the players are. That's like a stereotype of the classic baseball analytics basement dwelling nerd who just looks at spreadsheets and never watches the games haha.

[TheHurl]

This isn't an attack on you Bob, this is directed at the Padres. But this is one of the dumbest tropes in all of sports. Veteran presents.

 

Cubs say the same things about Heyward. When a team is winning a championship it's an easier sell that he has more value than his numbers. Now there is struggles in Cubbieland and he's just overpaid.

[TheHurl]

I do agree that its importance is overblown, especially by old school sports people. However, I do think clubhouse leadership can help. Pretending it doesn't matter at all is a flaw of analytics IMO. Players are human after all.

 

For context, they weren't saying that they were only signing him as a leader, but they were saying that it was a big part of why they'd identified him as a target compared to other all star level infielders (as they and many others rated him at the time).

 

I've always said , a bad clubhouse can sink a talented team. A good clubhouse can't raise an untalented team though. We see teams bringing in professionals now to build "culture", you don't try and put a player in that role.

[Bobthe4th]

Cubs say the same things about Heyward. When a team is winning a championship it's an easier sell that he has more value than his numbers. Now there is struggles in Cubbieland and he's just overpaid.

 

That's the thing - and TBF the Padres are the same - the on field performance has to be good as well. Heyward and Hosmer went from a combined 9.7 WAR in their free agent years to 0.9 WAR in the first year of their free agent deals. It doesn't matter how much clubhouse leadership you provide at that point, i.e. see Tulo.

[BTS]

You can do better than that, haha. A "reporter" tries to ask questions and he doesn't even know who the players are. That's like a stereotype of the classic baseball analytics basement dwelling nerd who just looks at spreadsheets and never watches the games haha.

 

It's interesting, how much you can learn about a person from a few interactions. Like, that interview was four years ago and Hosmer was completely dismissive of Eno's attempt to discuss FB rates. Fast forward four years, and he's a replacement-level player in no small part because he doesn't put the ball in the air. Similarly, if there's anyone out there whose vetrin presents is worth 120M, he's probably not clowning on uncomfortable young reporters in the clubhouse because they didn't know what he looked like and asked questions about math.

[Bobthe4th]

I've always said , a bad clubhouse can sink a talented team. A good clubhouse can't raise an untalented team though. We see teams bringing in professionals now to build "culture", you don't try and put a player in that role.

 

Well there's no substitute for talent obviously. But a good player with experience who helps younger players can add value that isn't captured by WAR. Practically things like in game advice, but also being a good example in training, preparation, routine etc. Role models can help some people in "real life" especially for younger less experienced people, so it's just common sense that it'd translate to sports too.

[Laika]

That's the thing - and TBF the Padres are the same - the on field performance has to be good as well. Heyward and Hosmer went from a combined 9.7 WAR in their free agent years to 0.9 WAR in the first year of their free agent deals. It doesn't matter how much clubhouse leadership you provide at that point, i.e. see Tulo.

 

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/know-your-latin-i-e-vs-e-g/

[Bobthe4th]

It's interesting, how much you can learn about a person from a few interactions. Like, that interview was four years ago and Hosmer was completely dismissive of Eno's attempt to discuss FB rates. Fast forward four years, and he's a replacement-level player in no small part because he doesn't put the ball in the air. Similarly, if there's anyone out there whose vetrin presents is worth 120M, he's probably not clowning on uncomfortable young reporters in the clubhouse because they didn't know what he looked like and asked questions about math.

 

Wat

[Laika]

Hosmer is possibly one of the worst leaders a baseball team could have. This is a bad combination:

 

- Seems like a close-minded idiot

- Seems to exude alpha-male leadership traits

 

There's nothing like a born leader who, thanks to charisma or traditional good looks or god-given talent, can successfully convince his followers to adhere to sub-optimal methods of practice.

[Captain Adama]

Well there's no substitute for talent obviously. But a good player with experience who helps younger players can add value that isn't captured by WAR. Practically things like in game advice, but also being a good example in training, preparation, routine etc. Role models can help some people in "real life" especially for younger less experienced people, so it's just common sense that it'd translate to sports too.

 

Where you're wrong is, if this is actually helpful, it would better a young player's production and thus, lead to an increase in WAR of the young players around them.

 

Something Eric Hosmer has never done.

[TheHurl]

Hosmer is possibly one of the worst leaders a baseball team could have. This is a bad combination:

 

- Seems like a close-minded idiot

- Seems to exude alpha-male leadership traits

 

That's why Nox loved him so much. They are the same person

[Bobthe4th]

Where you're wrong is, if this is actually helpful, it would better a young player's production and thus, lead to an increase in WAR.

 

It wouldn't for the player who is the role model.

 

There's also no way to quantify the impact on the others, which is why it can't be included in a spreadsheet, and therefore isn't real to some people.

[Laika]

It wouldn't for the player who is the role model.

 

There's also no way to quantify the impact on the others, which is why it can't be included in a spreadsheet, and therefore isn't real to some people.

 

[Carlos Danger]

Hosmer is possibly one of the worst leaders a baseball team could have. This is a bad combination:

 

- Seems like a close-minded idiot

- Seems to exude alpha-male leadership traits

 

There's nothing like a born leader who, thanks to charisma or traditional good looks or god-given talent, can successfully convince his followers to adhere to sub-optimal methods of practice.

 

Hosmer says kiss his World Series Ring with that dirty mouth. Also, there is much documented evidence of Hosmer being the driving force of leadership behind the 2014 WS team and the 2015 WS Champion team.. Sorry Fangraphs boy got butt hurt, but not being an analytic disciple is not equal to not being a good leader, player, clubhouse presence or a winner.

[Terminator]

I don't mind a team spending with the anticipation that their farm will control costs for the next 5 years when the competitive window is opened up. I mean their payroll was under $70M in 2017. Then they threw stupid money at Hosmer and a needless extension to Myers. That's all they have spent on though (and now Machado) (60% of the payroll will be on three players). Like I said it depends on what they do from here. They still aren't competing now and so much of it depends what they do with it...but I don't think this move is as bad as the Hosmer or Myers ones.

 

I agree with this. Teams are swimming with cash right now. The main problem I have with it is that the last 3-4 years of the deal are going to be where this deal hurts the team. So the team needs to capitalize on years 1-6 of the deal in order to make it worth it. Well the Pads aren't immediate contenders so it shrinks the years in which this deal is actually going to help them.

 

If the Jays were ready to contend I'd think it'd be a good idea to offer a similar deal for Harper. But they aren't so it doesn't make sense to pay top dollar for 2 years where we waste Harper's prime.

[Laika]

Hosmer says kiss his World Series Ring with that dirty mouth. Also, there is much documented evidence of Hosmer being the driving force of leadership behind the 2014 WS team and the 2015 WS Champion team.. Sorry Fangraphs boy got butt hurt, but not being an analytic disciple is not equal to not being a good leader, player, clubhouse presence or a winner.

 

I have considered your point. It's not a very good point. Have a nice day.

[Terminator]

Here's Eric Hosmer bringing those veteran presents to the Pads' infield defense. You can tell he's really inspiring the young guys to play smart, veteran baseball. Well worth the $150 million.

 

 

I also hear he's in the best shape of his life this spring and is primed to have a big season. Plus, there is no way Machado signs without another star in the fold. So in essence Hosmer started this Padre renaissance. He and Machado are going to add a lot of star power that San Diego simply hasn't had in the past and it's going to elevate the Padres play this season. The only question is can the young players handle the spotlight? With Eric Hosmer providing his veteran presents I think they can. Look at what he did in Kansas City. Watch out for San Diego.

[Laika]

Here's Eric Hosmer bringing those veteran presents to the Pads' infield defense. You can tell he's really inspiring the young guys to play smart, veteran baseball. Well worth the $150 million.

 

 

I also hear he's in the best shape of his life this spring and is primed to have a big season. Plus, there is no way Machado signs without another star in the fold. So in essence Hosmer started this Padre renaissance. He and Machado are going to add a lot of star power that San Diego simply hasn't had in the past and it's going to elevate the Padres play this season. The only question is can the young players handle the spotlight? With Eric Hosmer providing his veteran presents I think they can. Look at what he did in Kansas City. Watch out for San Diego.

 

Eric Hosmer says kiss his WS CHAMPION ring with that dirty video, you butthurt youtube boi

 

We play this game on the FIELD with BARRELS. Not on youtube!

[BTS]

Here's Eric Hosmer bringing those veteran presents to the Pads' infield defense. You can tell he's really inspiring the young guys to play smart, veteran baseball. Well worth the $150 million.

 

 

I also hear he's in the best shape of his life this spring and is primed to have a big season. Plus, there is no way Machado signs without another star in the fold. So in essence Hosmer started this Padre renaissance. He and Machado are going to add a lot of star power that San Diego simply hasn't had in the past and it's going to elevate the Padres play this season. The only question is can the young players handle the spotlight? With Eric Hosmer providing his veteran presents I think they can. Look at what he did in Kansas City. Watch out for San Diego.

 

The metrics show him as a mediocre defensive 1B, but when you watch him with the good old fashioned eye test, you really understand why he's a 4-time gold glover.

[Terminator]

The metrics show him as a mediocre defensive 1B, but when you watch him with the good old fashioned eye test, you really understand why he's a 4-time gold glover.

 

He's just so ATHLETIC out there.

[Bobthe4th]

The metrics show him as a mediocre defensive 1B, but when you watch him with the good old fashioned eye test, you really understand why he's a 4-time gold glover.

 

It's really quite bizarre that since 2013 in odd years he has a WAR of 3.1, 3.5 then 4.1, compared to even years of -0.2, 0.2, and -0.1. Will 2019 break the trend?

[Terminator]

It's really quite bizarre that since 2013 in odd years he has a WAR of 3.1, 3.5 then 4.1, compared to even years of -0.2, 0.2, and -0.1. Will 2019 break the trend?

 

That is a little weird. He's probably like a true talent 2 WAR player but has wildly varying results year to year for some reason.

[Laika]

It's just such a huge weight to be a real leader and carry an entire clubhouse on your back. Impossible to perform every year with a team on your shoulders.

[Boxcar]

That is a little weird. He's probably like a true talent 2 WAR player but has wildly varying results year to year for some reason.

 

I never really considered vetrin presents to have such a large impact. Maybe we should offer Smoak like 8/150

[Terminator]

Here we go boys, Hosmer has weighed in on the Machado signing and word is he LOVES it.

 

[Boxcar]

Here we go boys, Hosmer has weighed in on the Machado signing and word is he LOVES it.

 

 

Clearly keeping Eric Hosmer happy is super important.

[Terminator]

The other veteran on the team LOVES the signing too. Good reporting here.

 

[Bobthe4th]

That is a little weird. He's probably like a true talent 2 WAR player but has wildly varying results year to year for some reason.

 

Yeah I guess. Which would mean that on WAR $ at $8m a year the Padres valued his off the field impact as $4m a year, haha.