2011: 31-19
2010: 28-22
2009: 30-20
2008: 27-23
2007: 26-24
Series WPA (this one is for the last 2 series)
I’m going to try this out for a bit – essentially adding up the WPA for each of the games in the series to see who had the biggest impact on the series…
Top 3
1. Ryan Howard, 0.403
2. Domonic Brown, 0.372
3. Ryan Madson, 0.255
Bottom 3
1. Vance Worley, -0.411
2. Cliff Lee, -0.337
3. Placido Polanco, -0.312
Good News
- Domonic Brown! Finally given the chance to really play every day at the big league level, he’s shown flashes of the raw talent that has made him untouchable the last couple years. After struggling in his first couple games, he’s 10 for his last 20, and almost had the game winning hit yesterday if not for a great catch by Laynce Nix. Hopefully Charlie realizes soon that Brown hit lefties just fine in the minors.
- Jose Contreras has still yet to give up a run this year…
- Hopefully the success of Mike Stutes and Antonio Bastardo will teach both Ruben and Charlie that experience isn’t always better than young and cheap in the bullpen.
Bad News
- Cliff Lee continues to get pinched by the big inning. He’s got plenty of time to turn it around, I will judge whether or not his contract was worth it by his October numbers, but it’s certainly frustrating to watch him go from dominant to batting-practice in the blink of an eye.
- I’m going to be very annoyed if John Mayberry Jr., and not Michael Martinez is sent down tomorrow when Victorino returns. I know we have to keep Martinez on the roster, but he has shown nothing to me other than he’s Wilson Valdez w/o the elite defense and pitching skills. I guess they would either be thinking that they’d rather have Mayberry playing everyday, or, they need Martinez as insurance for Utley/Rollins.
- I guess Vance Worley is human after all… good move to send him to the minors and stretch him out there though.
- Still waiting for Utley to get going…
- We only have 2 players over an .800 OPS (Victorino, Howard) and none over .850. This could be considered good (if this means many players are due for a hot streak) or bad (if our guys are just getting older and this is what they are now).
Prospect Update
I am working on a full-out update on the system, so I’m skipping this…
Series Preview: Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates aren’t nearly as bad as they’ve been the last couple years, and they appear to be finally moving in the right direction in terms of developing a decent farm system. I imagine there will be a lot of Phillies’ fans out there at beautiful PNC Park this weekend.
Probable Pitchers
Friday (7:05): Hamels (2.4 WAR) vs. RHP Jeff Karstens (0.3 WAR)
Saturday (7:05): Kendrick (0.5 WAR) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (1.6 WAR)
Sunday (1:35): Halladay (3.6 WAR) vs. RHP James McDonald (0.0 WAR)
3 questions for the series
- Matt Diaz!?!? Noooooooooooooooo!!
- Is Charlie Morton really the next Roy Halladay?
- Can you trade us Andrew McCutchen please?
Series Expectations
With Utley and Brown in the line-up, Ibanez hitting well and Victorino back, we should really be able to put up some runs against these 3 RHP’s, but with Kendrick pitching and our offense’s famous ability to get Tim Redding’d, I’m not gusty enough to say sweep. We take 2 of 3.
Some Extra Stuff – the MLB Franchise Draft
As we talked about somewhat in the comments, ESPN held a “franchise draft” this week, essentially picking the top 30 players you would want to start a franchise with (contract not included).
As with most ESPN things, the concept was good, the execution and intelligence that went into the actual picking, not so much. Wilson Ramos went in the 1st round, and Rick Sutcliffe decided to start his team with a closer (Feliz). Miguel Cabrera (he’s 28, people) wasn’t picked, and Mike Trout went 12th, one of many “upside” picks and people went nuts on catchers.
I love listing things, so here is my list (which of course is 100% perfect) of the top-30 players I would start my franchise with…
- Evan Longoria, 25, Tampa Bay, 3B
- Troy Tulowitzki, 26, Colorado, SS
- Felix Hernandez, 25, Seattle, RHP
- Ryan Braun, 27, Milwaukee, OF
- Joey Votto, 27, Cincinnati, 1B
- Bryce Harper, 18, Washington, OF
- Tim Lincecum, 27, San Francisco, RHP
- Clayton Kershaw, 23, Los Angeles, LHP
- Jon Lester, 27, Boston, LHP
- Adrian Gonzalez, 29, Boston, 1B
- Justin Verlander, 28, Detroit
- Justin Upton, 23, Arizona, OF
- Ryan Zimmerman, 26, Washington, 3B
- Miguel Cabrera, 28, Detroit, 1B
- Hanley Ramirez, 27, Florida, SS
- Robinson Cano, 28, New York, 2B
- Jason Heyward, 21, Atlanta, OF
- Mike Stanton, 21, Florida, OF
- Cole Hamels, 27, Philadelphia, LHP
- Stephen Strasburg, 22, Washington, RHP
- Josh Johnson, 27, Florida, RHP
- Jay Bruce, 24, Cincinnati, OF
- Joe Mauer, 28, Minnesota, C
- Albert Pujols, 31, St. Louis, 1B
- Carlos Santana, 25, Cleveland, C
- Buster Posey, 24, San Francisco, C
- Andrew McCutchen, 24, Pittsburgh, OF
- David Price, 25, Tampa Bay, LHP
- Tommy Hanson, 24, Atlanta, RHP
- Jered Weaver, 28, Anaheim, RHP
- Mike Trout, 19, Anaheim, OF
Feel free to discuss in the comments…
What’s your rationale for putting Hamels above Josh Johnson?
Max -
If it were a one-year thing, I’d take Johnson.
But, Johnson has an injury history (pitched just over 100 innings in 2007-08 combined, and was pulled early last year) – and considering how hard he throws, I just don’t know about his long-term health.
Guys who last longer tend to have dominant secondary pitches, and Hamels secondary pitches are better, IMO.
So it was really a risk/reward thing, and I went with who I thought was less risky.
I have to find a place for Jay Bruce in there. I don’t know hiw home/road splits, it’s possible Cincy, friendly park that it is to hitters may dress him up a little, but he’s young and growing. The Reds did will to lock him up. I’d take my chances on him over Harper and Stanton because he still has many prime years left, and he’s more accomplished than them at this point. I like some degree of win now mentality in this draft. I don’t think deleting Pujols from the list would be bad. I wouldn’t have picked anyone over 28 years old.
I definitely agree on holding enthusiasm under the lid on Josh because of injury concerns. It’s a legit concern as to if he’ll ever be a 9 inning guy.
I recall looking at Dom’s splits against lefties last year, and they were good. This year, he was 6-19 with the Pigs. Home run included. It’s not about the stats though. It’s about the at bats. He’s got a presence, and a batting eye right now. On his appearance yesterday, he didn’t bite on a ball low and away, then smacked a near perfectly placed liner, against a lefty that would have observors up in arms over continuing to platoon if Nix doesn’t make that play. He looks great at the plate, and I like that Charlie is at least giving him minimal exposure against the lefties. Yet, I find myself feeling pretty comfortable with the pace at which they are bringing him along. For now.
Jay Bruce was the first “after-the-fact” guy where I was like “oh, crap – forgot about him”
I put him in there.
Pujols is in there only cause I think he will turn it around this year, if he doesn’t he would obviously drop off.
I don’t think charlie will keep up with a platoon for long. He was pretty emphatic that brown was going to be worked into an every day role as much as possible when he first came up.
Love what I’m seeing out of Bastardo & Stutes. It would cost a fortune to go out on the market and try got get guys who can do what they’ve been doing.
Will be interesting to see what happens with the 5th pitcher spot. Worley’s pitches didn’t look nearly as sharp in his last two outings as they did before Blanton came back. Hopefully its just because he was bounced in and out of the pen so early in the year. We all know how Blanton needs a good few outings to find his groove – hopefully he won’t have to start from scratch when (if) he finally figures that elbow out.
I also love lists like this.
Not sure how you can hate on Trout and then put Harper SIXTH. Trout has been killing it in the minors, living up to all the hype, and is more MLB ready than Harper, and I don’t think Harper is going to be playing Catcher anymore so that’s no longer a plus. I’m sure the argument for Harper being higher is perfectly valid but if anything they’re tomato-tomahto; I don’t see the 25 player gap between the two.
Also, if you’re gonna go nuts with all those catchers (see: Santana, Carlos), I’d probably have McCann somewhere in the 20s. Seems like he’s been around forever but he’s only 27.
Another sad note, just 1 or 2 short years ago, a healthy Utley would have been top 5 on this list, with an argument to be #1 (and of course I’m not biased).
You will find a lot of variation with the real young guys because it depends on how you think they project out.
Harper – Everything I’ve read about him is that he is a once-in-a-generation prospect, similar to a LeBron James. His power is off-the-charts. It’s a risk-reward, for sure, to put him that high – but his numbers (1.055 OPS, 13 HR, at age 18 in A) back up the hype so far…
Trout – Obviously a big-time prospect, but unlike Harper, he doesn’t have the “one-in-a-million” tag for me. A big part of his value appears to be speed and defense. He can certainly hit, but I’m not convinced he’ll be an ELITE hitter. However, I went with a good amount of “safer” options, so him being on the list means I think he’ll be an all-star for sure…
Santana – I LOOVE this kid. In terms of him vs. McCann, I think (obviously, based on the rankings) he will end up better than McCann. His plate discipline is outstanding (77 BB, 63 K in 403 career PA, .387 OBP) and his power and hitting will come. I think he has MVP-upside. .300 BA, .420 OBP, .500 SLG%, 30 HR, 100 RBI type year. McCann career averages are .290/.360/.490. So this one is just a matter of my high regard for Carlos.
From 2005-2008, Utley would have probably been top-5 (tear…)
I agree with Pete on the 2005-2008 timeframe for Utley. Which slightly exceeds the 2 year timeframe. But even 2 years ago, just from memory, and not validating actual numbers, it seems like Dustin Pedroia, Joe Mauer, maybe David Wright, maybe Matt Holiday, maybe Matt Kemp would have made the list. I’d think that if you did this annually, there would be 20-25% turnover each year (6-7 players). So it’s a shame that Chase might have just been a candidate 2 years ago, but he’s not unique.
Utley, I believe, was 30 2 years ago, maybe 31. I can definitely see the rare talents getting play (Stanton, Harper, Trout, Heyward, Posey), allowing for projection, but why would you take someone 30 or older? We’re not talking real life where an Albert Pujols (31) is a very attractive free agent because you don’t have all these choices, but rather the freedom to choose from 1/projection, 2/young still with experience and still a long future, or 3/a current superstar. The middle category seems the way to go by a wide margin. So Chase, at 30 then very likely wouldn’t have made my list past 2008 at the latest.
David Wright was a hell of an offensive player before he got beaned in the dome (and the mets moved to the grand canyon… i mean citi field). To hear mets fans tell it (i happen to have some friends from NYC), his defense was never stellar, but he definitly looked to be on track to have an Utley-esqe prime ahead of him.
I considered Wright as well. He’s 28, plays a premium position and is good at just about everything. But since they moved to Shitty Field, he’s dropped off considerably. I’d argue he might have been #1 on this list after 2007 or 2008.
I can’t believe no one would want Doc Halliday. He seems in his prime right now, and will eat innings which a new franchise would need. You can get 250 innings possibly from doc, the youngsters would probably just be injured. I bet the nationals would be happy to get 150 from Strasburg his first full year
But look how many pitchers will give you more than Doc in 5 years, let alone 10 or 15. The draft wasn’t about winning this year. if it was, you draft Doc first, and your work is done.
If we’re really talking about building a true roster with this hypothetical draft, i think you need to look to have a good mix of youth & experience. I’d want guys to set a good example in the clubhouse, be leaders etc. I can understand why the outstanding young talent would go first, but i’d probably take Doc over one of the less proven youngsters
exactly. I am not saying number 1, but in the top 30 I would definately want him. In 5 years, Doc will hopefully still be in the bigs. I would wager half the youngsters on the list never make it. Was it the Rockies, who made a playoff appearence pretty quick in there existence? Thay had a good mix (but on the older side), the Marlins went the other route. Marlin won a WS, but only when they opened up for some big eteran free agents. I know there not an expansion team, but I would not take the route of the mighty Nationals, maybe someday all stars.
In 5 years, Doc will hopefully still be in the bigs>>
Not to sound picky, but that statement alone shows you’re lack of conviction to your statement.
Regarding the Rockies, what does their success have to do with picking Halladay? Who did they select that bears resemblance to Doc’s situation that makes you think that would work?
Regarding half the young playesr on the list don’t make it, c’mon. That is a highly talented lot. It’s not close to half, so the risk of tying up a pick, versus the reward of result is exactly what should push you toward spending ygour most valuble picks on youth.
wow, where to start? first, its baseball, no one is guarenteed the major leagues. How many people on the Phillies have never been hurt/ on the DL while with the team? I cant guarentee anyone will be playing in the major leagues in 5 years. I have no conviction for fantasy sports, that is probably opretty correct. I have a life and cant afford random postings every 1 to 2 minutes. I have human friends and family. But I dont mind a wager. Prospect are what they are. You cant be that stupid to think cant miss prospects, really never miss, CAN YOU? Why play Dominic Brown, just make him a bust for cooperstown. As for the Rockies, I was just stating that as an expansions team they had a pretty good/ quick start by mixing veterans in with there roster. ANd what makes this all silly, is no gets the pick of whoever they want, but the rockies still picked veterans off the scrap heap, which is where expansion teams really get to pick from, Imagine if they were allowed to pick whoever they wanted. I am not digging up ancient rockies rosters, but when they had the expansion draft, they took alot of vets and had some success. I can guarentee if there picking vets off the scrap heap, if they could have, like this make believe exercise, there is no rational reason to believe they would not have picked a multi cy young winner/ best starting pitcher if they could, even though he is 30+. I will gladly wager Doc wins more games than any pitcher on that list ocer the next five years. Its not a guarentee, but I will put my money where my mouth is. I will give you 2 to 1 odds he appears in more all star games in the next years than anyone on that list not currently in the majors.
Well, Mayberry did get cut. I’m not so bothered by his departure as I am keeping Ross Gload on the active roster.
That, as opposed to cutting Michael Martinez.
Let’s deal with Martinez first. That’s easy. He offers speed, some defensive versatility, although the calibre of his glovework is questionable, and of course the perhaps overdramatized Rule 5 complication. Anyway, a fair amount of people will begrudge Martinez, even though Mayberry isn’t exactly an awesome sure thing prospect.
I wanted to see Gload on the DL, and Mayberry kept. This is based on the assumption that Gload can’t do anything recept hit. That liklihood has been well publicized. But there’s more to it than that to me. When JW split, leaving a lefty accented lineup, let alone with Dom Brown heading toward a lot of at bats, a legit concern was the need for a righty stick. Gload, to me, became even less of an asset when Werth left, being a lefty batter. I’m not saying he should have been dumped in favor of a righty off the bench, but if he can’t play now, why do you option a guy who hits righty, has shown pretty good results as a pinch hitter, could back up Raul in left, let alone be used as a defensive replacement there, back up Shane in center, and back up Howard at first.
Not to mention the Charlie statement the other day that if they do go without Gload, they will seek another lefty hitter. We got lefty hitters up the yin yang.
So I don’t begrudge Martinez, much as it’s pretty apparent he’s got a limited skill set. And Gload, the way things work, probably rips a game winning hit darned soon to shut me up, but I can see where this move wasn’t handled as beneficially as could have been.
C’est la vie.
I pretty much agree that the smart move is to either DL Gload or send Martinez back. I can see keeping Gload around to a certain extent (as long as he keeps hitting – seems like the injury has affected his swing a bit?) because he is an excellent pinch hitter, and that a tough commodity to replace. No really sure what they see in Martinez though. I’d even consider DFA’ing Francisco – he’s basically a similar player to mayberry offensively, but doesn’t give you nearly as much in other areas of the game.
I will say though, that in the long run it probably makes sense to let mayberry get every day playing time down on the farm. He’d probably just be riding the bench most of the time up here anyway. He’ll get another shot next year to step up & take ibanez’ spot.
Sequel to the sequel, Mayberry RFD: “Mayberry NE Extension.” Jr. looks like a player but hasn’t batted like a player often enough. ‘Useful, with blemishes’ aka ‘expendable’ – at least for time being. A well-mannered, intelligent kid back to the bushes.
The real “Mayberry” is Mount Airy, North Carolina; Andy Griffith – UNC, Class of ’49 - was born and raised there. It’s located in NW NC, not far from the VA border. Pilot Mountain is nearby (Mt. Pilot is a fictionalized town named in its honor). Floyd, Howard, Barney, Thelma Lou, Goober, Helen, Opie, Aunt Bee, Otis - with Andy batting clean-up … a team for the ages!
Stanton too low?
Finally, we heard the following prediction this week from a scout who isn’t normally prone to volcanic gushing:
Mike Stanton is going to hit 600 home runs. Right, 600.
And how many young hitters has this scout ever said that about? “None,” he said, laughing. “He’s the only guy. But it’s not just me. Ask any manager or coach in the big leagues and say, ‘Pick one guy who could hit 600 home runs.’ They’ll all say Mike Stanton. He’s amazing.”
Bob Bailey, Rick Reichardt, Mike Epstein and Ron Blomberg were also amazing hitting specimens once.
Didn’t the Phillies consider signing Matt Diaz as that extra bat?
The rumor mills did. He got mention. Where his name went in club discussions, I don’t know. Twoxsepearate categories.
One funny thing about Pete’s list, and recollection of the 30 guys actually selected.
Some guys are given projections status, and some guys overlooked for off years. Well, Hanley is at least. So one guy, anyway. And Strassburg, off in another way.
But a couple other names that would have seemed worthy of consideration thathaven’t even come up in discussion. One guy, I mentioned in the original comments, Adam Wainright (not sure of his age, I’m thinking 27-28), who’s out similarly to Strassburg. Aroldis Chapman. Assuming he’s actually 21, maybe 22 now, and that he actually throws as hard as he does, when he learns to really pitch, he’s gonna be something else. And Justin Smoak, who we’ll get some better sight of when we play the Mariners soon.
Add Ubaldo to this list also.
And Jeremy Hellickson might well be a candidate for first round selection.
As a tweetist who shall remain anonymous twitted a short time ago, we’re in first place by 2 lengths, and finally on June 3 (happy birthday, Billy Cunningham) have our best lineup set to go.
Thus, the weekend prediction/hope/expectation* is we gonna rock onto Electric Avenue, and then we’ll take it higher.
*Even with Kendrick pitching.
Twitted – a happily serendipitous typo or an apt turn of phrase. Either way I like it.
Utley and rollins get it done. Just like old times
Cole hamels hitting .286. Of today’s starters, only brown & Polanco are better in that department
One of your more pedestrian 8 I 1-hitters … 58 strikes/40 balls … get lead; 4-pitch walk to first batter afterwards, the dangerous .234 Ronny Cedeno. Bunt. Wild pitch. Fly ball. Game tied. Way to hold ‘em Hollywood. Don’t get mad, get better. Grasp every opportunity. Your high bucks and high profile demand it. Have a long conversation over wine with Steve of Colorado. Until you seal deals such as last night, you’re good but not vintage.
Hawaiian eye: Willie Mays or Endy Chavez might’ve caught that line drive to center.
The dwindle: 96.6 win pace.
MLB’s not-wide divide: Worst case Twins 14.5 games back of best case Phils, with 28 “sandwich” teams fighting Wild Card hunger across America.
Seems I did a post about 2-3 weeks ago that wound up leading to a subtitle of the NASA Report based on some rocket science way of thinking in an attempt to guess at an end to a slump. Welcome to more rocket scientist reference.
Amongst us is a rocket scientist who first procliams words to the prcise beat of ” I would wager half the youngsters on the list never make it”. Called on the ignorance of his statement, based on the phrase young guys, which unquestionably includes the Heywards, Poseys, Stantons and the like of the list, the clown backs off, and decides he meant “Prospect are what they are. You cant be that stupid to think cant miss prospects, really never miss,” as his logic begind the absurd statement. Aside from Harper and Trout, where are all the prospects on the list that constitute this guess of 50% don’t make it. For those scoring at home, prospect is in the P section of Webster’s, youngsters is in a section that wouldn’t score well if turns were based on alphabetical order. And for those who’ve graduated Baseball 101, not all these young guys are gonna “make it”. But half? Your chances of half from Harper and Trout isn’t very good, let alone the quality of player in the list.
Then, playing off his revelation that he has friends and family, even though he leaves out that he posts too often, he segues with BUT I don’t mind a wager. And a pathetic wager it is. Taking it upon himself to fall in the fallacy of pitcher’s wins being of substantial meaning, behind the protection of internet anonymity, this guy, who already has shown a weak sense of risk reward understanding by placing Doc in the top 30 of the draft tries to bully his way into sounding bright by offering to wager that The Good Doctor will win more games in the next 5 years than anyone on the list. Now this of course, is possible. It ain’t happenin, but when you go from “hopefully, Doc will be in the bigs in 5 years” to showing so little respect for US dollars that you want to bet on any from an entire field of studs, it’s pretty apparent how much legitimate perspective the guy’s got.
Again, this would be exercise was based on all players. You got Doc, at 34, possibly even 36, maybe even 37 available in an expansion draft, from a list of 20 average to mediocore players, you maybe grab him. But when you got the entire field, including near sure fire prospects not old enough to legally buy a drink, you gotta be at best of different thinking than my singular opinion, but now we’ve come to see what worse case scenario is. Weak. Tres, tres weak.
What a joke. Mayberry recalled as Gload vamooses for paternity leave. Mayberyy needs to crack 4 homers tonight, and Daddy Ross needs to totaly ruin his hip playing baby in the air, and we still may see them get this sucker right.
“Paternity leave list” … Holy Pampers! MLB and Ross are so evolved. Can’t miss those opening exercises for something silly like a job. I’ll never forget the look on my absent father’s face ages ago. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.
Mayberry NE Extension is brought to you by PA Turnpike EZPass, the maker of revenue and toll booth confusion. Tonight’s episode: “Allegheny Moon.” Stay tuned.
My comment wasn’t a shot at the paternity leave. I actually think that’s a good thing. Nor am I missing the logistics of why Mayberry wound up leaving and coming back so fast. Nor am I down on Gload. I’m down on an unhealthy Gload, for sure. And of course it’s guesswork from a fan’s vantage point as to just how unhealthy he is.
If you like the paternity leave and understand Mayberry logistics, what was the “joke” then?
it’s just an expression of frustration that they cut Mayberry and kept Gload. Then the irony of the 24 hour “tease” if you will. No big deal.
Ashame about this team. They should be no worse that 42-15.
Very impressed with Hamels – now ace of the staff. Whip of 0.5 last night and didn’t have his best stuff. And he steps up and blamed himself – pointed no fingers at the 8 other guys who didn’t earn a paycheck. He should have 10 wins by now. This team has quickly transformed into the new regular season champs, postseason chumps – cay you say Atlanta Braves? There is not a team out there that will be intimidate to face them in a series short or long. If this is what they are, then lucky to in a round.
Not sure how you can take Zimmerman that high. He is way too injury prone. Look at the # of games he has played in the last 4 years. With age, that is unlikely to improve.
Think both Heyward and Stanton too high also. And since when did the HR suddenly become so valuable? I thought that was an outdated stat. Stanton brings neither speed nor defense.
Very impressed with Hamels – now ace of the staff>>
I read a post elsewhere this week that headlined “Cole Hamels is Phillies Best Pitcher.” I’m pretty much (not to be confused with entirely) of the position he’s having the best year, which is a little different.
Think both Heyward and Stanton too high also.>>
The other fascinating thing about this draft process is like Pete has Felix 3rd. While I’m not denouncing the importance of pitching, Felix is only gonna directly hep you one out of every 5 days, at most 35 games a year. Heyward and Stanton, and the other everyday players are gonna perform their triats of excellence, whatever those specific areas are about 150 times a year. For first round talent, especially early, I’d probably be looking more for an everyday player than a pitcher. Wherever Stanton and Heyward belong, it’s hard to fathom them being 1 after another. Heyward kinda sorta shows injury prone tendencies, but as much as I love watching Stanton hit, and I think he’ll be more like Schmidt than Kingman, Heyward’s all around game figures to grow into something huge.
I think pitching is a higher impact position than any other, even if they only go every 5th day. Because a great pitcher has a chance to control every game he plays in. Position players (other than catchers) have to wait for the ball to get hit to them, and as the adage goes, good pitching beats good hitting. Our phillies this year are a case in point. Not much offense to speak of, but hovering between best & second best record in baseball all year behind our pitching.
It’s nice you think that way. It has zero to do with the subject at hand. The subject at hand is the first round of starting a team with the entire field of MLB, prospects available. Overall focus on pitching therefore has a miniscule amount to do with the limited subject at hand. You wanna take a pitcher first in that circumstance, more power to ya.
Thanks for restating the obvious. Why the fact that pitching is the highest impact position on the field has no impact on whom one would draft first does not seem at all obvious. But I’m sure you have your reasons.
With 4 losses in a row now, naturally coincidng with a renewal of the 3 runs or loss tracking, all i can say is about 2 weeks ago, I think just before the Mets series, or Cincy, RAJ said something along the lines of if we find we aren’t hitting, we’ll make changes. Things could get interesting around here since the problem rolls on, and I frankly don’t have the foggiest who he’d trade within the season.
Homeboy Halladay follows “Frankenstein Halladay” (Morton). The original formula should do to break the losing skid today, provided offense plates 3 or 4, a speculative serving at this point.
Raul Ibanez: Zinc Glove leftfielder.
—–
City of Pittsburgh and old NFL fans mourn the passing of HOF RB, John Henry Johnson (Steelers’ best before Franco came along), age 81. Retired in ’66 as 4th all-time rusher behind Jim Brown, Jim Taylor & Joe Perry. Johnson’s paydirt teammates Bobby Layne, Preston Carpenter and Buddy Dial weren’t bad either. I liked the NFL then, before TV network gloss set in and created a different ballgame.
Bet the farm? …
James McDonald: 9 HRs & 26 BB in 59.1 I
Roy Halladay: 5 HRs & 13 BB in 91.1 I
I don’t know what Jose Reyes has against Jimmy Rollins, but he is not gonna be content until he monopolizes every dollar on the shortstop market. Lucky for Jimmy, he can only fill 1 opening.
Even this is going further than I should. The classy, proper mature thing (stuff I am highly qualified to assess, of course) is to just move on. Pete puts up a baseball blog that’s perhaps attractive to some intelligent baseball minds(ceratinly used to be, judging by at least occasional posts) that are silent in their presence, and to disrespect that work with truthful very low opinion evaluations would be flat out wrong. But I feel a terrific urge to say, and I’ll do it generically to keep this civil and soft that some of tbhe things expressed on this ESPN draft are take your pick of a far from complimentary status.
Mayberry NE Extension: Today’s episode: “‘Yo-yo, Ma’.” Somebody on field or in suite isn’t much impressed with the 27 yr. old. But does organization have to move him like a 2X4 in a lumber yard?
Roy Halladay has every right to carry his bird’s eye view opinion on the accuracy and consistency of the home plate umpire ‘ball & strike’ calls when he pitches. His petulant and imposing “supervising” of another professional’s job when calls don’t go his way is a turn-off though. Yesterday’s early flare-up
was just one example of a frequently demonstrated spoiled disposition. Talented, top-strata-of-his- field successful, but not particularly admirable in my view. A constipated winner, RH. Please don’t squeeze his Charmin.
Parity charity: 30 MLB teams sit within a 13.5 game range; 17 teams have 30-36 wins.
Pickin’ sides: You can have Chase Utley, I’ll take Charlie Gehringer (1186 BB, 372 SO; .320, 13 & 100; averaged 124 R in 19 seasons).
CG, the former Tiger is 2nd all-time in 2B assists, behind only Eddie “Cocky” Collins, who proved he wasn’t all talk.