Comments on: The ReclinerGM’s 2009 MLB Preview: Minnesota Twins

By: GARGS

GARGS — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Well it looks like the Twins are close to signing Joe Crede. Although I think Cabrera would be a more valuable asset to the Twins, Crede is a gamer who plays the game the right way. IF he stays healthy (which seems to be a big if), he could be a very solid addition to the lineup.

By: jjg

jjg — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:48:34 +0000

ditto, and looking forward to more eyewitnessing soon

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:19:58 +0000

I just prefer to not look at stats in a vaccum

By: jjg

jjg — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:58:10 +0000

Pete, Wouldn’t call it “useful in the right situation” unless it supports one’s argument, or one wants to distort. I gave just one example of it’s unintended hilarity (due to time constraint). To each his own.

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:38:14 +0000

jjg-

wouldn’t call it a “joke” but it def. needs the pitchers to have a similar amount of IP for it to be relevant since it doesn’t take IP into account.

not a be all, end all stat, but useful in the right situation.

By: jjg

jjg — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:30:54 +0000

That the pedestrian Dennis Lamp ’81 (7-6, 127 IP, 27 GS, 3 CG, 0 shutouts, 43 BB, 71 K, 2.41 ERA) is ranked 479th should clearly inform you about the value of ‘ERA+’ as it pertains to a fair evaluation of individual pitching seasons in a historical context. It equates Lamp’s performance to Jim Bunning ’67 (17-15, 302 IP, 40 GS, 16 CG, 6 shutouts, 73 BB, 253 K, 2.29 ERA). That measuring stick is a joke; give it credence at your own folly.

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:52:15 +0000

Jesse-

Pedro's 2000 season, in my opinion, is the greatest pitching season of all-time.

1.74 ERA (2nd place, Clemens at 3.70)

0.74 WHIP (2nd place, Mussina at 1.19 and the lowest WHIP in the history of baseball with 200+ IP)

5.31 H/9 (2nd place, Hudson at 7.52, 3rd lowest H/9 ever with 200+IP)

11.78 K/9 (2nd place, Colon at 10.15, 8th highest K/9 ever) with 200+ IP)

284 K (2nd place, Colon at 212)

all at the height of a live ball era, and in the american league

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:39:07 +0000

Pete-

I was taking a look at the single season leaders in regards to ERA+. Really shows how amazing Pedro Martinez was at the top of his game.
5 Seasons in the Top 50 All-Time…

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/ERAplus_season.shtml

By: GARGS

GARGS — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:58:47 +0000

Pete-
The AL Central is an absolute crap shoot. I envision the champ with a meager 88-89 wins. I think the Tigers have the highest ceiling but the Twins have the fewest question marks. It could definitely be a 4-team race. Although I really admired the way the Indians have been run the last few years, I question the additions of Pavano and Wood. If Victor Matinez, Pronk, and Carmona don’t rebound in a serious way, I see the Indians falling a little short. If Verlander, Bonderman, Zumaya, and Shef don’t rebound in a serious way, I also see the Tigers falling a little short. The White Sox don’t seem to have as many questions marks but I’m hesitant to pick them. I guess my prediction would look something like this:
1. Twins
2. Tigers
3. White Sox
4. Indians
5. Royals
As the degenerate gambler that I am, I have no confidence in these picks and wouldn’t wager a nickel on them. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Indians actually ended up on top. Also, if all the teams are bunched together with mediocre records like I expect, even the Royals could have a chance if they get hot the last two months of the season. I totally waffled, but those are my picks.

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:26:17 +0000

indeed JJG….looks like some of the baseball juices are flowing again…

working (again) on a top-20 individual phillies seasons segment….should be some good debate there