I guess that’s true, and yes I know it’s worked out well for Rasmus recently. On the other hand, don’t you want him to get as many as bats as he can? I would think it would only help for him to see as much big-league pitching as possible.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Bret Lawrie just hit a grandslam[/quote]
This was also his FIRST hit in Toronto. Yesterday he went hitless. What a way to start in Toronto.
Also, I didn’t actually see the game and they’re not showing the replay of the double he hit later. I heard that it was deep and was close to going over??? Is this true??
Kid is absolutely on fire! 2 hrs in his first 5 games. Now batting close to 400.
[quote]tmay11 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Bret Lawrie just hit a grandslam[/quote]
This was also his FIRST hit in Toronto. Yesterday he went hitless. What a way to start in Toronto.
Also, I didn’t actually see the game and they’re not showing the replay of the double he hit later. I heard that it was deep and was close to going over??? Is this true??
Kid is absolutely on fire! 2 hrs in his first 5 games. Now batting close to 400.[/quote]
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=tor&content_id=17884073&topic_id=8878984
Calm down now, Travis Snider went something ridiculous to start off his career as well. I think he was batting .500 or something in first 5 games.
[quote]eeu743 wrote:
I guess that’s true, and yes I know it’s worked out well for Rasmus recently. On the other hand, don’t you want him to get as many as bats as he can? I would think it would only help for him to see as much big-league pitching as possible.[/quote]
I think the difference in ABs at this point of the season would be marginal. I guess you could slot him in at #2 if you really wanted to.
I mean, I think the Blue Jays are doing big things and there seems to be some smart cookies running the show, so if they think he should bat 9th, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. Personally I’d like to see him hitting higher up, for fantasy purposes only. lol.
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
So I’m watching the Giants get the shit kicked out of them by the Pirates (again) at work today and I started thinking. There are a lot of really good players in the league, obviously. But then there are guys at each position who I really like because I like their “game”, the way they play or what they bring to their team or their position. Now, these guys are all pretty good players, but they aren’t all the best at their position and some aren’t even in the top 5 or 10 at their position. But I like the way they play.
So it got me thinking. If you guys could field a team of 8 position players, a right-handed and left-handed starting pitcher and a closer (or any reliever, for that matter) who would you pick for your team, given the above criteria. I understand that this may end up looking like an All-Star Team, but that’s not really what I’m talking about. What 8 hitters and 3 pitchers would you want on your team based strictly on how they go about their business, the intangibles they bring, leadership qualities and versatility? Not necessarily the best at each position, but just good BALLPLAYERS. For instance, Barry Bonds (were he active) would NEVER make this team, even though I’m obviously a die-hard Giants fan.
I’ll list mine shortly. I have to step out for a few minutes but when I get back I’ll post my team. Perhaps a quick sentence or two explaining each pick. I think this could be interesting.[/quote]
OF Milton Bradley
OF Barry Bonds
OF Manny Ramirez
1B Gary Sheffield
2nd Mark DeRosa
SS Hanley Ramirez
3rd Alex Rodriguez
C A.J. Pierzynski / Michael Barrett
SP Barry Zito
SP Roger Clemens
Closer: John Rocker
Owner: Marge Schott
Manager: Ozzie Guillen
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
So I’m watching the Giants get the shit kicked out of them by the Pirates (again) at work today and I started thinking. There are a lot of really good players in the league, obviously. But then there are guys at each position who I really like because I like their “game”, the way they play or what they bring to their team or their position. Now, these guys are all pretty good players, but they aren’t all the best at their position and some aren’t even in the top 5 or 10 at their position. But I like the way they play.
So it got me thinking. If you guys could field a team of 8 position players, a right-handed and left-handed starting pitcher and a closer (or any reliever, for that matter) who would you pick for your team, given the above criteria. I understand that this may end up looking like an All-Star Team, but that’s not really what I’m talking about. What 8 hitters and 3 pitchers would you want on your team based strictly on how they go about their business, the intangibles they bring, leadership qualities and versatility? Not necessarily the best at each position, but just good BALLPLAYERS. For instance, Barry Bonds (were he active) would NEVER make this team, even though I’m obviously a die-hard Giants fan.
I’ll list mine shortly. I have to step out for a few minutes but when I get back I’ll post my team. Perhaps a quick sentence or two explaining each pick. I think this could be interesting.[/quote]
OF Milton Bradley
OF Barry Bonds
OF Manny Ramirez
1B Gary Sheffield
2nd Mark DeRosa
SS Hanley Ramirez
3rd Alex Rodriguez
C A.J. Pierzynski / Michael Barrett
SP Barry Zito
SP Roger Clemens
Closer: John Rocker
Owner: Marge Schott
Manager: Ozzie Guillen
[/quote]
Sorry. Forgot to mention that I’m referring strictly to current players.
OF Matt Kemp (I just like how he seems to play angry all the time)
OF Andrew McCutchen
OF Nate Schierholtz (plays the toughest rightfield in the game better than anyone else I’ve ever seen)
1B Adrian Gonzalez
2B Ian Kinsler
3B Pablo Sandoval
SS Troy Tulowitzki
C Yadier Molina
RHP Roy Halladay
LHP CC Sabathia
Closer Brian Wilson
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
So I’m watching the Giants get the shit kicked out of them by the Pirates (again) at work today and I started thinking. There are a lot of really good players in the league, obviously. But then there are guys at each position who I really like because I like their “game”, the way they play or what they bring to their team or their position. Now, these guys are all pretty good players, but they aren’t all the best at their position and some aren’t even in the top 5 or 10 at their position. But I like the way they play.
So it got me thinking. If you guys could field a team of 8 position players, a right-handed and left-handed starting pitcher and a closer (or any reliever, for that matter) who would you pick for your team, given the above criteria. I understand that this may end up looking like an All-Star Team, but that’s not really what I’m talking about. What 8 hitters and 3 pitchers would you want on your team based strictly on how they go about their business, the intangibles they bring, leadership qualities and versatility? Not necessarily the best at each position, but just good BALLPLAYERS. For instance, Barry Bonds (were he active) would NEVER make this team, even though I’m obviously a die-hard Giants fan.
I’ll list mine shortly. I have to step out for a few minutes but when I get back I’ll post my team. Perhaps a quick sentence or two explaining each pick. I think this could be interesting.[/quote]
OF Milton Bradley
OF Barry Bonds
OF Manny Ramirez
1B Gary Sheffield
2nd Mark DeRosa
SS Hanley Ramirez
3rd Alex Rodriguez
C A.J. Pierzynski / Michael Barrett
SP Barry Zito
SP Roger Clemens
Closer: John Rocker
Owner: Marge Schott
Manager: Ozzie Guillen
[/quote]
No George Bell?
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
So I’m watching the Giants get the shit kicked out of them by the Pirates (again) at work today and I started thinking. There are a lot of really good players in the league, obviously. But then there are guys at each position who I really like because I like their “game”, the way they play or what they bring to their team or their position. Now, these guys are all pretty good players, but they aren’t all the best at their position and some aren’t even in the top 5 or 10 at their position. But I like the way they play.
So it got me thinking. If you guys could field a team of 8 position players, a right-handed and left-handed starting pitcher and a closer (or any reliever, for that matter) who would you pick for your team, given the above criteria. I understand that this may end up looking like an All-Star Team, but that’s not really what I’m talking about. What 8 hitters and 3 pitchers would you want on your team based strictly on how they go about their business, the intangibles they bring, leadership qualities and versatility? Not necessarily the best at each position, but just good BALLPLAYERS. For instance, Barry Bonds (were he active) would NEVER make this team, even though I’m obviously a die-hard Giants fan.
I’ll list mine shortly. I have to step out for a few minutes but when I get back I’ll post my team. Perhaps a quick sentence or two explaining each pick. I think this could be interesting.[/quote]
OF Milton Bradley
OF Barry Bonds
OF Manny Ramirez
1B Gary Sheffield
2nd Mark DeRosa
SS Hanley Ramirez
3rd Alex Rodriguez
C A.J. Pierzynski / Michael Barrett
SP Barry Zito
SP Roger Clemens
Closer: John Rocker
Owner: Marge Schott
Manager: Ozzie Guillen
[/quote]
No George Bell?[/quote]
Marge says we’re already at full capacity for those types of players.
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
OF Matt Kemp (I just like how he seems to play angry all the time)
OF Andrew McCutchen
OF Nate Schierholtz (plays the toughest rightfield in the game better than anyone else I’ve ever seen)
1B Adrian Gonzalez
2B Ian Kinsler
3B Pablo Sandoval
SS Troy Tulowitzki
C Yadier Molina
RHP Roy Halladay
LHP CC Sabathia
Closer Brian Wilson[/quote]
I’d add:
Brett Gardner
Mark Buehrle
Ricky Romero
Jason Varitek
Grady Sizemore (when healthy)
Jose Bautista
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Lastly, It should be pretty easy to spot too, since it’s basically impossible to pickup signs from 400 feet away without binoculars. Show me proof of a guy using binoculars that is relaying signals I’d love to see it.
Oh and lets not forget Justin Verlander no-hit the Jays at Rogers Centre earlier this season. What happened there?[/quote]
Justin Verlander is a cyborg sent down from the distant planet Rhomberion for the sole purpose of dominating opposing hitters… don’t bring him into any argument.
Dude is freaking good.
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Every day, I look at Adam Dunn’s stats and am completely astounded at his falloff. It has to be the biggest single season dropoff in MLB history.
I LOVED watching him play in Washington. Dude is a cool guy too. Sad.[/quote]
Eh. Check out some of the stat differences after the mitchell report was released and drug testing started.
Pudge’s numbers are absurd as well. Dunn never had a decent batting avg. so basically it’s just a power drought. Which can happen easily when the batspeed slows down with age or whatever else.
He should be on the bench though. At the least not bat 4th [/quote]
I wouldn’t say it’s just a power drought. Dunner has 145 Ks (50 away from his career high) in less than 340 at bats. He was always a bad strikeout guy but he is obliterating all of his personal worsts. His career .245 average blows but it’s far and away better than the .163 he’s batting now.
A lot of dudes did drop off after the steroid era, I just don’t remember a single season where a guy went from .260/40hr to .160/15hr. It’s different for a guy like Dunn who has had virtually the same exact stat line for 7 straight years, he didn’t have peaks and valleys with his power.
Maybe he’ll retire and come broadcast for us… guy was a hilarious interview.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Every day, I look at Adam Dunn’s stats and am completely astounded at his falloff. It has to be the biggest single season dropoff in MLB history.
I LOVED watching him play in Washington. Dude is a cool guy too. Sad.[/quote]
Eh. Check out some of the stat differences after the mitchell report was released and drug testing started.
Pudge’s numbers are absurd as well. Dunn never had a decent batting avg. so basically it’s just a power drought. Which can happen easily when the batspeed slows down with age or whatever else.
He should be on the bench though. At the least not bat 4th [/quote]
I wouldn’t say it’s just a power drought. Dunner has 145 Ks (50 away from his career high) in less than 340 at bats. He was always a bad strikeout guy but he is obliterating all of his personal worsts. His career .245 average blows but it’s far and away better than the .163 he’s batting now.
A lot of dudes did drop off after the steroid era, I just don’t remember a single season where a guy went from .260/40hr to .160/15hr. It’s different for a guy like Dunn who has had virtually the same exact stat line for 7 straight years, he didn’t have peaks and valleys with his power.
Maybe he’ll retire and come broadcast for us… guy was a hilarious interview.[/quote]
Welcome to the AL.
NL Slugger = AL Pinch hitter
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
So I’m watching the Giants get the shit kicked out of them by the Pirates (again) at work today and I started thinking. There are a lot of really good players in the league, obviously. But then there are guys at each position who I really like because I like their “game”, the way they play or what they bring to their team or their position. Now, these guys are all pretty good players, but they aren’t all the best at their position and some aren’t even in the top 5 or 10 at their position. But I like the way they play.
So it got me thinking. If you guys could field a team of 8 position players, a right-handed and left-handed starting pitcher and a closer (or any reliever, for that matter) who would you pick for your team, given the above criteria. I understand that this may end up looking like an All-Star Team, but that’s not really what I’m talking about. What 8 hitters and 3 pitchers would you want on your team based strictly on how they go about their business, the intangibles they bring, leadership qualities and versatility? Not necessarily the best at each position, but just good BALLPLAYERS. For instance, Barry Bonds (were he active) would NEVER make this team, even though I’m obviously a die-hard Giants fan.
I’ll list mine shortly. I have to step out for a few minutes but when I get back I’ll post my team. Perhaps a quick sentence or two explaining each pick. I think this could be interesting.[/quote]
Saw that some guys posted lists but didn’t check them before making mine. For argument’s sake I’m removing injury proneness from consideration because we’re talking about personalities here.
C - AJ Pierzynski because he pisses off every opposing player
1B - Albert Pujols, don’t think I have to justify this
2B - Chase Utley - dude is all heart, an awesome fielder and hitter, though if I were a Phillies fan I’d wish he’d take a day off once in a while and stop playing hurt
SS - I’d lean Tulowitzki, he seems like he leads by example… no shortstop is that good at offense/defense without a great work ethic
3B - Ryan Zimmerman… total homer pick but the plays he makes on defense every night are incredible and fire up your team, plus give confidence to pitchers
LF - Carl Crawford. Having a down season but is a super hard worker and is electric to watch when things are going well
CF - Andrew McCutchen - love everything about that dude’s game. Pure hustle.
RF - Jayson Werth. Just kidding. Probably Jeff Francouer because even though he sucks at actual baseball I love the guy. He seems to get along super well with everyone and is very energetic. Cannon arm is exciting.
(cheat pick) DH - Adam Dunn, to keep the clubhouse light
SP(R) - Lots of great choices. Roy Halladay.
SP(L) - BIG FAT CC! I loved him pre-Yankees so I could love him on my team.
RP - Brian Wilson… gotta have one weird guy in the clubhouse whose sanity is questioned regularly
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Every day, I look at Adam Dunn’s stats and am completely astounded at his falloff. It has to be the biggest single season dropoff in MLB history.
I LOVED watching him play in Washington. Dude is a cool guy too. Sad.[/quote]
Eh. Check out some of the stat differences after the mitchell report was released and drug testing started.
Pudge’s numbers are absurd as well. Dunn never had a decent batting avg. so basically it’s just a power drought. Which can happen easily when the batspeed slows down with age or whatever else.
He should be on the bench though. At the least not bat 4th [/quote]
I wouldn’t say it’s just a power drought. Dunner has 145 Ks (50 away from his career high) in less than 340 at bats. He was always a bad strikeout guy but he is obliterating all of his personal worsts. His career .245 average blows but it’s far and away better than the .163 he’s batting now.
A lot of dudes did drop off after the steroid era, I just don’t remember a single season where a guy went from .260/40hr to .160/15hr. It’s different for a guy like Dunn who has had virtually the same exact stat line for 7 straight years, he didn’t have peaks and valleys with his power.
Maybe he’ll retire and come broadcast for us… guy was a hilarious interview.[/quote]
Welcome to the AL.
NL Slugger = AL Pinch hitter
[/quote]
I agree there’s a difference in leagues but it’s not THAT pronounced, to turn a top-5/top-10 power hitter into the worst player in the majors. I mean, Shaun Marcum and Matt Garza aren’t competing for Cy Youngs switching to the NL.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Every day, I look at Adam Dunn’s stats and am completely astounded at his falloff. It has to be the biggest single season dropoff in MLB history.
I LOVED watching him play in Washington. Dude is a cool guy too. Sad.[/quote]
Eh. Check out some of the stat differences after the mitchell report was released and drug testing started.
Pudge’s numbers are absurd as well. Dunn never had a decent batting avg. so basically it’s just a power drought. Which can happen easily when the batspeed slows down with age or whatever else.
He should be on the bench though. At the least not bat 4th [/quote]
I wouldn’t say it’s just a power drought. Dunner has 145 Ks (50 away from his career high) in less than 340 at bats. He was always a bad strikeout guy but he is obliterating all of his personal worsts. His career .245 average blows but it’s far and away better than the .163 he’s batting now.
A lot of dudes did drop off after the steroid era, I just don’t remember a single season where a guy went from .260/40hr to .160/15hr. It’s different for a guy like Dunn who has had virtually the same exact stat line for 7 straight years, he didn’t have peaks and valleys with his power.
Maybe he’ll retire and come broadcast for us… guy was a hilarious interview.[/quote]
Welcome to the AL.
NL Slugger = AL Pinch hitter
[/quote]
I agree there’s a difference in leagues but it’s not THAT pronounced, to turn a top-5/top-10 power hitter into the worst player in the majors. I mean, Shaun Marcum and Matt Garza aren’t competing for Cy Youngs switching to the NL.[/quote]
No but Roy Halladay is. He only won a single Cy Young in Toronto which he has already matched in Philadelphia. It’s looking like he’ll win another one
I was obviously embellishing but there’s definitely a disparity. Just look whose career is back on track now that he’s back in the NL: Lance Berkman
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Every day, I look at Adam Dunn’s stats and am completely astounded at his falloff. It has to be the biggest single season dropoff in MLB history.
I LOVED watching him play in Washington. Dude is a cool guy too. Sad.[/quote]
Eh. Check out some of the stat differences after the mitchell report was released and drug testing started.
Pudge’s numbers are absurd as well. Dunn never had a decent batting avg. so basically it’s just a power drought. Which can happen easily when the batspeed slows down with age or whatever else.
He should be on the bench though. At the least not bat 4th [/quote]
I wouldn’t say it’s just a power drought. Dunner has 145 Ks (50 away from his career high) in less than 340 at bats. He was always a bad strikeout guy but he is obliterating all of his personal worsts. His career .245 average blows but it’s far and away better than the .163 he’s batting now.
A lot of dudes did drop off after the steroid era, I just don’t remember a single season where a guy went from .260/40hr to .160/15hr. It’s different for a guy like Dunn who has had virtually the same exact stat line for 7 straight years, he didn’t have peaks and valleys with his power.
Maybe he’ll retire and come broadcast for us… guy was a hilarious interview.[/quote]
Welcome to the AL.
NL Slugger = AL Pinch hitter
[/quote]
I agree there’s a difference in leagues but it’s not THAT pronounced, to turn a top-5/top-10 power hitter into the worst player in the majors. I mean, Shaun Marcum and Matt Garza aren’t competing for Cy Youngs switching to the NL.[/quote]
No but Roy Halladay is. He only won a single Cy Young in Toronto which he has already matched in Philadelphia. It’s looking like he’ll win another one
I was obviously embellishing but there’s definitely a disparity. Just look whose career is back on track now that he’s back in the NL: Lance Berkman[/quote]
I think a better measurement than picking single examples is to look at interleague records… the AL routinely crushes the NL in 200-game sample sizes.
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]scj119 wrote:
Every day, I look at Adam Dunn’s stats and am completely astounded at his falloff. It has to be the biggest single season dropoff in MLB history.
I LOVED watching him play in Washington. Dude is a cool guy too. Sad.[/quote]
Eh. Check out some of the stat differences after the mitchell report was released and drug testing started.
Pudge’s numbers are absurd as well. Dunn never had a decent batting avg. so basically it’s just a power drought. Which can happen easily when the batspeed slows down with age or whatever else.
He should be on the bench though. At the least not bat 4th [/quote]
I wouldn’t say it’s just a power drought. Dunner has 145 Ks (50 away from his career high) in less than 340 at bats. He was always a bad strikeout guy but he is obliterating all of his personal worsts. His career .245 average blows but it’s far and away better than the .163 he’s batting now.
A lot of dudes did drop off after the steroid era, I just don’t remember a single season where a guy went from .260/40hr to .160/15hr. It’s different for a guy like Dunn who has had virtually the same exact stat line for 7 straight years, he didn’t have peaks and valleys with his power.
Maybe he’ll retire and come broadcast for us… guy was a hilarious interview.[/quote]
Welcome to the AL.
NL Slugger = AL Pinch hitter
[/quote]
I agree there’s a difference in leagues but it’s not THAT pronounced, to turn a top-5/top-10 power hitter into the worst player in the majors. I mean, Shaun Marcum and Matt Garza aren’t competing for Cy Youngs switching to the NL.[/quote]
No but Roy Halladay is. He only won a single Cy Young in Toronto which he has already matched in Philadelphia. It’s looking like he’ll win another one
I was obviously embellishing but there’s definitely a disparity. Just look whose career is back on track now that he’s back in the NL: Lance Berkman[/quote]
I think a better measurement than picking single examples is to look at interleague records… the AL routinely crushes the NL in 200-game sample sizes.[/quote]
I agree, but those are just the examples that come to mind recently so I mentioned them. Obviously the top tier hitters will do well anywhere (e.g. Adrian Gonzalez) but most will see a drop off.
There are many players out there (especially pitchers) I would consider serviceable to average if they just didn’t pitch in the AL (especially if they play in the AL East).
I’m not the most familiar with the low end talent of other teams, but a good example of what I’m talking about is the Jays pitcher Brad Mills. The guy could be a pretty good 5th starter in the NL West IMO but would get absolutely killed on a regular basis if he faced monster lineups.
EDIT: They have him up pitching right now and although his stat line doesn’t look bad in his last start, it actually wasn’t very good if you watched the game. He was throwing mistakes pretty often, the Orioles batters just couldn’t capitalize
With the Giants playing so poorly as of late, I needed a little something to cheer me up.
Oh Posey.