Seems like Rube was banking on another out of this world performance from the pitching rotation to get them by this year.
- feelingkettle

which wasn't especially far fetched coming into the year was it?

who cares about hitting for average? it's been statistically proven that on base percentage has a greater correlation to runs scored and for his career he's a .370 obp away from petco (differences between his home and road splits are vast).
- OrangeBlack27

I do. They have enough guys who strike out a lot. You can like the player, I'm saying that I rather not have him b/c I honestly dont believe he's that good.

Definately not overpaying for him either which is what will likely happen.

I do. They have enough guys who strike out a lot. You can like the player, I'm saying that I rather not have him b/c I honestly dont believe he's that good.

Definately not overpaying for him either which is what will likely happen.
- stveshdy

why do you care about hitting for average? polanco hits for average and he's a pretty crappy offensive player. you need guys who can get on base and drive the ball. the old school baseball mentality of manufacturing runs and all of that bullcrap is over. over the course of a long season, "playing for the big inning" (read: having guys on your team who can actually hit), is better than "manufacturing runs" (read: having a bunch of juan pierres and placido polancos giving away outs).

@BroadStHockey: Briere's been on the ice for 48 Flyers goals for and 55 against in the last five playoff years. @AnthonySan37

Interesting!

why do you care about hitting for average? polanco hits for average and he's a pretty crappy offensive player. you need guys who can get on base and drive the ball. the old school baseball mentality of manufacturing runs and all of that bullcrap is over. over the course of a long season, "playing for the big inning" (read: having guys on your team who can actually hit), is better than "manufacturing runs" (read: having a bunch of juan pierres and placido polancos giving away outs).
- OrangeBlack27

No point in trading for him when they are trying to keep young players. His stats are well and good but he plays in San Diego with no pressure. Can't read too much into it just look at Adrian Gonzalez, he was suppose to crush the ball in Boston with the small porch and how many homers does be have? Sometimes players numbers change when going to another place. Pressure can contribute to that. I'm not about to overpay for Headley but that's just me. I understand why you like him especially with a thin market. I just rather the Phillies explore all options during the offseason.

The first one was in referrance to Will Ferrel being in Philly and him talking smack to Philly fans. He was completely off base and very confrontational. Got slapped. Then posted another that I didnt get to see because it got pulled. He got slapped again
- KINGKENZO

yeah. I thought Ferrel was very funny and it was all in good fun. Garth blew it way out of proportion.

which wasn't especially far fetched coming into the year was it?
- OrangeBlack27

I think it was far fetched. They were incredible last year and pitched a ton of innings. They exceeded the already ridiculous expectations that were on them. And yet the offense let them down in the playoffs.

I think it was natural they'd be a little off of what they were last year. It's a team game, can't just expect unreal pitching every single year and hope it carries your team far enough.

And I think the pitching last year covered up a lot of the problems with the offense last year that have just gotten worse this year. And the injuries didn't help, either.

@BroadStHockey: Briere's been on the ice for 48 Flyers goals for and 55 against in the last five playoff years. @AnthonySan37

Interesting!
- stveshdy

Why is that interesting? It's a pedestrian -7. G was what? -6 this season??

It's no real surprise. We know he's not very adept defensively...kind of expected, isn't it?

I think it was far fetched. They were incredible last year and pitched a ton of innings. They exceeded the already ridiculous expectations that were on them. And yet the offense let them down in the playoffs.

I think it was natural they'd be a little off of what they were last year. It's a team game, can't just expect unreal pitching every single year and hope it carries your team far enough.

And I think the pitching last year covered up a lot of the problems with the offense last year that have just gotten worse this year. And the injuries didn't help, either.
- feelingkettle

reasonable for them to take a step back this year, but not to fall completely off a cliff.

while the pen has killed them, i don't hate the arms. the qualls pickup was terrible and his ineffectiveness could be seen coming a mile away due to declining peripheral numbers. contreras and stutes got hurt. diekman and schwimer have ridiculous stuff and struck out a ton of guys in the minors but it hasn't quite worked out for them this year. it doesn't help that the manager is clueless, as well.

Why is that interesting? It's a pedestrian -7. G was what? -6 this season??

It's no real surprise. We know he's not very adept defensively...kind of expected, isn't it?
- Giroux_Is_God

it's interesting only because he's a minus player playing in offensive situations against poop competition.

on the other hand with your comparison to g--hewas actually plus-6 playing good competition in defensive situations (took tons of d-zone draws throughout the year).

bust

Why is that interesting? It's a pedestrian -7. G was what? -6 this season??

It's no real surprise. We know he's not very adept defensively...kind of expected, isn't it?
- Giroux_Is_God

No Briere needs to get better defensively or move him to the wing.

reasonable for them to take a step back this year, but not to fall completely off a cliff.

while the pen has killed them, i don't hate the arms. the qualls pickup was terrible and his ineffectiveness could be seen coming a mile away due to declining peripheral numbers. contreras and stutes got hurt. diekman and schwimer have ridiculous stuff and struck out a ton of guys in the minors but it hasn't quite worked out for them this year. it doesn't help that the manager is clueless, as well.
- OrangeBlack27

I agree that the pitchers have been much worse than expected, obviously. I tend to think that's because they pitched so much last year, and at a really really high level. Could be a mental thing where they just can't hold up the team by themselves this year. That 1-0 loss last year to the Cards had to sting Halladay.

No comment on the bullpen, but I think Rube was hoping he wouldn't have to use them much. Right now, the team cannot pick up the starting pitchers when they need it. When the starting pitching is not good, everything else falls apart and Rube's pile of poop is exposed.

Even with the pitching they had last year, I've always believed they will go nowhere if they don't have an offense. The future is not bright in that category.

No Briere needs to get better defensively or move him to the wing.
- stveshdy

I would move him to defense. This way, he can practice playing defense all the time.

I would move him to defense. This way, he can practice playing defense all the time.
- feelingkettle

I would move him to defense. This way, he can practice playing defense all the time.
- feelingkettle

That would be funny, highly doubtful. As a player you should always look at areas to improve and his should be defense. Not hard to be more responsible in your own end.

That would be funny, highly doubtful. As a player you should always look at areas to improve and his should be defense. Not hard to be more responsible in your own end.
- stveshdy

i agree that it's unlikely the flyers move him to the blue line.

i agree that it's unlikely the flyers move him to the blue line.
- OrangeBlack27

No need they have Gustafsson.

No need they have Gustafsson.
- stveshdy

...to yell at Danny for not backchecking.

...to yell at Danny for not backchecking.
- bradleyc4

Exactly. I have no problem with Gustafsson giving it to Briere. How hard is it to get a body on someone. That's just being lazy in your own end.

Exactly. I have no problem with Gustafsson giving it to Briere. How hard is it to get a body on someone. That's just being lazy in your own end.
- stveshdy

I wonder if this was before or after Gus blew that line change in OT that led to the NJ winner.

I wonder if this was before or after Gus blew that line change in OT that led to the NJ winner.
- feelingkettle

wasn't that schenn?

I wonder if this was before or after Gus blew that line change in OT that led to the NJ winner.
- feelingkettle

That was more than just Gustafsson I believe. Two players screwed up on the line change. Difference though is $ and age/experience. What's Briere's excuse? That's right he doesn't have to play defense we only pay him to score and hang out cherry picking.

wasn't that schenn?
- OrangeBlack27

It was both of them, if I recall correctly.

I hope Luke and JVR do well in their new environment
- .HOHO.

JVR might when he's moved back to wing.