Fans of teams with Jason Bay shouldn't throw rocks.
- Jsaquella

First time in years they've been ahead of the Phils in the standings. Gotta take my shots while I can.

First time in years they've been ahead of the Phils in the standings. Gotta take my shots while I can.
- bradleyc4

It's funny reading all the "new" Phillies fans, who never watched them before 2007 or so...when they sucked.

And a starter on the Phillies.
- bradleyc4

That's what happens when a team trades away two starting outfielders in one day. Bench players become starters. The most at bats he's had in any one Season is 335. The most games he's started is 77. He's not a starting outfielder. At least not on a good team.

That's what happens when a team trades away two starting outfielders in one day. Bench players become starters. The most at bats he's had in any one Season is 335. The most games he's started is 77. He's not a starting outfielder. At least not on a good team.
- MJL

Yep, Mets have a similar player in Scott Hairston.

But like OrangeBlack27 said yesterday, he's still a good platoon option. If you can't acquire 2 new OFer's next season, you can use a Mayberry/Schierholtz platoon in one of the corner spots. It's not ideal and only a stopgap solution, but it's something.

Yep, Mets have a similar player in Scott Hairston.

But like OrangeBlack27 said yesterday, he's still a good platoon option. If you can't acquire 2 new OFer's next season, you can use a Mayberry/Schierholtz platoon in one of the corner spots. It's not ideal and only a stopgap solution, but it's something.
- bradleyc4

Here's the deal with that. You had better hope that Dom Brown hits, and that you get a big RH bat for 3rd base. Or else Ryan Howard isn't going to see squat to hit, and you'll have another anemic batting order. And this team isn't in position for stop gap moves. It needs to win now.

Here's the deal with that. You had better hope that Dom Brown hits, and that you get a big RH bat for 3rd base. Or else Ryan Howard isn't going to see squat to hit, and you'll have another anemic batting order. And this team isn't in position for stop gap moves. It needs to win now.
- MJL

I understand the expectations based on an aging roster. But finding all of those pieces in one off-season seems next to impossible.

Hey if they think they can find a player to give them 25 HR's and 90 RBI's cheaper then that, good luck.
- MJL

if those are your only measurements of production, it's rather glib.

I understand the expectations based on an aging roster. But finding all of those pieces in one off-season seems next to impossible.
- bradleyc4

I agree. And that's really my point. Now there is a need for RH power bat in the lineup, again!

Look at what the Mets have paid Jason Bey, and the Nats Werth?

if those are your only measurements of production, it's rather glib.
- OrangeBlack27

Probably two of the top measurements for the Power RH bat in your lineup. You would also hope that he has a good OBP also. Which Pence had in 2011.

Probably two of the top measurements for the Power RH bat in your lineup. You would also hope that he has a good OBP also. Which Pence had in 2011.
- MJL

obp and slugging percentage are all that matter in that case. theoretically, i don't care if a guy hits 0 homers if he hits 70 doubles. and RBIs are really dependent on opportunities which are created by other players. howard drove in 150 a few years because one of rollins, vic, or utley were on base pretty much every time howard was at the plate. meanwhile, werth hit 36 homers one year but drove in less than 100 and it's because he's "not clutch".

I agree. And that's really my point. Now there is a need for RH power bat in the lineup, again!

Look at what the Mets have paid Jason Bey, and the Nats Werth?
- MJL

You can find similar production for less money. Look at a guy like Josh Willingham in Minnesota.

Yep, Mets have a similar player in Scott Hairston.

But like OrangeBlack27 said yesterday, he's still a good platoon option. If you can't acquire 2 new OFer's next season, you can use a Mayberry/Schierholtz platoon in one of the corner spots. It's not ideal and only a stopgap solution, but it's something.
- bradleyc4

schierholtz slash line against righties last two years
2011:.288/.340/.461
2012: .287/.370/.481 (walk rate improved big time this year)

mayberry slash line against lefties the last two years
2011: .306/.358/.595
2012: .280/.284/.551 (lol must walk more)

so let's say they go full-time platoon in right next year, conservatively you'd expect something like .280/.330/.460, which is pretty much michael cuddyer production (just offensively...this wouldn't account for the outstanding defense you'd get in right field which cuddyer does not provide at any of the positions he plays poorly) for something like 7 or 8 million less per season.

what's more, that's actually comparable production to pence this year for what would be probably 12 million less.

oh lord

Comments I would make about using up too much money would have to do with the Salary Cap requirements in the NHL. If there was no Cap, and with the financial strength of Comcast backing the Flyers. It wouldn't otherwise be an issue would it? So how is that the same?

And for the 3rd time, the Phillies did not get a starter. Schierholtz has never been an every day player! The most AB's he has had in a Season is 335!

Baseball wise, it was a poor deal!

Pence is worth 14M. Look at the numbers that were posted on what Pence put up in 2011. That is worth it.
- MJL

A WAR of 1.3 is not worth $14 million.

A WAR of 1.3 is not worth $14 million.
- jstross

A WAR of 1.3 is not worth $14 million.
- jstross

Pretty much a useless stat.

Pretty much a useless stat.
- MJL

Pretty much a useless stat.
- MJL

we should probably just stop the conversation now then

Pretty much a useless stat.
- MJL

and one more time

and one more time


- OrangeBlack27

You can reply like that as much as you want. It's theoretical. There isn't even a standard for how it is computed. Different sites calculate it differently. It's one of those stats that are invented for people who can't look at a game and judge a player.

You can reply like that as much as you want. It's theoretical. There isn't even a standard for how it is computed. Different sites calculate it differently. It's one of those stats that are invented for people who can't look at a game and judge a player.
- MJL

Lmao. It's obvious you know more than RAJ. At least it's obvious you think you know more than him. Must be tough getting shirts with an opening to get your head through.

You can reply like that as much as you want. It's theoretical. There isn't even a standard for how it is computed. Different sites calculate it differently. It's one of those stats that are invented for people who can't look at a game and judge a player.
- MJL

Sure, it's theoretical in nature, but all of these advanced stats are embraced by a growing number of teams (and maybe a majority at this point) Also, the calculation is slightly different on fangraphs and baseball-reference, but it's not like the differences are vast in their findings. How can you say a number that is calculated based on years of research of offensive, defensive and baserunning statistics, park factors, and era is "useless"?

And the "people who can't look at a game and judge a player" comment is completely ridiculous and superficial.

Did you ever think for a second that your eyes might lie to you?

Sure, it's theoretical in nature, but all of these advanced stats are embraced by a growing number of teams (and maybe a majority at this point) Also, the calculation is slightly different on fangraphs and baseball-reference, but it's not like the differences are vast in their findings. How can you say a number that is calculated based on years of research of offensive, defensive and baserunning statistics, park factors, and era is "useless"?

And the "people who can't look at a game and judge a player" comment is completely ridiculous and superficial.

Did you ever think for a second that your eyes might lie to you?
- OrangeBlack27

People put down what they can't understand. WAR is over his head so to him it's meaningless.

People put down what they can't understand. WAR is over his head so to him it's meaningless.
- jstross

I don't think it's that he or others can't understand it. The concept is pretty simple, really. I think people just don't want to change. It's not easy for people to grasp the fact that in-and-of-themselves, AVG, RBI, ERA and (edit: a pitcher's) W-L record are terribly meaningless altogether or without significant context.

Lmao. It's obvious you know more than RAJ. At least it's obvious you think you know more than him. Must be tough getting shirts with an opening to get your head through.
- jstross

It may be obvious to you, but you have zero basis to make that statement. And I'll stick to the subject matter, and stay away from the personal stuff. Because I have no need to go there.