Yet Another OOTP6 Dynasty, Year 2: One Flew Over the Pale Hose - Page 37

ifspuds · 04-17-2006, 07:51 PM

Hey, I'm just happy you're still alive.

orin2 · 04-18-2006, 12:50 AM

I honestly thought this thread was dead. Glad it isn't.

The Funk · 04-18-2006, 10:27 PM

Yeah, I really should post in it more, sorry for lack of updates.

Vris · 04-19-2006, 12:40 PM

Great bump.

cknox0723 · 04-19-2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vris

Great bump.

Here comes a better one.

(OK, not really. But like Jorge Cantu of Tampa, it's something, which is infinitely better than the alternative of nothing.)

cknox0723 · 04-19-2006, 08:55 PM

Miguel Olivo is one of many, many Pale Hose guys who have paid enough dues in the major leagues that they will be allowed by rule to sell their services to the highest bidder this offseason. I can't imagine the phones will be burning off the hook for this guy; even moreso because he is looking for seven figures. Olivo has his virtues, sure. He's got a hell of an arm, a little bit of pop in the bat and even a dash of speed. He handles left-handed pitchers just fine, and thanks to being just a bit of computer code in the universe, doesn't complain even a bit. In short, he is the Practically Perfect Backup Catcher (TM BBPro). There's trouble in being such a great backup backstop, though, and that is simply that you don't want the guy to start. Olivo just isn't capable of catching up to an above-average major league fastball and he's got a weakness for breaking balls low and away, the same as I can't resist buying a package of Girl Scout cookies when they're being sold. (Cue inappropriate joke here.) So do you really want to commit more than the minimum to a guy that won't (or shouldn't) start?

The Pale Hose are no Empire, not when they are a ballclub that's lost 190 in the last two years, so money is more than just an object here. And Olivo is nothing more than a novelty. He is the kind you can get attached to when he's socking pinch-hit dingers, but his weaknesses are painfully exposed in everyday play. My place of employment sells sugary, creamy frozen novelties on a stick (or in a cone) for the low, low price of 88 cents (American, tax included). There's no need to spend seven figures on Miguel Olivo, human binary novelty who only occasionally can be found with a stick.

Yet I still feeling like re-signing him.

Jestor · 04-19-2006, 10:26 PM

Don't do it! He costs too damn much. Be aggressive like Wal*Mart!

CTSoxFan · 04-19-2006, 11:05 PM

Do you have anyone in your system who could replace Olivo as backup?

Vris · 04-20-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cknox0723

Here comes a better one.

(OK, not really. But like Jorge Cantu of Tampa, it's something, which is infinitely better than the alternative of nothing.)

CRAIG!!!!

Speaking of Cantu, does he replace Randy Johnson as the ugliest player in the majors right now?

On Miggy..well...there are two ways of looking at it. How much cash do you have, and do you have anyone else you want to resign that are more prominant players than Miggy? If you let Miggy go, you will get him cheaper on the FA market. Unless the AI goes absolutely bonkers and wants him for like $8million over 5 years or some dumb crap. But honestly, I think you can get away with not signing him. Backup catchers are, honestly, a dime a dozen.

cknox0723 · 04-20-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vris

CRAIG!!!!

Hello, sir. And hello to all y'all.

Quote:

Speaking of Cantu, does he replace Randy Johnson as the ugliest player in the majors right now?

I still think right-hander Kyle Lohse of the hated Twins has him beat, but this picture made me laugh.

PS - One of BadluckinOOTP's favorites, journeyman OF Steve Smitherman, must also be a contender.

Quote:

On Miggy..well...there are two ways of looking at it. How much cash do you have, and do you have anyone else you want to resign that are more prominant players than Miggy?

On the first question: Some cash, yes, and almost fifteen million will be coming off the books with the expiration of the contracts owed to Frank Thomas and Esteban Loaiza. However, a bit of that will be going to an increase for Jon Garland, who was re-signed this offseason to a three-year deal totaling $4.5 million. I don't feel that is a realistic contract (and I like the manual workaround, backloading contracts), so he will be getting more than $1.5 million next year. How much more, I'll have to think on it.

As for the second question, yes. I'll go into a little more detail in a bit.

Quote:

If you let Miggy go, you will get him cheaper on the FA market.

A good point. Unless of course he does not want to re-sign with us due to playing time concerns or the like.

Quote:

Unless the AI goes absolutely bonkers and wants him for like $8million over 5 years or some dumb crap. But honestly, I think you can get away with not signing him. Backup catchers are, honestly, a dime a dozen.

You are in fact correct, with the key being that Miggy is a backup catcher; if all goes well, he is not getting more than 3-5% of the team's at-bats, and only 25-35% of the backstopping time. The only troubling thought in my mind is that there seems to be a preponderance of extraordinarily bad performances from backup catchers; take Yorvit Torrealba's .084 average in roughly 100 A.B.'s in San Francisco last year. Miggy may only be a backup catcher, but we know he will do some things well -- hit southpaws OK, knock a home run or three, limit opposing base stealing. Maybe that is worth a little bit of a premium. A million bucks ain't so much compared to a payroll of $50 million, after all.

Quote:

Do you have anyone in your system who could replace Olivo as backup?

This is also a consideration. The answer is no, and that is literal; you know you are playing OOTP when there are only two catchers in your entire system above single-A ball. I certainly plan on picking up a warm body around the trade deadline, or maybe on a waiver deal in August.

I enjoyed that little write-up (and do not have class tonight), so here is a little more. I am aiming to really get going again by about the middle of next week. In the meantime, here is a good Yorviting.

cknox0723 · 04-20-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orin2

"Yorvit steps up to the plate again, taps his cleats with the bat and digs in. Here's the 3-2, payoff pitch. Fastball low and away! Yorvit manages to catch a piece of it. A long fly ball to left center field! Going....going... GONE. Yorvit puts this one into orbit and the Pale Hose win a close game against the hated Indians, 3-2!"

I just wanted to use the phrase Yorvit puts this one into orbit.

This was a great post, some two months ago. There is not much to say about Yorvit Torrealba that wasn't said in post 671. He has given us a decent catcher; last year we had none. Though he's had few at-bats against left-handed moundsmen this season, due to Miguel Olivo's presence, Yorvit! has hit them just fine. I have little doubt he would make a fine everyday catcher for at least a few more years, though expecting a .290 average would be a bit much. This year's bat full of pop is not a mirage, if his career numbers are any barometer, and that is all I can ask for out of a backstop in this catcher-depleted league. I don't see any reason why Yorvit would not stay in the Pale Hose for quite a while, except...

He is due to hit free agency, as well. "So, re-sign him, dumbass!" you might say. Easy enough, but what kind of contract do you give a guy like this? I have been thinking a one-year deal is preferable, even if it takes a few million to pull it off. I can't see committing three years to this guy; it is never out of the realm of possibility that he goes six for the next eighty-four, because he did that already! He might make for a nice backup catcher if we happen across something better, but his arm is weak and I hear Mike Nannini really didn't like Yorvit!'s use of "caliente" in regards to his goldfish.

With that said, it would be foolish to let both Yorvit! and Miggy go, because then we are in the same situation as last season, and the Piazza-LaRue lovefest ain't worth relivin'. It also seems somewhat counterproductive to bring them both back, even though they have made for a nifty tandem this year -- if you do that, then the Pale Hose will be locked into to an average-at-best tandem behind the plate for a few years, and what if a big-time hitter like JD Closser or Kevin Cash becomes available on the free agent market?

But most baseball maybes don't come true; if they did, Jeremy Reed would still be "The Clutch God", and not the fifth outfielder on Toronto. So maybe banking on the possibility of a maybe when it comes to the future of Chicago (A)'s backstop position is poundfoolish, meaning it is time to not be so pennywise and show these guys the dough.

?

cknox0723 · 04-20-2006, 09:11 PM

You know, the first posts of the first Pale Hose thread were awfully similar to these you are reading now. That's good, I think. It means we have reached another "crossroads"-type point for the franchise; it also means I am enjoying the writing.

Frank Thomas was the first baseman of the past, but not so much anymore as he is hitting well under .200. He remains on the roster because he has already made his retirement plans clear, and I would feel like a louse for cutting him. But he is rarely playing anymore, and when he does it can only be described as painful.

As an aside, I am 99% sure that next year's Pale Hose thread will be subtitled "The Big Hurt" -- I think that's a good one, almost as high in quality as "One Flew Over the Pale Hose." I am thrilled; it is very important that the title be rock-solid, because we all know dynasty forum readers judge by the cover!

In any case, Frank Catlanotto is the first baseman of the present. He is not the ideal boppin' fit but his .360+ OBP gives us a hell of a lot more run-scoring opportunities than the wretched Brad Fullmer did last year. His contract runs for another year; it's an affordable rate for a player with a wide offensive array who can handle the outfield and even the occasional turn at second base. There are many players who can do one or two of those things; I can't think of many others who can do all of 'em. "Tabby" isn't the kind of player who would get his number retired by any team, even his Little League, but he is awfully unique. We're going to have a wonker of a time replacing him when the time comes.

But youngster Billy Rogers, our first-round pick in the past draft, should one day replace Catalanotto and then some. His imposing figure, light-tower power and selectivity at the plate evoke memories of a young Frank Thomas; Rogers' batting average at single-A has hovered around .240 much of the last few weeks, so he is obviously a ways off. But his OBP has been over .400, even with such a low batting average, and he's knocked some fences down. The positive indicators are definitely there. How quickly the whole package will consolidate is anyone's guess.

It would help if he actually learned to play first base. Drafted with the LF tag next to his name, Rogers is very tall and not very coordinated, so heaven help us if he so much as sniffs a big league outfield. But he has not adapted to first base enough to get the rating tag for that position on his player card, despite being "taught" the position from the day he entered our organization. In fact, I have not seen anyone in the system pick up a new position, even the more skilled fielders. Perhaps this is a quirk of playing OOTP6 with all the ratings off. Would anyone happen to know?

Regardless, this is one position I am more than happy with. The past/present/future spectrum is crystal-clear; most teams never have a situation at any position so defined. The veteran Catalanotto is older than you might think at 33 (or 34? I forget!

), so he could hit the proverbial wall next year and put up a year eerily reminiscent of Cleveland's own Ben Broussard or someone equally awful. But "Tabby" has hit in the past and continues to hit, so he can get the benefit of the doubt and we can all sleep soundly.

ifspuds · 04-20-2006, 10:10 PM

I would be very sad if next season's Yorviting came for another club, but sadly, baseball (even in OOTP) is a business. Unless you have financials off. Which you don't. So... I don't know what I'm saying either. Carry on.

(Nice to have you back, Craig

)

orin2 · 04-21-2006, 12:44 AM

I suffer with the resigning of players in my own online league. Of course, it is a little more extreme because we use a most profitable team gets the #1 pick system. I havent heard of anyone else doing that. So I tend to look at the financialsa little different. If your fans are coming to the ballpark and your whole payroll isn't too large, then you gotta look at giving Yorvit a longer contract. I think this is especially true if the FA market will be dry, there's a limited number of decent catchers in the league and you have nothing in the minors. All of those factors mean Yorvit has added value than just his performance.
As for teaching players new positions, I discovered that some of my players (My best prospect) had no problem picking up two extra positions while others struggle to learn one even though, like you, they have been in the teaching class for their entire stay. I have no idea what the influencing factor is though.
Nice to see you spending more time here, Craig.

The Funk · 04-23-2006, 05:13 PM

+1

CTSoxFan · 04-23-2006, 06:05 PM

Try teaching players new positions in the spring, it seems to work better. For one spring I have found that its okay to sacrifice upgrades in other parts of a players game to change a position.

The Funk · 04-23-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Funk

+1

This was a really good post. Kudos!

cknox0723 · 04-27-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orin2 et al.

Nice to see you spending more time here, Craig.

Thanks, it has been nice to be back, even intermittently. Barring any troubles this weekend, I should have the internet access up at home once again, so that should be fun. It is such a pleasure that so many enjoy following the trials and tribulations of this Pale Hose club.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTSoxFan

Try teaching players new positions in the spring, it seems to work better. For one spring I have found that its okay to sacrifice upgrades in other parts of a players game to change a position.

I hit the 'cancel spring' button before this season's slate. Guess I forgot to mention that.

It just seems a wee bit forced in the OOTP game we are currently playing; I also don't like to see the quick and sudden jumps in ratings. If it turns out that new positions cannot be learned with ratings off, I may bite my lip and go with spring training prior to the 2008 season - of course, we could be on OOTP7: SI by then.

Jestor · 04-27-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cknox0723

I hit the 'cancel spring' button before this season's slate. Guess I forgot to mention that.

It just seems a wee bit forced in the OOTP game we are currently playing; I also don't like to see the quick and sudden jumps in ratings. If it turns out that new positions cannot be learned with ratings off, I may bite my lip and go with spring training prior to the 2008 season - of course, we could be on OOTP7: SI by then.

Could? We will! And AT&T will bring it to us!

And glad to hear you'll be back soon Craig. A Knoxless world is a sadder one.

cknox0723 · 04-27-2006, 09:41 PM

It is quite startling how the sudden improvement of the Pale Hose as a whole coincided with the improvement of the ballplayers covering the entirety of the middle of the diamond. We have seen some great pitching whereas last year we had "Jon Moo" and "The Art of Suck", and we have seen some monster home runs instead of Joe Crede's whiff-fest, but we have also found something from four positions that last year gave us little more than nothing. A year's time yielded a huge upgrade at the backstop position, and as of this writing (July 2007, OOTP time), we've seen the same improvement from both the second base and shortstop positions. The funny bit is that one of the players manning those positions is still around in an everyday role; despite the improvement, he's still the same old ballplayer we had contributing mightily to last year's 93-loss fiasco.

Put on your analytical cap and take this stat line on for size for a second. These are four seasons of a player's career.

Code:

AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
.339	.408	.465	.873
.267	.327	.361	.688
.266	.337	.334	.672
.245	.312	.360	.672

Those low-power batting lines scream out "MIDDLE INFIELDER" like the

screams out Michael Nannini, fifth starter extraordinaire, but that first one also screams out "BATTING CHAMP", which ain't a bad thing to have. Trouble is, when the bat slows, you'll find yourself with a guy hitting 100 points lower, and ain't no championship ballclubs built solely around .240 hitters. This is obviously a player who is aging; first the bat speed went, when the average dropped from the mid-.300 range to .267, and then the power went. Maybe he moved to a more favorable park to keep the OPS at an even .672 the second time around, but you still don't have a hitter to slot in much higher than sixth in the order.

Or do you?

Those stat lines belong to our very own Ramon Vazquez, except the very first line are his numbers this season, with the ones below it representing seasons '04, '05, and '06 in order. His uptick in batting average has been consistent across the seasons, as he's batted at a .300 rate in every month, and he has been a dynamo at the top of the order in games too countless to even start to mention.

Vazquez is playing shortstop regularly and playing it well by the observation of my admittedly untrained eye; last year he was at second. It would be too easy and too convenient to attribute his success to the positional switch; maybe he is a little better than a .260 hitter when he is on the pine against southpaws as he has been all of this year, but that doesn't explain the 80-point uptick in batting average (and with it, OBP and SLG). Really it is just chance; maybe the cyber-Ramon realizes that this is his walk year, and he may get $3 million a year in free agency from some team thinking this is a new level of performance, rather than $1 million or whatever it is that a .260 hitter gets. The optimist in me would like to believe. Certainly Ramon has displayed that he has more virtues than the San Diego Padres ever thought.

But he is one guy on this mishmashed collection of ballplayers that will head on to greener pastures.

Hector Made is his likely replacement and is not dissimilar; Adam Kennedy will without a doubt be the second baseman next year. Because the computers are being shutdown in the library in nine minutes, I'll leave you with these tidbits and perhaps expand later.

Kennedy's numbers for the season are a .293 average, .348 OBP and .386 slugging, with 19 two-base hits a nice boost for the resume. In April, he hit .408/.438/.579, with 10 doubles. If he does that again next April, we will be able to dance all night long. If not...I hope he's hitting eighth.

His defensive virtues, however, make him worth having in the lineup even when he is swinging a weak stick. He has aided Vazquez's transition to short, I am short, and he will do the same for Hector Made, who is also a shortstop who makes a better second baseman. His ascension to a possible major league job merits further explanation than six minutes can give it, so I will leave it at that with a promise to be back soon and finish my thought.

04-17-2006, 07:51 PM	#721
ifspuds Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 2,117	Hey, I'm just happy you're still alive. __________________ Jeff Watson Former dynasty writer and online league player, now mostly retired

04-18-2006, 10:27 PM	#723
The Funk All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Watford Posts: 903	Yeah, I really should post in it more, sorry for lack of updates. __________________ Talkin' 'bout the issues but keepin' it funky!

04-19-2006, 12:40 PM	#724
Vris Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: somewhere where I don't know where I am Posts: 3,251	Great bump. __________________ None Blog it.

04-19-2006, 08:55 PM	#726
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	miggy Miguel Olivo is one of many, many Pale Hose guys who have paid enough dues in the major leagues that they will be allowed by rule to sell their services to the highest bidder this offseason. I can't imagine the phones will be burning off the hook for this guy; even moreso because he is looking for seven figures. Olivo has his virtues, sure. He's got a hell of an arm, a little bit of pop in the bat and even a dash of speed. He handles left-handed pitchers just fine, and thanks to being just a bit of computer code in the universe, doesn't complain even a bit. In short, he is the Practically Perfect Backup Catcher (TM BBPro). There's trouble in being such a great backup backstop, though, and that is simply that you don't want the guy to start. Olivo just isn't capable of catching up to an above-average major league fastball and he's got a weakness for breaking balls low and away, the same as I can't resist buying a package of Girl Scout cookies when they're being sold. (Cue inappropriate joke here.) So do you really want to commit more than the minimum to a guy that won't (or shouldn't) start? The Pale Hose are no Empire, not when they are a ballclub that's lost 190 in the last two years, so money is more than just an object here. And Olivo is nothing more than a novelty. He is the kind you can get attached to when he's socking pinch-hit dingers, but his weaknesses are painfully exposed in everyday play. My place of employment sells sugary, creamy frozen novelties on a stick (or in a cone) for the low, low price of 88 cents (American, tax included). There's no need to spend seven figures on Miguel Olivo, human binary novelty who only occasionally can be found with a stick. Yet I still feeling like re-signing him.

04-19-2006, 11:05 PM	#728
CTSoxFan Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 493	Do you have anyone in your system who could replace Olivo as backup? __________________

04-18-2006, 12:50 AM	#722
orin2 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 106	I honestly thought this thread was dead. Glad it isn't.

04-19-2006, 10:26 PM	#727
Jestor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,496	Don't do it! He costs too damn much. Be aggressive like Wal*Mart!

04-20-2006, 09:11 PM	#732
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	1st You know, the first posts of the first Pale Hose thread were awfully similar to these you are reading now. That's good, I think. It means we have reached another "crossroads"-type point for the franchise; it also means I am enjoying the writing. Frank Thomas was the first baseman of the past, but not so much anymore as he is hitting well under .200. He remains on the roster because he has already made his retirement plans clear, and I would feel like a louse for cutting him. But he is rarely playing anymore, and when he does it can only be described as painful. As an aside, I am 99% sure that next year's Pale Hose thread will be subtitled "The Big Hurt" -- I think that's a good one, almost as high in quality as "One Flew Over the Pale Hose." I am thrilled; it is very important that the title be rock-solid, because we all know dynasty forum readers judge by the cover! In any case, Frank Catlanotto is the first baseman of the present. He is not the ideal boppin' fit but his .360+ OBP gives us a hell of a lot more run-scoring opportunities than the wretched Brad Fullmer did last year. His contract runs for another year; it's an affordable rate for a player with a wide offensive array who can handle the outfield and even the occasional turn at second base. There are many players who can do one or two of those things; I can't think of many others who can do all of 'em. "Tabby" isn't the kind of player who would get his number retired by any team, even his Little League, but he is awfully unique. We're going to have a wonker of a time replacing him when the time comes. But youngster Billy Rogers, our first-round pick in the past draft, should one day replace Catalanotto and then some. His imposing figure, light-tower power and selectivity at the plate evoke memories of a young Frank Thomas; Rogers' batting average at single-A has hovered around .240 much of the last few weeks, so he is obviously a ways off. But his OBP has been over .400, even with such a low batting average, and he's knocked some fences down. The positive indicators are definitely there. How quickly the whole package will consolidate is anyone's guess. It would help if he actually learned to play first base. Drafted with the LF tag next to his name, Rogers is very tall and not very coordinated, so heaven help us if he so much as sniffs a big league outfield. But he has not adapted to first base enough to get the rating tag for that position on his player card, despite being "taught" the position from the day he entered our organization. In fact, I have not seen anyone in the system pick up a new position, even the more skilled fielders. Perhaps this is a quirk of playing OOTP6 with all the ratings off. Would anyone happen to know? Regardless, this is one position I am more than happy with. The past/present/future spectrum is crystal-clear; most teams never have a situation at any position so defined. The veteran Catalanotto is older than you might think at 33 (or 34? I forget! ), so he could hit the proverbial wall next year and put up a year eerily reminiscent of Cleveland's own Ben Broussard or someone equally awful. But "Tabby" has hit in the past and continues to hit, so he can get the benefit of the doubt and we can all sleep soundly.

04-20-2006, 10:10 PM	#733
ifspuds Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 2,117	I would be very sad if next season's Yorviting came for another club, but sadly, baseball (even in OOTP) is a business. Unless you have financials off. Which you don't. So... I don't know what I'm saying either. Carry on. (Nice to have you back, Craig ) __________________ Jeff Watson Former dynasty writer and online league player, now mostly retired

04-21-2006, 12:44 AM	#734
orin2 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 106	I suffer with the resigning of players in my own online league. Of course, it is a little more extreme because we use a most profitable team gets the #1 pick system. I havent heard of anyone else doing that. So I tend to look at the financialsa little different. If your fans are coming to the ballpark and your whole payroll isn't too large, then you gotta look at giving Yorvit a longer contract. I think this is especially true if the FA market will be dry, there's a limited number of decent catchers in the league and you have nothing in the minors. All of those factors mean Yorvit has added value than just his performance. As for teaching players new positions, I discovered that some of my players (My best prospect) had no problem picking up two extra positions while others struggle to learn one even though, like you, they have been in the teaching class for their entire stay. I have no idea what the influencing factor is though. Nice to see you spending more time here, Craig.

04-23-2006, 05:13 PM	#735
The Funk All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Watford Posts: 903	+1 __________________ Talkin' 'bout the issues but keepin' it funky!

04-23-2006, 06:05 PM	#736
CTSoxFan Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 493	Try teaching players new positions in the spring, it seems to work better. For one spring I have found that its okay to sacrifice upgrades in other parts of a players game to change a position. __________________

04-27-2006, 09:41 PM	#740
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	the (not-so) middling infield It is quite startling how the sudden improvement of the Pale Hose as a whole coincided with the improvement of the ballplayers covering the entirety of the middle of the diamond. We have seen some great pitching whereas last year we had "Jon Moo" and "The Art of Suck", and we have seen some monster home runs instead of Joe Crede's whiff-fest, but we have also found something from four positions that last year gave us little more than nothing. A year's time yielded a huge upgrade at the backstop position, and as of this writing (July 2007, OOTP time), we've seen the same improvement from both the second base and shortstop positions. The funny bit is that one of the players manning those positions is still around in an everyday role; despite the improvement, he's still the same old ballplayer we had contributing mightily to last year's 93-loss fiasco. Put on your analytical cap and take this stat line on for size for a second. These are four seasons of a player's career. Code: AVG OBP SLG OPS .339 .408 .465 .873 .267 .327 .361 .688 .266 .337 .334 .672 .245 .312 .360 .672 Those low-power batting lines scream out "MIDDLE INFIELDER" like the screams out Michael Nannini, fifth starter extraordinaire, but that first one also screams out "BATTING CHAMP", which ain't a bad thing to have. Trouble is, when the bat slows, you'll find yourself with a guy hitting 100 points lower, and ain't no championship ballclubs built solely around .240 hitters. This is obviously a player who is aging; first the bat speed went, when the average dropped from the mid-.300 range to .267, and then the power went. Maybe he moved to a more favorable park to keep the OPS at an even .672 the second time around, but you still don't have a hitter to slot in much higher than sixth in the order. Or do you? Those stat lines belong to our very own Ramon Vazquez, except the very first line are his numbers this season, with the ones below it representing seasons '04, '05, and '06 in order. His uptick in batting average has been consistent across the seasons, as he's batted at a .300 rate in every month, and he has been a dynamo at the top of the order in games too countless to even start to mention. Vazquez is playing shortstop regularly and playing it well by the observation of my admittedly untrained eye; last year he was at second. It would be too easy and too convenient to attribute his success to the positional switch; maybe he is a little better than a .260 hitter when he is on the pine against southpaws as he has been all of this year, but that doesn't explain the 80-point uptick in batting average (and with it, OBP and SLG). Really it is just chance; maybe the cyber-Ramon realizes that this is his walk year, and he may get $3 million a year in free agency from some team thinking this is a new level of performance, rather than $1 million or whatever it is that a .260 hitter gets. The optimist in me would like to believe. Certainly Ramon has displayed that he has more virtues than the San Diego Padres ever thought. But he is one guy on this mishmashed collection of ballplayers that will head on to greener pastures. Hector Made is his likely replacement and is not dissimilar; Adam Kennedy will without a doubt be the second baseman next year. Because the computers are being shutdown in the library in nine minutes, I'll leave you with these tidbits and perhaps expand later. Kennedy's numbers for the season are a .293 average, .348 OBP and .386 slugging, with 19 two-base hits a nice boost for the resume. In April, he hit .408/.438/.579, with 10 doubles. If he does that again next April, we will be able to dance all night long. If not...I hope he's hitting eighth. His defensive virtues, however, make him worth having in the lineup even when he is swinging a weak stick. He has aided Vazquez's transition to short, I am short, and he will do the same for Hector Made, who is also a shortstop who makes a better second baseman. His ascension to a possible major league job merits further explanation than six minutes can give it, so I will leave it at that with a promise to be back soon and finish my thought.