Yet Another OOTP6 Dynasty, Year 2: One Flew Over the Pale Hose - Page 19

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.

rem · 04-27-2006, 09:46 PM

Ramon Vazquez = Tony Womack sans speed

The Funk · 04-27-2006, 09:54 PM

You've clearly jinxed him now. And if you haven't, this post surely has.

cknox0723 · 05-01-2006, 07:23 PM

To sum up the post at the bottom of the last page:

Quote:

Originally Posted by remangiii

Ramon Vazquez = Tony Womack sans speed

Maybe. But the year Womack hit .307 was also the year where his team won the NL pennant.

I have nothing more at the moment, but maybe later. And I don't think later means "two days from now" any longer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Funk

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Funk

This was a really good post. Kudos!

The Funk · 05-02-2006, 10:43 PM

You know, I don't usually like blowing my own (massively long) trumpet, but looking back now from a slightly more detached perspective, that really was a top notch +1

cknox0723 · 05-03-2006, 11:57 PM

Here is the best +1 of all.

Jestor · 05-04-2006, 12:09 AM

After 95 games they have a 5.5 game lead?

That means they're almost guaranteed to still be in the lead after 100 games!

cknox0723 · 05-06-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jestor

After 95 games they have a 5.5 game lead?

That means they're almost guaranteed to still be in the lead after 100 games!

almost?

cknox0723 · 05-07-2006, 02:40 AM

Third base may be the "hot corner", but it is a paltry forty degrees in the Garden State tonight.

Eric Munson plays third base for the Pale Hose. You may not have known that before reading this post. Now you do.

cknox0723 · 05-07-2006, 02:43 AM

The Jim Gentile of the Pale Hose, third baseman Eric Munson has finally escaped AAA after battering too many small-town fastballs to count. The big league fastballs have treated him a little more brusquely, but Munson has still struck back occasionally, and with enough authority to make it worthwhile. His .251 batting average and .324 on-base mark don't jump off the page, but they're miles ahead of the sickly .235 and .274 marks that Joe Crede put up last season, and Munson's 14 home runs have been a fine treat worthy of a double dip.

You can break Munson's line down in a variety of ways and conclude that he's not as good as all that -- outside of a scorching May (.618 SLG, 7 HR) and a pretty decent July, he's been a boon(e) to the offense; he's done nothing at home (.630 OPS) that Crede couldn't have, since U.S. Cellular saps his power; he can't hit lefties and that forces us to carry a platoon man (no luck with that so far); Munson's .133 average in close & late situations and 1-8 pinch-hitting line suggest that Eric is in fact a shrub, and not worthy of big league limelight or kitty cats. All that may be true, and Joe Crede has knocked 29 doubles and 12 homers and is hitting a tolerable .259 for Cleveland, so likelihood is we could've kept him and gotten the same production that Munson's given us.

That still can't diminish what he has given us -- a year of something resembling quality third base play, and for a cheap contract plus "incentives." Of course it could've been better, if we had a platoon partner that could hit those evil lefties that Munson can't touch, but you didn't really think guys named Hillenbrand or Branyan or Enrique "The Relief Ace" Wilson were going to be the answer, did you? They've never really been any good, and now they are approaching the age of 30 or past it. There's no incentive for them to keep at it anymore, so maybe that is why the attrition rate is so high for fringe players in their early thirties.

It is for a similar reason that I don't see Munson as any more than a temporary solution at the hot corner. He has provided more than Joe Crede ever did, and every bit of more has allowed us the catbird's seat in the Central in the middle of July 2007, less than a full calendar year after we recorded loss number ninety-three in the last game of the season. But he's also going to be thirty years old by the end of this season, and that's the age where you'd better be damned sure the guy can play, 'cause ain't no new tricks to be learned at thirty. (By ballplayers, at least) Munson's had a nice run this year, but his career batting line in the majors, 838 at-bats, is just .218/.289/.391. Sure, he hit the cover off the ball a few years running in the minor leagues, but even those 50 home run lines were accompanied by triple digit strikeouts and a .290 average. Yes, I know .290 is "good", but .290 in AAA don't mean .290 in MLB, now does it? Sure, good players can strike out, and they don't need to have a high batting average, but the good players can make up for those flaws in ways the donkey-footed Munson cannot. Don't pity him; he's lived the life so many dreamed about, and he'll have those memories and a pocket full of change to keep him company for a long time. But don't be shocked when he's not back next year.

I would talk at length about his possible replacements, but we'll have to see if the surprising contenders in Florida hang onto the multitalented Mike Lowell first. With a .300 average and .490 slugging, he's having one of the best seasons a 33 year old with a .282/.346/.471 career line can have -- but that is no real surprise, because if he was hitting like Crede, how would the Marlins be a "surprising contender" anyway? He's an excellent defender as well and the ideal hot corner man; unfortunately he is 34 years old, but we ain't gonna get him if he's still ripe, are we?

While that saga plays out, I feel like it might be smart to dip back into the frozen well up north to pick up utilityman Dave Berg from Toronto for the stretch run. He is a million years old and hit a paltry .232 last year, but is hitting at a strong .297 clip this year and has a long record of batting lines that are at least respectable. He can handle pitchers of any hand, if the statistical record is any indication, though if we face the Mets in the WORLD SERIES and he faces that youngster Vince Cordova who is a hunchback and throws with his crooked right foot, I think we may have a problem. Unfortunately the Blue Jays have made a wee surge in the standings recently with a 6-3 run, and they are only 5.5 out of the wild card despite a 44-50 overall record.

Perhaps we will have a clearer picture after 100 games. If we ever get there.

We will.

DAL 9000 · 05-07-2006, 09:22 AM

I can't believe you actually used the words "double dip" to talk about anything other than a threesome. I hereby revoke your guy card, Craig.

cknox0723 · 05-10-2006, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAL 9000

I can't believe you actually used the words "double dip" to talk about anything other than a threesome. I hereby revoke your guy card, Craig.

Actually, the phrase I was going for was "french dip" -- I looked at the sign at the ice cream shoppe the other day, and that's what it said. But Google that and you will get all these pictures of sandwiches. Very frustrating.

Also, this is a family dynasty thread, so no talk about threesomes unless they are with the Devil Rays. And even then we'll probably lose two out of three.

cknox0723 · 05-10-2006, 10:46 PM

You might look at the veterans manning our outfield with all of their awards and accolades and high salaries and conclude it's a position of strength. That wouldn't be the biggest leap in the world; they ain't 36 years old, after all, and they're joined by a 25 year old rabblerouser who's had a pretty auspicious debut season. But the Pale Hose outfield is more pomp than circumstance and more ketchup than french fry; there are bigger fish to fry in keeping this team solid in the future, so don't go sobbing into your pillow, but don't look at where the guys are batting in the order or how many RBI they have and conclude we're in good shape here.

Brian Anderson is the young gun, and his .284/.344/.437 line shouldn't be sneezed at, unless you're like me and not a big fan of pollen, which is everywhere. Anderson's batting numbers in his first grasp at everyday play in the bigs are a pretty good translation for a minor league career where he hit through three levels in three years, culminating with last year's .307/.370/.479 line in 355 AB for AAA Charlotte. There are only two blips on the statistical radar -- a home/road split heavily in favor of the former, probably something we will encounter with every right-handed batter ever to come through these parts, and also a sick .436 batting average (17 hits in 39 AB) with runners in scoring position. That's allowed Anderson to bat in an impressive 34 runners in 209 plate appearances (190 AB) -- keep that up in the second half, kid, and I won't complain about the outfield.

Vernon Wells was the big midseason acquisition, picked up when Toronto had one of their little Canadian fits. He's a three-time All-Star, a thirty home run man, smack in his prime at 28 years old, a hell of a centerfielder -- trouble is he sucks. No, really. Since an 8 home run April, Wells is slugging just a wee bit under .400, and he's six for thirty (.200) in a Pale Hose uniform. "So why trade for him?" you ask. Wells is "a player with extraordinary talent," I say, and also he was cheap. Plus, he gives us a proven cleanup man and exudes the appearance of a veteran at the age of 28. And finally he is certainly an upgrade on fourth outfielder Raul Gonzalez. I love that boy -- a waiver wire find who has made good in the bigs for the first time at age 33, but stretched is he playing everyday.

Magglio Ordonez plays right field under the psuedonym "Buddha" and honestly I am not sure why at this point. All I know is that three years ago he slugged .600+, hitting .327 with 39 home runs, scoring 100+ times and driving in over 100 runners and winning MVP. His batting average dropped precipitously the next season, as is wont to happen to overrated award recipients in a karmically just world, and then in August Maggs broke his wrist, diving for a ball in the outfield in a stupid, meaningless game against Kansas City in the doldrums of a 100-loss season. His power stroke's been missing in action ever since, and it is to the point where I'm not sure it's ever coming back, glowing scouting reports be damned. Magglio's plate discipline has evolved quite a bit from when he was fresh-faced n00b, as he's on pace for a career-high in walks with around 75. But how much of this plate discipline is reputation? "Buddha" was a hell of a hitter a few years ago. The guys who've been batting behind him most of the season, Eric Munson or Brian Anderson or Raul Gonzalez, have never been any good outside of small-towns, so wouldn't you rather pitch to them regardless?

Ordonez has hit 271 home runs in a psuedo-career that has been mostly illustrious, but he is 33 years old and all the signs say that career home run #300 may not come until 2009, two seasons from now. He's under contract at $9.8 million per annum until then, so we'll see it regardless. But it'll be a pity if it takes 1,000 outs to get there.

Unfortunately Ordonez will remain the right fielder for games on end by inertia, 'cause ain't no one coming up through the farm anytime soon. Michael "Lucky" Houchins was the #8 overall selection two drafts ago, but he's been a bust ever since I've run this little franchise aground, failing to hit anything at all. His .255/.339/.429 line this season indicated a hairbreadth of skills, even if it was only in a second trip at AA at the age of 25...but then Houchins went and fractured his hand in June. Here we are nearing the end of July, and "Lucky" is about ready to play ball again, but even the most unbridled optimist (read: idiot) would say that his luck's about run out.

Scott Podsednik of Milwaukee is really the kind of guy we could use. Far from the banjo-hitting "fast guy" his counterpart is, this "Pods" is a consistent .300 hitter with doubles power, speed, and brilliant defense thrown in for good measure. He's stolen 42 bases in 46 attempts this season to boot, and his contract is appropriately due to expire at season's end. Our weak-hitting (.248 avg - 23rd in MLB), slow (38 SB - 24th) team could really use a jolt from "Pods" now, but the cost is extremely steep, as Milwaukee will only accept our only real prospect (gee, I wonder why) in last year's first rounder, Chris Scarborough, the live-armed right-hander who's maybe a few twirls from the big leagues. And they want more beyond that, probably in the form of the young dynamo Brian Anderson, who would be rendered unnecessary by the acquisition of another outfielder anyway.

I can't bring myself to give away this kid Scarborough (5-3, 5.45 in 74 AAA innings), especially since we might be able to win (or lose!) the division we currently lead by five-and-a-half with or without "Pods." Whatever Scarborough may become, he is ours, and I feel compelled to keep him.

But this may also be the best chance we ever get to win a flag. Hell, once I throw some pitching numbers up here, it will become more apparent than ever that we're lucky to be where we are. But we're here, so might as well stay. Another real major league hitter would be a big help in that.

What do you think?

Jestor · 05-11-2006, 12:57 AM

As much as I love Scotty iPod, Scarborough Mediocre is the quintessential Pale Hose player in my opinion. Overrated by scouts in the beginning, now underrated and scoffed at after some minor league troubles. He, like the Pale Hose, is surging now, and to deal him would be to commit an act bordering on treason.

Say no to the postmodern Scotty iPod. Say yes to the timeless and classic Scarborough Faire.

seth70liz76 · 05-12-2006, 09:38 AM

I say make the move for Scotty Pods. If I've learned anything from the Pale Hose (which I haven't) it is "there is no such thing as a pitching prospect." If you think you can win, make the move for the known quanity.

zukes · 05-17-2006, 04:30 PM

I have been saying go for it, meaning trade the Toronto suburb (Scarborough) for whatever you think will put you over the edge this year. Next year be damned, this is the Pale Hose we're talking about, you'll be lucky to win 50 games next year.

GO FOR IT!!!

CTSoxFan · 05-17-2006, 04:47 PM

Keep Scarborough, when I think of your Pale Hose he is one of the guys I think of. He is one of your first big additions to the organization and he represents everything good about the Pale Hose. Keep him and let him do what he can, your winning somehow with this team, so keep it up and don't do anything drastic

cknox0723 · 05-18-2006, 01:55 AM

2 votes for THE trade, 2 against. Good thing I have the tiebreaker.

But first a few short notes on the pitching and then maybe we will play a ballgame tomorrow or something.

cknox0723 · 05-18-2006, 02:04 AM

Maybe the Pale Hose have gone from losing to winning in a year's time because the pitching has improved so dramatically. The staff ranks ninth in the league in earned run average as of this writing - fifth in opponents' avg, 12th in opposing home runs hit, and ninth in runs allowed. The bottom of the barrel twenty-sixth place ranking in walks allowed offers some proof that there are different ways to skin a cat.

I was inclined to think that the pitching improvement is due to the success of the guys at the margins of the staff. We have gotten 60 quality innings out of journeyman Ryan Franklin, 34, an All-Star in Cincinnati two and three years ago. A pickup from the far reaches of the north, Michael Nannini, has also given us five wins and at 26 years old, there can be hope he'll improve. Of course his strikeout rate is marginal and batters thump him for quite a bit of power, and three of his starts have been against last-place Tampa, two against last-place Oakland, and two more were teams in our sorry division; it's been a fun nine starts just the same. Nannini gave up six runs in five-plus innings against the only real lineup he's faced, Texas; basically his succes has been molded, shaped, created - out of nothing.

But how is that any different from the success enjoyed by the holdovers from last year's staff?

Code:

LEGEND (for the footy fans and Google spiders):
PLAYER = the mechanism actuating a player piano
IP = innings pitched
RA = run average (like EarnedRA, only without the niceties about who deserves
credit and who was perfectly blameless)

PLAYER		'06 IP	'06 RA	'07 IP	'07 RA
M. Buehrle	246.1	3.43	146.1	3.14
J. Garland	197.1	4.06	123.1	4.31
E. Loaiza	199.2	6.40	134.1	3.15
J. DePaula	166.2	5.45	35.2	9.59
J. Rauch	119.1	5.36	38.1	6.58
R. Ankiel	58.0	6.36	26.1	5.47
P.J. Bevis	69.2	6.46	39.2	4.08
K. Calero	67.1	4.55	44.2	2.01
M. Gallo	61.2	5.40	40.2	2.43
A. Otsuka	75.0	4.08	49.0	4.04
J. Roa		93.0	2.90	40.1	4.69

Amazing how quickly a few baseball statistics can allow you to separate wheat from chaff. But what to make of the big gainers on the list? Esteban Loaiza is the man of interest, because he surrendered hits and runs at an extraordinary rate last season. Some of his improvement is inherent, just from sticking around for a few months; maybe if he had pitched like DePaula or Rauch in April, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I do also feel that Loaiza was hurt significantly by the KRAAAAZY defensive scheme concocted last season. Dmitri Young was a hell of a hitter but a left fielder in name only. Center fielder Joe Borchard had a stellar defensive rep, but also floating around him is the idea of explosive power. The 28 year old has certainly displayed that in Cincinnati this year, "raking" to the tune of .213/.275/.352 - 13 home runs in 324 AB.

Aliens inhabited one-time second baseman Juan Uribe, which made defense problematic for him. Also third baseman Joe Crede was generally terrible at all things that took place on a baseball diamond, and whoever played first base probably sucked at catching the ball, too. Such is the Pale Hose legacy, but it's better than nothing.

This pitching staff is also better than nothing, but not so much so that I trust it to continue. Seven pitchers on the staff are allowing runs less frequently than they did last year. Maybe you can give 2B Adam "Gumby" Kennedy and SS "Pokey" Vazquez and a fistful of outfielders some of the credit for that, but they're not bringing back all of the home runs that Calero and Bevis aren't allowing, and those guys aren't catching all the balls hit in the gaps so Loaiza et al. don't allow no doubles. Maybe some of these guys (Loaiza, for one) are simply better pitchers than they showed last year, but all of 'em? There's got to be a middle ground somewhere, but we ain't seen it yet this year.

Surely we'll see that miresome medium of mediocrity by the end of 2008 (that's next year in this universe, kiddies) - I'd prefer that we delay it as long as possible. If you think it ain't comin', then you've got more faith in the indefensible than do I. Skeptic as I am, it is time to do what I can to keep this club winning.

zukes · 05-18-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cknox0723

it is time to do what I can to keep this club winning.

Buh-bye Scarborough, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

cknox0723 · 05-20-2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukes

Buh-bye Scarborough, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

Something like that.

You ready for it?

Trade with Toronto! :

Toronto gets:
OF Clint King

We get:
UT Dave Berg

OK, not really. But give it a few days and I think I can convince Toronto management on that one, though. Berg makes a nifty utility man, so I hope we can swing it.

Anyway, here is the trade we have all been waiting for. You think July 21, '07 will be known as the day the Pale Hose sewed up the division title, or an ignominious day of infamy?

Trade with Milwaukee! :

Milwaukee gets :
22 yr old RHSP Chris Scarborough - 1st-rd pick '06, no MLB experience, but immediately the #1 Milwaukee starter. Only questions concern his health, his control, and his hunger for gopher food. Has the height, slider, changeup, and nasty strikeout rates that scream out future stardom.
25 yr old CF Brian Anderson - 190 AB, .284/.344/.437, likely NL RoY and forms a dynamic duo with 25 yr old RF Krynzel, who is not very good but runs around a lot to make up for it. Has been a clutch hitter all year - 4 HR but 34 RBI, a .436 avg. with runners in scoring position (39 AB). If that is repeatable, Anderson is an above-average corner outfielder. Has 5 errors in 20 games in LF and 0 errors in 30 games in CF.
29 yr old LHRP Mike Gallo - 40.2 IP, 2.21 ERA and he is lefty! Merely ambulatory last year (5.25 ERA), otherwise indistinguished in his career, so offseason arbitration hearings can't come soon enough.
25 yr old LHSP Ryan Wing - C-grade prospect until this year - 6-10 with a 4.91 ERA for AAA Charlotte)

We get :
31 yr old CF Scott Podsednik - 339 AB, .330/.410/.481 and 42 for 46 in SB, a free agent after the season and will he ever cash in. Too bad this is probably his last moment on top of the mountain. But maybe he can help us reach the top of the American League Central mountain? For this price, it better be more than just maybe.
35 yr old 2B Wil Cordero - 282 AB, .255/.335/.447, handles left-handers well and can play all over the field. Probably stretched playing everyday, but: 1. it's worked in MIL for the last year and a half and 2. he won't have to with Kennedy and all the rest still around.
30 yr old RHSP Wade Miller - 62 IP, 3.63 ERA, all in relief save for a 4.2 inning forgettable start. 8-15 record last season with a 4.64 ERA, so got booted to the 'pen this year despite $4.8+ million contract that runs through next season. But he's an 88-70 career pitcher who has proven durable in this world, and I like him as a nice Loaiza replacement for next season. Will hang out in our bullpen the rest of this year barring something unforeseen.
33 yr old C Wiki Gonzalez - AAA-filler, slugging .467 down "there" but would struggle to hit even .220 in the big-town game

So there you go. We got a real ballclub now...so let's play a little baseball, shall we?

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.

04-27-2006, 09:46 PM	#741
rem Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: College Park, Md. Posts: 5,024	Ramon Vazquez = Tony Womack sans speed __________________ OTBA: Washington Filibusters CLBR: Minnesota Twins 2005 Winner of LL's Pick the Loser Contest! - 15-0

04-27-2006, 09:54 PM	#742
The Funk All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Watford Posts: 903	You've clearly jinxed him now. And if you haven't, this post surely has. __________________ Talkin' 'bout the issues but keepin' it funky!

05-02-2006, 10:43 PM	#744
The Funk All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Watford Posts: 903	You know, I don't usually like blowing my own (massively long) trumpet, but looking back now from a slightly more detached perspective, that really was a top notch +1 __________________ Talkin' 'bout the issues but keepin' it funky!

05-03-2006, 11:57 PM	#745
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	Here is the best +1 of all. Attached Images

05-07-2006, 02:40 AM	#748
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	hot corner Third base may be the "hot corner", but it is a paltry forty degrees in the Garden State tonight. Eric Munson plays third base for the Pale Hose. You may not have known that before reading this post. Now you do.

05-07-2006, 02:43 AM	#749
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	hot corner, part third (base) The Jim Gentile of the Pale Hose, third baseman Eric Munson has finally escaped AAA after battering too many small-town fastballs to count. The big league fastballs have treated him a little more brusquely, but Munson has still struck back occasionally, and with enough authority to make it worthwhile. His .251 batting average and .324 on-base mark don't jump off the page, but they're miles ahead of the sickly .235 and .274 marks that Joe Crede put up last season, and Munson's 14 home runs have been a fine treat worthy of a double dip. You can break Munson's line down in a variety of ways and conclude that he's not as good as all that -- outside of a scorching May (.618 SLG, 7 HR) and a pretty decent July, he's been a boon(e) to the offense; he's done nothing at home (.630 OPS) that Crede couldn't have, since U.S. Cellular saps his power; he can't hit lefties and that forces us to carry a platoon man (no luck with that so far); Munson's .133 average in close & late situations and 1-8 pinch-hitting line suggest that Eric is in fact a shrub, and not worthy of big league limelight or kitty cats. All that may be true, and Joe Crede has knocked 29 doubles and 12 homers and is hitting a tolerable .259 for Cleveland, so likelihood is we could've kept him and gotten the same production that Munson's given us. That still can't diminish what he has given us -- a year of something resembling quality third base play, and for a cheap contract plus "incentives." Of course it could've been better, if we had a platoon partner that could hit those evil lefties that Munson can't touch, but you didn't really think guys named Hillenbrand or Branyan or Enrique "The Relief Ace" Wilson were going to be the answer, did you? They've never really been any good, and now they are approaching the age of 30 or past it. There's no incentive for them to keep at it anymore, so maybe that is why the attrition rate is so high for fringe players in their early thirties. It is for a similar reason that I don't see Munson as any more than a temporary solution at the hot corner. He has provided more than Joe Crede ever did, and every bit of more has allowed us the catbird's seat in the Central in the middle of July 2007, less than a full calendar year after we recorded loss number ninety-three in the last game of the season. But he's also going to be thirty years old by the end of this season, and that's the age where you'd better be damned sure the guy can play, 'cause ain't no new tricks to be learned at thirty. (By ballplayers, at least) Munson's had a nice run this year, but his career batting line in the majors, 838 at-bats, is just .218/.289/.391. Sure, he hit the cover off the ball a few years running in the minor leagues, but even those 50 home run lines were accompanied by triple digit strikeouts and a .290 average. Yes, I know .290 is "good", but .290 in AAA don't mean .290 in MLB, now does it? Sure, good players can strike out, and they don't need to have a high batting average, but the good players can make up for those flaws in ways the donkey-footed Munson cannot. Don't pity him; he's lived the life so many dreamed about, and he'll have those memories and a pocket full of change to keep him company for a long time. But don't be shocked when he's not back next year. I would talk at length about his possible replacements, but we'll have to see if the surprising contenders in Florida hang onto the multitalented Mike Lowell first. With a .300 average and .490 slugging, he's having one of the best seasons a 33 year old with a .282/.346/.471 career line can have -- but that is no real surprise, because if he was hitting like Crede, how would the Marlins be a "surprising contender" anyway? He's an excellent defender as well and the ideal hot corner man; unfortunately he is 34 years old, but we ain't gonna get him if he's still ripe, are we? While that saga plays out, I feel like it might be smart to dip back into the frozen well up north to pick up utilityman Dave Berg from Toronto for the stretch run. He is a million years old and hit a paltry .232 last year, but is hitting at a strong .297 clip this year and has a long record of batting lines that are at least respectable. He can handle pitchers of any hand, if the statistical record is any indication, though if we face the Mets in the WORLD SERIES and he faces that youngster Vince Cordova who is a hunchback and throws with his crooked right foot, I think we may have a problem. Unfortunately the Blue Jays have made a wee surge in the standings recently with a 6-3 run, and they are only 5.5 out of the wild card despite a 44-50 overall record. Perhaps we will have a clearer picture after 100 games. If we ever get there. We will.

05-07-2006, 09:22 AM	#750
DAL 9000 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 294	I can't believe you actually used the words "double dip" to talk about anything other than a threesome. I hereby revoke your guy card, Craig. __________________ Llama farmers of Wisconsin! "Welcome, and enjoy our llamas."

05-10-2006, 10:46 PM	#752
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	outfield You might look at the veterans manning our outfield with all of their awards and accolades and high salaries and conclude it's a position of strength. That wouldn't be the biggest leap in the world; they ain't 36 years old, after all, and they're joined by a 25 year old rabblerouser who's had a pretty auspicious debut season. But the Pale Hose outfield is more pomp than circumstance and more ketchup than french fry; there are bigger fish to fry in keeping this team solid in the future, so don't go sobbing into your pillow, but don't look at where the guys are batting in the order or how many RBI they have and conclude we're in good shape here. Brian Anderson is the young gun, and his .284/.344/.437 line shouldn't be sneezed at, unless you're like me and not a big fan of pollen, which is everywhere. Anderson's batting numbers in his first grasp at everyday play in the bigs are a pretty good translation for a minor league career where he hit through three levels in three years, culminating with last year's .307/.370/.479 line in 355 AB for AAA Charlotte. There are only two blips on the statistical radar -- a home/road split heavily in favor of the former, probably something we will encounter with every right-handed batter ever to come through these parts, and also a sick .436 batting average (17 hits in 39 AB) with runners in scoring position. That's allowed Anderson to bat in an impressive 34 runners in 209 plate appearances (190 AB) -- keep that up in the second half, kid, and I won't complain about the outfield. Vernon Wells was the big midseason acquisition, picked up when Toronto had one of their little Canadian fits. He's a three-time All-Star, a thirty home run man, smack in his prime at 28 years old, a hell of a centerfielder -- trouble is he sucks. No, really. Since an 8 home run April, Wells is slugging just a wee bit under .400, and he's six for thirty (.200) in a Pale Hose uniform. "So why trade for him?" you ask. Wells is "a player with extraordinary talent," I say, and also he was cheap. Plus, he gives us a proven cleanup man and exudes the appearance of a veteran at the age of 28. And finally he is certainly an upgrade on fourth outfielder Raul Gonzalez. I love that boy -- a waiver wire find who has made good in the bigs for the first time at age 33, but stretched is he playing everyday. Magglio Ordonez plays right field under the psuedonym "Buddha" and honestly I am not sure why at this point. All I know is that three years ago he slugged .600+, hitting .327 with 39 home runs, scoring 100+ times and driving in over 100 runners and winning MVP. His batting average dropped precipitously the next season, as is wont to happen to overrated award recipients in a karmically just world, and then in August Maggs broke his wrist, diving for a ball in the outfield in a stupid, meaningless game against Kansas City in the doldrums of a 100-loss season. His power stroke's been missing in action ever since, and it is to the point where I'm not sure it's ever coming back, glowing scouting reports be damned. Magglio's plate discipline has evolved quite a bit from when he was fresh-faced n00b, as he's on pace for a career-high in walks with around 75. But how much of this plate discipline is reputation? "Buddha" was a hell of a hitter a few years ago. The guys who've been batting behind him most of the season, Eric Munson or Brian Anderson or Raul Gonzalez, have never been any good outside of small-towns, so wouldn't you rather pitch to them regardless? Ordonez has hit 271 home runs in a psuedo-career that has been mostly illustrious, but he is 33 years old and all the signs say that career home run #300 may not come until 2009, two seasons from now. He's under contract at $9.8 million per annum until then, so we'll see it regardless. But it'll be a pity if it takes 1,000 outs to get there. Unfortunately Ordonez will remain the right fielder for games on end by inertia, 'cause ain't no one coming up through the farm anytime soon. Michael "Lucky" Houchins was the #8 overall selection two drafts ago, but he's been a bust ever since I've run this little franchise aground, failing to hit anything at all. His .255/.339/.429 line this season indicated a hairbreadth of skills, even if it was only in a second trip at AA at the age of 25...but then Houchins went and fractured his hand in June. Here we are nearing the end of July, and "Lucky" is about ready to play ball again, but even the most unbridled optimist (read: idiot) would say that his luck's about run out. Scott Podsednik of Milwaukee is really the kind of guy we could use. Far from the banjo-hitting "fast guy" his counterpart is, this "Pods" is a consistent .300 hitter with doubles power, speed, and brilliant defense thrown in for good measure. He's stolen 42 bases in 46 attempts this season to boot, and his contract is appropriately due to expire at season's end. Our weak-hitting (.248 avg - 23rd in MLB), slow (38 SB - 24th) team could really use a jolt from "Pods" now, but the cost is extremely steep, as Milwaukee will only accept our only real prospect (gee, I wonder why) in last year's first rounder, Chris Scarborough, the live-armed right-hander who's maybe a few twirls from the big leagues. And they want more beyond that, probably in the form of the young dynamo Brian Anderson, who would be rendered unnecessary by the acquisition of another outfielder anyway. I can't bring myself to give away this kid Scarborough (5-3, 5.45 in 74 AAA innings), especially since we might be able to win (or lose!) the division we currently lead by five-and-a-half with or without "Pods." Whatever Scarborough may become, he is ours, and I feel compelled to keep him. But this may also be the best chance we ever get to win a flag. Hell, once I throw some pitching numbers up here, it will become more apparent than ever that we're lucky to be where we are. But we're here, so might as well stay. Another real major league hitter would be a big help in that. What do you think?

05-12-2006, 09:38 AM	#754
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	I say make the move for Scotty Pods. If I've learned anything from the Pale Hose (which I haven't) it is "there is no such thing as a pitching prospect." If you think you can win, make the move for the known quanity. __________________ It was a mistake to come back.

05-17-2006, 04:30 PM	#755
zukes All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London, Ont. Canada Posts: 1,106	I have been saying go for it, meaning trade the Toronto suburb (Scarborough) for whatever you think will put you over the edge this year. Next year be damned, this is the Pale Hose we're talking about, you'll be lucky to win 50 games next year. GO FOR IT!!!

05-17-2006, 04:47 PM	#756
CTSoxFan Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 493	Keep Scarborough, when I think of your Pale Hose he is one of the guys I think of. He is one of your first big additions to the organization and he represents everything good about the Pale Hose. Keep him and let him do what he can, your winning somehow with this team, so keep it up and don't do anything drastic __________________

05-18-2006, 01:55 AM	#757
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	2 votes for THE trade, 2 against. Good thing I have the tiebreaker. But first a few short notes on the pitching and then maybe we will play a ballgame tomorrow or something.

05-18-2006, 02:04 AM	#758
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	pitching Maybe the Pale Hose have gone from losing to winning in a year's time because the pitching has improved so dramatically. The staff ranks ninth in the league in earned run average as of this writing - fifth in opponents' avg, 12th in opposing home runs hit, and ninth in runs allowed. The bottom of the barrel twenty-sixth place ranking in walks allowed offers some proof that there are different ways to skin a cat. I was inclined to think that the pitching improvement is due to the success of the guys at the margins of the staff. We have gotten 60 quality innings out of journeyman Ryan Franklin, 34, an All-Star in Cincinnati two and three years ago. A pickup from the far reaches of the north, Michael Nannini, has also given us five wins and at 26 years old, there can be hope he'll improve. Of course his strikeout rate is marginal and batters thump him for quite a bit of power, and three of his starts have been against last-place Tampa, two against last-place Oakland, and two more were teams in our sorry division; it's been a fun nine starts just the same. Nannini gave up six runs in five-plus innings against the only real lineup he's faced, Texas; basically his succes has been molded, shaped, created - out of nothing. But how is that any different from the success enjoyed by the holdovers from last year's staff? Code: LEGEND (for the footy fans and Google spiders): PLAYER = the mechanism actuating a player piano IP = innings pitched RA = run average (like EarnedRA, only without the niceties about who deserves credit and who was perfectly blameless) PLAYER '06 IP '06 RA '07 IP '07 RA M. Buehrle 246.1 3.43 146.1 3.14 J. Garland 197.1 4.06 123.1 4.31 E. Loaiza 199.2 6.40 134.1 3.15 J. DePaula 166.2 5.45 35.2 9.59 J. Rauch 119.1 5.36 38.1 6.58 R. Ankiel 58.0 6.36 26.1 5.47 P.J. Bevis 69.2 6.46 39.2 4.08 K. Calero 67.1 4.55 44.2 2.01 M. Gallo 61.2 5.40 40.2 2.43 A. Otsuka 75.0 4.08 49.0 4.04 J. Roa 93.0 2.90 40.1 4.69 Amazing how quickly a few baseball statistics can allow you to separate wheat from chaff. But what to make of the big gainers on the list? Esteban Loaiza is the man of interest, because he surrendered hits and runs at an extraordinary rate last season. Some of his improvement is inherent, just from sticking around for a few months; maybe if he had pitched like DePaula or Rauch in April, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I do also feel that Loaiza was hurt significantly by the KRAAAAZY defensive scheme concocted last season. Dmitri Young was a hell of a hitter but a left fielder in name only. Center fielder Joe Borchard had a stellar defensive rep, but also floating around him is the idea of explosive power. The 28 year old has certainly displayed that in Cincinnati this year, "raking" to the tune of .213/.275/.352 - 13 home runs in 324 AB. Aliens inhabited one-time second baseman Juan Uribe, which made defense problematic for him. Also third baseman Joe Crede was generally terrible at all things that took place on a baseball diamond, and whoever played first base probably sucked at catching the ball, too. Such is the Pale Hose legacy, but it's better than nothing. This pitching staff is also better than nothing, but not so much so that I trust it to continue. Seven pitchers on the staff are allowing runs less frequently than they did last year. Maybe you can give 2B Adam "Gumby" Kennedy and SS "Pokey" Vazquez and a fistful of outfielders some of the credit for that, but they're not bringing back all of the home runs that Calero and Bevis aren't allowing, and those guys aren't catching all the balls hit in the gaps so Loaiza et al. don't allow no doubles. Maybe some of these guys (Loaiza, for one) are simply better pitchers than they showed last year, but all of 'em? There's got to be a middle ground somewhere, but we ain't seen it yet this year. Surely we'll see that miresome medium of mediocrity by the end of 2008 (that's next year in this universe, kiddies) - I'd prefer that we delay it as long as possible. If you think it ain't comin', then you've got more faith in the indefensible than do I. Skeptic as I am, it is time to do what I can to keep this club winning.