06-25-2008, 06:59 AM | #751 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Another one run loss by the Braves. That makes it 4-20 on the year.
Our pythagorean is 44-35, 6 games better than where we're at, so hopefully we can get some luck in the second half.
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06-25-2008, 07:17 AM | #752 | |
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Quote:
This is like the streakiest team ever.
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06-25-2008, 07:18 AM | #753 | |
Head Coach
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Location: NYC
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Quote:
This is why I love hockey. |
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06-25-2008, 07:25 AM | #754 |
General Manager
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
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It's exhausting, but Royals fans have grown use to these kinds of frustrations. They're obviously a better team than last year, but that 12 game stinker streak in the middle just killed them. Minnesota is also on a 9 out of 10 streak. Thank God for the National League. Last edited by Mizzou B-ball fan : 06-25-2008 at 07:25 AM. |
06-26-2008, 07:11 AM | #755 |
General Manager
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
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For those that are interested, there's going to be an interview with Dayton Moore (Royals GM) at 9:00 EDT. Online feed is at http://www.810whb.com in the upper right hand area.
Dayton always is a great interview. He was in the Braves organization for a long time under John Scherholtz (sp?). His way of building a franchise heavily emphasizes drafting and acquiring a lot of pitching, no doubt influenced by the Maddox/Glavine/Smoltz years. Edit: ESPN's Buster Olney is on immediately after Dayton Moore. Good hour of interviews. Last edited by Mizzou B-ball fan : 06-26-2008 at 07:38 AM. |
06-26-2008, 08:52 AM | #756 | |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Edinburg,TX
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The Astros' pitching has gone to levels I had only dreamed of before the season, woohoo!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...s/5857038.html Quote:
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06-28-2008, 11:43 PM | #757 |
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Whittier
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Dodgers are 1 out away from winning a game where they were no hit...
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06-28-2008, 11:47 PM | #758 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Whittier
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And they win...
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06-28-2008, 11:49 PM | #759 |
Hall Of Famer
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Location: Decatur, GA
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Wow!
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06-28-2008, 11:52 PM | #760 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Apr 2001
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ESPN is saying it's not an official no hitter because it only went 8 innings...?!?
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06-28-2008, 11:59 PM | #761 |
College Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
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The Dodgers didn't have to bat in the 9th so it's not officially a no hitter.
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06-29-2008, 12:44 AM | #762 | |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
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Quote:
This was part of some no-hitter rules that Fay Vincent rammed through in the mid 90s. At the time, I kindof felt it was to get rid of some of the no-hitters (someone lost a no-hitter 4-0 but only pitched 8, someone else pitched a 6 inning rain shortened no-hitter) after 1990-1991 or maybe it was 91-92 where there were 15ish no-hitters in a 2 year span. SI
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07-01-2008, 11:03 AM | #763 |
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Join Date: Oct 2000
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My brother, son and I saw the Padres/Rockies game at Coors last night. It was great: 23 runs and 30-something hits. I got to see my favorite pitcher (Maddux) for the last time but unfortunately, he didn't have anything on his fastballs - uncharacteristically missing the plate. The balls were really carrying last night, allowing to have an old-school Rockies game.
By the waty, got Club Level seats for the first time and what an incredible experience that was. |
07-01-2008, 10:40 PM | #764 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Concord, MA/UMass
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A's win the Michael Inoa sweepstakes. $3.5m for a pitching prospect is insane, but so are 16y/o's that throw 95+ and have good offspeed offerings.
Red Sox have lost 4 straight, and really miss Ortiz in the lineup. It doesn't help that we've got at least 2 better players sitting in the minors (Lowrie at SS and Buchholz at SP), but if Ortiz isn't coming back, we need to sign Bonds imo. |
07-01-2008, 10:48 PM | #765 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2002
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Quote:
*mutters something about needing a world draft and slotting of pick salaries* SI
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07-01-2008, 10:50 PM | #766 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NC
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This just in: Joe Borowski sucks. Oh wait, Eric Wedge didn't get the message last year or earlier this year so hey, let's just keep him in the closer's role. How high can his ERA go?
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07-02-2008, 12:40 AM | #767 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Concord, MA/UMass
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Quote:
And if you and the rest of MLB want to let guys like Lars Anderson, Josh Reddick, Alex Meyer, Ryan Kalish fall to us over as little as 200-300k differences in opinion on salary, that's your loss. Just like we screwed up not signing Pedro Alvarez (over a $100k difference ). It's actually surprising how little of Boston's plethora of young farm talent recently has come from flexing financial muscles. Buchholz, Ellsbury, Lester, Bowden, Papelbon, Masterson, Lowrie and Pedroia were all essentially slot in the first couple rounds, with some even being called reaches (Pedroia and Masterson stand out there). Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez were unregarded IFA's who signed for around 25k and they brought Josh Beckett in a trade. |
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07-02-2008, 06:40 AM | #768 | |
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Quote:
I realize that- I've seen our draft this year. Esposito is already going to Vandy but if Melville and Hosmer both sign (rather than just being vanity picks), then, yes, KC went the extra mile in the draft looking for talent, signability be damned. They've also been a player for some of the Latin talent out there which was unheard of a couple of years ago. But, in the end, if the Bostons and New Yorks of the world can outbid us on MLB talent where the stakes are high. It will happen with prospects, too, just like it happens with scouts and development talent. An organization as smart and well run as Boston isn't going to sit idly by and watch a phenomenal talent go to KC for an extra $100K- they've done it once or twice but that's because they didn't expect anyone else to be a major player but they won't make that mistake again. Why would they? It'd be downright stupid. So there still needs to be a balancing mechanism in place. SI
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Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" Last edited by sterlingice : 07-02-2008 at 06:41 AM. |
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07-02-2008, 08:29 AM | #769 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Quote:
2. It's not happening with prospects. KC is improving currently and getting more highly-regarded prospects - because they are being managed better and they are proactive. A team can throw up its hands, say woe is me and stop trying (I'm looking at you Pittsburgh pre-Littlefield, and KC before Moore) or it can work its ass off to field a better product (A's, Atlanta, Royals under Moore.) The Red Sox name gets thrown out there for almost every high-profile IFA, but it appears none of the top 12 will sign with the Sox this year. Last year, Almanzar was the only big one we got, and he was under the radar on most lists. 3. The "balancing mechanism" gets to more of a philosophical argument, but its worth looking at. There already is a huge amount of revenue sharing, some of which is clearly pocketed by teams and billionaire owners like Carl Pohlad. There also needs to be a reward for good management. It seems odd today, but throughout the 80's/90's Boston was in a pack of 10-15 teams behind the Yankees for revenue streams. It's only in the last 5 years due to phenomenal branding and marketing, as well as great on-field product that the Red Sox have shot up. It could just as easily have been one of several other teams. Yet somehow, they shouldn't be rewarded for that and they should have to give back more? It's not just market share that is determining revenues. |
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07-02-2008, 08:35 AM | #770 |
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Tampa!! TAMPA!!
What a great performance by Garza, building on his string of impressive starts ever since his argument with Navarro. He's getting his head where it needs to be and the Rays now have a very strong starting 3 with Kazmir, Shields, and Garza. If they deal for Sabathia, as the rumors are, that'd be a frightening rotation to go against.
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07-02-2008, 08:40 AM | #771 | |
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Join Date: May 2002
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Tampa is probably the only team that could outdo Milwaukee in terms of prospects for getting Sabathia. Any Indians fans here? When will the Sabathia sweepstakes begin? |
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07-02-2008, 09:03 AM | #772 |
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I've also heard rumors of Holliday getting dealt to Tampa, but I think Dunn could be had for much cheaper. Bay has also been brought up as a potential trade.
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07-02-2008, 09:13 AM | #773 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Matt Holliday career at Coors 1.083 OPS Away .790
Adam Dunn .934/.866, and he'll come a lot cheaper "because he's only hitting .222" I know which one I hope the Rays trade for. |
07-02-2008, 09:14 AM | #774 | |
General Manager
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
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Quote:
KC locked up Soria a month or two back to a long-term extension. Contract extension talks are ongoing for Bannister and Grienke. Gordon has three years left, so talks aren't urgent with him. Butler is currently in the minors, so I don't think a long term deal is immenent there. Don't confuse the pre-Moore tactics with what KC is doing now. They're doing quite a bit to lock up the current talent and build the minors. The signings of Meche and Guillen certainly have worked out well. |
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07-02-2008, 09:28 AM | #775 |
Coordinator
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Oh, I'm definitely not. It's amazing what a difference a competent GM has made in 2 years. That's why I'm so surprised SI is still advocating that more needs to be done to balance the field - it's impossible to quantify, but if anything KC is getting more than 1/30th the young talent right now.
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07-02-2008, 09:34 AM | #776 | |
General Manager
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Quote:
Just because KC is doing well in securing talent doesn't mean that the field is level. KC and other smaller budget teams have to work MUCH harder to get players than their big market competitors. Pointing to teams like Minnesota and KC and their improvement as proof that the market doesn't need adjustment is faulty logic at best. |
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07-02-2008, 09:40 AM | #777 | |
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Quote:
Dunn is one of the most wildly underrated players in all of sports. I sure wish the Braves could get him.
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07-02-2008, 09:48 AM | #778 |
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hometown of Canada
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I want Dunn in Toronto.
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07-02-2008, 09:59 AM | #779 | |
Coordinator
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Quote:
Otherwise, even if the logistical nightmares could be cleared, instituting an IFA draft would just reward poorly run teams even more. While the revenue difference is troublesome for equality, I've never understood the appeal of seeing teams built because they picked high in a draft every year. This is bigger in basketball, but a lot of the Rays abundance of young talent and current success is tied up in picking Top 10 every year. |
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07-02-2008, 10:09 AM | #780 | ||
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Concord, MA/UMass
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That's gonna be hard with your current GM
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07-02-2008, 10:09 AM | #781 | |
General Manager
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
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Quote:
You make my point. If a team like KC whiffs on a prospect or free agent, they could be set back for a couple of years because their budget doesn't allow them to try again. If the Yankees whiff on a prospect or free agent, they just try again because their budget allows for plenty of attempts. It's not even debatable. Bigger budget = more opportunities to get a good player. |
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07-02-2008, 10:17 AM | #782 |
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Join Date: Oct 2002
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FJM also pointed out something that really surprised me. The top 5 all-time in AB/HR ratio:
1. Mark McGwire 10.60 2. Babe Ruth 11.80 3. Barry Bonds 12.90 4. Jim Thome 13.60 5. Adam Dunn 14.00
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07-02-2008, 10:19 AM | #783 |
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07-02-2008, 10:32 AM | #784 |
General Manager
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
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It's true. If KC spent the money to get Dice K and he doesn't pan out, they're up a creek without a paddle. If Boston does the same and doesn't pan out, they're going to go right back out and bid on another guy the next off-season. The Mike Sweeney and Angel Berroa contracts alone set KC back 3-4 years in regards to rebuilding. If Boston or NY makes a similar mistake, they just cut them and bid on someone else. |
07-02-2008, 10:38 AM | #785 | |
Coordinator
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07-02-2008, 10:49 AM | #786 | |
Coordinator
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Quote:
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07-02-2008, 10:53 AM | #787 | |
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Location: The Mountains
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Quote:
Anybody that disagrees with this is just in denial. The real question is whether this is actually a problem for MLB as a whole. |
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07-02-2008, 10:59 AM | #788 |
General Manager
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
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I was relating to my original point, which also discussed how detrimental a large FA signing can be if it goes wrong. Having $17M of dead salary on a $40-45M payroll that we had back then causes a major handicap. $17M on a $150-200M payroll is much less detrimental. |
07-02-2008, 11:01 AM | #789 | |
General Manager
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
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Quote:
Since we've recently had this discussion, I won't involve myself in repeating just how laughable your point really is. So now neither of us have anything further to discuss evidently. |
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07-02-2008, 11:03 AM | #790 |
Pro Starter
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NC
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The CC Sabathia sweepstakes has already begun. The Tribe needed to win their series at Chicago and do well against Tampa heading into the All-Star break to set up a potential playoff run in the second half with a healthy Carmona, Hafner, Martinez and Sabathia. The team hasn't started winning and now the trade deadline is rapidly approaching. My personal guess is that Sabathia goes to either Tampa or Milwaukee. Both teams have great systems and the Indians are likely to ask for two high level or ML ready prospects in return for Sabathia. Keep in mind that CC is a type A free agent so he is more valuable than a typical "rental player." If he is traded to Tampa, for example, and leaves after the season, the Rays will obtain Type A draft pick compensation from his new team.
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07-02-2008, 11:05 AM | #791 | |
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Quote:
Agreed. MLB has reached a point where it has a bargaining agreement that may not be able to adequately support a competitive playing field for all markets, large and small. If they don't want to move to a NFL or NBA situation where the payroll options are much more equitable, that's fine. But ignoring the fact that there are sizable competitive disadvantages to the small market teams is complete denial. |
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07-02-2008, 11:06 AM | #792 |
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07-02-2008, 11:09 AM | #793 | |
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Quote:
By having a competitive disadvantage in regards to free agency, undue pressure is put on the franchise to find that diamond in the rough in regards to drafts or signing players overseas. In addition, the scouting budgets for teams like the Yankees and Red Sox are ridiculous when compared to what the Royals work with. Those upper teams have a much better chance of finding those unknown players just because they have more people out looking for talent. The smaller teams invest as much as they can to scout players, but they have no way of competing with the other teams because the scouting budgets simply don't compare. They have to do more with less just to remain competitive in scouting. |
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07-02-2008, 11:22 AM | #794 |
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We talkin bout PROSPECTS!
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07-02-2008, 11:28 AM | #795 |
Pro Starter
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Location: NC
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Baseball is unbalanced. The large market teams have a financial advantage and therefore a competitive advantage. This has been a known problem for a long time. Just look at everything Billy Beane and his staff went through in Moneyball. The existence of that book and the rise of sabermetrics should be evidence enough of baseball's lack of balance. I don't see why everyone is arguing about it.
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07-02-2008, 11:28 AM | #796 |
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I'm half-following this convo... but don't top-flight international free agents go for crazy money too? Dice-K was $50M just to TRY and sign him... and that Fukudome guy on the Cubs went for over $10M?
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07-02-2008, 11:29 AM | #797 | ||||
Coordinator
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07-02-2008, 11:36 AM | #798 | |
Coordinator
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Quote:
We're not arguing there isn't a competitive advantage when signing major league players. We're arguing there isn't one when it comes to signing prospects.That only applies to established Japanese players coming over from Japan's major leagues, or Cuban defectors. The record (just established) for a prospect is a 4.5million signing bonus for a player that won't reach arbitration for at least 5-6 years. |
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07-02-2008, 11:46 AM | #799 |
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The Padres have signed the #3,5,6 players on ESPN's Top 14 list in addition to 3 more honorable mention types. This goes along with the $8.5m academy they just opened in the DR.
The Blue Jays signed #7 and rumors have the Reds signing #2. Inoa (A's) was #1. Yankees/Red Sox have signed 0 of the 14 as of now. Last edited by BishopMVP : 07-02-2008 at 11:47 AM. |
07-02-2008, 11:46 AM | #800 | |
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Something the Red Sox, Yankees, and other big market teams don't have to do.
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