MacPhail: Deal is dead (p. 297), stop posting, go outside

[CubinNY]

..., but 6th higher than all the others is very strange IMO.

You can thank Adam Dunn for that.

 

Dumbasses had him batting 6th.

[CubColtPacer]

..., but 6th higher than all the others is very strange IMO.

You can thank Adam Dunn for that.

 

Dumbasses had him batting 6th.

 

6th was only Dunn's 4th most common spot in the batting order last year (56 AB's). He was primarily a #5 hitter last year.

[jersey cubs fan]

..., but 6th higher than all the others is very strange IMO.

You can thank Adam Dunn for that.

 

Dumbasses had him batting 6th.

 

6th was only Dunn's 4th most common spot in the batting order last year (56 AB's). He was primarily a #5 hitter last year.

 

Yeah, I guess it's weird, but it was also a fluke. 6th was lower down the list in 2006 and 2005. Being the 3rd highest position doesn't seem that weird to me. The NL does have some teams foolishly looking for speed at the top of the lineup, which can lead to worst hitters, with lower OBPs, than perhaps should be up that high.

[Laura]

MacPhail was on the Baltimore spring training game broadcast today. He said that Hendry had called him yesterday 'to see how everything was going' and that Hendry was sure to mention that DeRosa was expected to recover quickly from the procedure he had today.

[CyHawk_Cub]

MacPhail was on the Baltimore spring training game broadcast today. He said that Hendry had called him yesterday 'to see how everything was going' and that Hendry was sure to mention that DeRosa was expected to recover quickly from the procedure he had today.

 

Oh that Jimbo is SOOO slick!!

[Tracer Bullet]

 

Thanks, great article. I especially like this paragraph:

 

Leading off a player who’s a threat to rap 100 extra-base hits in a season is crazy as it is, but it’s certifiably insane in the NL. Not only does the pitcher make outs 85 percent of the time, but he’s going to bunt a runner on first base over to scoring position as often as he can, negating the advantage of the extra-base hit over the single. Sure enough, last season, despite 33 homers, 42 doubles, and five triples, Soriano finished the season with just 70 RBI. In major league history, no player with 75 or more extra-base hits has ever finished with so few

 

Score one for Wrigley23 with Baseball Prospectus on his side. However, I see a changing of the guard in regards to the conventional or prototypical lead off hitter. I think the biggest reason Soriano only had 70 RBI in 2007 had more to do with how pathetic the bottom of the order actually was. Ignoring for a moment that Soriano missed nearly a months worth of games, he was hitting behind the pitcher, Bowen, Koyie Hill, Henry Blanco, Cesar Izturis among others.

 

Cubs 2007 #7 hitters: .321 OBP

Cubs 2007 #8 hitters: .294 OBP

Cubs 2007 #9 hitters: .227 OBP

 

The Cubs (if they get Roberts) should have a much better bench with DeRosa, Murton, Ward and Cintron to improve the PH role in the 9 spot, and if they have Theriot hitting 8th all year, there should be improvement in that spot as well. Also, a full season of Soto and continued development of Pie and I think Soriano drives in over 100 runs while also scoring well over 100 runs.

 

That's a pretty good problem to have for your lead off hitter if you also have Roberts, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome, Soto and Pie in your line up regularly. Add in DeRosa grabbing some starts at SS and I think you have a great offensive line up on those days.

 

Jimmy Rollins isn't exactly an OBP machine. Neither is Chris Young or Curtis Granderson. Put good hitters all the way through the line up and I don't really think it matters all that much where people hit.

 

I thought the reason Soriano had so few RBI is because he's a choke artist. Isn't that the point several posters (Derwood, dexter morgan come to mind) have been railing about in this thread? He can't hit with guys on base, ergo, he should bat lead off. So if we have better OBPs at the end of our order, it's only going to mean Soriano's numbers will go down b/c he'll be up with guys on base more often and thus, choke more often.

 

Note - that's a really tough argument to make. I don't know how people are making it b/c it sounds like complete junk to me.

[wvcbxl]

MacPhail was on the Baltimore spring training game broadcast today. He said that Hendry had called him yesterday 'to see how everything was going' and that Hendry was sure to mention that DeRosa was expected to recover quickly from the procedure he had today.

 

Oh that Jimbo is SOOO slick!!

 

 

Just another way of saying "Your move, Andy"

[CuseCubFan69]

MacPhail was on the Baltimore spring training game broadcast today. He said that Hendry had called him yesterday 'to see how everything was going' and that Hendry was sure to mention that DeRosa was expected to recover quickly from the procedure he had today.

 

Oh that Jimbo is SOOO slick!!

 

 

Just another way of saying "Your move, Andy"

 

Well let's hope we don't hear Andy say..."Check and mate".

[davearm2]

MacPhail was on the Baltimore spring training game broadcast today. He said that Hendry had called him yesterday 'to see how everything was going' and that Hendry was sure to mention that DeRosa was expected to recover quickly from the procedure he had today.

 

Oh that Jimbo is SOOO slick!!

 

 

Just another way of saying "Your move, Andy"

It's been Andy's move since Nashville three months ago.

[brinoch]

You mean it is Angelos's move. We all know that he's a key force with regard to O's trade in general -- most definitely with respect to Roberts.

[17 Seconds]

I love how that BP article on Soriano completely neglets to acknowledge the concept of Soriano's numbers dropping while not leading off. Did wrigley23 write that article or something?

[jersey cubs fan]

I love how that BP article on Soriano completely neglets to acknowledge the concept of Soriano's numbers dropping while not leading off. Did wrigley23 write that article or something?

 

Soriano's numbers do not inherently drop just by not leading off.

[David]

I love how that BP article on Soriano completely neglets to acknowledge the concept of Soriano's numbers dropping while not leading off. Did wrigley23 write that article or something?

 

Soriano's numbers do not inherently drop just by not leading off.

 

 

Don't even bother. He's 100% convinced that it's fact.

[17 Seconds]

I love how that BP article on Soriano completely neglets to acknowledge the concept of Soriano's numbers dropping while not leading off. Did wrigley23 write that article or something?

 

Soriano's numbers do not inherently drop just by not leading off.

 

I love how that BP article on Soriano completely neglets to acknowledge the concept of Soriano's numbers dropping while not leading off. Did wrigley23 write that article or something?

 

Soriano's numbers do not inherently drop just by not leading off.

 

 

Don't even bother. He's 100% convinced that it's fact.

 

The fact that Soriano is not a good hitter in terms of clutch statistics IS fact. Soriano is a poor hitter with runners on on. Soriano is even more of a poor hitter with runners in scoring position.

 

So, where would he get by far the largest amount of these types of at-bats (in which he struggles so much). Leading off? Nope. Middle of the order? Absolutely.

 

I seriously don't know why this is so hard to understand. It has nothing to do with the 2004 and 2005 seasons (although those are good indicators of a problem as well). It has everything to do with the fact that Soriano is a poor hitter with guys on base. I feel like you guys are completely ignoring logic because you can't fathom the fact that we gave ridiculous contract to a batter that can't perform where he's logically be most valuable. Whether we like it or not, Soriano is paid for and is on this team. Forcing him into being something he's not just to get a few extra RBI's (while taking a hit to all of his other stats) just because you're too stubborn to realize what kind of hitter he is sounds silly to me.

[David]

 

The fact that Soriano is not a good hitter in terms of clutch statistics IS fact. Soriano is a poor hitter with runners on on. Soriano is even more of a poor hitter with runners in scoring position.

 

So, where would he get by far the largest amount of these types of at-bats (in which he struggles so much). Leading off? Nope. Middle of the order? Absolutely.

 

I seriously don't know why this is so hard to understand. It has nothing to do with the 2004 and 2005 seasons (although those are good indicators of a problem as well). It has everything to do with the fact that Soriano is a poor hitter with guys on base. I feel like you guys are completely ignoring logic because you can't fathom the fact that we gave ridiculous contract to a batter that can't perform where he's logically be most valuable. Whether we like it or not, Soriano is paid for and is on this team. Forcing him into being something he's not just to get a few extra RBI's (while taking a hit to all of his other stats) just because you're too stubborn to realize what kind of hitter he is sounds silly to me.

 

 

Yes, that's precisely what we're doing.

[17 Seconds]

Trust me, I hate the Soriano contract and I can't stand the fact that he has to leadoff to produce, but seeing Soriano go .265/.315/.500 with 100 rbi's wouldn't make me feel any better about it. It would make me feel worse.

[Athletics36]

You mean it is Angelos's move. We all know that he's a key force with regard to O's trade in general -- most definitely with respect to Roberts.

 

I heard Ron mention during todays radio broadcast that he thinks the Cubs will make a move before the start of the season. I also have heard that the O's had a few scouts in attendance at todays game and also the Cubs had scouts watching the O's. It should be interesting to see how this plays out and if a trade finally gets done. It was also mentioned over at "OH" that if the O's were to deal Roberts that they had no shot at Texeria. It would be interesting to see how that plays out as Texeria is represented by Boras and if they might hold on to Roberts in hopes of signing Tex. It should also be mentioned that Texeria is from the Baltimore area but would this signing make sense with the way the O's have been cutting payroll?? Can you also believe that "Traschel" is a lock to make the O's rotation and shows you how bad a shape they are in. I did find this interesting as this was a quote from the manager that he mentioned that the #5 pitcher in the rotation might come from another team.

[David]

You mean it is Angelos's move. We all know that he's a key force with regard to O's trade in general -- most definitely with respect to Roberts.

 

I heard Ron mention during todays radio broadcast that he thinks the Cubs will make a move before the start of the season. I also have heard that the O's had a few scouts in attendance at todays game and also the Cubs had scouts watching the O's. It should be interesting to see how this plays out and if a trade finally gets done. It was also mentioned over at "OH" that if the O's were to deal Roberts that they had no shot at Texeria. It would be interesting to see how that plays out as Texeria is represented by Boras and if they might hold on to Roberts in hopes of signing Tex. It should also be mentioned that Texeria is from the Baltimore area but would this signing make sense with the way the O's have been cutting payroll?? Can you also believe that "Traschel" is a lock to make the O's rotation and shows you how bad a shape they are in. I did find this interesting as this was a quote from the manager that he mentioned that the #5 pitcher in the rotation might come from another team.

 

Thanks for the updates..

 

As for the bolded, one poster mentioned reading that rumor in a blog or something, and everyone else said it was complete BS (for obvious reasons).

[Derwood]

I thought the reason Soriano had so few RBI is because he's a choke artist. Isn't that the point several posters (Derwood, dexter morgan come to mind) have been railing about in this thread? He can't hit with guys on base, ergo, he should bat lead off. So if we have better OBPs at the end of our order, it's only going to mean Soriano's numbers will go down b/c he'll be up with guys on base more often and thus, choke more often.

 

Note - that's a really tough argument to make. I don't know how people are making it b/c it sounds like complete junk to me.

 

dag nabbit, you got me. i really hate soriano and am making up numbers to smear his good name. i'm not actually trying to prove a point or anything. you are clever

[third eye]

I love how that BP article on Soriano completely neglets to acknowledge the concept of Soriano's numbers dropping while not leading off. Did wrigley23 write that article or something?

 

Soriano's numbers do not inherently drop just by not leading off.

 

I love how that BP article on Soriano completely neglets to acknowledge the concept of Soriano's numbers dropping while not leading off. Did wrigley23 write that article or something?

 

Soriano's numbers do not inherently drop just by not leading off.

 

 

Don't even bother. He's 100% convinced that it's fact.

 

The fact that Soriano is not a good hitter in terms of clutch statistics IS fact. Soriano is a poor hitter with runners on on. Soriano is even more of a poor hitter with runners in scoring position.

 

So, where would he get by far the largest amount of these types of at-bats (in which he struggles so much). Leading off? Nope. Middle of the order? Absolutely.

 

I seriously don't know why this is so hard to understand. It has nothing to do with the 2004 and 2005 seasons (although those are good indicators of a problem as well). It has everything to do with the fact that Soriano is a poor hitter with guys on base. I feel like you guys are completely ignoring logic because you can't fathom the fact that we gave ridiculous contract to a batter that can't perform where he's logically be most valuable. Whether we like it or not, Soriano is paid for and is on this team. Forcing him into being something he's not just to get a few extra RBI's (while taking a hit to all of his other stats) just because you're too stubborn to realize what kind of hitter he is sounds silly to me.

 

I don't want to open up the "clutchiness" argument again, but isn't it more likely that he sees pitches that he is less comfortable with in RBI positions rather than developing some sort of mental block with runners on? It has been widely discussed that as a dead fastball hitter, keeping him in the leadoff spot works because that is precisely where he would see the most of those pitches. With people on base, and very little protection behind him, he sees pitches that he is generally less able to handle. I don't buy that it has anything to do with his psychological fortitude in clutch situations.

[17 Seconds]

I don't want to open up the "clutchiness" argument again, but isn't it more likely that he sees pitches that he is less comfortable with in RBI positions rather than developing some sort of mental block with runners on? It has been widely discussed that as a dead fastball hitter, keeping him in the leadoff spot works because that is precisely where he would see the most of those pitches. With people on base, and very little protection behind him, he sees pitches that he is generally less able to handle. I don't buy that it has anything to do with his psychological fortitude in clutch situations.

 

That all sounds like the same thing to me. It doesn't really matter why he doesn't hit well in those situations anyways.

[wrigley23]

what's best for the team is putting on base guys in the top two positions & the extra base hit hitters behind them. I'd like to see if soriano responds to the "need" in this lineup if a leadoff hitter like roberts is acquired. If he does, that is what is best for the team & everyone will be happy. roberts would get on base at a .385 clip, score over 100 runs & soriano would have over 100 rbi's like his extra base hits say he should be getting that he doesn't at leadoff.

[17 Seconds]

roberts would get on base at a .385 clip

 

 

Hahaha. I'm glad that I wasn't logged in so I was able to see this gem.

[JimSorgi]

roberts would get on base at a .385 clip

 

 

Hahaha. I'm glad that I wasn't logged in so I was able to see this gem.

I don't see what's so crazy about that. His OBP was .377 last year.

[17 Seconds]

roberts would get on base at a .385 clip

 

 

Hahaha. I'm glad that I wasn't logged in so I was able to see this gem.

I don't see what's so crazy about that. His OBP was .377 last year.

 

You really don't see anything wrong with expecting him to have a .385 obp next season?

 

Really?