Bakos Back

[fromthestretch]

Come on, are we really comparing 83 OPS+ to 62 as a positive?

 

Blanco signed to get playing time. Good for you Hank, knock yourself out. With that done, the Cubs went with another light hitting defensive minded catcher. But let's not let that stand in the way of overreacting to everything this off season.

 

How is pointing out that the Cubs got worse at a position overreacting?

 

And as goony pointed out, the difference between 83 and 62 in OPS+ is fairly significant. On top of that, Blanco is better defensively.

Sorry, I don't agree. hank had a OPS+ of 6 in 2007? Is that indicative of his skill? His career OPS+ is .....drumroll please...63.

Hank had a good 120 AB's last year. There's no need to label him a offensive threat. Give him an additional 200 AB's like Bako had and you'll see that precious, all so important on this site, OPS+ fall.

 

His last four seasons (OPS+)

 

2005: 71

2006: 81

2007: 6

2008: 83

 

As has been pointed out, his 2007 was due in large part to a major injury. Is he guaranteed to put up an OPS+ over 80 this season? Of course not. But it wouldn't be a stretch to expect something in the mid-70s.

 

And you can cut the condescending crap. No one is labeling him an offensive threat. Although, compared to Bako, he is. Your point about an additional 200 at-bats is moot, as well. No one would have expected him to get that many at-bats unless Soto got hurt. Even then, Blanco would still provide good defense if he's not hitting.

[SouthSideRyan]

I ironically loved Paul Bako before it was cool. Now a bunch of douchebags are going to ruin my Bako memories. That's my real problem with this move, there I said it.

[cubsfan26]

Blanco had 120 AB's last year, as long as Soto stays off the DL. I doubt Bako will have anymore AB's then that.

[FearTheBako]

I love me some Bako, purely for nostalgic reasons, but to try to argue that he is somehow better that Blanco is silly. The only positives to having Bako back this year are:

 

1. Yelling "Fear the Bako" all year long when he is at the plate.

2. Stumping fans with the trivia question, "What is Bako's real first name?"

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Over 150 PAs, how much is the offensive difference between Blanco and Bako?

 

Less than 5 runs, and I can live with it to never hear someone say "Hank White" again.

 

Comparing their projections for this year, less than 3 runs. From '08 Blanco to projected '09 Bako, it's about 6 runs. In that instance it's hard to complain about it, but at the same time I wish they had gotten someone who either had the potential to be really productive(even flukishly) over those at bats(like Valentin, or even Toby Hall), or someone younger with a strong defensive reputation(Hall again?). Or they could've just let Hill do it.

[The Other 15]

Come on, are we really comparing 83 OPS+ to 62 as a positive?

 

Blanco signed to get playing time. Good for you Hank, knock yourself out. With that done, the Cubs went with another light hitting defensive minded catcher. But let's not let that stand in the way of overreacting to everything this off season.

 

How is pointing out that the Cubs got worse at a position overreacting?

 

And as goony pointed out, the difference between 83 and 62 in OPS+ is fairly significant. On top of that, Blanco is better defensively.

Sorry, I don't agree. hank had a OPS+ of 6 in 2007? Is that indicative of his skill? His career OPS+ is .....drumroll please...63.

Hank had a good 120 AB's last year. There's no need to label him a offensive threat. Give him an additional 200 AB's like Bako had and you'll see that precious, all so important on this site, OPS+ fall.

 

His last four seasons (OPS+)

 

2005: 71

2006: 81

2007: 6

2008: 83

 

As has been pointed out, his 2007 was due in large part to a major injury. Is he guaranteed to put up an OPS+ over 80 this season? Of course not. But it wouldn't be a stretch to expect something in the mid-70s.

 

And you can cut the condescending crap. No one is labeling him an offensive threat. Although, compared to Bako, he is. Your point about an additional 200 at-bats is moot, as well. No one would have expected him to get that many at-bats unless Soto got hurt. Even then, Blanco would still provide good defense if he's not hitting.

 

Dude, relax, it's a conversation about Bako vs Blanco for christssakes. We're not talking about some important cogs to this team. Both are crap offensive players no matter what their meager OPS+ numbers are . It wasn't meant to be condescending pointing that out.

 

It's much ado about nothing. Like another poster pointed out, what significant difference do you really expect out of Blanco over Bako in 150 AB's? You're making this sound way too critical. If Soto has to miss any significant time, they would be in just as much trouble with Blanco.

[TruffleShuffle]

Over 150 PAs, how much is the offensive difference between Blanco and Bako?

 

Less than 5 runs, and I can live with it to never hear someone say "Hank White" again.

 

Comparing their projections for this year, less than 3 runs. From '08 Blanco to projected '09 Bako, it's about 6 runs. In that instance it's hard to complain about it, but at the same time I wish they had gotten someone who either had the potential to be really productive(even flukishly) over those at bats(like Valentin, or even Toby Hall), or someone younger with a strong defensive reputation(Hall again?). Or they could've just let Hill do it.

 

wait toby hall has a good defensive reputation?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Over 150 PAs, how much is the offensive difference between Blanco and Bako?

 

Less than 5 runs, and I can live with it to never hear someone say "Hank White" again.

 

Comparing their projections for this year, less than 3 runs. From '08 Blanco to projected '09 Bako, it's about 6 runs. In that instance it's hard to complain about it, but at the same time I wish they had gotten someone who either had the potential to be really productive(even flukishly) over those at bats(like Valentin, or even Toby Hall), or someone younger with a strong defensive reputation(Hall again?). Or they could've just let Hill do it.

 

wait toby hall has a good defensive reputation?

 

I don't know, he sure came out looking good in that link I posted earlier.

[cubsfan26]

From watching Toby Hall play with the White Sox, he didn't appear a good defensive catcher, but I don't know his stats. Anyways Toby Hall a minor league signed with the Astros a few weeks ago. So he's no longer on the market anyways, but it's surprising he only got a minor league deal. Maybe he thinks he will get a chance to start, if J.R. Towles flops again.

[inari]

I know a lot of people have been asking for it;

 

http://images.royalsreview.com/images/admin/bigbako.jpg

[BigbadB]

It's pretty sad that guys like Paul Bako and Brad Ausmus can still have major league jobs in their late 30's.

[fromthestretch]

Come on, are we really comparing 83 OPS+ to 62 as a positive?

 

Blanco signed to get playing time. Good for you Hank, knock yourself out. With that done, the Cubs went with another light hitting defensive minded catcher. But let's not let that stand in the way of overreacting to everything this off season.

 

How is pointing out that the Cubs got worse at a position overreacting?

 

And as goony pointed out, the difference between 83 and 62 in OPS+ is fairly significant. On top of that, Blanco is better defensively.

Sorry, I don't agree. hank had a OPS+ of 6 in 2007? Is that indicative of his skill? His career OPS+ is .....drumroll please...63.

Hank had a good 120 AB's last year. There's no need to label him a offensive threat. Give him an additional 200 AB's like Bako had and you'll see that precious, all so important on this site, OPS+ fall.

 

His last four seasons (OPS+)

 

2005: 71

2006: 81

2007: 6

2008: 83

 

As has been pointed out, his 2007 was due in large part to a major injury. Is he guaranteed to put up an OPS+ over 80 this season? Of course not. But it wouldn't be a stretch to expect something in the mid-70s.

 

And you can cut the condescending crap. No one is labeling him an offensive threat. Although, compared to Bako, he is. Your point about an additional 200 at-bats is moot, as well. No one would have expected him to get that many at-bats unless Soto got hurt. Even then, Blanco would still provide good defense if he's not hitting.

 

Dude, relax, it's a conversation about Bako vs Blanco for christssakes. We're not talking about some important cogs to this team. Both are crap offensive players no matter what their meager OPS+ numbers are . It wasn't meant to be condescending pointing that out.

 

It's much ado about nothing. Like another poster pointed out, what significant difference do you really expect out of Blanco over Bako in 150 AB's? You're making this sound way too critical. If Soto has to miss any significant time, they would be in just as much trouble with Blanco.

 

Whatever, chief. I'm not the one claiming that everyone here is overreacting. I'm not the one that claims this board in general has "man-love" for certain players.

 

Again, I never said Blanco was some sort of All-Star. I simply said he's better than Bako, both offensively and defensively. If Soto has to miss significant time, they would be in trouble, regardless of who the back up is. What people are saying here is that it is a downgrade from Blanco to Bako. That's all. Regardless of their role on the team, a downgrade is a downgrade. When you've downgraded in more than one area, people tend to take notice.

 

Lighten up, Francis.

[Monco]

Bako's are more balanced player than Blanco. Hes equally bad offensively and defensively.

[The Other 15]

Come on, are we really comparing 83 OPS+ to 62 as a positive?

 

Blanco signed to get playing time. Good for you Hank, knock yourself out. With that done, the Cubs went with another light hitting defensive minded catcher. But let's not let that stand in the way of overreacting to everything this off season.

 

How is pointing out that the Cubs got worse at a position overreacting?

 

And as goony pointed out, the difference between 83 and 62 in OPS+ is fairly significant. On top of that, Blanco is better defensively.

Sorry, I don't agree. hank had a OPS+ of 6 in 2007? Is that indicative of his skill? His career OPS+ is .....drumroll please...63.

Hank had a good 120 AB's last year. There's no need to label him a offensive threat. Give him an additional 200 AB's like Bako had and you'll see that precious, all so important on this site, OPS+ fall.

 

His last four seasons (OPS+)

 

2005: 71

2006: 81

2007: 6

2008: 83

 

As has been pointed out, his 2007 was due in large part to a major injury. Is he guaranteed to put up an OPS+ over 80 this season? Of course not. But it wouldn't be a stretch to expect something in the mid-70s.

 

And you can cut the condescending crap. No one is labeling him an offensive threat. Although, compared to Bako, he is. Your point about an additional 200 at-bats is moot, as well. No one would have expected him to get that many at-bats unless Soto got hurt. Even then, Blanco would still provide good defense if he's not hitting.

 

Dude, relax, it's a conversation about Bako vs Blanco for christssakes. We're not talking about some important cogs to this team. Both are crap offensive players no matter what their meager OPS+ numbers are . It wasn't meant to be condescending pointing that out.

 

It's much ado about nothing. Like another poster pointed out, what significant difference do you really expect out of Blanco over Bako in 150 AB's? You're making this sound way too critical. If Soto has to miss any significant time, they would be in just as much trouble with Blanco.

 

Whatever, chief. I'm not the one claiming that everyone here is overreacting. I'm not the one that claims this board in general has "man-love" for certain players.

 

Again, I never said Blanco was some sort of All-Star. I simply said he's better than Bako, both offensively and defensively. If Soto has to miss significant time, they would be in trouble, regardless of who the back up is. What people are saying here is that it is a downgrade from Blanco to Bako. That's all. Regardless of their role on the team, a downgrade is a downgrade. When you've downgraded in more than one area, people tend to take notice.

 

Lighten up, Francis.

No! I had no idea that I was the first to use the word overreacting. How crude of me! There should be no tolerance for that kind of implication. Then I compound it with man-love? My deepest, sincerest apologies. How crude.

 

However, as Francis, I feel offended that someone arguing that Blanco is better as if that's supposed to mean something over 150 AB's. Now that's offensive Chief.

[Oscar Zamora]

It's true that we'll never be able to root for Hank White again but maybe we can make up our own name for Paul Bako, like Pablo... What's Bako in Spanish? What a minute, I bet my dad would know.

[Gingerballs Lives]

Another offseason move (albeit minor) that I absolutely hate.

[The Other 15]

Another offseason move (albeit minor) that I absolutely hate.

This is, in general, the sentiment by everyone here about nearly every move. Fukudome was last season universally loved move. Oops. Who was it that said moves need time to be judged?

 

Soriano is still considered a bad contract. DeRosa and Lilly were terrible contracts as well. When they became excellent contracts, people just shut up about them. Even began new crying campaigns when DeRo was traded - for nothing. But if Stevens turns into a reliable reliever and Fontenot (another win in Hendrys trade resume) matches DeRo who regresses to career means, everyone will just go mute on that trade instead of admitting that they jumped the gun with their criticism. The only bad trade I can recall at this time is the Pierre deal. But I'm forgetting that Jose Ceda will be a great reliever in this league. BA did have him ranked as the 5th best prospect in the Cubs system so it must be a bad trade, or was it his great k ratio in half a season in AA? No wait, he's 22 years old. Anyways, it was a terrible trade because Hendry made it. From those big moves to small ones like Ardsma for Cotts, Hendry can't seem to get anything right with message board experts even though he's won the vast majority of his trades. The only thing that keeps getting in the way is winning division titles three of 6 years as GM. Which still gets no acknowledgment whatsoever from his constant critics.

 

That was a very long route to saying have patience. Reactionary opinions have a bad history of being right with Hendrys decisions

[CubinNY]

Another offseason move (albeit minor) that I absolutely hate.

This is, in general, the sentiment by everyone here about nearly every move. Fukudome was last season universally loved move. Oops. Who was it that said moves need time to be judged?

Nope. I didn't love Fukudome and I wasn't alone. Why do you post here because you seem to hate everything about NSBB? Almost every post of yours is some gross judgment of the entire board. NSBB is full of different opinions on every topic, all you have to do is read a little.

 

Bako is a crap sandwich but the Cubs aren't overpaying for him and backup catchers seem to be hard to find.

[The Other 15]

Another offseason move (albeit minor) that I absolutely hate.

This is, in general, the sentiment by everyone here about nearly every move. Fukudome was last season universally loved move. Oops. Who was it that said moves need time to be judged?

Nope. I didn't love Fukudome and I wasn't alone. Why do you post here because you seem to hate everything about NSBB? Almost every post of yours is some gross judgment of the entire board. NSBB is full of different opinions on every topic, all you have to do is read a little.

 

Bako is a crap sandwich but the Cubs aren't overpaying for him and backup catchers seem to be hard to find.

I could use better words than everyone or always, but I choose to post replies to those equally annoying posts by people that do nothing but bitch - about everything - all the time - constantly - incessantly ... (damn, my use of words needs help). If that's their right, and I think it is, then I should be afforded the opportunity to respond. If what I post doesn't apply to you, then a simple reply explaining your opposition to Fukudome, without lecturing me on the differences of opinions on a message board, would suffice.