I'm Calling You Out, Butters

[Rob]

From the April 10th Game Thread.

 

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=53689&p=2135836&hilit=dlee#p2135836

I'm Stunned!

(in reference to DLee's offensive woes)

 

What are you going to bitch about when DLee starts hitting again?

 

you actually think that's going to happen?

 

I think he'll be a .825 to .850 OPS guy with subpar range at first but great receiving skills. Pretty much the same guy he was last year... overpaid, but couldn't be much less of a problem to this team.

 

What I am convinced that will change are the absurd GIDP tendencies he showed last year that were completely out of whack with his career numbers.

 

I don't know. He just doesn't seem to be able to get any lift on the ball any more. These balls that he's rolling over to SS are pitches he used to drive into the gaps on a consistent basis. In the first four games this year that doesn't seem to look any different from last year. I hope you're right, but I really have no confidence in him anymore.

 

Four games does not a season make. Have faith.

 

Remember, for all the bitching about his offense last year, his EqA last year was .279... with major league average first baseman at .283.

 

Average with the bat and plus defensive value... and he's still got some upside to return to form. At the very least, his walk rate is almost a lock to rebound a bit.

 

You came to your conclusion rationally... and you thought the same as cubswin2009. Shame on you.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I was actually thinking about this after the 9th today. I'll gladly eat crow for now. Hopefully he keeps it up because he looks great.

[manbearcub]

oooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh its on!

[UMFan83]

There is a lot of people that need to be called out on that account. A lot of people on this board would have traded Lee straight up for a PTBNL a month or two ago. Of course there are some that would still do that now given his salary, but still he has much more value than people gave him credit for.

[muntjack]

It's not on. It's off.

[Keener98]

Haha you may as well change "Butters" to 75% of the board

[Butterscup1679666578]

There is a lot of people that need to be called out on that account. A lot of people on this board would have traded Lee straight up for a PTBNL a month or two ago. Of course there are some that would still do that now given his salary, but still he has much more value than people gave him credit for.

 

I definitely never would've done that because there was still value with his glove, but I probably wouldn't have been against a trade that netted some decent value plus cleared up the salary.

 

Either way, if he continues to rake and helps get us back towards the top of the standings, you can serve me a big plate of crow all year long.

[Omar]

There is a lot of people that need to be called out on that account. A lot of people on this board would have traded Lee straight up for a PTBNL a month or two ago. Of course there are some that would still do that now given his salary, but still he has much more value than people gave him credit for.

 

"Trade 'em while he's hot!" etc.

[SweetZombieJesus]

There is a lot of people that need to be called out on that account. A lot of people on this board would have traded Lee straight up for a PTBNL a month or two ago. Of course there are some that would still do that now given his salary, but still he has much more value than people gave him credit for.

 

"Trade 'em while he's hot!" etc.

 

They should Hoffpauier or Fox is the next Carlos Pena

[Banedon]

I'm glad he's hot right now, and I hope it keeps up.

 

I still have little confidence that it's a long term change though. The guy has been bad for too long now to just suddenly figure it all out again.

 

Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, and I'm certainly enjoying it right now.

[Proven Veteran]

He is not a great defensive 1B.

[Sammy Sofa]

He is not a great defensive 1B.

 

He's the best one this team has by far.

[OleMissCub]

He is not a great defensive 1B.

 

yeah he totally sucks at fielding his position

[hawkeyecub]

Getting his hands in and turning on that pitch today was a thing of beauty. And something we rarely, if ever saw from him the last year plus.

[Sammy Sofa]

Getting his hands in and turning on that pitch today was a thing of beauty. And something we rarely, if ever saw from him the last year plus.

 

It was like vintage 2005.

 

Damn you, Furcal.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Getting his hands in and turning on that pitch today was a thing of beauty. And something we rarely, if ever saw from him the last year plus.

 

It was like vintage 2005.

 

Damn you, Furcal.

 

Furcal is definitely forever on my [expletive] list. Didn't sign with us that offseason then ruined DLee's life. What a dick.

[Outshined_One]

Getting his hands in and turning on that pitch today was a thing of beauty. And something we rarely, if ever saw from him the last year plus.

 

It was like vintage 2005.

 

Damn you, Furcal.

 

Furcal is definitely forever on my [expletive] list. Didn't sign with us that offseason then ruined DLee's life. What a dick.

 

See also: Marcus Giles

[Splendid_Splinter]

Getting his hands in and turning on that pitch today was a thing of beauty. And something we rarely, if ever saw from him the last year plus.

 

It was like vintage 2005.

 

Damn you, Furcal.

 

Furcal is definitely forever on my [expletive] list. Didn't sign with us that offseason then ruined DLee's life. What a dick.

 

See also: Marcus Giles

While you're at it add Brad Hawpe to the list. In 2005 Prior looked to be completely recovered from the past two years of injuries, but the line drive off his elbow seemed to be the final straw that finally did him in.

[Little Slide Rooter]

He is not a great defensive 1B.

 

Hesa perenial gold glover and possibly the best in the game. Have you seen a Ryan Therit throw to 1st? Lee deservers a medel.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Were all going to be eating mounds of crow when Aaron Miles hits that walk off off Jeremy Papelbon in game 7 of the World Series.

[XZero771679666304]

He is not a great defensive 1B.

 

Hesa perenial gold glover and possibly the best in the game. Have you seen a Ryan Therit throw to 1st? Lee deservers a medel.

 

He's not what he was 3-4 years ago, which was easily the best defensive 1b in the game. But he is still above average overall, and still great at picking throws.

[BigSlick]

Lee gets bizarrely below average range rankings in sabermetric fielding stats, whatever. He's probably not as good as our eyes would lead us to believe, he makes some nice flashy plays, he's definitely good getting the ball.

 

His bat is coming around and I'll admit that I didn't think it would happen.

 

Two games doesn't meant his offense is coming around yet, so they haven't drawn me back in. The way I see it its them just making up for those horribly horribly blown games on the last road trip, and in terms of emotional investment I find horribly blown games far more damaging to me than a great comeback.

 

Can't we just have relaxing wins/defeats. You're killing me.

[Little Slide Rooter]

He is only like 33, and until 2005 hes traditionally heated up in June. Hes still got some good years left in him. However, if he does finish up the year around his career numbers, I wouldnt be completely shocked to see him salary dumped in the off season. I know he has his NTC, but it could happen.

[SweetZombieJesus]

He is not a great defensive 1B.

 

Yeah he's no Prince Fielder or a vast variety of AL DHs.

 

 

See also: Marcus Giles

 

Yes but Marcus Giles is good. Unlike Lee.

[Gingerballs Lives]

Lee gets bizarrely below average range rankings in sabermetric fielding stats, whatever. He's probably not as good as our eyes would lead us to believe, he makes some nice flashy plays, he's definitely good getting the ball.

 

His bat is coming around and I'll admit that I didn't think it would happen.

 

Two games doesn't meant his offense is coming around yet, so they haven't drawn me back in. The way I see it its them just making up for those horribly horribly blown games on the last road trip, and in terms of emotional investment I find horribly blown games far more damaging to me than a great comeback.

 

Can't we just have relaxing wins/defeats. You're killing me.

 

 

This is why I generally don't put my stock in the fielding stats, especially for infielders. I'm willing to trust my eyes when it comes to defense and my eyes tell me Lee is an extremely good defender.

 

However, there are few things I like more than pouring over offensive statistics.