Batting order minutiae: Castro 2nd, Ramirez 4th

[Sammy Sofa]

Pena 2008: 33% K%, 15% BB%, 18% HR/FB, .298 BABIP, .247/.377/.494

 

Pena 2010: 32% K%, 15% BB%, 21% HR/FB, .222 BABIP, .196/.325/.407

 

You don't honestly think 2010 Pena was the same hitter as 2008 Pena, do you?

 

No, probably because he was injured.

[Bluescale]

Pena 2008: 33% K%, 15% BB%, 18% HR/FB, .298 BABIP, .247/.377/.494

 

Pena 2010: 32% K%, 15% BB%, 21% HR/FB, .222 BABIP, .196/.325/.407

 

You don't honestly think 2010 Pena was the same hitter as 2008 Pena, do you?

 

No, probably because he was injured.

 

Okay, lets take a step back here. Do you think my skepticism is completely unfounded?

[Sammy Sofa]

Completely unfounded? Of course not, because that's an absolute. But I think he's more likely to put up numbers at least in the vicinity of what he did in 2007-2009 than his 2010 being an indication of him toppling off of a cliff. Outside of the increased numbers of ground balls the biggest issue was that he was playing hurt last year so I think there's a very good chance that he rebounds back to levels resembling what he was in the three seasons leading up to 2010.

[questionmarkgrace]

Completely unfounded? Of course not, because that's an absolute. But I think he's more likely to put up numbers at least in the vicinity of what he did in 2007-2009 than his 2010 being an indication of him toppling off of a cliff. Outside of the increased numbers of ground balls the biggest issue was that he was playing hurt last year so I think there's a very good chance that he rebounds back to levels resembling what he was in the three seasons leading up to 2010.

 

the probability of this should also increase with the switch to the N.L.

[Guest]

Completely unfounded? Of course not, because that's an absolute. But I think he's more likely to put up numbers at least in the vicinity of what he did in 2007-2009 than his 2010 being an indication of him toppling off of a cliff. Outside of the increased numbers of ground balls the biggest issue was that he was playing hurt last year so I think there's a very good chance that he rebounds back to levels resembling what he was in the three seasons leading up to 2010.

 

What type of injury was he struggling with?

[Splendid Splinter]

Completely unfounded? Of course not, because that's an absolute. But I think he's more likely to put up numbers at least in the vicinity of what he did in 2007-2009 than his 2010 being an indication of him toppling off of a cliff. Outside of the increased numbers of ground balls the biggest issue was that he was playing hurt last year so I think there's a very good chance that he rebounds back to levels resembling what he was in the three seasons leading up to 2010.

 

What type of injury was he struggling with?

 

 

Basically he had a plantar fascia strain or plantar fasciitis... I think they said that he had it for the whole 2010 season or it started very early in the season.

[UK1679666180]

Troy Glaus kinda sucks now

 

Great insight.

 

With Glaus, he didn't have nor will he have the health to be an everyday regular as his back and knees won't hold up.

 

Used as a spot starter/PH'er will best suit him unless he finds a DH role and beyond Baker, the Cubs could use some pop from the R side.

 

There's definitely enough of a solid approach, bat speed, and raw power to merit him doing well in a reserved role.

[Guest]

The Cubs don't really have another IF spot to spare since Barney and Baker pretty much have to make the team. Glaus is 34 now, it's been 2 years since he hit well, and he wasn't any better than Baker last year. He's also played only 9 games at 3B the last two years, and if we wanted to add a RH bench bat that was primarily a 1B/OF/DH, then I want Max Ramirez in that spot over Glaus every day of the week.

[davearm2]

Completely unfounded? Of course not, because that's an absolute. But I think he's more likely to put up numbers at least in the vicinity of what he did in 2007-2009 than his 2010 being an indication of him toppling off of a cliff. Outside of the increased numbers of ground balls the biggest issue was that he was playing hurt last year so I think there's a very good chance that he rebounds back to levels resembling what he was in the three seasons leading up to 2010.

 

the probability of this should also increase with the switch to the N.L.

That holds true for pitchers much more than for hitters, no?

 

The true talent level in pitching isn't skewed to the AL is it?

[SouthSideRyan]

Troy Glaus kinda sucks now

 

Great insight.

 

 

Well doesn't he?

 

He's getting old, he's broken down with injuries, and he can't play 3B anymore.

[UK1679666180]

The Cubs don't really have another IF spot to spare since Barney and Baker pretty much have to make the team. Glaus is 34 now, it's been 2 years since he hit well, and he wasn't any better than Baker last year. He's also played only 9 games at 3B the last two years, and if we wanted to add a RH bench bat that was primarily a 1B/OF/DH, then I want Max Ramirez in that spot over Glaus every day of the week.

 

Glaus had a subpar year last year once his injuries caught up to his production, his next role won't be as much as he had with ATL. If used properly, Glaus would outproduce Baker. Ramirez hasn't been able to hit above AA in the PCL.

[SouthSideRyan]

What does injuries caught up to his production mean?

 

Glaus was terrible the first month of the year when his legs should've been the freshest.

[UK1679666180]

His injuries are more degenerative in regards to him regressing more when the playing time he gets increases. The more he plays, the more his back will be aggravated.

 

One month isn't the proper sample, I could use 1st half/2nd half splits and have more validity. Atl just used a player past his prime too hard.

[SouthSideRyan]

They used him too hard but he didn't start hitting until after he played 30 out of the first 30 games.

[UK1679666180]

Its only one month, the month by month variations go up and down so much, it could be so many things beyond permanently losing his skill set to where he becomes an albatross.

 

I would guess his bad April was more standard deviation than that much age regression.