TruffleShuffle

Regardless, the Giants won 91 games that year, missing the playoffs by just one game. Clearly without Bonds, they would've been nowhere near the playoffs. Also, were five runs from leading the NL in runs scored - despite having all of TWO regulars aside from Bonds who had an OPS+ above 100 that year. He carried that team. Well, with a lineup of Utley, Burrell, and 2/3 Abreu, wouldn't Howard have had a better lineup than the Cards lineup? The Cards lineup was very weak without AP. Names like Edmonds and Rolen yes, but they are shells of their former selves. Rolen's career average: 285/375/515/890 Rolen in 2006: 296/369/518/887 Pretty bad year for him.

why would 2004 VORP matter? ah, didn't realize we were talking about 2003. Well, your argument holds more water, but Bonds did have a higher VORP in 2003 despite playing about 25 fewer games. He certainly was a better player that year. Pujols created slightly more runs; Bonds had more RC/27. I'd guess that in a lot of people's minds, it was pretty close, but the Giants' 100 wins and the Cardinals' third place finish in the NL Central were the deciding factors.

Regardless, the Giants won 91 games that year, missing the playoffs by just one game. Clearly without Bonds, they would've been nowhere near the playoffs. Also, were five runs from leading the NL in runs scored - despite having all of TWO regulars aside from Bonds who had an OPS+ above 100 that year. He carried that team.

I'm not completely convinced that a 4-man rotation couldn't work, if an organization would have its guys pitching on less rest the minute they're drafted/signed - BUT, all these guys have been pitching in rotations with at least 5 pitchers, so I think the effects would be disastrous. Especially since you might have guys like Prior, Miller and Marshall in the rotation, whose arms are held on by twine and duct tape.

Bonds 2004 VORP: 142 (!) Pujols 2004 VORP: 103 We could go on an on, but it's really just belaboring the obvious.

He did? http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bondsba01.shtml http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/pujolal01.shtml .341/.529/.749, 231 OPS+ .359/.439/.667, 189 OPS+ Yes he did, and it wasn't even close. Yes, I'm sure the writers were checking that OPS+ figure. . By the way, at what point is that OPS+ as valuable on 390 AB (+ 150 BB) vs. AP's 591 AB with 80 BB. . Part of the criteria is playing every day right? I mean Albert was penalized this year for missing 15 games right? Well, for one thing Bonds walked 232 times that year, not 150. To make a pretty good estimate without going too far into the details, Bonds had about 620 PA and Pujols had about 690 PA. Not a big difference. And, Bonds played in just 7 fewer games than Pujols that year.

Wait, so you're saying it WASN'T a great idea to throw a 4 year, $40M contract at an injury-plagued pitcher who had an above-average ERA+ in just two of his seven major league seasons? I'd have rather thrown that money at Pavano than Meche. either way, it's going down the toilet

Wait, so you're saying it WASN'T a great idea to throw a 4 year, $40M contract at an injury-plagued pitcher who had an above-average ERA+ in just two of his seven major league seasons?

hey, at least he didn't make a reference to hendry being fat

Now, now, don't go de-railin' this here thread. I believe the goal here is for the NFC East to completely beat itself up so nobody gets a wildcard spot, and the division winner is so beaten up it gets blown out in game 1. Right? ;) Don't worry, Tony [expletive] will crap the bed in the playoffs and I'll enjoy every minute of it. Kind of like McNabb puking away a Super Bowl? BTW, how many of those have the Eagles won? OK, this is the last time I'm helping you with this. You're on your own from now on. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Super_Bowl_champions

Now, now, don't go de-railin' this here thread. I believe the goal here is for the NFC East to completely beat itself up so nobody gets a wildcard spot, and the division winner is so beaten up it gets blown out in game 1. Right? ;) Don't worry, Tony [expletive] will crap the bed in the playoffs and I'll enjoy every minute of it.

huh, and all this time i thought philly fans were the only a-holes to gloat over injuries to opposing players!

stay classy vance

handily beat Arkansas, Cal, Oregon, Nebraska and ND - not too bad.

Awesome. haha I love that image

Go stadium collapse! How are the Eagles doing this year? http://www.nfl.com/standings Jeez, learn how to use the internet.

zzzzzzzzzzz

Go stadium collapse!

I'd like him, just because he'll be cheaper than someone like Meche, and won't command a long contract.

And what exactly are people jealous about? That Pujols is a whiny little baby? Give me a break. I wish I could be a prick!

Well, I guess we can always hope the Yanks outbid the Cubs for Yeche.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on what the ultimate sin of the sport is. I find cheating to become a better player more unethical than betting on the team that one manages. So every ball-scuffer, bat-corker, spit-baller, sign-stealer, speed-taker and so forth are all more heinous to the game than people that gamble on their own team? Really? I find those to be more minor than injecting yourself with a foreign substance (that's illegal, by the way) to increase muscle mass.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on what the ultimate sin of the sport is. I find cheating to become a better player more unethical than betting on the team that one manages.

No, not really. I think his arm will be fine since he hardly throws any breaking balls, and he kept the ball down last year. He strikes me as a good pitcher - not the kind of guy who falls apart when he loses a tick or two off his fastball. Well it should. A decrease in velocity and the decreasing length of a pitchers stride are two of the biggest keys to a shoulder injury. throwing less hard makes a pitcher hurt his shoulder? interesting.

Yes, but it needs to be done. 4/60 for Schmidt is insane. No, 5/55 for Darren Dreifort is insane. 4/60 for Schmidt is overpaying to get a good pitcher. Not when he is 34yrs old and breaking down. huh, I must have missed that breaking down during his 32 start, 213 inning, 125 ERA+, All-Star season. I need to pay more attention. Yeah, you should. The loss in velocity and the decreasing length of his stride don't bother you? Or the decrease in K's? Schmidt is still a better fit than Zito or any of the other FA pitchers. I understand that. Im just worried about his health. He has been taking a beating under Felipe. I would have a problem giving him anything longer than 2 years. While 2 years would be nice, he's not going to sign for that. In this market, you have to overpay. I'd rather give Schmidt 4/60 than pay Jeff Suppan 4/36. The Cubs need a pitcher. I'd prefer to add one ace through FA than give up the few trading chips we have for a Westbrook type and then have to overspend on Suppan, Meche, or Padilla. Would I like Schmidt plus one of those...of course. Is it overpaying? Yes. Is it a risk? Yes. But the Cubs apparently have the money and adding Schmidt to a rotation of Zambrano, Hill, Prior, and Miller/Marshall/Mateo likely makes us the favorite in the NL Central. Go get him. Plus if he goes downhill after 2-3 years, you've made your improvements through free agency, so you haven't squandered your best pitching prospects like Veal, Gallagher and Pawelek. You'd hope that somebody would be able to step in and help at that point.