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fromthestretch

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Everything posted by fromthestretch

  1. fromthestretch
    If you don't believe there's such a thing as a clutch player, you must not watch much sports, and you clearly didn't play many either. I watch a lot of sports and have played plenty in my time and I don't believe there is a "clutch player." The numbers don't bear that out. If being "clutch" is an ability, then "clutch players" would have good numbers in "clutch" situations from year to year or at least numbers that are consistent with their career numbers. They do not. It's all in how you define clutch. Bases loaded in a 8-0 blowout is not the same as bases loaded with your team down by a run or two in the late innings. You can't lump the two at-bats into the same category. I think on this one, actual viewing of the game is required. Any runs a player drives in during non-pressure situations count just as much as runs driven in during "clutch" situations. If a player puts his team up 3-0 in the first with a three-run homer, but fails to drive home the tying run from second with two outs in the ninth, I think more blame falls on his team, most likely the pitcher, for squandering the nice three-run cushion he gave them early in the game. I certainly wouldn't say that player isn't clutch.
  2. fromthestretch
    Would Grudz have got hurt in a similar situation?? Carlos Lee weighs 230+ pounds. I think most middle infielders in the league would have had a DL visit after getting run over by him.
  3. fromthestretch
    The offseason from hell gets EVEN WORSE. Hendry has got to go. Good God. You want Hendry fired because he signed a guy to play SS in the minor leagues? You've read how many posts on this site and you honestly believe that's the ONLY reason people want him fired?
  4. fromthestretch
    That's the only logical explanation possible. Not to hijack the thread, but with the lack of quality left-handed bats in the lineup, you'd think that would be a reason to keep Walker.
  5. fromthestretch
    No thanks to his stats at RFK (203/277/350/627 in 123 AB's. Yuck.) He put up decent power numbers during his days in Florida, playing half his games in a rather large ballpark. His overall numbers after being dealt to Washington last year (.261/.329/.443) were still better than anything Jones has done the past two seasons. And it's not like he'd be playing half his games in RFK if the Cubs signed him. I'm not saying the Cubs should have signed him. But if his knee is OK, Wilson for one year would have been better than Jones for three.
  6. fromthestretch
    Not that I really care for either player, but how does Jones have more upside than Wilson? They aren't even a year apart in age, and both strikeout a lot without high walk totals. Wilson has more power and, despite mediocre walk numbers, has shown an OBP that is less dependent on his batting average compared to Jones. Jones probably runs a little better at this stage and is the better defender. Hell, the biggest difference is that one bats left-handed and one bats right-handed. I don't think there's a big enough difference between the two to justify giving Jones a three-year deal for $5 million/yr when Wilson is signing a one-year deal for $4 million/yr. Isn't there also some major concerns about Preston Wilson's knee. If that's the case, then that explains why he only got a one-year deal. That said, I still don't think Jones' numbers justify a three-year deal. Wilson, with a bum knee, still put up better numbers than Jones last season.
  7. fromthestretch
    Not that I really care for either player, but how does Jones have more upside than Wilson? They aren't even a year apart in age, and both strikeout a lot without high walk totals. Wilson has more power and, despite mediocre walk numbers, has shown an OBP that is less dependent on his batting average compared to Jones. Jones probably runs a little better at this stage and is the better defender. Hell, the biggest difference is that one bats left-handed and one bats right-handed. I don't think there's a big enough difference between the two to justify giving Jones a three-year deal for $5 million/yr when Wilson is signing a one-year deal for $4 million/yr.
  8. fromthestretch
    I'd be a lot happier with that lineup if Walker had a spot in it. Hell, I'd be happier with Hairston at 2B over Neifi.
  9. fromthestretch
    Yanks got Dotel.
  10. fromthestretch
    I'd like to go back to what a Cards' fan pointed out earlier in the discussion. If Prior qualified with enough innings at this point, he would rank 6th among active pitchers in ERA. Sixth! How on earth is that not dominant enough for you? I think I saw many posts go by that said they wouldnt trade Prior for anyone.....certainly no other pitcher. My point was that he needs to be the pitching stud of the next decade to live up to expectations. I wouldnt pretend to be the stats guy that many around here are......but if he's sixth....that means there are at least 5 better. Right? I'm sure age and many other things need to be factored in.......but he has a lot to prove. From a lot of the sentiment around here you would think that he has proved it already. Is it that unreasonable to be somewhat skeptical as to whether or not he can live up to expectations? I'd say that his numbers in 2003 at age 22 proved what he can do.
  11. fromthestretch
    Being more concerned about his elbow doesn't translate to him having a signifant elbow injury. If I was a major league pitcher and I had any kind of elbow discomfort, I'd probably be more concerned about that, too. That doesn't mean that the elbow was as bad as his achilles though.
  12. fromthestretch
    are you talking about his achilles injury? The elbow injury was simultaneous with the achilles injury. The elbow injury was speculation from a reporter in NJ. The achilles injury is what kept him off the mound. I think you have it backwards; the elbow issue was the real problem. Provide me proof of that, and I'll believe you. Until then, I'll go with the reports by the media and the Cubs that he was out with an achilles problem and some slight elbow discomfort, most likely due to adjusting his mechanics based on the achilles injury. To my knowledge there are no reports of Prior ever suffering anything close to a signifcant elbow injury other than the one caused by a line drive off Brad Hawpe's bat.
  13. fromthestretch
    are you talking about his achilles injury? The elbow injury was simultaneous with the achilles injury. The elbow injury was speculation from a reporter in NJ. The achilles injury is what kept him off the mound.
  14. fromthestretch
    like i said, if his IsoD stays the same and his average returns to the .300 neighborhood, he could be a pretty good addition. now, that's too many ifs to sign a guy to a 3 year deal, though. I agree 100%.
  15. fromthestretch
    For what it's worth, I did hear a sound clip this morning on XM. It was Jacque Jones talking about what he brings to the Cubs. Most of it was the typical "happy to be here" stuff. But he did mention his walk rate. He talked about how he is working to become a more patient hitter, had a career high in walks in 2005, and is hoping to build on that in 2006. While I'm still not happy about the signing, it's nice to hear a player actually recognize that he needs to be a more patient hitter.
  16. fromthestretch
    While I think everyone appreciates the effort that TC3 put into his article, it's not reasonable to expect readers to refrain from commenting on it. I, for one, certainly do not agree with many of the points he tried to make in his post. That said, I do agree that it was unreasonable to ask for the thread to be locked. There's nothing wrong with being optimistic, just as there's nothing wrong with being realistic. The Hendry bashing is a bit much from some people, especially when it comes to his weight. I frankly don't care if the man weighs 400 pounds and is a heart-attack waiting to happen. But the man certainly deserves a lot of criticism for what can, in even the best light, be described as some very questionable moves. And calling some of the moves "questionable" is being kind IMO. I think everyone realizes that there is a chance that the Cubs could reach the postseason in 2006. The main argument is how remote of a possibility that is. Personally, I don't think the chances are all that great.
  17. fromthestretch
    Someone mentioned it yesterday, and I don't think it sounds like any better of an idea today. The guy has always had serious control issues...even when he was in Japan. His strikeout rate was good his first two years in the majors but has fallen off a lot the past two seasons. He also gives up a fair share of home runs. If the Cubs are going to add pitching (I still say RF is a higher priority), they should add someone who improves the staff, not someone who would most likely be the worst pitcher on the roster.
  18. fromthestretch
    He's always had horrible control...over six walks per nine innings in each of his first two seasons (over 5.6 BB/9 IP for his MLB career). His strikeout rate has dropped off considerably, and he susceptable to the longball. He's simply not a good pitcher at all.
  19. fromthestretch
    Considering his age, I'm sure he would have wanted at least three years.
  20. fromthestretch
    Looking at his career trends, it appears that his first year with a team is typically decent. It's usually his second year (or third as is the case with the Reds) that he seems to be sub-par. Why not sign him to a one-year deal? He's capable of playing 2B, SS, and 3B. If he's not happy after that year, don't re-sign him.
  21. fromthestretch
    The worst month Burrell had in 2005 was July, when he posted a .265/.375/.480 line. That was his lowest month OPS-wise in 2005. I'm not seeing this extended cold streak you speak of. Yes, in 2004 he had a bad second half. If memory serves, Ichiro has had a couple of those, too. The guy is young, hits for power, and gets on base. He has the arm for right field. He certainly won't win a gold glove or steal bases. As far as his personality, anyone who values charisma over production needs to check their priorities. I'm also curious how an .834 OPS = "lost up at the plate." I'm not proclaiming him to be the savior of the Cubs. However, he's a MUCH better option than any of the free agents, and if available via trade, could probably be had for less than Abreu, Dunn, and possible Huff.
  22. fromthestretch
    Burrell's 2003 was better than CPat's 2005. Burrell 2003 OBP: .309 SLG: .404 Patterson's 2005 OBP: .254 SLG: .348 Number of at-bats was similar.
  23. fromthestretch
    Pat Burrell, at age 28, drew 99 walks. Sammy Sosa at age 28 drew 45 walks. In six seasons, Burrell has had five seasons with over 70 walks, including two over 80 and one over 90. The one season he didn't have 70 walks was his rookie season, in which he drew 63. Sammy didn't have a 70-walk season until his 10th year, and he didn't reach the 90 mark until his 12th. Burrell's career batting average is 16 points lower than Sammy's, yet his OBP is 13 points HIGHER than Sammy's. Burrell has a better eye. .380 Career OBP. That's a pretty nice number.
  24. fromthestretch
    Ummmmm....He does realize we don't currently have a RF, right? Unless he considers Patterson or Mabry to be it. Here... we.... go... again.... Where we going? Hopefully for some ice cream. I'm in the mood for ice cream.
  25. fromthestretch
    I'm thinking they would rather deal Abreu as well, due to his higher salary and age. If they truly do want to dump salary though, I'd think they would at least listen to some offers for Burrell.
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