Transmogrified Tiger

I'd bet more people get upset because people still don't understand that Billy Beane isn't a "hero" to most people who subscribe to what is described in the book. People get upset because there is so much misinterpretation that comes up everytime the word "Moneyball" is mentioned it's almost impossible to make a point.

You really should care. I should care that his BABIP indicates he likely won't keep hitting .370 with a .700 slg? I care about improvements, adjustments, and growth from prospects, and he's showing that. Stat's aren't everything. Also, nice job taking a small part of the quote out of context, while adding nothing to the conversation. I've said plenty on the topic of Harvey, even in this very thread. You can't just dismiss the fact that Harvey is on a hot streak when there aren't notable peripheral changes to support that. When a player has a hot streak that is almost entirely held up by Balls in Play(In August he's had a better go of it, although his power has returned to previous levels), it's worth pointing out that it's not sustainable and he will return to his previous subpar production without changes in those areas. And while it's true that "stats aren't everything", stats in the right context are very important. Looking beyond the stats should mean trying to find reasons to explain the performance/stats, not discounting the performance/stats out of hand.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the word of the evening is age. Age relative to level is where it's at, and it's why Pie is the runaway choice for Minor League POY. Felix is playing this entire season at 21 years old. Donald Veal is a year younger and 2 levels below. Much less impressive. Gallagher reached AA at age 20, but he spent half the year at Daytona like Veal. Any disparity is gapped and more by this discrepancy in age relative to level. And remember, Felix dominated AA at that age as well, and has carried it forward where Gallagher and Veal have not. All others are out of the question. Jake Fox is 24 and just making it to AA, Pie will be making Major League All-Star games by then. Scott Moore is a year older and a level behind, get him outta here. Like any good player/team making a run at an end of the season honor, Felix has turned it on during the home stretch. As his team battles for a postseason spot, Pie has caught fire, putting up an obscene .357/.400/.631/1.031 line in August. When the going gets tough, Pie gets going, sporting improved numbers once runners get on, once they get into scoring position, and with 2 outs. Clutch may not exist, but if it does Felix has it coming out of his ears. And let's face it, Pie is the jewel of the system. He flashes all 5 tools, he's been a winner, scouts love him, stat people like him, he's got charisma, he WANTS this award. Vote for Felix. Best prospect in the system with the most impressive showing when you consider the word of the day, age, and the fact that he is at the highest level of MiLB while turning in amazing performances to help his team chase the playoffs down the stretch. Vote for the wrong candidate if you like, many of you already have, but deep down everyone has to admit to themselves that this guy deserves it. VOTE FELIX(He has a great smile too!) http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/18/182285.jpg

Ack! Where has the evening gone? Pie's staggering case forthcoming.

Flippin sweet, it's Bynum

You're going to feel very foolish by voting before the undeniable case for Pie has been made. All talk. Where is this undeniable case? This evening, I promise.

You're going to feel very foolish by voting before the undeniable case for Pie has been made.

Outside of having a high OBP, I completely disagree with everything you said.

A very good batters eye/backdrop?

It's more fun if you wait to vote until the case is made for each player.

Why? Why? Why? Fun fact: The Cubs offense scored more runs before they acquired Lofton than after. Giles, yes. Pierre, emphatic no.

The overwhelming evidence in Pie's favor will be presented later today. Hopefully we won't see a repeat of last year's tragic mistake of Nolasco not winning.

A big thank you to Marcus Giles, Brad Hawpe, and most importantly, Dusty Baker. Without you ruining Prior wouldn't have been possible.

You really should care.

http://minorleaguesplits.com/

Wuertz is a freak of nature, Howard, Burrell, then another LH Dellucci.

Oh man, I just realized when the Sox get tired of Ozzie and fire him they'll promote Cora and it'll be like Lord of the Flies.

I'll nominate Pie

I didn't even realize Coats was on the 40 man.

That stat line cannot be right. He doesn't have an OBP above .300. It's OBP/SLG/OPS

It's only $5 a month. Big Mac, fries and a coke will cost you more than that! And nsbb won't clog your arteries. [more sales job]And if you can front the 50 bucks for a yearlong subscription up front, it's only $4.50 a month[/more sales job] Someone's not a math major. It's about $4.17.

Not true. Clark is better offensively and defensively.

Cat would be wonderful, hes one of the best value players in the league. But this is Hendry we are talking about. A more realistic option would be Nixon. We'd pay more, but if used properly, would still be worth the money. I'd have to believe that our MI would be Cedeno and Izturis, so unfortunately I don't see us being able to improve at 2b. I think we can look across town to see how Pie would be next year if we brought him up. I'd like to take a more conservative approach and leave him in AAA for another year (or a good part of a year) and let him continue to hit like he has the last couple months. Dave Roberts is a guy who could do a nice job being a placeholder for Pie. Also, the cubs had interest in him a couple years ago. Roberts Nixon/Murton Lee Ramirez Barrett Jones/Resto Izturis Cedeno Yeah, there are two auto outs, but I think thats just the reality of our lineup next year. I think this is the best we could do, while also affording a Schmidt/Zito. Like I've said elsewhere, I'm not convinced that Cedeno is penciled into 2B next year. Especially with the departure of Perez, I think Hendry could go after a 2B and use Ronny as a utility player. I don't think Hendry is actively trying to avoid having Cedeno at 2B, but I think he sees it as a spot he could stand to upgrade. You're probably right about Cat, and Nixon for the price may end up being a better option. I would think Jones would move to LF, which would make the Murton/Jones platoon more likely. The hard part might be convincing Nixon to come as a platoon player, and convincing Hendry Nixon needs one. Also, I disagree with the Anderson comparison to Pie. Pie has shown pretty steady progress throughout his trek through the minors, and is hitting his stride at AAA now. Anderson's numbers got progressively worse as he moved up the ladder and was much older than Pie. Especially with the adjustment we've seen Felix make at Iowa, and the fact that despite his age he's managed to hit for average everywhere he's gone, I don't think he'd be as much of a washout as Anderson has been. That said, if the situation called for it, I wouldn't mind Pie starting at Iowa next year.

Muchas gracias

EPatt goes 2 for 3 with a double Pie 0 for 5 with a K Soto goes 2 for 3 with a HR and a walk