We Got The Whole 9

I would not at all be mad if that were Russell leading off. Hes on a nice little run right now, might as well capitalize before he tanks again. 280/390/480 with a .80 BBK over his last 20 games. Almora there is just a fat middle finger to us all.

Did they, though? I wouldn't be surprised if they did, but I don't recall that being one of their big talking points early on. Yeah I don’t remember that at all and their actions certainly haven’t really backed it. Hey Underwood is knocking on the door, man

That is being exceedingly harsh to Corey Patterson, who put up a 2.5 WAR in half a season followed by a 5 WAR season, and then another 3.8 WAR season for the Orioles. The odds of Almora ever reaching Patterson's 10.9 career WAR is like 100 to 1. 100 to 1 seems like a bit of an over-exaggeration considering Almora has produced more WAR on a per PA basis so far in his career (3.0 in 1203 PA) than Patterson did in his (10.9 in 4499 PA). Not to say that he will keep up that pace for his entire career or even that he will get enough playing time in the majors to eclipse his WAR but its not unreasonable. His 2 best fwar seasons were like Kiermaier seasons. Below average offensively but insane defensive and base running value. I mean 11.3 bsr in 2006, holy horsefeathers. But defensively those appear to be quite fluky as well. Also he was a major pull hitter so it would be interesting to see how he would fare in this day of defensive positioning. He never had a full season with an above average bat. Obviously we recall how heartbroken we were in 2003 when he was really breaking out. Still love me some CPatt.

Hes finally gonna hit 3/4/6, right?

Alzolay walking the world again, including Dustin May, and Lux took him deep

If hes cured his dong woes we have a TORP

Mai Tai Guy better have given that ball to his kid(s) at home But still what a horsefeathering loser. Those kids are probably still crying. He stole an unforgettable moment from 2 little kids. It was despicable.

Hiura has 28 HR in 80 games this season what a horsefeathering joke

Anyone know anything about Alex Dickerson? Dude is 29 years old. The lowest wOBA he ever posted in the minors is 365 in A+, absolutely raked at every level. The only real shot he got at the Majors was 2016 with the Padres and he put up a 111 wRC+ in just under 300 PA, but nonetheless became a AAAA type. He had a 450 woba at AAA this year but was used as a PH when he was promoted. Padres traded him to the division rival Giants, and in 20 games he has a 500 wOBA. Obvious BABIP regression is coming but the lowest BABIP he ever posted in the minors was 325, so this dude clearly knows how to hit and he also never had K issues. It looks like the Giants hit big on a flyer.

horsefeathers yeah keep looking oppo

Can Schwarber get it out of the infield?

I thought that dude had a high baseball IQ

4th worst in the league at swing% per meatball according to statcast. It's a problem IMO.

The same breaking ball he chases a lot

Be nice if he got back to crushing LHP though

Team ERA- by year: 2017: 91 - T-4th in NL 2018: 91 - T-2nd in NL 2019: 93 - 4th in NL KBB (where framing really shows, IMO) 2016: 2.91 2017: 2.60 2018: 2.14 2019: 2.53

I don't really like him as a catcher and our pitching has degraded each year hes been our fulltime catcher. So, yes. He's had the keys. But they have an opportunity to hand those keys to a better defender. So I'll rephrase and say that I'll be disappointed if he retains those keys. by pretty much every account I've ever read, the guy works his ass off to get better and is very open to instruction. I'd be interested in where you are getting your info that he has no "desire" to improve. Or admit that's [expletive] and what you really mean to say is that he simply hasn't gotten better at that aspect of the game. I cant find the quote but he said, 'a ball is a ball and a strike is a strike, I dont really care about that' when asked about his pitch framing. I believe this happened after his argument with Flowers. The proof is in the pudding. Hes not climbed out of the bottom 3 in 3 years. His setup remains poor, his glove is loud, the numbers back it up.

Are you talking about Willson Contreras? The converted infielder who has been the primary catcher the past four years? You are disappointed they handed the keys to him, 4 years ago? Four years they've largely spent in 1st place and been among the best teams in baseball. That disappoints you? I don't really like him as a catcher and our pitching has degraded each year hes been our fulltime catcher. So, yes. He's had the keys. But they have an opportunity to hand those keys to a better defender. So I'll rephrase and say that I'll be disappointed if he retains those keys.

Dude he didn't have nearly enough career PA to give a horsefeathers about that number. I mean that's ridiculous. 260 PA. He is killing it according to xwoba so hes earned that line. And he has shown some of the best plate discipline on the team as well with his zswing-oswing. Maybe some holes are being poked now but it's too early to write him off and not believe he can make the adjustments. As a prospect he put up solid lines at every level that he had a decent sample, including 2 stints at AAA with a 3/4/5 slash line. I'm actually surprised you're so willing to write him off when he doesnt have huge red flags but you pined for Happ to get a shot even when he had an 80 wRC+ with a 30+ Krate in the supercharged PCL this year. Steamer and zips even like him over Happ, FWIW I certainly was wrong on Vic going in to the year, I wanted a backup C (ironically Maldonado was top of the list) and Vic has been really good and I hope he continues to do well. But Vic's value will probably never be higher and with Willy his path to playing time will be limited (assuming this really is a 10 day injury thing for him). If a team wants to pay up for Vic thinking he's a full time starter I'm not against moving him, I wouldn't just trade him to trade him. That was really my point, the answer to what Vic really is probably falls somewhere between what he's been for his career and what he's been this year. And I more wanted Happ to get a shot because of who he'd be taking ABs over (Almora, Descalso, Russell, Zagunis, etc). I also don't think the answer to improving the offense is giving Vic more catching time and putting WIlly in the OF, if we're going to do the 3 catcher thing. My disappointment would (so far this is all internet spec and I might be getting miffed for nothing) largely lie in handing the keys to the one of the worst receivers in the league whom hasn't shown much interest in improving his game. I'd rather pair Maldonado to mentor Caratini and improve on his above average game. Right now BP, statcorner, and FG rank him in the top 25, and his bat could be good enough to actually produce 3-4 war. Move Schwarber and put Contreras in LF. According to BR Schwarber has produced 3 WAR over 4 seasons. His bat just isn't valuable enough to cling to him, and his fielding is not good (yes I fell for his fielding last year, some might point out). At some point you have to stop waiting on the upside and recognize him for what hes been and it's not worth it. Putting Willy out there and Vic behind the dish might not improve the offense a lot but I dont think it would impact is negatively and we would get a boost in our walk rate, IMO, and put our pitchers in more favorable counts consistently. I think that would be big for those guys.

I’m fine letting some team dream on him being a starting caliber catcher and selling highish. He has a career 87 wRC+, he’s most likely a career backup. Dude he didn't have nearly enough career PA to give a horsefeathers about that number. I mean that's ridiculous. 260 PA. He is killing it according to xwoba so hes earned that line. And he has shown some of the best plate discipline on the team as well with his zswing-oswing. Maybe some holes are being poked now but it's too early to write him off and not believe he can make the adjustments. As a prospect he put up solid lines at every level that he had a decent sample, including 2 stints at AAA with a 3/4/5 slash line. I'm actually surprised you're so willing to write him off when he doesnt have huge red flags but you pined for Happ to get a shot even when he had an 80 wRC+ with a 30+ Krate in the supercharged PCL this year. Steamer and zips even like him over Happ, FWIW

Brach is the most visually unappealing pitcher to watch in the league

Just another way to show how absurd the Dodgers are

That’s gotta be some sort of record, no? Yeah it had been done before 60 years ago but not in the same season

There's like a dozen interesting CF in the league and almost all of them are on contenders. I think we're stuck with what we have. Our best shot is if Happ plays at a high level, or if we make a push for Whit.

In the offseason I want Willy moved to LF, Vic to get a Bote deal, and to be the full time C. Hopefully with a full offseason Willy can excel out there.