2009 MLB Thread

[scratchbomb]

I hesitate to make any early judgments at this juncture of the season. But the Mets look like they're going to have to scrape and claw to win 85 games this year. The pitching beyond Santana looks very questionable. And Daniel Murphy might very well be the worst defensive outfielder in baseball right now. What say you Mets fans?

Mets fan, and usually an optimist, but ew boy that series in St. Louis was hard to watch.

Think they need to sweep the Nats this weekend, just to get the collective NY press off their backs for a few days.

[nec13]

I think in hindsight it might have been a more prudent investment to sign Derek Lowe as opposed to going the cheaper route and signing Oliver Perez. Perez is maddeningly inconsistent. I'm not too worried about the offense, it's the dearth of starting pitching that concerns me.

And they have to take at least 2 of 3 from Washington, or the fans will want Manuel's head on a platter.

[scratchbomb]

I think in hindsight it might have been a more prudent investment to sign Derek Lowe as opposed to going the cheaper route and signing Oliver Perez. Perez is maddeningly inconsistent. I'm not too worried about the offense, it's the dearth of starting pitching that concerns me.

And they have to take at least 2 of 3 from Washington, or the fans will want Manuel's head on a platter.

The Braves way overpaid for Lowe. At his age, I don't know if that'll look so smart 3 years for now. Or even next year. Ollie is what he is--great starts followed up by hideous ones. Always does well against the Phillies, though, for what it's worth.

I feel like Pelfrey will right himself post-tendinitis, although that's more feeling; can't say I have evidence to support it.

Maine needs to cut down on the walks; pure stuff-wise, he's fine right now, and he's not missing by much. But he walks way too many guys, and guys who really shouldn't be earning walks.

Livan Hernandez should not be counted on for anything (nor should any 5th starter, really--that's why they're 5th starters).

[Gilly]

I agree that 5th starters shouldn't be relied on to give you consistency but give that spot to a young guy or rotate young guys until somebody sticks. I've never been a fan of using the 5th spot on far below average pitchers who can eat innings.

[scratchbomb]

I agree that 5th starters shouldn't be relied on to give you consistency but give that spot to a young guy or rotate young guys until somebody sticks. I've never been a fan of using the 5th spot on far below average pitchers who can eat innings.

I agree. After a certain point, pitchers have to learn how to pitch at the major league level. Some teams seem fine doing this (Dodgers, Cards) and others are absolutely terrified of putting a young guy on the mound (the Mets being a prime example).

[Gilly]

Teams in big markets do have a dilemma though because if you throw a pitcher out there to get shelled in front of a packed house and the big market media it's going to be a lot more damaging to their confidence than the Twins throwing all of their young guys out in front of 10-15 thousand a night and MN's semi-friendly media. That's why I never fault the Yankees and Mets or any other major market team for trading away their prospects. In those markets, prospects just don't have as much of a chance- you really have to have the right makeup to play there. But, like we both agree on, it makes no sense to start a crappy pitcher every 5th start. I'll take the risk of damaging a young player's confidence and maybe finding a long term starter before conceding 10-15 games a year.

[scratchbomb]

Teams in big markets do have a dilemma though because if you throw a pitcher out there to get shelled in front of a packed house and the big market media it's going to be a lot more damaging to their confidence than the Twins throwing all of their young guys out in front of 10-15 thousand a night and MN's semi-friendly media. That's why I never fault the Yankees and Mets or any other major market team for trading away their prospects. In those markets, prospects just don't have as much of a chance- you really have to have the right makeup to play there. But, like we both agree on, it makes no sense to start a crappy pitcher every 5th start. I'll take the risk of damaging a young player's confidence and maybe finding a long term starter before conceding 10-15 games a year.

That's pretty much the bind they're in. A large, vocal segment of the fanbase wants WINS NOW and they'll accept teh LIvan Hernandezes of the world getting shelled more than they will some kid from triple-A.

It's partially a difference in markets, but the Twins are really good at it, too. They're one of the best run organizations in the game. Michael Lewis could've written a Moneyball-style book about Terry Ryan just as easily as he did about Billy Beane (although I guess Beane is the flashier personality of the two).

[Gilly]

Terry Ryan and Bill Smith are far from Moneyball GMs though. I've always argued that the Twins won in spite of Ryan in some ways. He drafted well and made some good trades but his offseason FA moves were atrocious and killed the Twins at the beginning of the season until they finally decided to bring up the prospects that were waiting. There were also at least 2 years where if a move would have been made at the deadline they might have been able to win it all. But, Ryan would never deal his stockpile of OF's and pitchers. The Twins owe much more to their excellent coaching at all levels than they do to Ryan. I guess Ryan can be credited with developing a great staff, but I think it's one of those cases where he surrounded himself with the right people and let them do the heavy lifting rather than being a baseball genius.

[scratchbomb]

Terry Ryan and Bill Smith are far from Moneyball GMs though. I've always argued that the Twins won in spite of Ryan in some ways. He drafted well and made some good trades but his offseason FA moves were atrocious and killed the Twins at the beginning of the season until they finally decided to bring up the prospects that were waiting. There were also at least 2 years where if a move would have been made at the deadline they might have been able to win it all. But, Ryan would never deal his stockpile of OF's and pitchers. The Twins owe much more to their excellent coaching at all levels than they do to Ryan. I guess Ryan can be credited with developing a great staff, but I think it's one of those cases where he surrounded himself with the right people and let them do the heavy lifting rather than being a baseball genius.

Can't say I've followed their every move. I just meant they were 'Moneyball' in the sense that they draft well and they find ways to win against the Big Market Teams of the world. I mean, when was the last time they didn't at least compete for a playoff spot in a season? And the AL Central isn't usually a cupcake division, either (even accounting for the Royals).

I'd definitely take Ryan's approach over that employed by the Mets for the last, oh, entirety of their existence.

[hugman]

Yup. No Cards/Cubs for me today.  They're showing the  Yankees/Redsox.  Guess it makes sense. Unfortunately.

[nec13]

That's the way of the world. All baseball outside of the New York/New England area is second-rate.

[jbissell]

Yup. No Cards/Cubs for me today.  They're showing the  Yankees/Redsox.  Guess it makes sense. Unfortunately.

I was unfortunately subjected to it.

[chrisfoll577]

Red Sox fan here... I'll be around every once in a while to annoy you with my post-Curse smug attitude and belief that the baseball universe revolves around the Boston New York rivalry.

[hugman]

Yup. No Cards/Cubs for me today.  They're showing the  Yankees/Redsox.  Guess it makes sense. Unfortunately.

I was unfortunately subjected to it.

eh, it's okay, i didn't want to see Pujols cross the 1000 RBI mark with a grand slam anyway.

[nec13]

Another outstanding start today for Oliver Perez. 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 HR