2009 MLB Thread

[jbissell]

I'm not sick of Jason Marquis yet!  He's having a hell of a season.

another Dave Duncan reclamation project.

indeed. and someone who's actually having a good post-Cards career. in Colorado, no less. that's pretty amazing.

He's certainly been pitching well but I refuse to believe it will last.  He's a good innings eater but I've seen enough of him the last couple years to know that he's nothing more than a middle of the rotation guy at best.

[yesno]

Well, one thing about Marquis is that it's nice to have a pitcher who's not an automatic out in the NL.  He's hitting .231 right now.

Has anyone ever done an analysis to see if starting pitchers who are better-than-shitty hitters win more games than your average shitty hitting pitcher, all else being equal?

[jbissell]

Well, one thing about Marquis is that it's nice to have a pitcher who's not an automatic out in the NL.  He's hitting .231 right now.

Has anyone ever done an analysis to see if starting pitchers who are better-than-shitty hitters win more games than your average shitty hitting pitcher, all else being equal?

Yeah I'd be interested in that.  Zambrano has won at least 1 game for the Cubs this year with a homer.  I imagine you'd have to take into account the skill of the pitcher.  Take Micah Owings.  He's probably the best hitting pitcher in the game but I doubt that makes up for his mediocre pitching talent.  But someone like Mike Hampton in his prime, who was a very good hitter/pitcher, would be a different story.

[scratchbomb]

Well, one thing about Marquis is that it's nice to have a pitcher who's not an automatic out in the NL.  He's hitting .231 right now.

Has anyone ever done an analysis to see if starting pitchers who are better-than-shitty hitters win more games than your average shitty hitting pitcher, all else being equal?

That's a good question. I don't know if they win more games per se, but I feel like pitchers who can hit tend to be good pitchers. Carlos Zambrano springs to mind. Doc Gooden, back in the day. Mike Hampton, before he started being a professional DL occupant.

I can't think of too many pitchers who have a rep as good hitters but are mediocre on the mound.

[nec13]

I don't think there's any tangible relationship between a pitcher's ability to hit and their overall pitching effectiveness.

[jbissell]

I can't think of too many pitchers who have a rep as good hitters but are mediocre on the mound.

Ankiel is probably a good example, though before he had the control problems he looked like he'd be a great pitcher.  Same with Dontrelle Willis.  Like I said earlier, Owings is the clear good hitter/mediocre pitcher right now.  Zambrano has always amazed me because he's a switch hitter (though there have been many times I get scared watching him run because he just doesn't know when to turn it off).

This site has the best hitting pitcher by year.  Interesting to see some of the names, especially Valenzuela.

[nec13]

The 2009 Mets: "Death by a thousand cuts."

[jbissell]

hugman, why are the Cards collecting middle infielders?

[nec13]

I suppose he's an upgrade over Brendan Ryan. But I have to question this deal. I know Chris Duncan wasn't having a good year, but couldn't they received a better return than Julio Lugo?

Adam LaRoche was also traded to the Red Sox today. I say good riddance to one of the most overpaid players in baseball.

[Gilly]

LaRoche makes all of that 7 million in the second half of the season.

[jbissell]

I suppose he's an upgrade over Brendan Ryan. But I have to question this deal. I know Chris Duncan wasn't having a good year, but couldn't they received a better return than Julio Lugo?

I was really worried when the Cubs were mentioned to be interested in Lugo.  That guy stinks.

[hugman]

hmmm, i've had a busy day and this is the first I'm hearing of this. i don't like the sound of this. let me go to mlb.com and get back to ya.

[hugman]

hmmmmmmm, yea, what a weird move to make. hardly seems worth the effort to put pen to paper. I'd rather have more production from our outfield.  Brendan Ryan has been pretty decent this year and Tyler Greene did a great job for a rookie.  I don't know why you'd take a veteran who's defense has apparently gone to shit instead.  I kinda wished they woulda brought Renteria back.
If they don't start making some real moves soon, Albert is gonna start to get really restless.  I'm not crying for Duncan, he's lost his luster for me. But still, you'd think they'd try to get SOMETHING for him, put him in a package deal or something.  I dunno.  What do I know?  I like the mustaches the cards got going.

[jbissell]

I like the mustaches the cards got going.

The real question is how do you feel about that thing on Franklin's chin?  I find it strange that my two most hated teams (Cards/White Sox) both have closers with ridiculous chins.  I think Jenks' dumb dye job is easily the worst of the two.

[hugman]

I like the mustaches the cards got going.

The real question is how do you feel about that thing on Franklin's chin?  I find it strange that my two most hated teams (Cards/White Sox) both have closers with ridiculous chins.  I think Jenks' dumb dye job is easily the worst of the two.

Oh, it's hideous, but as long as it's not on me it's funny (?)