Don't we need more than 1 FA bat?
by noesis78 on Aug 28, 2010 9:51 AM PDT
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I just read the comprehensive analysis of how the A's can sign a FA this off season. In that post it was Crawford as he's the most expensive so much of the analysis focused around signing him, but I can't help but to think that the A's would be better suited to sign 2 or even 3 mid-tier bats than 1 superstar like CC. 1 assumptions I'm acting under is:
The SP will improve next year in terms of consistency as the staff grows and that will be reflected by a 3-8 game increase in team wins by the starting pitchers.
I was looking at the 2010 season schedule so far and the A's have lost 13 1 run games so far this year and we all know the A's need to add a bat or three this offseason. My qualm is that if the A's pay heavily for 1 bat does that really solve the problem? Say we do at CC and he bats 3rd, don't other teams just pitch around him to get to Cust/Suzuki at 4? As an opposing manager I sure would. In an ideal world the A's go out and get CC and someone like Beltre/Dunn or Mags for some power and stability in the middle of the lineup but that's not going to happen. So, if we're limited to 1 major free agent or two to three mid tier guys is it not better to sign the latter? I think Mags can be had relatively cheaply since he's coming off the broken leg and I think Werth or Beltre would be good fits and both could be had for about what it would cost to overpay Crawford. Also, if you sign Mags first, which I think is easier than getting another major FA commitment, that shows other potential FA's that Oakland is at least trying to bring bats to complement what everyone already knows is a staff that has the potential to be the best in baseball. Another benefit is that we can sign Mags for 2 years so he doesn't eat into the payroll we'll need to pay the SP's in a couple years. Give Werth/Beltre 4-5 years and we have our main offensive FA target locked up. If we get Beltre, Kouz gets non-tendered and if we can't get a read on Beltre we go after Werth. This team doesn't need much to go from middle of the road to AL West champs and possibly much more. In my opinion all it takes is a couple of bats, not one, but a couple.
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If you believe this
3-8 game increase in team wins by the starting pitchers.
Then most likely 1 FA bat could vault this to a 90+ win team.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
We need power
No doubt about it the A’s lack power everywhere. Adam dunn would be the perfect fit at DH for the A’s. Sorry Cust fans but a 20 homer guy is not power. A trade for Fielder would be good but could cost the A’s. I would make the trade if they get him to sign. Trade Barton, Mazzarro, and Taylor for Fielder if he takes a 5/90 contract. Its a long shot because Boras is Fielder’s agent. We have to many average hitters and need power. Going into 2011 Carter is my starting DH by default.
Fielder is a statue already at age 26
He’s actually likely to be even worse in the field than Carter, which is really saying a lot.
If he slugs .602 every year, that’s not a problem, but if he drops down to merely “pretty good” like Travis Hafner did, he’s a gigantic waste of money.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
The Travis Hafner comp is one I hadn't even thought of but could be likely
His cost could be a huge setback for a team like the A’s.
Leave him for the bigger markets, who can sink the cost if he falls apart…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Fielder is a FA after next season too
I mean, i’d trade like, Suzuki for him but thats about it. The Brewers most likely want too much for 1 year of him. Id rather go with Dunn at DH in addition to CC and/or Werth….that would be something if we had all 3 huh?
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
I agree about Fielder
They’ll be asking for more than we will want to give up, but I also don’t think they’ll get their asking price if they do trade him. There are enough other power bats out there that it’s doubtful that he’ll be any team’s plan A. And if SD makes A-Gon available, then that’s an even bigger hit…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Dunn or Werth
Both worth getting. Dunn is a power hitter who could hit it out in Oakland which is another problem because there is some homerun hitters that would suck in Oakland. Werth is more of a line drive hitter who would not have the punch to get it out of the park as often. werth is a #3 hitter and Dunn would be a clean up hitter.
What?!?
This makes no sense.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions
What part?
Why?
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
IT'S JUST FALSE, PAUL. JUST ACCEPT IT GET OVER IT ALREADY.
or something. I dunno.
Pam liked my old sig better.
It's a dopey fabrication
Calling him a statue is false.
He’s actually likely to be even worse in the field than Carter, which is really saying a lot.
His imagined likelihood says a lot. I’d get a warning from a mod or booted if I actually used appropriate language to describe that silliness.
Both UZR and +/- say he's pretty much been a butcher his whole career, and he's now passed his "defensive prime"
oh, and he’s got weight problems.
So why don’t you try and describe that silliness using big boy words instead?
Pam liked my old sig better.
I'm glad we clarified that.
I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen.
~Bob Lemon, 1981
great idea
so since we need power, let’s replace the one guy on the roster who can OPS over .800, instead of having the FA signee replace some of the dreck on the roster. perfect.
"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball
Fielder is a bad idea
His weight and general health is going to cause him a lot of injury problems in the long stretch. He will not be at 30 what he is now and taking a long term contract with him would be too risky. The A’s need young power that will be able to contribute for 4-5 years. The problem also is picking which lamb to sacrifice to get the talent. Mazarro and Barton have been key players for the A’s this year, I don’t see Beane giving up on them, despite their shortcomings.
The greenmachine
by greenmachine on Aug 30, 2010 5:25 AM PDT up reply actions
You're planning on signing him?
His general health is pretty good. I’d say the odds that he contributes past 4-5 years is high, but the chances that the A’s sign him aren’t.
with power trending downwards throughout MLB
(possibly due to the “end” of the major PED age), it will become more expensive for everyone, including the A’s. I think it makes sense to focus on great pitching, defense and speed. Obviously you need people who can get on bast and drive runs in.,,,but home runs aren’t the only ways to do that.
Don’t get me wrong: I appreciate the value of having “big” bats. But I also see what the overall trend is — and I like all of the aspects of good baseball.
and just so I'm not misunderstood, I DO think the A's need to add bats
at least one FA bat, in fact. Of the big FA names I would prefer Crawford to Werth since Crawford is younger, faster, and perhaps may be easier to sign than Werth.
And the other bat(s)? Is it unreasonable to hope that 1-2 of the A’s on the club and in AAA will develop more?
Why would you see Crawford as easier to sign than Werth?
In regards to your question, I think we will see some improvement from Pennington and possibly Barton, but I doubt that the current lineup is set to provide any hitters who will be anything close to a 1 win upgrade of themselves from this year.
Really, though, 2B is a pivotal position next year, which could provide quite an upgrade or stay stagnant…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Hudson is a must
especially if he costs under $7MM
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
I agree
I think we could afford Werth and Hudson and be a significantly better team.
Those 2 could provide a 3-5 win upgrade…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions
just a guess because of Crawford's recent comment
plus the fact that he is not a power threat, which Werth is.
I would love Orlando Hudson – although he is a proven injury risk
Werth will be cheaper in terms of years and $ per year
He’s older, and while he does have the power numbers, he’s only been a full time guy for a couple years, and he doesn’t hold the defensive value that Crawfors does.
And regarding Crawford’s comments, he also said this about the possibility of Anaheim:
The weather’s great. The grass is really soft. It’s one of the best places in the big leagues, Crawford said.
As nice as it was the hear a potential FA say good things about this organization, he’s just keeping his options open. He’s got a good agent and he’s going to listen to any offers made to him.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions
of course, I didn't mean to imply that he prefers the A's
or any other team, for that matter. But his point – that the great young starting pitching i Oakland would be attractive to free agents – is worth thinking about.
The A's are not going to get a 3-8 win boost from the existing rotation
Hopefully Anderson will pitch more, but that’s going to be cancelled out by Cahill not being the Celtic God of Luck.
What’s ironic here is that, as noted, if you believe that the team will somehow get 3-8 more wins out of starters (why, I’m not clear) then you probably only need to sign one free agent. As it is, they DO need two, and I can’t for the life of me see how to cost-justify that.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
Agreed
If the starters somehow added even a 3 win boost that would be really impressive. Anything 5 or greater?!? Friggin’ miracle.
Btw, where’s Werth on your FA wish list, and what do you think he’d cost?
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Close to the top, and, something like 4/60M
Hudson is probably going to be the best value on the market (second basemen are really undervalued right now for some reason that I don’t quite understand).
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
If I had to venture a guess
It would be because teams see 2nd as the least important position from an offensive standpoint, and near the bottom defensively, next to 1st. Teams seem to draft and develop Catchers, SS, and 3rd before 2nd.
Also, very few Major Leaguers started their career at 2nd, most either couldn’t cut it or were moved because they were blocked.
I could be wrong, but teams just don’t value 2nd basemen like they do other infield positions.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
He's only played less than 130 games once in a season
While he’s hit the 15 day DL maybe once a year, he’s never had lingering problems, is incredibly consistent, and is cheaper than what he’s worth.
I’m sold.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
And that's absolutely a deal I'd do for Werth
Much less of a setback if it doesn’t work out over a 6 or 7 year deal for Crawford.
They’d both be around the same age when they’d end those contracts, and Crawford’s skill set is more likely to diminish over Werth’s, because while Werth does have some value in his speed, if it goes he’ll still likely have his power.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
A 3-8 game increase in wins is the rotation pitching between 2x and 5x better than it currently is.
which is a ridiculous expectation
What we’re asking is for people to stop pretending that ipse dixit counts as a "source." When you make a claim about baseball, you should be willing to put some reasonable amount of effort into explaining why it’s correct if someone asks you to. That’s basic respect for the other poster. - PT
by designatedforassignment on Aug 28, 2010 10:49 AM PDT reply actions
I think you are missing the point
I think he’s using “3-8 increase in wins by rotation” in “cumulative W-L record of the rotation will be higher by 3-8 wins” sense and not “rotation will produce 3-8 wins more in WAR” sense.
"Rollins helps them with the small ball when he's not in the lineup." - Joe Morgan
Well that sense is wrong. Thats not how the game works.
What we’re asking is for people to stop pretending that ipse dixit counts as a "source." When you make a claim about baseball, you should be willing to put some reasonable amount of effort into explaining why it’s correct if someone asks you to. That’s basic respect for the other poster. - PT
by designatedforassignment on Aug 28, 2010 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions
can you please explain how this is in any way valid analysis.
What we’re asking is for people to stop pretending that ipse dixit counts as a "source." When you make a claim about baseball, you should be willing to put some reasonable amount of effort into explaining why it’s correct if someone asks you to. That’s basic respect for the other poster. - PT
by designatedforassignment on Aug 28, 2010 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, one free agent bat is all you need if you plan on trading for two others.
We need to upgrade at left field, right field and second base. If you sign Crawford, trade for Kemp and possibly someone like an Aaron Hill or maybe a Brian Roberts.
"You're all like big fat failure turtles." - Edge
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 28, 2010 12:54 PM PDT reply actions
If we do in fact sign Crawford
Roberts is off the table at $10M a year.
Hill is conceivable with his team friendly contract (and the 3 club options after next year)
Kemp is doable at $5M next year, but again, I think he’ll cost far too much.
Regardless, while this plan will significantly improve this team, this quite possibly bumps payroll to around $70-80M next year.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
For every additional person that fans would like to add to the starting lineup...
…it is at the cost of an additional roster spot and at bats of some player who is already getting those at bats currently. Therefore, a player being replaced has to be a player that’s bringing closer to the replacement level value - both offensively and defensively - than someone who is bringing a more modest or even superior WAR.
On the Athletics’ budget, this will likely mean scrimping and looking for a potential rebound player in what has become a typical risk-play.
Trial balloon: how would you feel about the Athletics trading a young pitcher or two for Carlos Zambrano and one of their high-priced bats [Ramirez or Soriano or Fukudome] and some money coming the Athletics direction? This assumes that the players involved would wave their no-trade clause if they have them. And that the Cubs are giving the organization about $10M a season to pay for the Zambrano contract.
Let's see
-Ellis gone
-Gross gone
-Sweeney gone?
-Jackson non tendered
-Buck not coming up
That leaves space for a 2nd baseman, and at least 1 if not 2 OFs to be traded for or signed.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Poor Unicorn.......
I really wish there was a way the A’s could keep him around somehow. He really is a class act. Unless the A’s get two legit bats via FA/trade and one of Carter or Taylor becomes ready for the show, 2nd base would be a an affordable place to sign a FA like Hudson.
"By the end of the year, I'll have Dallas throwing right-handed'' -Ben Sheets
Thing is, he's just not good enough on defense anymore to be worth a spot
I’ve always loved Ellis, but his value is diminishing quickly.
If Beane brings him back on that option, that is not a good thing.
That $5M can absolutely be spent better.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
With all the UZR talk
about how it’s not really valuable and doesn’t tell you anything in a one year sample, I don’t know how convinced I am that his defense has declined that much.
A's Fan in Sweden
Perhaps not in a one year sample, but 2 straight years of significant dropoff in defense
as well as providing negative RAR with the bat for 3 years straight do say that his value has declined.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Good point.
Definitely had not noticed that till now.
A's Fan in Sweden
I've come around to bidding Ellis a fond farewell, but it's a shame
Here’s a sentimental fun fact: Ellis is currently fourth all-time in Athletics games played at 2B. Not just in Oakland mind you, we’re talking all the way back to 1901. I wouldn’t mind seeing him play next year and surpass the immortal Eddie Collins.
Dick Green
1158 gms
Max Bishop
1139 gms
Eddie Collins
996 gms
Mark Ellis
928 gms
Danny Murphy (who? He played 1902-1913)
811 gms
For a look at other positions, take a look here at baseball-reference.com
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball." - Connie Mack
Seriously, he's one of my favorite A's ever. I will miss him.
A's Fan in Sweden
Re: Hudson
I think the Twins resign him. They don’t have anything in the farm system at 2B and he has liked the team and stadium so far this year. Not to say you couldn’t throw more money at him and he would take it, but he seems pretty content In Minneapolis with a team that has a good foundation and a good future for the foreseeable future. I don’t see why the Twins wouldn’t try to resign him.
The worst person to run from is yourself.
Well, they may not be able to afford him
Mauer’s contract bumps up $10M annually to $23M, Morneau’s at $14M, Nathan at $11M.
So that’s around $50M for 3 guys, with Liriano and Delmon Young going to arbitration, and club options on Cuddyer, Kubel, and Punto.
They’re really going to have an interesting offseason, as they’ve also got Pavano, Thome, and a few relievers coming off the books. Their payroll has jumped to around $100M, but I highly doubt they’ll be able to raise it above that just yet.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
Crap, reply fail
Meant as a reply to noesis78’s Re: Hudson
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Punto's gone now that Valencia seems to be for real and the moves they made this year
are either relatively affordable(Capps) or coming off the books(Fuentes). Young will stick for sure as will Kublel and Cuddye and I think they’ll try and resign Pavano. You may be right on Hudson, but since Pohland’s kids took over the team they’re much more liberal about spending money and if the club makes a good push this year in the playoffs(if they get to the playoffs) they’d be hard pressed to let Hudson’s glove and bat leave and be stuck with Punto at 2nd.
The worst person to run from is yourself.
Cuddyer's option is for $10M
Pavano will cost somewhere between this year’s salary ($7M) or more, and Kubel is at $5M.
Add Young and Liriano at conservative raises and that’s still somewhere between $6-8M more.
That’s above $80M.
They can’t make those moves and afford Hudson.
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 28, 2010 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions
More Cust disrespect.
Say we do at CC and he bats 3rd, don’t other teams just pitch around him to get to Cust/Suzuki at 4?
If he pitches around Crawford to get to Cust, he’ll pay for it, because Cust is a good hitter. If you put a lineup out there that begins with the names Crisp, Barton, Crawford, and Cust, and also includes the names Rajai and Cliff, you’re going to have a pretty acceptable offense, and that’s all we need: an acceptable offense.
"I wasn't able to extend so I had a serious lack of extension."--Dallas Braden
by StJosephBurningTheOakTreesToTheGround on Aug 28, 2010 7:57 PM PDT reply actions
Somebody earlier on here said that he's hitting +.60 over his career avg. on BABIP this year.
I, for one, don’t expect that to carry over and what good does having speed on the bases do you if the guy(s) in the 4 and 5 spot can’t put the ball in play consistently? Maybe he does come back and repeat his 2010 numbers, but this year he’s struck out 91 times in 240 AB’s. That’s 38% of the time. If you’re happy with your cleanup hitter not even putting the ball in play nearly 4 out of every ten times(no ground out RBI’s, no sac flys, nothing) at the plate you’re more easily placated with the cleanup spot than I. The original point of the post was questioning what good it does to follow the trend toward speed in baseball if you don’t have anybody who can drive that speed in. If that speed costs roughly $15-$18M/year and you’re stuck with a guy who only consistently doesn’t even put the ball in play behind him how is that a good investment? Do you not go out and get 1, 2. or even 3 bats and make the lineup as a whole a bit more threatening?
The worst person to run from is yourself.
EVERYBODY makes outs 40% of the time.
why does it matter what kind of outs they are?
Pam liked my old sig better.
He said he K's 40 percent
Not too many players have such a high k rate. But he also has nearly a .400 obp. So the argument can really go both ways.
by asyouwish33 on Aug 28, 2010 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions
More to the point,
putting the ball in play is essentially as damaging in some situations as it is beneficial in others. Strikeouts are not the same as other outs but they do happen to be almost precisely the same (negative) value as other outs.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
After the fact, pretty much, yes.
But a ball put in play has a chance to be a hit, or less common but still possible, booted by the other team. Barring the extremely uncommon dropped 3rd strike & “steal” of first, a strikeout has zero chance of either one.
On the flip side, of course, a K is better than a GIDP.
Bob Geren... Jackie Moore without the personality.
Right, and studies have shown that including all those possible outcomes
errors, hits, dropped strike 3s, etc, strikeouts basically aren’t any worse than any other out. No matter how many times people want to bring up all the possible stuff that happens when you put the ball in play as if it’s something new that has never been brought up before, it has.
Pam liked my old sig better.
and specifically with runners on base this year
Cust has 141 PAs with a 248/383/434 line.
his all situations career line is .244/377/455
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
Not new at all... some just need to be reminded more often than others. ;-)
If I had to venture a guess why some get so upset over strikeouts, it’s probably the emotional factor. Except for maybe the 1-out GIDP, there’s probably nothing more deflating and demoralizing than the 2-out bases-loaded called third strike… right down the middle, of course.
Bob Geren... Jackie Moore without the personality.
The guy on third less than two outs...
there’s probably nothing more deflating and demoralizing than the 2-out bases-loaded called third strike… right down the middle, of course.
…is even more deflating/demoralizing for me.
by LowcountryJoe on Aug 30, 2010 3:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes
No doubt it is demoralizing for Jack Cust too, which is why he, in fact, adjusts his approach in such situations.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
General statement from me.
Goes for all players. I wasn’t even thinking about Cust as I wrote it.
by LowcountryJoe on Aug 31, 2010 2:15 AM PDT up reply actions
He's not a clean up hitter
It’s just that the A’s have no offense, so the four slot is where he is. He will never be anyone’s idea of a clean up hitter. He’s a slow guy who gets on base and has occasional power. Put him in the six slot and he’s fine.
It’s true, I can’t watch Cust’s at bats. His situational hitting stats are below average. But the fact is that he can contribute to a team that actually has real 3 and 4 hitters. On this current team, way too much is being asked of him given his talent level.
This gets at the point of the post....we don't have any 3-5 hitters on this team so to be
competitive we need to go out and get multiple bats, not 1.
The worst person to run from is yourself.
His situational hitting stats are not below average
unless you define arbitrary samples and then cherrypick results you don’t like.
Of course that’s what “situational hitting” is in the first place, so I suppose once you start down the Dark Side of intellectual dishonesty, why not go all the way?
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
First off there is nothing intellectual about baseball
It’s entertainment, plain and simple. It has no higher meaning. It’s just a fun game. That’s it. So there can be no such thing as intellectual dishonesty when talking about baseball. Save the intellectual dishonesty jibes for things that are truly important.
Second, the numbers say Cust’s productive outs, ability to score runners on base and advance runners on base are below MLB averages. He’s not a number four type hitter. He does ground into fewer double plays than MLB averages because he strikes out a lot (not that I mind strike outs over other outs). He does have value to the team, particularly at his current salary. But no team with someone like Cust as its star hitter (and that’s what he is on this team), is going to be a contender.
Third, insulting people over a disagreement in something as meaningless (and fun) as baseball is not cool.
by rovingralph on Aug 29, 2010 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
You know,
no matter how many times you dissemble about what the numbers say, they still don’t actually change. With either RISP or men on, Cust is far better than MLB average.
And no, I’m not going to refuse to intervene to refute lies except where it is “truly important.” Maybe that’s just because I’m a jerk, or spend my time unwisely, but either way, it’s your hard luck. You will not have carte blanche to make things up just because baseball is “a fun game.”
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
For what I was referring to look at your link and 'clutch stats'
The sample sizes are large enough that this is an accurate picture of what he does when the games are close. 2 outs and RISP, .199 avg. None of his avg.‘s are above .250 save the .253 in the ahead or behind categories. His OPS is respectable primarily b/c he walks which, is not driving in runs, which is what the A’s need out of their 4 spot. Take a look at the same category, clutch stats, for Vlad, Oritz, and Kubel. They’re all primarily DH’s and far better than Cust. Now if you’re making the argument that Cust is a good player re his cost that’s fine. If you’re saying that you believe he’s a good DH for the A’s that’s fine. If you’re even saying that you think he’s an ideal #4 hitter that’s fine, but don’t say that having Cust at 4 in the batting order is going to impact the club positively if we spend $15-20M in 1 star level free agent(CC) because it won’t. The A’s need to bring in multiple bats this offseason to add power to the middle of the lineup. Cust is a 6 or 7 hitter and that’s it.
The worst person to run from is yourself.
We do not need power. We need good hitters.
What we’re asking is for people to stop pretending that ipse dixit counts as a "source." When you make a claim about baseball, you should be willing to put some reasonable amount of effort into explaining why it’s correct if someone asks you to. That’s basic respect for the other poster. - PT
by designatedforassignment on Aug 29, 2010 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Couple of things
First, the sample sizes are actually very small. EG the 2-outs-and-RISP split has barely 1/3 of a season’s worth of plate appearances. The best guess at what Cust will do in any situation is provided by hitting projections which take his entire career into account.
Second, and despite an unlucky BABIP figure relative to his personal average, Cust is slugging .426 with 2 outs and RISP, most of that in Oakland. Slugging percentage is what you want above all else with 2 outs and RISP. There is no question but that a .426 slugging percentage, when you are taking most of your at-bats in the Coliseum, is above MLB average.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
What?
First off there is nothing intellectual about baseball
Tell that to Branch Rickey, or Bill Beane.
What we’re asking is for people to stop pretending that ipse dixit counts as a "source." When you make a claim about baseball, you should be willing to put some reasonable amount of effort into explaining why it’s correct if someone asks you to. That’s basic respect for the other poster. - PT
by designatedforassignment on Aug 29, 2010 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Speaking of bats
Please tell me this is us and we can work it out
Mike Napoli Claimed On Waivers
!#%&$#@&%&% antioxidants! - pam
I don't think the Angels will give us Napoli for free or close to it.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
We don't know what they got for Fuentes yet
But it can’t be too much
!#%&$#@&%&% antioxidants! - pam
by cuppingmaster on Aug 29, 2010 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
They'll pull him back if the A's claimed him
This is a non-story.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
would it be advantageous for the the A's to let someone else claim him to get him out of LA?
What we’re asking is for people to stop pretending that ipse dixit counts as a "source." When you make a claim about baseball, you should be willing to put some reasonable amount of effort into explaining why it’s correct if someone asks you to. That’s basic respect for the other poster. - PT
by designatedforassignment on Aug 29, 2010 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Not in principle
In theory, any trade that the Angels consent to is one which improves the Angels. The A’s would have to be convinced that the Angels would make an error, and acquire someone who is not worth acquiring, for such a trade to be a good thing for Oakland.
I don’t see how they could determine such a thing before the fact.
"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with seminude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.
Lineups
JaneMLB
#Athletics vs. #Rangers: Crisp CF, Barton 1B, Suzuki C, Cust DH, Kouz 3B, Ellis 2B, Larish, Davis RF, Pennington SS
3 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®
!#%&$#@&%&% antioxidants! - pam
OOOH!
Texas day game?
I did not know.
first in a while…
AN: Where you will be an A's fan or Dallas Braden will show you the repercussions of your actions.
by stranahanahan on Aug 29, 2010 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
All big-ticket free agents are overpriced and overrated.
I want to see Carter called up as soon as he’s healthy and play every day in September. I want to see him play many innings in spring training and hopefully make the club for Opening Day.
Bob Geren was born in a suburban apartment complex he built with his own two hands.
by QueenOfCansAndJars on Aug 30, 2010 7:16 AM PDT reply actions
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