We scored a whole bunch of runs in San Diego last year. Would be nice to do that again.
191 Comments
Advertisement
Use code “Journal” for a 5% discount.
We scored a whole bunch of runs in San Diego last year. Would be nice to do that again.
Use code “Journal” for a 5% discount.
Breaking news John Smoltz not out for the year !!!
from the last thread, Max Ramirez, slightly older than average, and a mroe hitter friendly environment.
The question with him still is if he can stick at C, which people were very down no last year. If he doesn’t, most of his value goes up in flames
From the previous:
What do you guys think of Chipper’s chances of getting 500 HR/3000 hits?
Right now he is at 2022 hits and 372 HR. Projected at his current pace for the rest of the season, it puts him at 390 HR and 2118 hits. It gets sorta hard to predict because he is always hurt, but if you take his 162 game career average and adjust it for playing 130 games, (not unreasonable given the past few years) you get 145 hits and 26 HR a season.
That makes it about 4 and a quarter seasons till 500 (which will make him 40) and a little more than 6 seasons till 3000 (which would make him 42).
I’m thinking that if he doesn’t completely fall apart (always a possibility) he should have a decent chance at 500 HR; however, 3000 is probably a long shot (he walks too much anyway).
In any case, with the MVP, the average and OPS, and the switch hitter thing, 500 HR, while it won’t for everyone anymore, should get him into Cooperstown.
If he stays healthy…500 is definitely achievable. If Bonds can get to 755 with the walks, I wouldn’t bet against Chipper….
“No you don’t gotta fuckin’ stab her three times!”–Lance
In honor of defeating Eric Stults last night, I post this clip of an immortal performance from his phonetic namesake Eric Stoltz from the 1994 movie Pulp Fiction. Enjoy. (quote is from the 7:05 mark)
It’s all I could think about last night with that dude pitching.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/
I don’t think Chipper makes either of those milestones. He just won’t play enough and his rate stats will eventually decline – age gets everyone in the end. That said, I don’t think he needs to hit those marks for HOF entry. If he has a couple of more productive seasons, he should get in easily.
Is it just me, or does Hendrix look like he could be Eddie Murphy’s older brother in this clip?
Excuse me while I take Tony to task
Dave Kingman’s career OPS+: 115
Joe Carter’s career OPS+: 104
Dave Kingman was 11% better than Carter in OPS, plus he played in a more puny offensive era. That alone makes him better. If you need me to utterly destroy your argument, I will.
It gets sorta hard to predict because he is always hurt, but if you take his 162 game career average and adjust it for playing 130 games, (not unreasonable given the past few years) you get 145 hits and 26 HR a season.
Projecting from career norms seems rather skewed. He hasn’t played in 130 games since 2004 and hasn’t had 145 hits since 2003.
Even if he is healthy from 35 through a normal end of his career, it seems unlikely that he will make either 3000 or 500. For what its worth, none of his comparables at baseball-reference had the needed ~1000 hits from age 35 on and only Reggie Jackson and Raphael Palmeiro had enough homers to get Chipper over the 500 plateau.
Even with that, I think he still should make Cooperstown. He is one of the 10 or so best 3B in the history of the game. At one point, I thought he could compete for the inner circle, but being *just* a run of the mill Hall of Famer is pretty darned good.
Yeah, I thought about that, but his career norms take into account the past 3 and a half years. Then scale those numbers to only playing 130 games a year; even with all the time he has missed this year he is still on pace to play 138.
Maybe it is a little optimistic, but consider, when he has been in games, outside of ’04, he has been as good, if not better than he has ever been.
Sam is crazy.
Jimi Hendrix’s cover of All Along the Watchtower is the single best song ever.
That is all.
(Sam, not to be pedantic, but OPS+ isn’t the only way of evaluating a player. For example, Joe Carter had 1.28 MVP shares to Kingman’s 0.26, and had 4 top-10 MVP finishes to Kingman’s 0. So in Kingman’s offensive context, voters didn’t feel that he was a valuable player. He was also a legendarily crappy fielder, and his Gray Ink score is almost 50% lower than Carter’s. There are lots of numbers that say Kingman wasn’t a great player, and not many of them say that Carter–certainly an overrated player–was worse.)
To follow-up on a topic from the previous thread, in Rosenthal’s article, he said that Thorman doesn’t have any options left. Is that correct? I don’t really care about the Young rumor, just curious about the options.
I certainly don’t remember any discussions during spring training about Thorman having to make the team because of a lack of options.
I think Thorman should have options left, since last year was his first season with a callup, but I don’t really understand the option rule. However, I doubt that Rosenthal does either.
Carter and Kingman were kind of similar players. Carter is way overrated, Kingman rated accurately, but given the choice I’d probably take Carter just because Kingman was (and presumably still is) one of creation’s biggest assholes.
Smoltz’s MRI showed a “good” rotator cuff and some inflammation and as a result Smoltz will NOT see Dr. James Andrews. However Smoltz has been placed on the DL retroactive to July 3. He’s expected to come back healthy and ready on July 18.
Hey MIKE CLAY, Thanks for the Reyes stuff the other day, he might be what we need.
Battle of the Network Cretins.
Here’s the best thing I could find: http://espn.go.com/mlb/s/transanctionsprimer.html
“Actually, each player has three option years, and he can be sent up and down as many times as the club chooses within those three seasons.
“When you hear that a player is ‘out of options,’ that means he’s been on the 40-man roster during three different seasons, beginning with his fourth as a pro, and to be sent down again he’ll have to clear waivers (more on those below).”
Therefore, for Thorman to be out of options this year, he would have had to be on the Braves 40-man roster in 2004, 2005, and 2006. A quick search revealed that he was on the 40-man roster in 2004-2006; therefore, he would be out of options this year, 2007.
I’m not sure why they don’t make this information more publicly available.
That was probably the most informative piece of writing I’ve read in years.
Dave Kingman was 11% better than Carter in OPS, plus he played in a more puny offensive era. That alone makes him better.
Yikes no. First it’s not “plus…”. OPS+ adjusts for league environment so you don’t get to double count the era adjustment. Carter was a much better baserunner (231 SB, 66 CS) and defensive player than Kingman. And of course there were the personality issues, and Carter was easily the more durable, dependable player. I would also take Carter and it’s not really that close.
Any time your argument is all about one stat, it’s usually a very weak argument.
Wasn’t going to post til after break but read this on ajc.com and thought i’d post it regarding Thorman and trading from DOB.
“And yes, Thorman is OUT OF OPTIONS. He was first added to the 40-man roster in Nov. 2003.
Braves did ask about Dmitri Young, and I’m told the Nats wanted not just Escobar, but also Salty. Not one of them, but both.
They’re getting that from a lot of teams. Which is why I don’t think they’ll be making a move for a marquee pitcher. But we’ll see.”
Saltalamacchia and Escobar for Young? I hope Schuerholz told Bowden where he could stick that trade suggestion.
that is rediculous…for young? please.
Bowden is on crack….didnt he get a dui this spring or was it last spring? I wouldnt trade either of those guys straight up for Young. He’s a horrible defensive first baseman, and a bit of a troubled guy.
Lineups:
Braves:
Harris lf
Renteria ss
CJones 3b
AJones cf/ lineup poison
Johnson 2b
Francoeur rf
Saltalamacchia c
Thorman 1b/ lineup poison #2
Carlyle p
Pod People:
BGiles rf
MGiles 2b
Cameron cf
Barrett c
Greene ss
Branyan 3b
Cruz lf
Blum 1b
Germano p
And yeah, if Bowden thinks he’s getting two prospects for Dmitri Young, I want some of what he’s drinking. As for us acquiring Young, Salty’s hitting nearly as well.
And for one more, 4-0 Astros over the Mets in the 5th inning after a Lance Berkman jack.
Young would be nice, but never, ever, in a million years for both Escobar and Salty. Heck, asking for even one of them for Young is ridiculous. That’s the type of question that ought to be said in jest, as in:
JS: we like Young, what might it take to pry him away from you?
Bowden: I don’t know, a set of white-walls and [mutters] Salty and Escobar, okay with you, and I’ll pay the shippping
JS: chuckling…
Bowden: nah, just making conversation. I’d like your son, the white-walls, and Hanson…
JS: we’ll talk later, but you’d have to take Prado–my son is not a trading chip.
/end
I think Jim Bowden is in my fantasy league.
What a numskull.
Well, I guess I’m a nut. Oh well.
If Nats are scouting our AA team, then what O’Brien said cannot be correct-Yunel and Salty haven’t been in AA for quite some time. My guess is maybe the Nats ask was one of them and someone in AA, and O’Brien was just wrong.
That having been said, I wouldn’t trade either for the Nats Young.
wow, AJ batting clean-up vs. a RHP. I am beginning to believe that he says some photos of Bobbie Cox with someone who is not Mrs. Cox.
buddy we really need some innings from you tonight
2 to 1 we see Joey Devine tonight (and that he does well).
good job kelly
thanks frenchy
mets lost!
What a hitter Salty is.
they aren’t lost but they did put another in the old L column 😉
I loathe Scott Thorman.
i think he’s playing himself out of the lineup, i hope “speedy” didn’t give thor his pictures.
buddy isn’t looking very sharp tonight
According to Chip, the key to the Twins second half is Johan Santana.
Way to go out on a limb there..
his wisdom knows no bounds
Do we have to face Maddux this series?
tomorrow he faces davies…that otta be a duel
or sunday
Maddux-Davies Sunday night.
Reyes-Boomer Wells tomorrow.
Davies vs. Maddux on national TV? That’ll be a nightmare…
Finally a good turn by Kelly.
did you guys hear that b-mac has a knee injury?
Andruw!
Andruw….damn.
well that’s a turn for the better AJ
Wow Andruw. I’m shocked. Really.
Andruw!!
Andruw getting hot maybe?
Andruw did get hit with a pitch last night. Hmm…
scambi was saying that andruw has only had 2 2 hit games since may 22nd, so i think he’s just making his one hit count.
I wonder what the batting average for Braves second basemen has been since Bobby started his platoon. It seems like both KJ and Escobar have recorded multi-hit games in every game since then…
Thorman needs Bobby’s foot planted squarely on his chin.
Awful
You suck, Scott.
buddy!
Well Scott, if you ain’t gonna do it, Carlyle will
Chip Carey: Carlyle gives himself a 1-nothing lead
Me: What game are you watching?
Carlyle! He did a better job that either Thorman or Salty…we’ll take it….
hopefully buddy can hold the lead
greene has been awful this year
rbi single and 3K, not bad buddy
Buddy!!
Buddy…
K’d the side on 9 pitches!
Late, but Bowden got confused because we didn’t have any fringe toolsy young outfielders.
Well, there is that one…
Just kidding.
Also, Andruw Jones wouldn’t give up on you. Think about that.
Andruwwwww
Good things happen when Andruw goes up the middle.
make that 3 two hit games since may 22nd
i hear one guy in the crowd doin the tomahawk chop/seminole cheer.
I had the misfortune of attending the game against Boston where Carlyle threw up all over the first two innings and got chased after giving up seven runs.
But other than that, he’s been the back-end starter who can keep us in games that we’ve been looking for since the days of Redman. If Smoltz can stay healthy… and if Jo Jo Reyes is for real… we might have a real rotation.
kj is on fire tonight
Okay, who is #25 tonight and what did he do with the real Andruw?
Keep piling it on boys!
dont stop now, how about Buddy tonight!
even frenchy gets lucky
Carlyle ranges from fine to money against bad offensive clubs (not a bad thing, see Davies). I feel like he pretty much makes the other team beat him instead of helping them out with walks, etc. Of course, teams like Boston and Cleveland are glad to do it. At least they’re in the rear-view.
God he sucks. He can’t hit at all….
Wow, don’t see that too often.
at least Thorman made contact
good to see the the frenchy fan club prez is in the house 😉
Good to see the ‘don’t give Frenchy credit for anything fan club’ prez is in the house.
Buddy at only 45 pitches through 4, how about 7 strong from him
A good inning for the Braves–it can only be a good thing to see KJ getting hot….
atta boy buddy!
Whereas if Andruw gets hot, be certain to get ready and say goodbye to him in October.
Giles just does not look comfortable up there. I’m glad we didn’t resign him.
5IP 5H 5k’s – Davies and Hudson are you paying attention
Nice to see Carlyle get Marcus on strikes….
c’mon willie
Did anyone else hear Chip’s “Diamond Sign”/”Carrot” joke after Salty’s double? It has to be his worst pun since the Billy Wagner “Alpacin'” rhetorical debacle.
good to see the guys in the pen having a little fun out there
might see Devine tonight. How do minor league options work and how many do players get?
K K K K K K
this was already went over earlier
they get unlimited trips up and down over 3 years, their 4th season in the bigs they have to clear waivers when they are sent down.
csg check out post #17
#99-100, sorry and thanks
Yeah Buddy!
I read the Rob Neyer article put up earlier a couple years ago, I think. If options is just about different seasons being on the 40-man, then why do people talk about specific days that people have been on the 40-man? If that’s the case, you could be on the 40-man for one day in ’05, one day in ’06, and one day in ’07 and be “out of options.”
This ump’s strike zone has been all over the place.
Oops.
stay in control here Buddy
Salty is down
down?
Hold it right there, Buddy.
are we giving buddy too much rope here?
he’s out
and he’s leaving
Salty got his bell rung.
ball hit shoulder or collar bone, he was barely moving his arm while leaving
back to work buddy
That is so weird to see McCann sub for someone.
Will changing catchers throw Buddy off?
I guess we need a 3rd catcher now, McCann is ailing and hopefully Salty will be fine
Dear Bobby,
Please replace me with a third catcher. I completely understand.
Love,
Chris Woodward
If the ball did hit Salty on the head after hitting hi on the shoulder, that could be really bad.
he walked off the field ok on his own?
didnt hit him on the head, it might have caught a little neck
who is up in the pen?
this ump really doesnt have a strike zone does he?
Im guessing Yates, he didnt pitch yesterday
He looked okay. Just a little shaken.
He didn’t even look sure if he should call it a strike while calling a strike.
Buddy!
Nice!
Paronto was up. That last pitch was 94 mph.
lets save the pen a little more, let Buddy try one more. Hes only at 93-94 so far. Maybe Devine in the 9th with a 4 run lead
thoughts
I’m still a little gun shy of Devine.
Carlyle batting
The only thing more frightening than Joey Devine with a lead of four runs or less is the phrase “Now pinch hitting for Chipper Jones, Chris Woodward.”
Yates warming up
That sucks, Thor couldn’t buy a hit right now.
Why is Yates warming up with a 4 run lead? That guy needs rest…
I like giving Buddy the chance here. I mean, why not? He’s earned it.
Carlyle is the definition of “innings eater.” Not bad, especially since Davies is the anti-innings eater.
Hey if he can finish off the whole thing under 115-120 I say let him finish it off.
3 pitches – 2 outs
At this rate I’d leave Buddy in to finish the game.
The Pads are laying down. Does Bobby call up Pena tomorrow?
where were those two pitches?
lol, wtf that was a strike….
WTF!@@!@ Someone shoot this ump.
finish it here
this ump is blind
Carlyle for a complete game? With a 4 run lead why not.
Either way he’s given the pen a big break.
Amazing…
atta boy, let him do it!!!
103 pitches
Boy do we need Buddy to keep this up.
anywhere you can see his pitches by inning? I know he threw quite a bit in the 1st two innings. He’s been dominant ever since, but with that said another run or two wouldnt hurt here
Pull him. Put in Devine. Build two pitchers’ confidences with one inning. Carlyle can’t lose his gem; Devine can get a good, low-pressure inning under his belt.
Rob, I think Carlyle starts it. No reason to not give him the chance to finish what may be his only chance for a complete game
Buddy is feeling it tonight. Really smart pitching. Lots of fun to watch.
You go, Bud.
Oh, come on csg. I’m sure he’ll have another shot. Carlyle isn’t totally pitching over his head here; he has given up 8 hits.
I hope he gets more chances for this, but what does he have, like 3 career wins maybe 4
chipper rocks
He doesn’t have many wins, you’re right. I’d like to get Devine in this game, though. Might be a good confidence boost.
Yeah probably so, either way Im happy
just win baby
kali on the mound
Why Yates?
Why Yates??? one day off isnt really rest.
Maybe he wants to get Kali’s confidence back….
I don’t see much point in burning Yates, though there’s something to be said for not screwing around with a game that should go in the W column.
#166- true, but any reliever in our pen should get through an inning with a 4 run lead. No reason in using the person with the most appearances out of the pen
Wickman is up
Carlyle just left the dugout, I dont think he wants to stay and watch
I feel a DP here
Bobby is so frustrating sometimes. Buddy should have finished this game. In fact the game would probably be over right now.
Maybe he was thinking of the Hudson fiasco in FLA.
Another drop by KJ, shouldve been a DP.
Yeah, I don’t like Tyler here. He’s getting worked so hard this first half of the season. Save some for October, Bobby.
Ball Game, 2 back of the Mets!
damn it. finish the inning.
So much for a quiet ending.
Another brilliant Cox moment in baseball.
csg knows the future.
Little premature there csg?
HA it worked!
I hate to see Wickman up; he could have used the rest….lets finish this thing….
still no point in using Yates there
thank god. great effort buddy, this one’s for you
Yay, 2 games back. Mets are going down.
Awesome. 2 back on the Mets before the All-Star break.
See you guys tommorow for the debut of Jo Jo.
Great game for Buddy.
If we can stay 2 back we should be in great shape because after the All Star Break we start a home stand against some of the weaker teams in the NL….
Paronto has nabbed Smoltz’s jersey. 🙂
Carlyle 8 game starts 3 wins
Davies 15 game starts 3 wins
For those more adept at researching and attaining stats than I, is there anyone in the modern era that has had a 30 home run/100 RBI season-with a sub-Mendoza Line BA? Dave Kingman had to come close.
I actually read this blog out of appreciation for the knowledge of fellow bloggers. I’ve learned a great deal since mid-last season and this one. (I ignore the occasional highly-spirited, colorful but sometimes humorous exchanges but as someone said earlier, it happens in every forum exchanging opinions.)
Anyway, I don’t usually contribute except for the times I have trouble getting to sleep. I am thinking of changing my name to “Blogasomniac”.
Rather than be lazy and have someone else research, I pulled Kingman’s stats for Dave Kingman from Baseball Reference.
HR RBI BA
37 99 .204 in 1982 (closest he came to what I fear Andrew may “accomplish” this season.)
35 94 .210 in 1986
Best year was 1979
48 118 .288 (a very good year for anyone!)
Career average:
37 101 .236
Good night/morning.