2009 MLB season discussion*

[Ensam]

Only the third time in franchise history that we've won a series in Atlanta.

First time since 1997

[Akiyama]

Yeah, bad SP just means a long season. Our Starters aren't bad, but our bullpen is being unusually awful.

Also, HanRam has great range in the infield, but he sometimes doesn't make plays he could also. That's why the Marlins had one of the worst defenses in the majors last year.. I think second to last, only ahead of the Nationals in terms of errors.

[Ensam]

Errors are a horrible judge of defense, though. I mean, errors suck and you don't want players to commit errors, but you can't judge a player only by errors.

The team ranked 11th last year in plus/minus at +25. They got rid of or moved the three worst defenders on the team, really the only 3 bad defenders on the team, and replaced them with above average defenders (Cantu with Emilio at 3rd, Jacobs with Cantu at 1st, and Luis Gonzalez with Brett Carroll as 4th OFer). Takes a hit in offense, but big boost in defense as well. Very possible they finish in the top 3 in plus/minus this season. Very very very underrated defense.

[archibaldcrane]

Is anyone paying attention to what Ian Kinsler is doing right now? 6 for 6, HR, 3B, 2 2B, 2 singles, 5 runs scored, 4 RBI - cycle+double+single. Still in the 8th inning...

[Viq]

I was following Kinsler all night on MLB Network. Sucks that he didn't get a shot to tie the 7 for 7 record >_<;

Somewhat related, is anyone else getting hooked on MLB Network's 6PM EST - 1AM EST shows? I find myself flipping over between every inning when the Sox are on. When the Sox don't have a night game, like tonight, I just sat at watched the rest of the schedule unfold. I'm loving the live look-ins to games, near instant highlights, and the rotating studio guys are mostly awesome. When Barry Larkin and Harold Reynolds are breaking down defensive plays on their mini diamond, or when Sean Casey is cracking jokes about every player in the league I have a hard to finding a reason to change the channel. I'm really impressed with the network as a whole so far, but especially their nightly coverage.

[Ensam]

I wish I had MLBN. I've heard that they're currently going through some growing pains (Cutting to wrong replay, having wrong highlight/graphic up, ect. And very livid reviews on one of their female anchors who can't say anything right and stumbles all the time lol), but for the most part it's been nothing but glrowing ovations. I keep going back and forth on if I should get it, I just hate having to drop down the money to upgrade my cable just for on channel.

Is anyone paying attention to what Ian Kinsler is doing right now? 6 for 6, HR, 3B, 2 2B, 2 singles, 5 runs scored, 4 RBI - cycle+double+single. Still in the 8th inning...

Considering the age difference (Where Kinsler is hitting is prime and Utley is leaving his), will be interesting to see if Kinsler surpasses Utley as best hitting 2b this year. Though will be awhile for Utley to be overtaken as best overall 2b, once defense is taken into account.

[fren.]

Costas announces tomorrow's Yankee game, pissed I won't get to hear him call it.

[Viq]

Considering the age difference (Where Kinsler is hitting is prime and Utley is leaving his), will be interesting to see if Kinsler surpasses Utley as best hitting 2b this year. Though will be awhile for Utley to be overtaken as best overall 2b, once defense is taken into account.

Not to take anything away from Kinsler, because he's a fantastic player, but he can't be considered the best offensive or all-around 2B in even the AL, nevermind MLB. In the past two years, Dustin Pedroia has won AL ROTY, MVP, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove. Both years he had dreadful numbers in April, similar to his slow start this year. Again, not trying to badmouth Kinsler. Just pointing out that he's not even the best 2B in the AL.

[Cephius]

Not to take anything away from Kinsler, because he's a fantastic player, but he can't be considered the best offensive or all-around 2B in even the AL, nevermind MLB. In the past two years, Dustin Pedroia has won AL ROTY, MVP, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove. Both years he had dreadful numbers in April, similar to his slow start this year. Again, not trying to badmouth Kinsler. Just pointing out that he's not even the best 2B in the AL.

Eh, not so fast now. MVP and such awards aren't the greatest measure of performance. Gold gloves mean nothing, 9 times out of 10 they're just given to the most popular player on a winning team on that position.

Anyway..

Pedroia:

2007: 165 hits, 8 HR, OPS+ 112
2008: 213 hits, 17 HR, OPS+ 122

Kinsler:

2007: 127 hits, 20HR, OPS+ 109
2008: 165 hits, 18HR, OPS+ 134

2007 they were pretty similar. They also had almost identical OBP's in 2008 yet Kinsler's OPS is higher, showing that Kinsler on average hits for more power and that Pedroia is mostly a singles hitter. Compound that by the fact that Fenway is more of a hitter's park than Texas is, especially for a right handed hitter. Nothing here screams to me that Pedroia is clearly a better 2B than Kinsler. They're about equal, I'd say, if not a slight edge to Kinsler for showing a bit more power.

[Akiyama]

Kinsler's main issue is the fact that he hasn't been able to go a full season yet. That's his only negative, and that's a huge negative.

[Ensam]

He (Kinsler) has a horrible glove also.

If I had a choice between Kinsler or Pedroia on my team, I would choose Pedroia since he's a lot better defensively to the point where it negates and passes Kinsler's offensive superiority (Going by UZR, Pedroia was 17 runs better than Kinsler on defense (+10 v.s. -7)), and also because Pedroia is 14 months younger, plus the durability issue.

Talking purely about offense though (Which I clearly stated in my post), yeah, Kinsler has been better and I don't really see how you can make an argument otherwise.

[Cephius]

I just think Pedroia is too much a glorified singles hitter, he lead the league in doubles last year but if he played anywhere but Fenway, a majority of those would be singles or outs. He's still a great hitter, and his power numbers are improving, but I think he's just a tad overvalued as a hitter. I think him winning the MVP last year was a crime for Youkilis who is clearly a better all-around hitter.

[Akiyama]

Grats to the Marlins for their first sweep of Atlanta in Atlanta since their franchise's inception. I was *really* impressed by not only their pitching, but their lineup as well. They played fantastic.

As far as the Yankees and their home opener goes... wow.

New ballpark: $1.5 billion
New contracts: $423 million
Home opener blowout: Priceless.

[Cephius]

CC pitched well despite not having his best stuff, but apparently we inherited the Mets bullpen in the winter...

Also yay, Yankee haters coming out of the woodwork Gotta love it, a loss in April is clearly the end of the world

[Akiyama]

CC pitched well despite not having his best stuff, but apparently we inherited the Mets bullpen in the winter...

Also yay, Yankee haters coming out of the woodwork Gotta love it, a loss in April is clearly the end of the world

Who? Me? I hope you don't mean me. I just thought that was funny. I read it elsewhere.

Yeah. Yankees fans should always cry foul and call someone a "Yankee hater" when they make fun of a team for losing in a huge blowout in their grand opening of a new stadium. D:

[Cephius]

I wasn't talking about you - again. Why are you so defensive? But to answer your question, yes, people who like taking shots at Yankee fans when they lose are usually haters. You either love the Yankees or you hate them... just like the Cowboys, Lakers, or any other great team, there is rarely a middle-ground fan.. Just sayin'! Again, its a game in April, and it really doesn't diminish how great of a stadium it is, so yeah.

[Akiyama]

Totally. Yanks will still win 90+ games. Not sure about the playoffs if their bullpen continues to pitch horribly. Their starters are better than they've pitched, and their full lineup will be scary.

Sorry I got defensive. It's just you referred to a "Yankees Hater" and I was the only other person to post within the hour.. so I just figured you meant me. >.>; Mah bad dawg.

Also, I wouldn't refer to them as "haters" honestly. I poke fun at every team in the Majors. It's what I do, man.

[Headspace]

Finally, Cliff Lee has a good start. Should help me out since nothing else on my team is any good.

[Akiyama]

Wanna do some trades? I love trading.

[Headspace]

I'll give you Ramon Hernandez for a holo Hitmonlee.