tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post3139060144802959451..comments2024-02-17T04:00:25.925-06:00Comments on The Platoon Advantage: Off Season Winners and Abject Disappointments, 2012The Common Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09994070642805307798noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-40490814819117956622012-03-03T22:05:25.377-06:002012-03-03T22:05:25.377-06:00Anonymous, I think the common notion that Pineda &...Anonymous, I think the common notion that Pineda "got banged around later" is misleading. He had a bad stretch of 3 games slightly past the mid-point of the season but generally pitched well after that. And his K rate, BB rate, GB and line drive rates were all slightly better in the second half.<br /><br />I think that the Common Man underrates what the Rays did. They are clearly looking to contend in 2012, upgrading their power and deepening the bullpen. The Molina question is certainly valid, and shortstop remains a question mark, but the Rays gave up virtually nothing to strengthen their offense and maintain or improve their defense. <br /><br />The Rays off-season moves rarely look sexy, but close inspection usually discovers important improvements.Robert Rittnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15861796761524996440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-19392233451223872002012-03-01T22:08:55.908-06:002012-03-01T22:08:55.908-06:00Pineda started strong but got banged around later,...Pineda started strong but got banged around later, and Kuroda is a past his prime pitcher coming from a very Pitcher friendly division to the AL East.<br /><br />The Angels I guess decided they didn't have enough highly paid players on the downslope of their careers. In the West coast parks, if nobody is on base, the pitchers will be way more aggressive because quite a few of his NL Central Homers will be AL West flyball outs. The Angels are paying for Pujol's past production, evidently not noticing that Pujols #s the last 4 years have declined, and he's not getting any younger. Finally, the Angels have neither a high obp guy to put in front of Pujols and they don't really have a bat to protect him either. Why they didn't get Fielder for less $ and less years is beyond me. CJ is good, but he's at the age where his decline should start. Ianetta's #s outside of Coors field aren't very good. Latroy Hawkins and Isringhausen are hail mary attempts to shore up a thin bullpen. With their bloated and old roster, they should've punted the next two years and stocked up to be competitive when Trout hits his prime. Instead, they'll be stuck with Trout, a few huge contracts to mid 30s guys who aren't what they used to be, and a lot of league minimum players.<br /><br />Reds, good moves considering their budget.<br /><br />Depends on Beltran's health, and if Wainwright rebounds fast. They could be good.<br /><br />Detroit's owner is rich and 86 year's old. Who cares about the future problems? Their infield D should be ugly. Beyond the big $ guys, they're pretty thin. 1 injury to a top player and they drop off a lot.<br /><br />The Marlins moves will likely mean bankruptcy in a few years.<br /><br />If Luke Scott refinds his mojo, and Pena doesn't regress, they're in good shape.<br /><br />Darvish is the real deal and will dominate... and he's 25. I really don't understand the Nathan gamble, seeing how they've got bp depth to fill the closer role internally. If the gamble pays off, they've got a great veteran closer, and by the #s, Nathan showed the kind of progress you'd want to see coming off TJ surgery. <br /><br />I think the D'Backs got damaged goods with Cahill and paid a lot for it.<br />Phillies are clearly all in but that's an old lineup and thin depth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-64994919497162205222012-03-01T18:34:07.677-06:002012-03-01T18:34:07.677-06:00Every time I am reminded of the Mets roster for 20...Every time I am reminded of the Mets roster for 2012, I am reminded of how abysmally sad this season will be. At least your comments here managed to put a small positive spin on things. Sort of in the vein of: "At least they didn't shoot themselves in the ass." A small measure of solace, to be sure.Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-45182649520208991022012-03-01T17:55:15.998-06:002012-03-01T17:55:15.998-06:00I am certainly acting the classic homer, but I thi...I am certainly acting the classic homer, but I think you seriously underestimated the rockies offseason. Cuddy is a bit overpriced, but I saw the Street trade as being for Scutaro. I think that's a steal considering Betancourt is a fine closer for now with Brothers or Bettis waiting in the wings. They upgraded the two offensive blackholes at 2b/3b considerably. I see a good 6-8 win swing here, all without losing a single prospect of note. <br />I like it. I know that most haven't looked at the rox except for the fly ball pitchers but I think the upgrades are more than enough to consider it a successful offseason.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-38622069405818501472012-03-01T17:42:57.957-06:002012-03-01T17:42:57.957-06:00I think the Padres want to extend Quentin. He'...I think the Padres want to extend Quentin. He's a hometown guy and he has legitimate power. They love his make-up too.<br /><br />With Street they essentially get Bell but at 1 year instead of 3 guaranteed. I wouldn't be surprised if Street gets moved provided a team is in need come July.<br /><br />It is a weird combination of trying to win now but also building.<br /><br />Jeff Moorad promised during the season that the payroll would "Start with a 5" (as in $50-ish million)in 2012. Amazingly, they had to work to make that happen after losing a lot of players via FA and trades. Enter Street and Quentin . . . and the payroll now starts with a "5".<br /><br />These moves are partially PR related and also part of a plan to spend prudently while awaiting the wave of youngsters who are projected in 2013-2014.<br /><br />So . . . no I can't quibble with your rankings.AvengingJMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15614670048677175431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-24753749429244428092012-03-01T10:07:26.465-06:002012-03-01T10:07:26.465-06:00@William
Well, TCM ranked them 26th last year. Gi...@William<br />Well, TCM ranked them 26th last year. Given the resources they had on hand, I think they did well, even if the Capps signing looks too generous.<br /><br />@Ryan<br />Thanks. Good point on the Moore signing. Molina certainly has a fine reputation, but his lack of actually playing is a concern. Re: the Cubs, A's, and Astros, The Common Man absolutely agrees that the A's and Cubs added more talent to their organization than Houston did. But based on the assets they had available to sell off, TCM thinks that Houston did the best job of maximizing its resources.The Common Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994070642805307798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-86854671241891541732012-03-01T09:38:20.552-06:002012-03-01T09:38:20.552-06:00I like the list, but:
underrated: The Rays made t...I like the list, but:<br /><br />underrated: The Rays made the best move of the offseason by locking up Moore. They also absolutely raked in on the agent market. Pena and Luke scott are obvious upgrades over "Babip Illusion" Kotchman and Johnny "Hometown Hero" Damon. Molina's impact on the pitching staff is yet another undervalued asset Tampa got in on.<br /><br />Overrated: Did Houston really improve their organization better than The Cubs or A's? No real prospects can't miss prospects taken in, Cust to a multi-year deal, and infinity billion dollars to Myers to pitch three innings a week...Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06828077195479158606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5064547517730087223.post-35210674749379242452012-02-29T11:29:44.107-06:002012-02-29T11:29:44.107-06:00My only quibble was with how high you rated the Tw...My only quibble was with how high you rated the Twins' off season. But otherwise, pretty spot on.William J. Taskerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02313204947130235560noreply@blogger.com