May 29, 200520 yr Author comment_2307741 And Baker probably needs to go before we can expect anything positive from the team in terms of contending, correct? Unfortunately, the rash of injuries may ensure his job for another season, although I'd swear he's trying to get fired sometimes. Lately, I've been of the opinion that the manager adds or subtracts a few wins a season, if that. The problem is the injuries, and the only two ways that can be fixed is either better luck, or signing less injury-prone players. Neither are Baker's responsibility.
May 29, 200520 yr comment_2307815 Sticking with the Cubs theme, what's with Derrek Lee? He's always been a streaky hitter, but an awful starter. Now's usually the time of year he'd stop looking pathetic and start crushing the ball. Obviously he can't get much better than he's been, but what's going on? Career year or should we expect a HUGE drop-off in the near future?
May 29, 200520 yr Author comment_2307842 Sticking with the Cubs theme, what's with Derrek Lee? He's always been a streaky hitter, but an awful starter. Now's usually the time of year he'd stop looking pathetic and start crushing the ball. Obviously he can't get much better than he's been, but what's going on? Career year or should we expect a HUGE drop-off in the near future? Haven't I answered this? Lee is a very good hitter. Very good hitters will sometimes look average, and sometimes look great. Lee is a near-superstar, even before this year's surge. He was underrated.
May 29, 200520 yr comment_2307889 I dunno. Probably. I have a short memory as you've surely noticed. I've just been waiting for him to completely go cold. So far, a slump for him has only been getting a walk in a game.
May 30, 200520 yr comment_2326122 Why the hell is Dustin Hermanson so good all of a sudden? He seemed adequete at best in SF, but he's yet to give up an earned run this season.
May 30, 200520 yr Author comment_2326267 Why the hell is Dustin Hermanson so good all of a sudden? He seemed adequete at best in SF, but he's yet to give up an earned run this season. It's a fluke. Hermanson's decent, but he'll return to normal before long.
May 30, 200520 yr comment_2326968 The way Brantley was pimping him in that ninth, you would've thought Ozzie was keeping Gagne from coming into the game.
May 31, 200520 yr comment_2335375 Why the hell is Dustin Hermanson so good all of a sudden? He seemed adequete at best in SF, but he's yet to give up an earned run this season. I think it may just be another data point in the argument that failed starters seem to turn up as decent relievers. Hermanson was actually serviceable as a starter early in his career in Montreal in St. Louis, and now he's turned into a nice late-inning reliever who can swing a spot start or two every once in a while.
May 31, 200520 yr comment_2335546 But he sucked as a closer in San Fran last year. Remember, he was the one who dropped the ball (not literally) in the game last season that allowed the Dodgers to clinch the division.
May 31, 200520 yr comment_2336330 But he sucked as a closer in San Fran last year. Remember, he was the one who dropped the ball (not literally) in the game last season that allowed the Dodgers to clinch the division.Eh, not necessarily. Sure, he got bombed in one of the most important late season games in the year, but over the two months of the year (when he was closing for the Giants), he actually did very well for himself: Aug: 14.0 IP, 12/4 K/BB ratio, 3.21 ERASep: 11.0 IP, 14/4 K/BB ratio, 3.18 ERA Plus, if I remember correctly, Hermanson actually was a closer through part of his collegiate career at Kent State, so score one for the "closer mentality" geeks as well.
May 31, 200520 yr comment_2336670 It's just going to be annoying to hear the White Sox fans complain when reality kicks in and he starts giving up runs. Their pitching is already playing over their heads (Garland finally got rocked this weekend), so things are on the verge of getting much more interesting in that division.
May 31, 200520 yr comment_2337270 Anybody who thought that Hermanson would hold a 0.00 ERA all year and that Jon Garland was going to win 30 games should probably consider getting immediate professional help.
May 31, 200520 yr comment_2338332 Well, many were quick to jump on the White Sox bandwagon when they started winning, even though just as many were predicting doom for them because of their questionable off-season. I think they'll have a good shot at winning the Central, but the first two months of the season haven't been a clear indication of this team's ability. Buerhle's for real, but Garland isn't and you'd figure the end of the rotation will taper off eventually. The end of the pen, meanwhile, is flawed. There's speculation that Takatsu may not be kept around much longer, Marte's got issues, and Hermanson, while servicable, isn't going to stay dominant like this all season.
June 1, 200520 yr comment_2351060 1) Ryan Dempster converted his fifth save in six opportunities last night. Three of them have come in one-run games. Is it possible the Cubs may have finally found a closer or is it just wishful thinking that Dempster won't soon be added to the list of ex-Cub closers? 2) Which typically bad team do you think will contend in the near future? 3) Which teams likely have no shot of contending in the near future? 4) Who have been some of the bigger busts with major league experience? 5) Why's it seem that most RoTY winners fizzle out shortly thereafter? 6) Do you think the significant dropoff in homers hit in recent years is a sign that steroid use was more rampant than suspected or just a sign of quality pitching? 7) What are your thoughts on Ozzie Guillen? 8) Are there any teams that are usually in contention you expect to go through a rebuilding process or something of that nature in the coming years? 9) Who would you say is the top closer in baseball now, Rivera, Gange, or Lidge? 10) Are Dodger fans right for panicing over the team's recent slump? 11) Of, say, the past five World Series winners, which team do you think was the weakest? 12) Do you buy into the notion that teams that clinch playoff berths early and cruise into the postseason have a tougher time getting it going as opposed to the teams that play down to the wire to get in?
June 1, 200520 yr Author comment_2352222 1) Ryan Dempster converted his fifth save in six opportunities last night. Three of them have come in one-run games. Is it possible the Cubs may have finally found a closer or is it just wishful thinking that Dempster won't soon be added to the list of ex-Cub closers? Many failed starters have become good closers. Dempster is as good as the Cubs will find without trading outside the organization. 2) Which typically bad team do you think will contend in the near future? The Milwaukee Brewers 3) Which teams likely have no shot of contending in the near future? The Kansas City Royals are as hopeless a team as you can find. No desire to spend, a weak farm system, and an inept front office. 4) Who have been some of the bigger busts with major league experience? Can you explain this question a little? 5) Why's it seem that most RoTY winners fizzle out shortly thereafter? Players win rookie of the year because they perhaps overachieved to win the award in the first place. In the last ten years, I count perhaps four flameouts (Ben Grieve, Todd Hollandsworth, Marty Cordova, and Scott Williamson). Three were corner outfielders, and one is an oft-injured pitcher. Looking at some of the other rookie flameouts, Bob Hamelin had a fluke year at 26, and Pat Listach was a bad selection (Kenny Lofton had a better OPS and more steals). I would say that rookie flameouts are just players who got lucky as rookies and won an award in the deal. 6) Do you think the significant dropoff in homers hit in recent years is a sign that steroid use was more rampant than suspected or just a sign of quality pitching? I don't know. Flat out. 7) What are your thoughts on Ozzie Guillen? One can not argue with success. Still, I wonder where the effects of this were a year ago. It is obvious that the success of the White Sox is due to their pitching. I do think Guillen is doing a fine job so far. 8) Are there any teams that are usually in contention you expect to go through a rebuilding process or something of that nature in the coming years? The Yankees and the Giants 9) Who would you say is the top closer in baseball now, Rivera, Gange, or Lidge? Brad Lidge. At least until Gagne reestablishes himself from injury. Lidge currently sports a 14 K/9 rate. 10) Are Dodger fans right for panicing over the team's recent slump? Yes, just because all the sudden this team is 6.5 games out. 11) Of, say, the past five World Series winners, which team do you think was the weakest? The 2003 Florida Marlins. They did not make the postseason in any other year. 12) Do you buy into the notion that teams that clinch playoff berths early and cruise into the postseason have a tougher time getting it going as opposed to the teams that play down to the wire to get in? Not at all.
June 1, 200520 yr comment_2352379 Can you explain this question a little? Who were some players that actually spent time in the majors, had huge expectations, but turned out to be busts? I add in major league experience because there are a lot of prospects that don't see the majors or if they do, only stay for a cup of coffee. Brad Lidge. At least until Gagne reestablishes himself from injury. Lidge currently sports a 14 K/9 rate. It's probably because he's just coming off the DL, but I haven't seen a Gagne apperance this season that's resembled the Gagne we've known and admired for the better part of two seasons. Seems like he's getting into more trouble with baserunners and is really having to work his way out of jams.
June 1, 200520 yr Author comment_2353841 Who were some players that actually spent time in the majors, had huge expectations, but turned out to be busts? I add in major league experience because there are a lot of prospects that don't see the majors or if they do, only stay for a cup of coffee. Carlos Pena is looking like one. I have a hard time with these type of questions.
June 2, 200520 yr comment_2358064 I'm not talking about guys that are new to the league, but rather, those who have made it clear that they're not going to be stars like was once thought.
June 2, 200520 yr Author comment_2359492 I'm not talking about guys that are new to the league, but rather, those who have made it clear that they're not going to be stars like was once thought. Carlos Pena was the #6 prospect in baseball in 2002. Four years later, his best season batting average was .248, and at 27, he has been sent back to AAA. I have serious doubts that he will be a star.
June 3, 200520 yr comment_2374885 1) Are the Cardinals as well-rounded and diverse as many would have us believe, or is it the presence of one of the premiere hitters in the game today? The Cardinal announcers are constantly making it sound like they could overcome any obstacle, but are they in first place or even considered a great team without Pujols? 2) What are your thoughts on the pitch count? I've heard announcers and analysists use the point that if a pitcher never throws over 100 pitches, he's never going to learn how to. It's important to be cautious with young arms, but I think there's some validity to that. Also, do you think it's the quantity of pitches or the types of pitches that have to be made that matter? By that, I mean is a guy who throws 80 pitches but is in a lot of tight jams with baserunners worse off than a guy who tosses well over 100 but rarely needs to work out of the stretch? 3) I didn't really just see the Yankees get swept by the Royals, did I? Is this a sign of bad luck or are the Yanks just not that good?
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