DeadEyeDuckie
Pretty much a regular
Hey guys, just my personal opinion...but it seems to me like the game of baseball (at least at the professional level MLB) has really changed when compared to the past 10-12 years. Now this is just me talking of pure observations and noticing of things, without actually going and diving into databases and pulling percentages and number charts...
It seems like there's a ton more infield hits in games nowadays. Is this because teams are shifting too much? Is it simply just "ahhh, tough break" or "oohh dribbled that ball down the line"?
What has happened to the batting average of MLB players? When you look at a lot of teams' lineups, you'll find AT LEAST half of them are below .250 and there's a good chance there's one guy playing who is below .200. Are teams just this bad? Or is their approach to hitting changing that much nowadays?
And from that take on approach to hitting....what constitutes a "good" offensive player? ALLLLL the various metrics come into play, statistical analysis, data mining..blah blah blah....can spin an argument that a guy who hits .222 and has a OBP of .300 and hits 20 home runs is dangerously talented? 10 years ago we would've viewed this guy as just an inconsistent guy with some pop to his bat maybe...but nowadays teams would be happy to have them. It feels like if today Adam Dunn were still playing and in his prime, he would be rewarded like a god. Low batting average, doesn't offer any speed on the bases or on defense, but I'm sure we can spin a bunch of metrics of how the .195 batting average is well worth the 35 home runs on the year.
Some thoughts/rants on the MLB trades/movement
Seattle acquired Cameron Maybin. Umm, I'm taking it as a sign that since the Mariners haven't been in this type of a playoff chase in a loooong while, they weren't quite sure what to go for. Getting a failed prospect who can play just defense and pinch run was a nice "safe" play....but not enough to get them going. They're offense, which I've been waiting to slump (and now it is) needed a jolt. A LOT of guys overperformed in the first half, coming up big in tight moments or crucial games. Management buying into this and taking at as signs all these guys are ready to turn the corner. Wellll, maybe they are. But what if...only half of them are? What if...only one of them is? Mariner brass apparently did it's research and felt none of these guys would regress enough to the point their offense would fall apart and hurt their playoff chances. Well...the team has now lost 4 in a row...struggling to score runs. Tsk tsk.
Quick...name a "bigname bat" who was traded at the deadline and when he arrived to his new team, he actually contributed significantly? Like he made that big impact people were hoping he would. Didn't start off weak/bad, but came on strong with his new team. Anyone? Anyone? I'd say Manny Ramirez at the Dodgers. When he arrived his bat was hot and making some plays for them. AND he actually helped straightened the youngsters on that team, who were Ethier and Kemp. Now the Dodgers have another "prized pickup", erhm..2 of them actually in Machado and Dozier. Pretty interesting, your team had a pretty successful first half of the season and then you do and re-do half of your infield. I picture nice defensive plays on the infield by both Manny and Brian...but at the end of the day, considering how inconsistent the entire Dodger lineup can be...success/failure during their term as Dodgers will both fairly and unfairly be observed by what they do at the plate...and in clutch moments. You didn't bring in Machado to get a 2 out single when your team is down 3. You brought him in to be at the guy standing at the plate in a clutch moment and whether or not he can knock in a run in a TIGHT game remains to be seen.
Phillies got Cabrera from the Mets. Great pick up. Maybe a one year rental, but this young group knew what position they needed help in, and filled in perfectly. They'll take whatever offense he gives, and don't get me wrong, he can still hit. Young Phillies squad wanting to make the postseason, they got a guy who's been there before and his hunger to take them back will help.
This goes back to my point EARLIER about Seattle bringing in Maybin. Everything I just said about Cabrera for the Phillies....none of that applies to Maybin for Seattle lol. Seattle didn't bring in a guy that can rely on his postseason experiences, and postseason chases (just trying to get in) to help rally the troops.
Anyone with any thoughts? Not just on trades/movements but also on how the game has changed from 10 years ago
It seems like there's a ton more infield hits in games nowadays. Is this because teams are shifting too much? Is it simply just "ahhh, tough break" or "oohh dribbled that ball down the line"?
What has happened to the batting average of MLB players? When you look at a lot of teams' lineups, you'll find AT LEAST half of them are below .250 and there's a good chance there's one guy playing who is below .200. Are teams just this bad? Or is their approach to hitting changing that much nowadays?
And from that take on approach to hitting....what constitutes a "good" offensive player? ALLLLL the various metrics come into play, statistical analysis, data mining..blah blah blah....can spin an argument that a guy who hits .222 and has a OBP of .300 and hits 20 home runs is dangerously talented? 10 years ago we would've viewed this guy as just an inconsistent guy with some pop to his bat maybe...but nowadays teams would be happy to have them. It feels like if today Adam Dunn were still playing and in his prime, he would be rewarded like a god. Low batting average, doesn't offer any speed on the bases or on defense, but I'm sure we can spin a bunch of metrics of how the .195 batting average is well worth the 35 home runs on the year.
Some thoughts/rants on the MLB trades/movement
Seattle acquired Cameron Maybin. Umm, I'm taking it as a sign that since the Mariners haven't been in this type of a playoff chase in a loooong while, they weren't quite sure what to go for. Getting a failed prospect who can play just defense and pinch run was a nice "safe" play....but not enough to get them going. They're offense, which I've been waiting to slump (and now it is) needed a jolt. A LOT of guys overperformed in the first half, coming up big in tight moments or crucial games. Management buying into this and taking at as signs all these guys are ready to turn the corner. Wellll, maybe they are. But what if...only half of them are? What if...only one of them is? Mariner brass apparently did it's research and felt none of these guys would regress enough to the point their offense would fall apart and hurt their playoff chances. Well...the team has now lost 4 in a row...struggling to score runs. Tsk tsk.
Quick...name a "bigname bat" who was traded at the deadline and when he arrived to his new team, he actually contributed significantly? Like he made that big impact people were hoping he would. Didn't start off weak/bad, but came on strong with his new team. Anyone? Anyone? I'd say Manny Ramirez at the Dodgers. When he arrived his bat was hot and making some plays for them. AND he actually helped straightened the youngsters on that team, who were Ethier and Kemp. Now the Dodgers have another "prized pickup", erhm..2 of them actually in Machado and Dozier. Pretty interesting, your team had a pretty successful first half of the season and then you do and re-do half of your infield. I picture nice defensive plays on the infield by both Manny and Brian...but at the end of the day, considering how inconsistent the entire Dodger lineup can be...success/failure during their term as Dodgers will both fairly and unfairly be observed by what they do at the plate...and in clutch moments. You didn't bring in Machado to get a 2 out single when your team is down 3. You brought him in to be at the guy standing at the plate in a clutch moment and whether or not he can knock in a run in a TIGHT game remains to be seen.
Phillies got Cabrera from the Mets. Great pick up. Maybe a one year rental, but this young group knew what position they needed help in, and filled in perfectly. They'll take whatever offense he gives, and don't get me wrong, he can still hit. Young Phillies squad wanting to make the postseason, they got a guy who's been there before and his hunger to take them back will help.
This goes back to my point EARLIER about Seattle bringing in Maybin. Everything I just said about Cabrera for the Phillies....none of that applies to Maybin for Seattle lol. Seattle didn't bring in a guy that can rely on his postseason experiences, and postseason chases (just trying to get in) to help rally the troops.
Anyone with any thoughts? Not just on trades/movements but also on how the game has changed from 10 years ago
