2005-2006 MLB Offseason thread

[Precious Roy 0]

Put Bob Wickman in a drug rug and sombrero and you can barely tell the difference

 

what are those things (drug rug) called anyway? The triangular multicolored bandito type getups...

[Failed Bridge 0]

Ponchos

[Precious Roy 0]

DOH!....pretty sure I knew that

[The Czech Republic 0]

 

Listen, if he wanted a Latino closer, he'd have to go after Ugueth Urbina or Jose Mesa. Minaya's got more sense in his head than that. I think.

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Antonio Alfonseca! Fear the fingers!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

OPS+ compares a player's OPS (adjusted for park factors) to the league average, and produces a percentage.  100 is average.  118 would be 18% above the league average.

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Its a misleading stat then, because Jose Cruz Jr is not the best CFer out on the market. Not with his back and hamstring problems along with deteriorating skills.

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1. The statistic is not a predicator of future performance, just an evaluation of past performance.

 

2. Just because a statistic does not jive with your preconceptions does not make it invalid. The fact is that after Jose Cruz was traded to the Dodgers, he knocked the living snot out of the baseball. The only flaw with Cruz is that his range factors were poor at center field in Arizona and he probably needs to play in a corner.

[Precious Roy 0]

Al would know this, but what music do they play when Wagner comes in? It should totally be Ride of the Valkyries!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al would know this, but what music do they play when Wagner comes in?  It should totally be Ride of the Valkyries!

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Enter Sandman.

[Precious Roy 0]

Al would know this, but what music do they play when Wagner comes in?  It should totally be Ride of the Valkyries!

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Enter Sandman.

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how very unoriginal

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al would know this, but what music do they play when Wagner comes in?  It should totally be Ride of the Valkyries!

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Enter Sandman.

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how very unoriginal

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Yeah, but what do you expect from a Virginian redneck anyway?

[Vern Gagne 0]

Thome seems a little to broken down to give up any really good prospects.

 

I'd also question the validity of the trade talk between the two teams.

[Failed Bridge 0]

2. Just because a statistic does not jive with your preconceptions does not make it invalid.  The fact is that after Jose Cruz was traded to the Dodgers, he knocked the living snot out of the baseball.  The only flaw with Cruz is that his range factors were poor at center field in Arizona and he probably needs to play in a corner.

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Did you happen to look at the Game Logs and see which teams he was beating up on? The Rockies, Arizona, Pittsburgh, SF, and SD. He sure did face the cream of the crop there~

 

You can use stats but if that's all you use then you're going to be TSM Depodesta. You have to use common sense as well. You're better than this and you know Jose Cruz Jr is not the best CF on the FA list.

[Precious Roy 0]

TSM Depodesta

 

NEW USER NAME!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

2. Just because a statistic does not jive with your preconceptions does not make it invalid.  The fact is that after Jose Cruz was traded to the Dodgers, he knocked the living snot out of the baseball.  The only flaw with Cruz is that his range factors were poor at center field in Arizona and he probably needs to play in a corner.

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Did you happen to look at the Game Logs and see which teams he was beating up on? The Rockies, Arizona, Pittsburgh, SF, and SD. He sure did face the cream of the crop there~

 

You can use stats but if that's all you use then you're going to be TSM Depodesta. You have to use common sense as well. You're better than this and you know Jose Cruz Jr is not the best CF on the FA list.

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If you're going by that logic, Johnny Damon fattened up with good marks against Baltimore and Tampa Bay.

 

I'm not claiming Cruz is the best FA center fielder on the market. I merely noted that of all the free agent center fielders, Cruz had the best season at the plate. Take that for what you will. He hits at or around the league average every year, and exploded in Los Angeles. Like I said, his days playing center field are numbered. But when you're looking at the free agent market, you want to locate bargains. Some team is going to overpay for a Johnny Damon and regret it in year four. If you can find equal production at a bargain price, particularly short term, it can provide a tremendous advantage to your organization.

[Precious Roy 0]

yeah, I honestly think he's being overpaid, but a one year deal for Cruz is pretty safe. I don't trust the guy at all, but if he busts you just let him walk, you're not blowing a ton of cash there, and odds are there's someone in the organization who can replace him if the need arises

[Failed Bridge 0]

If you're going to look at players most likely getting a short term deal then I'd say the biggest bargain might be Jacque Jones. I'd take him over Cruz Jr and if Cruz Jr is going to be making almost $4mill for 06 then Jones at around $8.5mill could be a much better value.

[Bored 0]

$8.5 million for a below average corner outfielder? Frigid looking for a front office job with the Diamondbacks?

[Failed Bridge 0]

Jacque Jones can play CF and is a very good defender. He hits pretty well, has speed, and is a good clubhouse guy. Trot Nixon is making $7mill and I think Jacque Jones is a better player than Nixon at this point in time.

[Bored 0]

You arbitrarily pull Trot Nixon's salary, on a contract that was signed after his excellent 2003 season, as your proof of Jacque Jones' value? Whaaaa?

 

First off saying Jones is better than Nixon is debatable. I'd take a healty Nixon over Jones, of course Trot ain't been very healthy the last couple of years. Good defense doesn't make up for him being mediocre offensively the last two years at a prime offensive position and certainly not worth a $3.5 million pay raise. Move him to center and it raises his value a little.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

$8.5 Million for a player with a .249 batting average? Are you serious? Jones is a pathetic hitter. He grounded into 17 double plays this year despite being a fast runner on a team that produces few baserunners. He is without question the WORST hitting player against lefties in the majors, as his career .227/.277/.339 mark can attest. Maybe sometimes we take took much stock in statistics. But once in awhile statistics can help us avoid looking like idiots.

 

And for the record, Cruz's contract is for $2.9 Million next year.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Good to know Frigid has let his passion of challenging everything Al says subside.

 

Fact is, the Dodgers have quite a few holes and if one can be filled inexpensively, why question it? The "he played against bad teams" argument's stupid since just about every team out there plays a lot of bad or mediocre teams with some great ones sprinkled in there.

 

Did you happen to look at the Game Logs and see which teams he was beating up on? The Rockies, Arizona, Pittsburgh, SF, and SD. He sure did face the cream of the crop there~

Hey quick, somebody remind me which division the Dodgers play in and who the other teams in said division are.

 

You sort of defeat your own argument by naming those teams he beat up in, since you named every NL West team outside of the team he'll be on.

[devo 0]

Plus Pittsburgh, for some reason.

[Failed Bridge 0]

Good to know Frigid has let his passion of challenging everything Al says subside.

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I don't argue everything he says. We agree quite often, and $8.5mill is the amount Jones' agent said he would be looking for. Comparing him to what Cruz Jr makes (which I thought I read will be $3.75mill) if it is the $8.5mill he wants, makes me believe you'll get better value. I wouldn't be surprised if Cruz Jr only plays a third of the season with his back and hamstring problems and at the same time his days of being a real offensive threat are over.

[mike546 0]

Doesn't Jones playing on turf kind of take away his speed when it comes to double plays?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Good to know Frigid has let his passion of challenging everything Al says subside.

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I don't argue everything he says. We agree quite often, and $8.5mill is the amount Jones' agent said he would be looking for. Comparing him to what Cruz Jr makes (which I thought I read will be $3.75mill) if it is the $8.5mill he wants, makes me believe you'll get better value. I wouldn't be surprised if Cruz Jr only plays a third of the season with his back and hamstring problems and at the same time his days of being a real offensive threat are over.

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You're making way too many assumptions regarding Cruz's injuries. Cruz did not miss significant time after a rough April, and clearly did not lose production. Too much has been made of them if he has not been on the DL since April and he can clearly play. Perhaps his injuries will flare up again, but I'm sure the Dodgers did not make this deal without a physical. And I should add that I see no reports of a bad hamstring from Cruz in several years. And the unspoken advantage is that if Cruz is injured, his replacement will still be better than Jacque Jones. Frankly, Jones is worthless as an everyday player if he's not playing center field.

 

Doesn't Jones playing on turf kind of take away his speed when it comes to double plays?

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I doubt it. Speed flurished in the game in the days of artificial turf. I would also note that Justin Morneau, who stole 0 bases all season, grounded into fewer double plays.

[Failed Bridge 0]

his hamstring problems were noted by the Boston sports writers on the pre-game show (Chris Snow mainly) while he had a brief stint with Boston. I was excited when they got him but during his brief stay you could tell he's lost a lot.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Jacque Jones is asking 8.5 million? I've seen enough of his horrible at bats to last me a life time.

[mike546 0]

Hes asking for THAT MUCH?!

 

Matsui only made 8 million in 2005, and had a much much better year.

[Failed Bridge 0]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Matsui get a pay raise nearing $10mill.

[Fökai 0]

Who is Cruz place-holding center for?

[Dobbs 3K 0]

In Brewers news, general manager Doug Melvin's contract has been extended thru 2009. Bad news for Red Sox fans who thought he might be coming to Boston.

 

Also, earlier this week, the team named Robin Yount their new bench coach.