Comments on: What John Henry Can Learn From Belichick’s 4th and 2

By: Sean O

Sean O — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:16:33 +0000

Probably because the writers were also racist alcoholic assholes like Cronin. How that human garbage gets remembered positively I'll never understand.

By: Sabattus

Sabattus — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:58:52 +0000

Another funny dichotemy:

Tito has two World Series rings.
Joe Cronin: Z-E-R-O!

How come everybody is all over Tito,
yet nobody seemed to have challenged Cronin?

O-R…maybe the latter had a band of supporters
called Cronies of Cronin??!!??

Furthermore…did the fellow who managed 1918 (name escapes me)
have a team that "won in SPITE of him"???

By: Sabattus

Sabattus — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:51:47 +0000

Brandon Lyon reeled off quite a few saves in a row when he came on the scene.
When Papelbon first emerged, I was scared he'd suffer the same fate,
namely being termed "not really a closer".

How can one pitcher save about ten in a row and NOT be good,
yet another does the same thing and is deemed a closer for the ages?!?

By: M.A.G.

M.A.G. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:47:22 +0000

Actually I disagree. I think the difference between the NL and the AL is marginal, specially when we are talking about elite hitters. This difference, in some cases, makes necesary for a period of adjustment, like JD Drew, but that’s not a big deal. Once Drew made the adjustments, his numbers in the AL are consistent with the numbers of the rest of his career in the NL. There is no reason to think elite players like Pujols are gonna suddenly turn into pumpkins if they switch leagues.

So, I, personally, have no doubts about Holliday and Gonzalez in the AL. Specially if we consider they will be playing in a park that is perfect for both of them, and protected by a very strong lineup. Personally, I think their numbers in Boston will be even better than the projections.

By: Sean O

Sean O — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:15:28 +0000

At the very least we agree that there is a major transition from the NL to the AL, and you want to put two of them through it at the same time? That will sink this club next year.

Give up on '10, see what you can get from the young kids so you see what you can get FOR them, and restock next year. No matter what we do, we'll have no DH or SS solution next year, and that's a lot to give up to the Yankees.

By: M.A.G.

M.A.G. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:00:47 +0000

And I also think we can be a very competitive team next year with a couple of moves. Agree, Lowell and Ortiz, has to go (I don’t know about Beckett). And, sorry, but every prospect is expendable at this point. They are far away from the majors, and I don’t see any of them (in the hitter’s department at least) with the potential to be truly special. I think they will be solid players, but I don’t see any of them with the potential to be an Adrian Gonzalez.

If we put Holliday and Gonzalez togheter, our lineup will be in a whole new level. We are gonna have a scary offensive once again. If we get this two guys, I don’t fear the Yankees anymore.

By: M.A.G.

M.A.G. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:42:32 +0000

Sorry for the double-post

By: M.A.G.

M.A.G. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:41:39 +0000

I strongly disagree, because I don’t think Matt Holliday is an “unproven” player by any means. His numbers, in every place in wich he has played, show a great, and very complete hitter. He can hit for high average, power, great on-base abilities, you name it. And his numbers against good pitching show he can do it against any competition. Of course, the fact he will be playing in Fenway, a hitter’s park (specially for right handers), and sorrounded by a very good lineup, is only gonna play in his favor.
So, I simply don’t know why are you so convinced he cannot hit in the AL, because there is no real arguments to doubt about his abilities. Elite players hit everywhere. Miguel Cabrera was hitting in the “AAAA” NL too, and he never was a “gold glover” by any strech of the imagination, but he is still a premium player in Detroit, and a future HOF.
So, personally, I’m convinced Holliday will be a big guy for the next five years, and a valuable player for another 1-2 years. And I have no problem in signing him long-term.

By: M.A.G.

M.A.G. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:38:30 +0000

So, I simply don’t know why are you so convinced he cannot hit in the AL, because there is no real arguments to doubt about his abilities. Elite players hit everywhere. Miguel Cabrera was hitting in the “AAAA” NL too, and he never was a “gold glover” by any strech of the imagination, but he is still a premium player in Detroit, and a future HOF.

So, personally, I’m convinced Holliday will be a big guy for the next five years, and a valuable player for another 1-2 years. And I have no problem in signing him long-term.

By: Sean O

Sean O — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:46:03 +0000

I'm arguing that they are gold-glove calibre. By the fielding bible, Holliday is right in the middle, i.e. a fine but unimpressive fielder. Gonzalez (who I don't want to trade the farm for) and Pujols are at the top of the pile at their positions. I should have phrased it better.

The Yankees spending $20m on an unproven player is tremendous for us. The more outrageous contracts they get stuck with, the better for all of baseball.

Look, we have no chance of competing this season. We have black holes at DH, SS and 3B, very little value (though it's cheap at least) in CF, with an RF who alternates between frustrating, brilliant and injured. We have Jon Lester and maybe Clay Buchholz as pitchers. We should start as many of the kids this year as we can and not destroy our future potential, and then rid ourselves of Lowell, Ortiz and Beckett.