Brantley to Columbus; Branyan Expected
No surprise here, but who plays left?
about 2 years ago
odradek
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but who plays left?
Matola bounces between left and 1st, with Kearns seeing more PT
by Brick. on Apr 19, 2010 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
so does adam, but haven’t they insisted he’s going to play every day, somewhere? i supposed branyan could be the one moving around, but he really is recovering from back issues and they also insisted he would start at first. hoynes may be right, but it means it’s going to have to contradict one of the things the team has been saying explicitly about branyan and laporta.
Maybe LaPorta is hurting more than we realize. That would explain why he has been so unimpressive at the plate so far.
I’m pretty sure Acta explicitly said LaPorta would be getting a day off pretty regularly during the early part of the season because he is coming off the surgery. I’d be somewhat surprised if they don’t find a way to bring up another OFer.
He’s our future 3b after Peralta finally finds his butt on the bench.
Blake: Thanks to you, I am damaged beyond repair!!
Haven’t you heard?
Peralta is obviously good enough to start for the Indians. He is too good not to start for us. He’s a core part of our team.
Also, he is not good enough to return anything in a trade. No one else would be interested.
These things are simultaneously true, and it’s been this way for a while now. Only one man change this, and he currently bats second for the Aeros.
Come on, we’re just waiting for Jhonny to start tearing it up at the plate so that we can trade him. I mean, it’s not like we’ve been waiting for years for that! Oh, wait…
Looking at the AAA numbers and ages of Marte, LaPorta, and Jordan Brown, am I the only one who really wishes Brown never got hurt and that we’d have lineups that included Marte and Brown right now?
Granted, LaPorta hasn’t been a pro for very long. But seeing him at the plate so far this year makes me wonder if he’s either A.) still hurting or B.) needing some more seasoning in AAA.
am I the only one who really wishes Brown never got hurt and that we’d have lineups that included Marte and Brown right now?
both? yeah, you’re probably the only one.
Let me clarify. I don’t necessarily mean every day. I mean that I think that Kearns wouldn’t have made the team if Brown was healthy. (And that it would make things easier if LaPorta continues to struggle and needs to go on the DL or to AAA.) Right now, our outfield options aren’t looking too great if LaPorta can’t play left every day, and it would at least be nice to say that Brown had a chance to play at the ML level a bit before we lose him.
Seriously? You think Brown makes this team over Kearns?
"...maybe this year, there's no gorilla" - YoDaddyWags
by woodsmeister on Apr 19, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Realistically, the left/right issue may have prevented it. But I don’t think that the CF issue would have mattered, since Kearns has only played a handful of games in CF and Choo is really our backup CF, anyhow.
My point is that aside from a lousy 2008, Brown has had good numbers at every level (OPS over 900 at AA and AAA). I’d just like to see what he can do at the ML level. Worst case scenario, he flops and gets sent down. If not, he contributes and we keep him or at least raise his trade value. Given the team’s chances this year, why not?
The fear, I think, is the same with Marte. Never give a guy a chance and then cut him loose and see him have major success with someone else.
You apparently missed the Jordan Brown wars of the offseason.
He does not have good numbers. He is a player who’s been consistently old for his level and has neither patience nor power.
He couldn’t be OK as a stop-gap while Brantley has a good year in AAA? I know Brown doesn’t project as a star or a long-term solution as a starter, and I don’t equate Brown with Marte. He’s not an important part. But it’s not like he’s Crowe or Giminez.
He had a batting average-driven .913 OPS last year. Before his down year in ’08, he had a .906 OPS in Akron in ’07. It just seems like in a pinch, he would do (offensively). Crowe or Giminez, not so much.
I dunno how great his defense is…from what I gathered not that great. still, he isn’t a bad option if we need him. he just won’t be that good. I do agree he could be an OK stopgap (by okay, nothing to get really pissed at but nothing special)
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Never give a guy a chance and then cut him loose and see him have major success with someone else.
What kind of guideline is this? Seems like it’s out of a handbook for bad management.
You need to do the best evaluation you can of each player and then make the best call you can for your team. You can’t worry about what happens to players you don’t have, and you can’t operate from fear.
Marte and Brown are totally different talents. Marte has significant defensive value and was once an elite prospect. Brown has never even been considered a good prospect — let alone very good, great or elite — and is a defensive zero at best.
Brown is not a significant factor on the Indians roster. He’s filler at an unimportant position.
Well, I guess I’m glad I missed the “Brown Wars.”
I don’t agree with the argument that it’s not important to make sure you don’t give away potentially effective players. Wasn’t that part of the issue with Phillips?
My point is simply that in a year where it’s unlikely the team will win, I’d rather see Brown as a backup OFer than a non-roster invitee on the downside of his career. (That said, I’ve always liked Kearns.)
In any case, I see that my view is unpopular. I understand why even if I disagree.
by J83 on Apr 19, 2010 3:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The issue with Phillips was developing, coaching and evaluating him properly. Once they decided he wasn’t worth anything, they had to move him. The mistake wasn’t the trade, but the evaluation.
Brown doesn’t make much of a 4th OF, as a mediocre hitter and bad defender. He’s sort of a poor man’s Ben Francisco, and if that sounds bad, it’s because it is.
I think the real disconnect here is that you think of this from Brown’s point of view rather than the team’s. Yes, it would be nice for Brown for the team to have some reason — any reason — to call him up. But they may never have such a reason, and if they do, it will be short-term and stop-gap in nature, not long-term nor strategic.
Kearns has at least as much upside as Brown, realistically much more. He’s only 3 years older, was once a productive major leaguer and was certainly a top prospect. Kearns is charitably a reclamation project (someone who could turn into Marty Cordova for a year), less charitably a guy who’s providing major leaguer filler.
Brown is as injury prone as Kearns and nowhere near as skilled defensively or offensively. So, he’s charitably a long-shot to ever contribute at the ML level, less charitably providing minor league filler.
Of course you’re not the only one who wishes Brown never got hurt. No one wants anyone to get hurt. I don’t want Brown in the lineup, however.
Come on, doesn’t someone who has to have this come up every time someone Googles his name deserve a cup of coffee with in the bigs?
Then at least he could say, “No, I’m the guy who played four games in left field for the 2010 Cleveland Indians. Not the kid who killed his parents.”
That’s a strange way to make roster decisions, and the opening day lineup is not generally the baseball equivalent of Starbucks. Come back in September if you want to make the team the way Niuman Romero did.
There’s a fair amount of vitriol emerging. Let’s just say we have a different opinion of Jordan Brown than some other people do. Like, the opinion that he’s not that good.
I agree, he deserves to be called up at some point in the next three years. He’s probably a little too good to be a career minor leaguer, but it’s not by much.
I definitely agree. He is good enough to eventually make it but nothing that special.
by the way, what is his status of brown. I didn’t keep up with him in the offseason and I noticed he hasn’t played yet in 2010 (at least no stats yet i can find).
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
His status is who-knows-who-cares.
There is an entire website devoted to the status of players as important as Jordan Brown, but it ain’t this one.
So maybe Gator jumps between left and 1st.
Or maybe Kearns will be the everyday leftfielder, with LaPorta, Branyan, and Hafner in a 3/2 rotation.
And, oh yeah, will Branyan ever be playing 3rd? In a non-emergency moment? I must admit: I’d love to see a lineup with Branyan, LaPorta, Kearns, and Hafner.
by dgcambridge on Apr 19, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt Branyan plays third, or starts at third, at all. He’s played 35 games there in the past two seasons, none last year. Not a good thing for a guy with a bum back.
He’s quite the hope-inspiring individual.
by Logodaedalus on Apr 19, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve been busy lurking, not posting. But, all the Jordan Brown talk woke me up.
I’m wondering who’s back-up in CF? Choo? But, then who plays right? I fear Trevor Crowe is looming. Ugh.
'If I'm not here, 'I'll be somewhere else.'' Andy Marte
I fear you’re right, and Crowe is coming sooner than later. (Maybe he takes R. Perez spot until Laporta is healthy enough for RF)
This isn’t a temporary arrangement, we’re likely looking at a month or two until either Brantley rights the ship or Laporta can play every day in LF.
"Mixed emotions. Rather see him hit PEDroia [with that pitch]. I don’t care if he is in the dugout"
by Gradysmanldy on Apr 19, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Gotta say, I like what I see out of Constanza. The guy is an athlete. I will reserve judgement until I have seen more, but he is high energy. I had some numb-head sitting behind me making fun of his name and calling him a loser. Then Constanza bounced one off of the left field wall and the dolt shut up.
Isn’t anyone playing a sport professionally by definition an athlete?
by VA tribe fan on Apr 20, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I fear this too. I don’t know if they want Kearns playing every day at this point. I was under the impression that kearns was kind of a depth guy who was more of a 4th OF and was not meant to be an every day player.
granted, i would still rather have him than Crowe at this point, but it will be likely that crowe is called up. It seems like laporta will not be playing OF soon and you need 4 guys that can play there. we are sending down an OF and bringing up a guy who is strictly a corner infielder.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
I think Kearns is sort of a combination of whatever he turns out to be and whatever we need him to be.
thats an interesting way to put it…
He might be able to be an everyday player if we do need him to be. he won’t be great but he will do what is needed…I still think we should get a 4th outfielder up here…it just feels necessary..and it feels like we have too many corner infielders now with Peralta, Marte, Branyan, and Laporta…at least when we compare our corner infielders with only having 3 Outfielders.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
On a short term basis, they can use Choo in CF and LaPorta in RF. LaPorta arguably is better suited to RF than LF, since fewer balls are hit to RF and he actually has a good arm.
Branyan being on this team makes absolutely no sense to me..
He had one good season and it was good enough to trick a GM to sign him..
Branyan being on this team makes all the sense in the world. Think about it:
- LaPorta, erstwhile 1B/OF, is still recovering from surgery
- Bradley, erstwhile OF, would do well to spend some more time in AAA both from a player development and service time perspective
- Marte can play 1B, but he can also play 3B, which will come in handy until Peralta gets over whatever it is that’s afflicting him (probably a case of suckitis)
- Hafner, erstwhile DH, can play more regularly than he did last year but still needs time off from time to time
- Branyan is cheap, on essentially a one-year deal, and isn’t blocking anybody from anything
- Most importantly, the 2010 Indians are not the 2011 Indians.
Bradley, erstwhile OF, would do well to spend some more time inAAASeattle both from a Showing Those LL Guysplayer developmentandservice timeThat’s Where His Contract Is perspective
by Logodaedalus on Apr 19, 2010 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
At the end of the day, no one will hold typos against you. That being said, it’s good to proofread.
by Logodaedalus on Apr 19, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
OT: I have an enormously difficult time proofreading on a screen. My eyes just get impatient. Now that I bought a cheap laser printer, I’ve been printing everything out to edit and it helps a ton. Good old pen and paper.
i don’t think you need to waste all that paper on our account. plus in gamethreads, the action will have moved on by the time you finally hit post.
I print everything on green paper, just in case.
by odradek on Apr 20, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I actually write my gamethread comments out on a typewriter so I can edit in realtime. Then I just tear out the sheet and type the comment out in my Computing room (used for word processing, internet, oregon trail, checking catalogues, etc) down the hall.
I have constructed a life-size OPS+ abacus in my backyard.
I don’t know why it’s life-size. Come to think of it, I should have made it smaller.
Blake: Thanks to you, I am damaged beyond repair!!
by emd2k3 on Apr 20, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dad? Is that you?
I hate Lou Marson.
by westbrook on Apr 19, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Probably an apt use of the word “strike.”
Seriously, you’re probably right. Choo, Cabrera and Grady (although the last two have been spotty), then Branyan. Hafner hasn’t hit any better so far than Branyan is likely to if he’s reasonably healthy.
'If I'm not here, 'I'll be somewhere else.'' Andy Marte
That’s simply untrue. Last season he OPSd .867 with 31 home runs in 505 plate appearances. Over the last 5 seasons, his OPS has been .848 and he’s hit 32 home runs per 518 plate appearances. His numbers last year looking so good compared to the rest of his career is nothing but a function of playing time and lack of injuries. I wouldn’t bet you that he’ll be healthy all season this year, but take into account everything FredOx said, and if he’s used properly I think the move makes a good deal of sense. If you would like to argue that he shouldn’t be on this team because his health is suspect or because he’ll potentially be blocking younger players (fair warning: if getting him on the roster means losing Andy Marte, I will go ballistic) in a rebuilding year, you could probably make a reasonable case. But he did not just have “one good season”, he had one healthy season with regular playing time in which he hit exactly like he always has. When healthy, he’s been a much, much better and more consistent hitter than most people seem to realize for quite a long time.
by VA tribe fan on Apr 19, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
And just so everyone is clear…he has not recorded an out in the air all year, not just tonight. All outs have come via strikeout or ground out.
Early results certainly indicate he needs to be moved up…however, there really isn’t any room at Kinston and it’s his first exposure to pro ball. Giving him awhile in low-A isn’t going to kill him.
We would feel terrible if it actually, for some reason, killed him.
Blake: Thanks to you, I am damaged beyond repair!!
by emd2k3 on Apr 20, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
He’s only had 2 professional starts, plus as mentioned, there’s no room at Kinston (Hagadone, De La Cruz, White, can’t remember the fourth one off the top of my head, and Perez is injured, but will hopefully be back soon).
Either Gardner will have to remain at Low-A for a month or two, or could perhaps be skipped to AA, but that is probably not likely (outside of maybe a needed spot start if Akron needs an extra starter and it’s Gardner’s turn in the rotation that night – that could be a possibility, but probably not a long-term stay at Akron right now).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
We must ask Jobu to come. Take fear from bats.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on Apr 19, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
LaPorta definitely isn’t 100% yet, you can tell by the way he’s been running.
Also! The fact he played zero innings in the outfield this spring also probably tells us something about his health. Now that we’re another couple of weeks away from the surgeries, they must feel comfortable that he can at least handle it part-time.
The whole Brantley thing is still kind of confusing to me. I was on the record that I didn’t think he would make the big league club out of ST, as that is not what this organization typically does. They like to protect their prospects. I guess I don’t really see the point of him being up for two weeks and having 35 unproductive plate appearances. Crowe/Kearns could have done that. Now, you at least have to wonder about his confidence. My guess is that the Tribe isn’t that concerned about his confidence due to his maturity level, or they weren’t certain of LaPorta’s health and thought that Brantley might stay up when Branyan came back. Or, perhaps they were uncertain if Branyan would come back.
Protecting prospects by having them start in the minors or by platooning them is pretty common with this organization. I think Wedge really believed in that, but I think it’s somewhat an organizational philosophy as well. For instance, when Carroll was playing against lefties instead of Valbuena last year, I think they were trying to avoid hurting Valbuena’s confidence. If he had done better against righties, he would’ve garnered more opportunity against lefties. And I think that some commenters on this blog don’t take that philosophy into account. I’m not saying I agree with that philosophy, but I think it exists and is definitely prevalent with this club (LaPorta early from last year is another example).
I was on the record that I didn’t think he would make the big league club out of ST, as that is not what this organization typically does. They like to protect their prospects. I guess I don’t really see the point of him being up for two weeks and having 35 unproductive plate appearances. Crowe/Kearns could have done that.
I get the sense Acta wanted him and the front office let him make the call, but gave the attempt a shortened leash knowing Branyan would be on his way back.
The issue of LaPorta’s health I’m in full agreement on, but I’ll be interested to see how they manage his time in the OF.
Also! The fact he played zero innings in the outfield this spring also probably tells us something about his health.
I don’t really disagree, but the Indians did say that he needed all the reps at 1B he could get. He has significantly more pro experience in the outfield.
I rather suspect he’ll get a few days rest now while Branyan settles in. He may only play two games of the next six, something like that, for no other reason except to let him get some rest.
not to mention branyan will need his rest at the outset opening up ‘rest’ days at 1st. just looked at this week for whatever it’s worth, 3 lefties. liriano, BRET ANDERSON!, gio.
Anderson is amazing. He is on a clear trajectory to be better than Koufax. In my mind, in fact, he’s already better than Koufax.
If Hoynes and Bayless are on your radar then you need to adjust your radar.
by Buckeye Brad on Apr 19, 2010 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I heard from a cousin that they’re building a whole Bret Anderson wing at Cooperstown. Guys digging up the dirt right now.
No, they tried to, but anytime anyone touched a shovel at the dig site, they dropped dead. Mere mortals simply aren’t worthy.
by VA tribe fan on Apr 20, 2010 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t really disagree, but the Indians did say that he needed all the reps at 1B he could get. He has significantly more pro experience in the outfield.
Acta confirms the injuries were the issue regarding LaPorta in the outfield:
“Ready or not, he’ll be there in a couple of days,” said Acta. “That’s his natural position. If he would have been 100 percent coming into camp, he would have got work at both places, but that wasn’t the case.”
Lord Kelvin: Absolute zero through six.
by ken from alexandria on Apr 19, 2010 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
And I believe you own the rights to it, Adam.
by ken from alexandria on Apr 19, 2010 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh. I thought he was a doctor.
by kennesawmountainwahoo on Apr 19, 2010 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
At a lecture given by a thoracic surgeon when I was taking gross anatomy, the distinction was made between “poor hungry doctors” and “money doctors”
Adam Strange DC character, Dr. Strange Marvel character.
by The Grimace on Apr 19, 2010 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I like to tell people “I’m studying to be a doctor, but not the kind that makes money, or helps people”.
by Logodaedalus on Apr 20, 2010 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Oh, so you’re going for a Ph D, then?
Blake: Thanks to you, I am damaged beyond repair!!
by emd2k3 on Apr 20, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Chiropractors are not doctors … they are evangelists who like giving backrubs.
Blake: Thanks to you, I am damaged beyond repair!!
by emd2k3 on Apr 20, 2010 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Surprisingly, they tend to be well-paid too. That’s my real gripe with them. I’m not going to argue that backrubs don’t feel good, but if I’m going to pay $70 for one, it had better be from a gorgeous Swedish woman.
by VA tribe fan on Apr 20, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I like it, it’s only obvious to people who are at least vaguely familiar with science.
by VA tribe fan on Apr 20, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Scott Barnes. 5 runs, all earned, through 4 innings.
by ken from alexandria on Apr 19, 2010 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Barnes had a not-so-good Akron intro last year, then pitched really well in the playoffs, and now he’s struggling to start. Keeping the faith…
He needs to get up to Kinston at some point, but he’s at least added himself to the radar. SSS, but .442/.510/.674 (before tonight) is a fine start.
Not quite analogous, since Goedert was a college grad. Greenwell was more of a football player in HS, and has spent his pro career to date pretty much learning how to play baseball.
Yeah, I remember Goedert’s LC splash too. And then he got hurt when he went to Kinston.
I picked Bo as a sleeper just because of his learning curve and the excellent splits and bat control he displayed even in his first stint with a full season club last year. I really didn’t think he’d display the power he has so far in ‘10 – that’s the most pleasant surprise.
Mentioned this in a fanshot – Bo’s leading pro baseball in rbi’s. Not bad.
This and he will lead the 2016 Tribe through the ALCS by hitting seven home runs in a series against the Red Sox single handedly leading to the collapse of ESPN and the Boston Globe as neither could understand how the son of Mike Greenwell did not automatically get placed in the Red Sox system.
by hans on Apr 19, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
.497 is nice, but it certainly isn’t amazing. Even then, they were talking about how he had a chance to be a true power hitter. Seems like this is the year.
LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.
Once again, I have to say that his drop in regard last year (for example, out of Goldstein’s top 11; below Jess Todd!!) was overdone. All of those factors that make people discount Jordan Brown’s 2009 were exactly reversed in Weglarz 2009.
I get that no one is ever a sure thing to bounce back or grow as a player, but if ever there was a good candidate to do so, it was this guy.
I try not to talk loudly about it but I have this gut feeling that he’ll be the system’s best prospect by the end of the year (with Santana graduating).
I’m hoping for Kipnis to give him a run for his money with a dominant first half at Kinston and a big second in Akron. But then I realized Kipnis is 8 months older than Weglarz. So yea, bring the stick, Weglarz.
Kipnis has started slowly. I allow myself to ride the roller coaster on prospects in a way I won’t with major leaguers, for whatever reason.
The real challenger has to be Chiz, right?
Cord Phelps might have an outside shot if he keeps this up.
LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.
The guy hit no homeruns in college until he hit 13 his senior year. As a pro, power has been tough for him. Looks like his power came from the metal bats. He won’t need much power at 2B if he’s going to draw walks and play high-caliber defense, but I don’t think his upside is that of a Kipnis, Chisenhall, or Wegz.
Is Kipnis more of a power hitter?
I like that Phelps is 23 and at AA already. While that’s not young for the level, it’s not old either. He is at that age where he could be moved quickly if he keeps succeeding.
LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.
Unless Phelps hits for power or maintains a ridiculous average, I don’t know why I should think of him as anything different than Josh Rodriguez.
Not sure how fair this is. Rodriguez has never hit above High A, but then again neither has Phelps. Still, this is all dependent on Phelps continuing his current success (obviously not to the same degree). It’s really all SSS at this point. Just thought I’d point out a dark horse candidate for kicks.
LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.
He has a much cooler name, for one thing.
by VA tribe fan on Apr 20, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
And yes, Kipnis has more pop. BP projects him in a perfect word to be a .360OPB and 10-15HR second baseman, which would be Luis Valbuena in a perfect world.
Kipnis hit the crap out of the ball this spring and has some XBH already. He’s BP’s 8th best Tribe prospect, and that’s as an OF/2B. As a pure 2B, if this transition works, his stock has to go up. I’m not sure Phelps projects much more?
Phelps went to Stanford, so we ought to take into account that he’ll become somehow irritating to Indians’ fans (Garko, Guthrie).
by afh4 on Apr 19, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’ll be close if Weglarz keeps this up. The guy is only 10 months older and if he continues outhitting Chisenhall to this degree, it will overshadow the positional value edge Chisenhall has.
LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.
… and he’ll make the Hall of Fame … and he’ll be a better pitcher than C.C.
Got it.
“If he keeps this up” is beat.
Welgarzes
And for the first time I realize Weglarz is a Dr. Seuss character
by APV on Apr 20, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The bad spelling meme needs to die. I’m way too OCD to keep reading stuff like this.
by VA tribe fan on Apr 20, 2010 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll save Jay the trouble and delete my profanity preemptively.
by VA tribe fan on Apr 20, 2010 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think he’ll pass Chisenhall, but I was impressed with what I saw this spring. He didn’t appear to have a huge hole in his swing, and he was very committed to going the other way (perhaps overly so, but that’s ok).
The leading indicator for me in watching him is actually batting average. Before you start yelling, the reason is that I’m confident the power and the strike-zone recognition are already there.
The thing I like about Wegz is that he’ll use the opposite field in a way that Marte or Grady will not. Of course, in his first full season, Jhonny was as good an opposite field power hitter as we’d seen since Thome and Manny. If Wegz can hit for power opposite field but still turn on the inside pitch (something Jhonny can’t do), I’m happy.
+1 – I agree with this – driving the ball the other way consistently is a good thing for me, something I wish Marte and Grady both did more (Marte virtually never does; Grady used to, but has become mostly a pull hitter, which seems more like a detriment to me, as he seems to get too pull-happy and will get himself out on pitches away more often than he should).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Went to the game tonight. Wegz was hitting the ball hard. Cord Phelps has been looking really good recently, but I don’t know enough about him to say it’ll last. All three of Barnes, Aguilar, and Grening were going back and forth between wild and getting hit hard.
Also, I ran down a Weglarz! foul ball. Highlight of my year so far.
Is this the whale section?
by sarcasmdave on Apr 19, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
If Weglarz can make sarcasmdave be genuine, he must be special.
by afh4 on Apr 19, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Yesterday, I had a ham sandwich. If I keep this up for 10 years, I’ll have eaten over 900 pounds of meat, 7300 slices of bread, and 28 gallons of mustard.
If you put your mind to it, you could take care of the mustard part this week.
by YoDaddyWags on Apr 20, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
On both of my fantasy teams, I drafted Shoppach to back up Napoli. I’ve been in trouble so far.
I hate Lou Marson.
Drink away, but this is my quick (and only) fantasy story.
I don’t have Indians on my team. Think it’s bad luck, and I’d rather take the hit to my fantasy team than watch a guy suck for the Tribe and my team.
Couldn’t be online for the draft, got stuck with Choo. Traded him during the first week of the season for Ian Stewart.
You’re all welcome.
My fantasy strategy is the opposite. My teams are Jackass-free Zones. I’d rather lose than have to root for a Jackass to perform well.
"...maybe this year, there's no gorilla" - YoDaddyWags
by woodsmeister on Apr 20, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Me too. I drafted A-Rod probably 4 years ago. Felt dirty all year. Never again.
by kennesawmountainwahoo on Apr 20, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
“stuck with Choo”
This, sir, is an impossibility.
Blake: Thanks to you, I am damaged beyond repair!!
I’d be happy to be stuck with Choo. Yes, it’s true.
"...maybe this year, there's no gorilla" - YoDaddyWags
by woodsmeister on Apr 20, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
and he’d be happy to be stuck wit’ Choo, too.
Since he is. And seems happy.
by Logodaedalus on Apr 20, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have only done that if I needed someone at the position. I would rather have choo than Stewart.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
But if you have a policy against Indians on your team, it’s a moot decision.
by Logodaedalus on Apr 20, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
So where does Branyan fit in the lineup? Like Brantley, he’s lefty, but he won’t be hitting 9th. It’s going to destroy RHP, but I’m afraid for late-game lefties. Against LHP, I’d like to see Kearns sneak in somewhere.
One of Kearns, Marte, or LaPorta (depending which of them is on the bench) can be brought in to pinch hit for Branyan when a lefty is brought in to face the Sizemore-Choo-Hafner-Branyan line-up.
by The Grimace on Apr 19, 2010 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the new “normal” lineup is:
Cabrera
Sizemore
Choo
Hafner
Peralta
Branyan
LaPorta
Valbuena
Marson
Really not a fan of Peralta hitting 5th behind Hafner. Too easy to pitch around Pronk and go after Jhonny in his current flailing at everything and not driving the ball mode.
He’s not really flailing at everything. At least not more than usual. The guy has always been Pedro Cerrano, even when he has been hitting well. In fact, Peralta is displaying the best plate discipline of his career in the early going. Once that BA goes up a bit, he will be on base a decent amount of time for Branyan, LaPorta, and Valbuena to drive him home.
LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.
I think that in this case, “flailing” refers to the type of swings he’s taking, not chasing out of the zone. He really appears to be pulling off the ball, and he’s just taking some awful swings.
Just keep telling myself the following: career .680 OPS in April, career .680 OPS in April, career .680 OPS in April,,,
Peralta looks like he is pulling too often, and when he does make contact, he’s not making solid contact – it just seems like the ball is dying off of his bat, not screaming off of it.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
In fact, I read somewhere (I think on TCF) about Marson needing to carry more than just a cardboard box to the plate to hit with, well, you could say pretty much the same thing about Peralta (BA isn’t much better), and Peralta has about 6-7 years of ML experience, whereas Marson doesn’t even have 6-7 weeks of ML experience.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Peralta=Pedro Cerrano
Chris Perez=Wild Thing
Aaron Laffey=Eddie Harris
Mike Redmond=Jake Taylor
We just need a Roger Dorn and Kenny Lofton (Willie Mays Hays) and we may have a shot this year.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
We just need a Roger Dorn and Kenny Lofton (Willie Mays Hays) and we may have a shot this year.
Roger Dorn = Jhonny Peralta
Kenny Lofton = Michael Brantley (or Jose Constanza)
Yeah. I was thinking Brantley but I dunno if he is lofton yet and I dunno if he has the flash that lofton/mays hays had…I get the point.
I actually think peralta is more like dorn, in the fact that he doesn’t like to get dirty while fielding. I only really used Peralta=Serrano because someone used it in a post and I was commenting on it…I guess we just need a serrano…unless we have one…I just can’t think of who.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
I think Peralta likes to get dirty, but by the time he’s ready to dive, the ball is either already past him or already in his glove.
by Jay on Apr 20, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
probably true. So we never really see him get dirty.
At short (and some at third) it always looked like to me that he wasn’t giving the effort to get to the ball or get in front of it. maybe I am taking bad reactions for laziness, but thats just what I witnessed.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
I guess there’s really no choice but to go with that order — Laporta has been every bit as bad as Jhonny, and though he has a theoretically higher upside (probably), he has no track record (and admittedly no opportunity to create a track record) for major league success.
If Branyan can come close to his ‘09 numbers (which, looking into the past, seems to hinge very significantly upon his ability to stay healthy), he’ll be a great #6 hitter.
I may just be observing this because I’m a die-hard Jhonny fan, but it looks to me like he’s putting together good at-bats on a pretty regular basis. To me, this makes it even more vexing that he looks so feeble swinging the bat. I mean, he doesn’t look clueless in identifying which pitches to swing at and which to take, but he seems to be deploying the entirely wrong swing (i.e., hook it through the left side no matter what) when he get one to hack at.
Come on, four billion!
I know this is getting old, but I wouldn’t mind moving Branyan up to the 4-hole to avoid the LLLRRR pattern there.
by supermarioelia on Apr 20, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
If you flip it upside down, it spells “Hello”
by talonk on Apr 20, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, forgot Branyan was a lefty. Scratch that.
by supermarioelia on Apr 20, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Trust me if he hits , no way in hell he platoons with branyan…
Who really thinks austin kearns is going to stay healthy and productive? if Laporta is who scouts/fans think he can be , he will supplant Kearns sooner rather than later..
first of all, joke, hence the caps. it’s one game. he’s going to play most days, when healthy, somewhere.
second, kearns is actually no less likely to be healthy and productive than laporta is, just because he’s not sexy.
I don’t trust Acta. he’s the type to give veterans most of the playing time no matter how the franchise’s future player plays
Wedge didn’t just change his name… we actually have a new guy as manager.
by Logodaedalus on Apr 20, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
kearns is actually no less likely to be healthy and productive than laporta is, just because he’s not sexy.
Not sure if you’re up on Kearns or down on MLP (probably the ladder), but this seems incorrect.
Why? LaPorta who supposedly can’t play left tonight because he isn’t healthy and is basically an unproven rookie doesn’t seem any more likely to be productive and healthy than a guy who has had some success in the majors and is healthy as we speak.
by Brick. on Apr 20, 2010 6:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Is that true? LaPorta isn’t healthy enough to play left tonight? I don’t doubt it, just didn’t know, but you’ve certainly got the health point.
But I don’t buy the unproven rookie vs some success thing. A little hoynsey for my taste. It could be that Kearns will bounce back to his old levels and LaPorta for some reason can’t adjust to the pros, but I don’t think the odds are there. LaPorta should hit here.
And again, I really like having Kearns on this team.
I don’t know that that’s a fact either. But it’s what everyone keeps saying. And you’re reading a level deeper than I’m saying. Healthy and productive. That’s all. Not laporta’s 2010 WAR will be lower than kearns. Regardless, there is some adjusting that I’m not ready to dismiss, even if it’s ala hoynes. I’m not ready to anoint this guy our cleanup hitter yet.
by Brick. on Apr 20, 2010 6:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
LaPorta’s rep is a product of the scouterazzi. He hasn’t done it in the majors, and frankly, what he has done in the minors wasn’t overwhelming.
Sorry, but this conversation was about how to use him currently on this team. How he projects versus Kearns et al.
Except that just scoring runs isn’t the ultimate goal of the 2010 club. Seems like you’re suggesting they make the same mistakes with LaPorta they made with Marte.
I mean, taking playing time from LaPorta and giving it to Kearns, et al.? Are we really having this conversation?
someone might be — pretty sure dg wasn’t…
by Logodaedalus on Apr 21, 2010 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Can we get a re-do on this subthread? I’m all confused.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 22, 2010 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, I have no idea what’s going on either.
by Logodaedalus on Apr 23, 2010 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
How about as an eighth inning matchup guy when the opposing team brings in a lefty to face Grady et al. and Acta counters with Kearns and the opposing manager goes to a righty?
Then we gently remind our hitters that they are professional baseball players and could they please kindly do their jobs.
by fleerdon on Apr 20, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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