Game Thread: September 16, 2011
by Ryan on Sep 16, 2011 7:45 PM EDT
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PrintCleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins, Sep 16, 2011 8:10 PM EDT
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You guys dashed my hope of having the lone comment tonight.
by kennesawmountainwahoo on Sep 16, 2011 9:01 PM EDT reply actions
I cannot believe a team that made the past couple playoffs is now starting a lineup that lists 7 players such as Revere, Plouffe, Parmalee, Hughes, Dinkelman, Benson and Butera (seriously, look at his numbers.)
And today will be better than yesterday.
Grady’s dropped a good 4-5 balls this year in the 80 or so games he’s played. I remember when he used to be good.
And today will be better than yesterday.
And to think we’ve complained about Carrera’s defense in CF?! Many times this year, Grady has looked no better, and he’s a veteran (banged-up veteran, yes, but still, several balls he’s dropped should have been catchable, much like we’ve complained with Carrera, who is a rookie).
Right now, Brantley is probably the best CF we have, and might have, since I’m not confident in Grady’s ability to stay healthy long-term and not convinced he’ll return to the form or even close to the form he once showed.
I certainly DON’T think he’s worth the $8 million option next year – that money saved can be put to better use in my opinion. Brantley and Carrera can handle the fort just as well defensively (and yes, that takes into account Carrera’s adventures in CF from time to time this year – he should get better with more experience; he certainly has the range, just takes some odd routes to some balls, but that should improve with ML experience, one would think), and offensively, Carrera was better than I thought he would be, enough so where I think he could be useful as an offensive player in terms of hitting ability and speed.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
I’m trying not to be a Grady apologist, but you have to get regular reps in the field to perform at the highest level. He isn’t getting them and we shouldn’t really expect his previous prowess from him until he is.
Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.
It’s just hard to see that happening. He was an literally as reliable as you could get for a few years there but with what he’s given us for the past three years it’s just hard to have faith in him. If you can somehow guarantee he’s going to play 145 games I’m all for keeping him. And I disagree on the regular reps thing. He should never drop some of the routine fly balls he’s missed this year. In the box he needs those reps, but there’s no excuse for his errors in 2011.
And today will be better than yesterday.
Didn’t have the video feed on so I watched the replay, and tonight’s ball should have been caught, no exceptions. But you can’t disagree with the regular reps thing, if you’ve ever played a sport you know that if you go long durations between participating, you are quite rusty. I mean, that is why they have a spring training, after all.
Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.
I just finished playing college basketball in February and I haven’t played at all since. If I tried to dribble again right now I would be horrific (I was a center).
But things like dribbling in basketball and swinging in baseball are the motions that need constant repetitions. Catching a fly ball isn’t one of those. So I’ll halfheartedly agree. He needs reps, but he’s like 28 years old, a big league veteran and been likely playing baseball since he was 4. Snagging a routine fly is like putting his hat on. I’d be highly embarrassed if I was Grady.
You know that catching a ball has to do with more than squeezing the glove, right? Unless of course you don’t have to move your feet.
Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.
Once again, I have admitted twice (I believe) there is NO excuse for the drop two nights ago.
Also, I didn’t say it was his knee being bad or sore, now did I? The point is that CF is one of the most challenging defensive positions on the field. Routes to balls, depth and dimensions of each park, working with new players at LF and RF, learning how aggressive he can be, where is current speed projects him to the ball – these are all things that come with reps. To expect someone to just jump right in after such a major surgery and again perform as an elite defender in CF is being overly optimistic. Has he made a few drops this year that he still should have made? Sure. I’ve conceded that point already, but you have grade his defense on a curve this year, one where he has spent more time than ever playing and rehabbing as a DH.
Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.
Chis has played well since he’s gotten time lately. Nice to see at least someone end the season well.
And today will be better than yesterday.
Chris Perez doing his best attempt to emulate Brodzoski the Close.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
So should we have Soloff take a look at Marson’s hand after that last strikeout in the 9th? Might be bruised.
Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.
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