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Game 88 Open Thread - Royals (39-48) at Rays (53-32)

Kansas City @ Tampa Bay


It was something like Rays Week at BP the last few days, and one of the more interesting pieces was Nate Silver's Flipping the Switch article (free):

Team balance? The Devil Rays had five players who had a legitimate argument for making the All-Star team last year: Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena, Scott Kazmir, and James Shields. But they also had 28 distinct players who produced a negative VORP, collectively costing the Rays 157.9 runs below replacement level. Merely replacing those guys with passable alternatives—never mind league-average players—would have made a huge difference.

Put differently, the Rays had an awful lot of room to make additions by subtraction. The difficult part about baseball is supposed to be locking up blue-chip assets like Upton and Kazmir at below-market rates. The Rays had done plenty of that, but they hadn’t really bothered to sweat the small stuff—to dump some of their dead weight, to make sure they had guys who were up to the job defensively, or to tend to their bullpen.

Sound familiar? How's this for dead weight? First, the position players: John Buck (-1.7 VORP), Joey Gathright (-5.4 VORP), Ross Gload (-6.0 VORP), Esteban German (-8.7 VORP) and, por supuesto, Tony Pena Jr. (-18.0 VORP). Combined, those players have eaten up 952 plate appearances, or 29.1 % of the team's at bats.

As for the subpar pitchers, at least purely according to VORP: Brian Bannister (-1.2 VORP), Yasuhiko Yabuta (-1.4 VORP), Joel Peralta (-2.5 VORP), Jeff Fulchino (-3.3 VORP), John Bale (-3.8 VORP), Jimmy Gobble (-5.5 VORP), Hideo Nomo (-6.5 VORP) and, Brett Tomko (-12.3 VORP). Now, some of these horrible innings can be dismissed, to a point, thanks to size (Nomo only blasted 4.3 innings) and leverage considerations. In a blowout you can send Nomo out there for an inning, but you can't give TPJ most of his at bats that way. Nope, TPJ was slowly eroding innings an at regular distribution. Still, its telling how quickly a bullpen that we all thought was going to be an asset has not quite turned out that way.

Until this winter, that is, because that's when the Rays decided to transform themselves from a sort of hedge fund for undervalued assets into a real, functional baseball club.

Maybe the Royals will get to that point someday.

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Woohoo Lead off

Billy at worst will be Sean Casey jr.

by kcscoliny on Jul 5, 2008 5:04 PM EDT   0 recs

1st

lets get a W today!!!

by gordonrules on Jul 5, 2008 5:06 PM EDT   0 recs

fourth

hate those rays

"So whattya say, should we clean this place up?" - Tom Cruise

by DyeFan187 on Jul 5, 2008 5:49 PM EDT   0 recs

today is our day to rule the AL EAST!

let the dead weight carry us to greatness!

by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 6:03 PM EDT   0 recs

my dad's new goal for the year for those who care:

Singlehandedly fucking up the playoffs for the Yankees. So far we seem to be doing a good job of this, dropping a series to Boston, plus a few more games against Tampa. Oh yeah, and how we’re going to OWN the Yankees in our next series against them.

4th place 08 baby! Baby steps (Thanks, Jose Guillen!) is the name of the game.

by loyal2theroyals on Jul 5, 2008 6:05 PM EDT   0 recs

so far so good

although i don’t want to be swept by the Rays

"So whattya say, should we clean this place up?" - Tom Cruise

by DyeFan187 on Jul 5, 2008 6:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

I’ll take 2-2. That’s my hopes.

4th place 08 baby! Baby steps (Thanks, Jose Guillen!) is the name of the game.

by loyal2theroyals on Jul 5, 2008 6:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i kinda wanna see a fight

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 6:18 PM EDT   0 recs

if we weren't such pansies, i'm sure the rays are up for it....

or do they only fight good teams to prove a point?

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i bet kietzman thought it was the worst catch ever

4th place 08 baby! Baby steps (Thanks, Jose Guillen!) is the name of the game.

by loyal2theroyals on Jul 5, 2008 6:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

keitzman is a douche...

where .500 might; but, probably won't, happen.

by blue bandwagon on Jul 5, 2008 6:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

im really interested to see if theres any comment about it by kietz....

if not, he’s just doing a bad job.

if you’re going to overreact in the manner that he does about minor stuff, you gotta at least mention the good.

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 6:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

damnit....

mike barnett just said we have to be more aggressive tonight

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:35 PM EDT   0 recs

id feel fine about it...

if he meant swing more aggressively on good pitches, however, i highly doubt hes thinking that

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 6:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, Like Actually

Trying to get on base and stay there until you can score.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 6:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

B E AGG R ESS IVE

Sarcasmâ„¢. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on Jul 5, 2008 6:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Be! Be! AGGRESSIVE!

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

ahh...

ryan thinks the rays are good b/c they signed good clubhouse guys

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 6:38 PM EDT   0 recs

The Little Things

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 6:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yanks/sox is a good finish on fox right now, should be over before our game starts

fucking cardinals won in the 9th too

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Beat Me To

It; 7 HBP’s today, including 3 an Manny. Rivera just got a ridiculous strike 2 on Lugo.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 6:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

5 inches outside

then he tried it again and got called a ball….same pitch

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 6:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The Ball Was

Better.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 6:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd complain more

if it weren’t for the fact that the Sox somehow didn’t score a single run with bases loaded and no one out.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LeFebvre just said DEVIL Rays

pagan

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:01 PM EDT   0 recs

Teahie's On The

Bench, probably for being a baby; Hoagy takes his place in RF.

D. DeJesus lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .321
M. Grudzielanek 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
A. Gordon 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
J. Guillen rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .277
B. Butler dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .271
R. Gload 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
M. Olivo c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
M. Aviles ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283
J. Gathright cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:08 PM EDT   0 recs

If Teahen was at 1B

That lineup wouldn’t suck

Sarcasmâ„¢. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on Jul 5, 2008 7:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Seriously, I don't get Gload over Teabag in this situation

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

not unless it's the 8th/9th innings

and we’ve got a lead

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

But Gator is still hard to watch hit.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Rays only drew 16,000 on the 4th?

wow

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

to watch the best team in baseball maybe?

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

they should NOT show up on 4th of july...

b/c playing baseball indoors is unamerican.

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

What's with the outline logo on the caps?

Man, that’s ugly.

Sarcasmâ„¢. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

it's an american flag thing

and yeah it is ugly

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Communist!

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

not the flag

the hat design

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Why Do You

Hate America???

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

5 pitches

2 outs….aggressive enough Barnett….Christ this incompetence is killing me

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT   0 recs

I see we've picked up

right where we left off yesterday. What the hell is the point of swinging early in the count if you can’t hit the f@cking ball?!?

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:12 PM EDT   0 recs

ah, we're gonna see another complete game by an opponent

Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Jul 5, 2008 7:14 PM EDT   0 recs

God the "voodoo" commercial is stupid

granted not as stupid as the “tradition” commercial, but they need to fire their ad agency

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Back from lifeguarding,

no one died. People did complain about an excess chlorine smell…in a chorline pool…with the chemicals levels lower than usual…

I want to see blood tonight.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Oops

Chlorine. Sorry.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Chorline Might Have

Killed everyone.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No kidding

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Try It Next

Time.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

This girl I lifeguard with

said that chlorine might make the lane lines explode.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Any Baby Ruths?

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 5, 2008 7:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah,

but I just had a Fresca and chilled out instead of overreacting.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

They do indeed

though I will referencing Caddy Shack.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

My Oldest Brother

Drank Fresca and vodka when he was on the Atkins diet.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

terrible

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Was that his only source

of nutrition?

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Why not

just coke or pepsi?

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

adkins diet....

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Google Thinks It's

Atkins; I think it’s bullshit.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Fewer Carbs In

Vodka, apparently.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 5, 2008 7:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It seems odd to worry

about health while drinking Vodka, that’s all. :P

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 5, 2008 7:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i dont think that most on the atkins diet....

are worried about health…more worried about their weight

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 5, 2008 7:27 PM EDT