Help me learn to love the new guys
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 7:03 PM EST
107 comments
This off-season the Royals brought in a bagful of players who do not excite me as a fan of win. I’ve looked over their numbers and have already decided that Mike Jacobs, Willie Bloomquist, Kyle Farnswoth and Coco Crisp just are not particularly good major league baseball players. The new guys bring phrases to mind like “could be worse,” or “he’ll have to do for now.” - nothing like, “now there is someone who will bring us a pennant.” Nevertheless, I am still a Royals fan, and so must find a way to learn to love these new additions.
So I am making an open appeal here. If you can share anything with me about these players that will help me warm to them please pass it along. I am not asking for statistical arguments here. I’ve seen their numbers. What I am looking for are stories that make me like them in other ways, simple fan ways. I understand Bloomy reeks of grit. Any cool grit stories to pass along about Wee Willie here? Coco comes out of the RBI program I hear. So is there an “overcome great obstacles to live the dream” story here? Is there any reason at all to like Farny or Jacobs? Maybe they love dogs? Or paint beautiful landscapes during the off season?
Help me learn to love the new guys because, whether I like it or not, they are part of the family now.
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Coco Crisp
I’m not going to re-do the numbers because we crunched them and debated them ad nauseum at the time of the trade. But even one of the people who disliked the trade the most at the time, devil_fingers, proved through his number crunching that over recent years, Crips has been an average CFer overall. Below average hitting for the position and above average fielding. How many Royals starters are even average for their position? DDJ, Gordon and Aviles. Crisp joins a small group.
I know you wanted feel good stories, but the only thing that makes me feel good is actual production on the field.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 7:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Crisp is fine,
not great, maybe not even good, but I recognise he is not a horrible player. He is not going to hurt the team. He probably will help it a marginally. But he is not worth what he is being paid and trading away four years of Ramirez for one of Crisp was just straight-forward madness.
But this is not the type of discussion I’m looking for at this point. Crisp is here, so I should find a way to start liking him. That is what I am trying to accomplish here.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You can't like him for being one of only four players who is at least average for his position on this team?
And Ramon Ramirez is not as good as his 2008 ERA (see BABIP and HR/FB luck, and see his 2009 projections). And middle relievers are pretty easily replaceable (even though Moore didn’t do a good job with that this offseason). And, by the way, Crisp is worth more than he’s being paid, unless you entirely dispute Wins Above Replacement and the dollar value thereof.
I am giving you reasons to like him, the only reasons I have: his performance on the field.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 8:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
plus
he has cool hair! right?
Feb 13!!
by kabrink on Feb 11, 2009 12:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You should like him
just because his name is Coco Crisp! If that’s not enough then nothing he can or will do on the field will be enough.
Mike Jacobs you're 2009 AL MVP
by eboston on Feb 11, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You are a robot.
Pecota, watch over us.
by castille on Feb 10, 2009 10:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And that's bad?
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 10:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no,
It’s just funny because he was all like
I want to like them, I know their numbers are shitty but I want to root for them
and you were all like
feelings are obsolete. There is no hope.
Pecota, watch over us.
by castille on Feb 10, 2009 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No
He was all like: I want to like them, I know their numbers are shitty, but I want to root for them.
And I was all like: Actually, Crisp’s numbers are pretty good.
And then I explained what I meant by that. He was looking for pretty frills to put on the sow’s ear. I was trying to show him that at least one of those player’s isn’t a sow’s ear at all. Isn’t point out that one of those players is actually pretty good showing that there is indeed hope? And not just “have fun with the gritty guy” hope, but real, meaningful hope.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 10:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure
He just wasn’t looking for real, meaningful hope
Pecota, watch over us.
by castille on Feb 11, 2009 8:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll try to come up with something less meaningful then
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 11, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, lazer lips!
Your momma was a snowblower!
by BrRoyal on Feb 11, 2009 8:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mike Jacobs hit 32 home runs so he will obviously make us better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.
by doublestix on Feb 10, 2009 7:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, homeruns are great.
But Jacobs is not great.
I’ll still smile when he hits his weekly homerun.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 8:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
me too
Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.
by doublestix on Feb 10, 2009 9:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Jacobs is my new favorite player
By virtue of being:
1. able to hit homers
2. not Ross Gload
by marbotty on Feb 11, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
’tis better to be at replacement level, than below it, I suppose.
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 11, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
'tis better to have been replacement level and then lost it
then never be replacement level at all?
Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!
by mazoboom on Feb 11, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
tremendous
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 11, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like this topic.
As much as I’m willing to criticize all these offseason moves, you raise a good point, Mr. Quinn – we’re stuck with ‘em now, officially, so let’s get to know ’em.
Kyle Farnsworth makes “the best peanut butter cookies ever,” according to his fiancee. (From the New York Daily News, via Deadspin)
WTF, self?
by minda33 on Feb 10, 2009 8:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And looking at that family portrait,
I would have to say that Kyle clearly has stronger DNA than his wife.
So, in the Farny plus column: Genetically dominant, good PB cookies.
We are making headway in the Farnsworth column.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
but, I thought he was married
does he also have a fiancee? that would be interesting in of itself
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Feb 10, 2009 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hm, perhaps he has since married
the woman I quoted? It’s from a fairly old story…
WTF, self?
by minda33 on Feb 10, 2009 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe he and Buck
are BOTH from Utah??
Feb 13!!
by kabrink on Feb 11, 2009 12:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Funny comment from Deadspin reader:
“I am not certain, however, I believe he hit on my brother’s sister-in-law at a bar in Chicago when he was a Cub.
I have a vague recollection of her saying he possessed the enticing aroma of Axe Body Spray, nutmeg and bat-shit crazy.”
More and more reasons to not dislike Farny.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i am just looking forward
to a batter charging the mound while we have a Farny – Olivo battery
Unlike GMDM I refuse to trade my EL CD avatar until Jacobs proves his worth.
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Feb 10, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Somebody's...
losing a limb in that melee.
"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae
by Sweep_the_Leg on Feb 10, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yes, if by "limb in that melee" you mean "lots of games because of that battery"
and by “somebody” you mean “the 2009 Kansas City Royals”
Yeah, I’ll come back with reasons to like them
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by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good translation
Actually, I would love to see the intimidation a Rudy Seanez-Olivo battery could provide.
Beyond the numbers, Seánez has shown the ability to overcome numerous injuries, combining weightlifting with some mixed martial arts during his off-season workout regimen.2 Seánez has also trained with professional Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters, but denies he will fight once he retires because of his family.
Something tells me that breaking a batter’s arm with a kimura might merit quite the suspension from MLB, though.
"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae
by Sweep_the_Leg on Feb 10, 2009 11:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and the fights
will be entertaining – most especially if he tags Pierzynski.
Feb 13!!
by kabrink on Feb 11, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know its not popular, but I like Mike Jacobs. He’s not great but his season last year was unlucky. The Hardball Times did a story about expected BABIP and found that Jacobs was BABIP was 40 points lower than it should be.
I found some other numbers that I think are interesting:
Name age pos team pa K% BB% ISP BABIP LD %
Ryan Braun 25 LF Milwaukee 662 19.5% 6.3% .268 .308 15%
Mike Jacobs 28 1B Florida 518 23.0% 6.9% .267 .264 20%
I’m not saying Jacobs is as good as Braun but I was surprised how similar their numbers are. Also, here are Jacobs ops by month
Apr 900
May 836
Jun 665
Jul 892
Aug 792
Sep 872
June is the outlier. Jacobs hurt himself (I think it was a hamstring) in the middle of May and played sparingly the last half of the month—I wonder if his “off” June was in any way related to his hamstring problem. I think his 2008 begins to look like it a pretty good season.
Am I cherry picking? I ’m trying to look at this objectively and I see a lot to like for Jacobs but I would love to hear counterpoints.
by nwroyal on Feb 10, 2009 8:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Counterpoints? We're supposed to be liking these guys
but whether we like them or not, it doesn’ t change whether or not they’re good. I like Mark Teahen a lot, but that isn’t going to turn him into 2004 Jim Edmonds…
I don’t think we want to get into it all here. Over the last three years, pick your defensive metric or scouting report… we’ve been over it a million times — Mike Jacobs is probably the worst defensive 1B in baseball, which probably makes him by definition the worst everyday defensive player in baseball.
But as for hitting, well, I could go through all the projections again, none of the respectable ones see an .800 OPS as likely… but I think the following FanGraph sums it up…
How excited are we supposed to be about a natural DH whose offense the last two years is about the same as Mark Grudzelaniak’s?
I’m going through these… I’ll get to the “good” reasons to in a bit.
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by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But maybe he's lovable
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Willie Bloomquist
is called Willie. That has to make you smile!
“Willie slides in hard!”
The Allard Baird of incisive internet discourse.
by kcbottom9th on Feb 10, 2009 9:16 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
that's assuming willie can first get to second base
by marbotty on Feb 11, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
he should slide in to first then
it’s better to slide than running through the base. Dirt stains are pure grit
Go away! Guys, you're gonna wake up my Mom!
by David Howards Legacy on Feb 13, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Slidding into First wouldn't be "playing the game the right way."
Right-wayedness is the only characteristic that trumps grittiness.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 13, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Shit is shit. I appreciate that you want to feel better about it but ...
we will have to wait and see what they produce. From the perspective of past performance, there’s nothing much to get excited about. They could break out and I truly hope they do but I ain’t holding my breath.
by Steve Hovley on Feb 10, 2009 9:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Willie Bloomquis once saved a puppy from a burning building
by playingwithfire on Feb 10, 2009 9:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Callaspo never did that.
On the one hand, Callaspo can play ball pretty well and Willie is awful. On the other hand, Callaspo slaps around his wife while Bloomquist saves puppies from fiery deaths.
Advantage Bloomquist right now. If there is one thing I love more than baseball it is dogs.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, if I was Alberto Callaspo
I wouldn’t go near an open flame, either…
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by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 10:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
According to his Wikipedia page, it was actually some baby alpacas that he saved.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 9:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Willie's Wiki
I love every bit of this paragraph from Bloomquist’s Wiki page:
At 5’11", 195 pounds, he is a versatile player, who can play many positions, but is a limited contributor due to his below average offensive and defensive production and prowess. He has above-average speed and good baseball senses, leading him to be often used in late innings as a pinch runner for slower players. He is also used as a defensive specialist, though he does not excel at any given position. He is applauded for his versatility and intangibles.
+1 to Bloomquist for not logging on and editing his own page.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm loving
the nicknames.
I like willie boom-boom.
Pecota, watch over us.
by castille on Feb 10, 2009 10:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How sure are we...
that DMGM didnt write this?
by averagegatsby on Feb 10, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It couldn't be him
It’s too accurate.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
also didn't use the telltale word "winner"
or “on-base guy”
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
An no mention of grit, fire or him being a gamer. And all it says about his intangibles is that he’s applauded for them. That isn’t very Dayton-y.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
or the awesome
“he’s a doubles hitter… he hits a lot of doubles” construction…
(Number of doubles hit by Willie Bloomquist in 2008: 1)
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He's more of a doubles type of hitter
That’s what’s in his soul. Every time he goes up to the plate, he feels a double coming.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I've got a feeling that when he comes up to the plate
we will all feel something coming.
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Feb 10, 2009 11:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This is easy!
Coco: An OF of coco-DDJ is better than a DDJ-Teahen OF right now…and I can’t help thinking that coco has more upside than T-bag right now.
Jacobs: 2008 was an unlucky year both offensively and defensively for Jacobs. Its not difficult to see him gaining 1-1.5 WAR simply by regressing to the mean. Plus Shealy is likely a fluke and Kila might be as well. Plus this makes Gload expendable.
Bloomquist: No TPJ, no more Esteban. Need I say more? plus money is pretty immaterial, 1 million more wasnt going to land us any great free agent.
Farnsworth: Think about it 50-60 times a year saying “Good News everyone! Farnsworth is taking the mound!”
I refuse to set up a signature....DAMMIT
by RoyalPug on Feb 10, 2009 9:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
But we're talking about "love"
Where are the grit stories? The personal anecdotes? The heart rending stories of tragedy and redemption?
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Coco Crisp has an alliterative name!
you gotta love that
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Feb 10, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Love is about the little things
You have to start somewhere. But I still call him Covelli.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If
Jacobs gets rid of Gload, that would be good. But I suspect Moore will keep both.
If Bloomquist gets rid of Pena, that would be good. And I think this will happen.
And you are right, I will like seeing that Farnsworth quote once the season gets underway. It might get to be an old joke around June, but it will be great for the first couple months.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mike Jacobs hit a grand slam in his first ever plate appearence ever. It was of the pinch-hit variety.
Coco Crisp – think of all the cool and cute headlines he’s going to create! Also he’ll be part of the improvement of the pitching staff due to the defense he and DeJesus are going to provide.
Willie Bloomqust – I’m not sure if there’s anything to like about him.
by Royal from Queens on Feb 10, 2009 10:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
didn't I read that Mike Jacobs
was thinking about quitting baseball and going into academia until this trade came along and then he changed his plans, because he could take courses from that fine History Department at the University of Kansas and share an office with some old crumudgeon?
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Feb 10, 2009 10:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'd gladly make room in my crapy office for Jacobs
if it got him off the team and Shealy into the lineup.
If offices were baseball players, I would work in a Bloomquist.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 10:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
my office is full of grit!
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Feb 10, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and my grit is full of office!
seriously, though, wtf happened to my grit?
by marbotty on Feb 11, 2009 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The guy's name is...
Coco Crisp. Really. That’s what he goes by. That’s what he’s called. Coco Crisp.
(plus he used to be a Cardinal…farmhand.) :)
by stlfan on Feb 10, 2009 10:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This really is a solid argument.
Seriously. It is fun to have a guy on the team named Coco Crisp. I am sure my wife will smile when she hears me talk about Coco Crisp. She will think I am making fun of her and say something like, “That is not a real player.”
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 10, 2009 11:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My wife is pumped that the Royals got Coco Crisp for this very reason...
(I couldn’t tell if that was sarcasm or not JQ…but either way, it’s all good.)
by stlfan on Feb 11, 2009 8:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No sarcasm there.
It just is straight up fun to have a player on the team with a name like that.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 11, 2009 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Let's see
CoCo Crisp: Good name. Despite not liking the trade at the time, I’ve warmed a bit too it (although the idea that it’s anywhere close to a “clear win” for the Royals is laughable). People may not believe this, but I used to really like Crisp for some reason. I thought he would become a big star in Boston, but his offense totally went into the tank. If you like the speed game, and beyond just steals and triples, good baserunning CoCo is your man, even if the marginal upgrade isn’t a big as it should be due to Teahen, not Guillen, being the one displaced.
Mike Jacobs: Russell Branyan rules. And Mike Jacobs is just like him, except younger. And with the same platoon splits. And slighlty less power. And none of the walks. And much, much worse on defense (and that’s saying something). And he’ll get paid twice as much. And the Royals gave up cheap useful talent to get him. Oops.. positive. Well, I love home runs, and despite his other, um, characteristics as a player, given a 500 PAs, Jacobs will probably lead the Royals in homers. Home runs are fun. And he has a decent chance to SLG .500, so RR can stop complaining abou that…
Willie B: Look, he sucks at baseball, but it is “fun” to watch Willie Bloomquist. So that might be fun when a game it put away/out of reach. He’s like David Eckstein. Well, except that Eckstein was actually a decent baseball player at one time. Too bad that Eckstein obviously took way more money to sign that Willie. Also, anytime someone says that Dayton Moore is familiar with and utilizes some saberemetric ideas, we don’t have to get into a big argument. All that is necessary is one word: “Bloomquist.”
Kyle Farnsworth: I’ve heard rumors of his womanizing, but whatever. Like Jacobs, he’s also involved in lots of homers… Um, I guess I’m not man enough to get excited about another player getting hit in the head, not even A. J…. there’s always pr0fess0r Farnsworth…, Pretty funny guy, though, even if it’s the laughing at variety. And speaking of “laughing at, not with,” the whole “Dayton Moore Hearts ex-Braves” was good as a joke, but this offseason, with him not only bringing back Farns and Ho-Ram, but overpaying in a buyers market, well, now we can pretty much use that with impunity, even if it’s less funny and more true than ever… And Exhibit A is the pr0f3550r.
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by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 11:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad you struck out that Russ Branyan stuff
I was about to start some ugliness.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I also heard that Mike Jacobs is a nice guy
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by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Prove it
Link me to the stats, Poindexter.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
working....
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by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
feeeelings....whoa, whoa, whoa.....feeeeeelings....
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Feb 10, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here, we go: Proof
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by devil_fingers on Feb 10, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
He's even more nice than homerific?
Now I’m impressed. But, I wish there were more numbers in that picture. I’m a simple sabermetrician at heart.
The immoderate moderator
by NYRoyal on Feb 10, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hey you forgot
the playing defense sli…oh, never mind.
Feb 13!!
by kabrink on Feb 11, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
off topic
did anyone notice we signed Jamie Wright to a minor league deal today. We really need more depth with left handed relievers….
by gordonrules on Feb 10, 2009 11:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wright is right handed
he is a sinker ball guy.
not a very good one unfortunately.
decent guy to have in Omaha though to make a start or three if needed.
Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.
by doublestix on Feb 11, 2009 1:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can't do it
Farnsworth and Jacobs I have come to hate.
Covelli Loyce Crisp and Bloomquist I am indifferent about.
Truthfully, this is looking to be the most unexciting season for the Royals in a while. No new talent from farm system, no good Free Agents and a just under .500 team.
by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Feb 10, 2009 11:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
wow, you hate Jacobs already?
I mean, I think he’s a bad player, but hate? Is there a story we need to hear?
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by devil_fingers on Feb 11, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We may have a better record than we've had in a decade
If that happens, will it still be the most unexciting season? Less exciting than 2005?
by BrRoyal on Feb 11, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How can you hate Jacobs?
Haven’t you seen Devil Fingers chart? Jacobs is really nice!
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 11, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not a fan of brawls
but Farnsworth’s takedowns are always fun to watch because he’s so much better than everyone out there on the field in terms of tackling.
Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!
by mazoboom on Feb 11, 2009 12:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
seems like there's a Chiefs joke in here somewhere
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by devil_fingers on Feb 11, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe the Royals and Chiefs could swap defenses
and see what works.
Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.
by doublestix on Feb 11, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Reason #1 to like the new players
Because they are not Emil Brown, Juan Gonzalez, or Neifi Perez.
by AxDxMx on Feb 11, 2009 2:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding
We have a winner.
by stlfan on Feb 11, 2009 8:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I always had a soft spot for Emil
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 11, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why, Lord, do you continue to punish us in this way?
WAR, 2006-2008 (which has the harshest evaluation of Emil’s defense, and more generous for Jacobs and Guillen):
Emil:
2006: 2.9
2007: 0.2
2008: 0.2
Total: 3.3
Jacobs
2006: 0.8
2007: 0.3
2008: 0.0
Total: 1.1
Guillen
2006: -0.1
2007: 2.3
2008: 0.1
Total: 2.3
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by devil_fingers on Feb 11, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but your fancy statistics...
do not take into account the negative effect on clubhouse morale wrought by Emil’s shooting of a local reporter in the eye with a pellet gun.
(Great photoshop work from rtctalk.com.)
And a link to the video…for those who can stand the horror.
"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae
by Sweep_the_Leg on Feb 11, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it was a pre-emptive strike on behalf of A-Rod
knowing that Selena Roberts was totally stalking him
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by devil_fingers on Feb 11, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Look more closely at those numbers.
Emil kicked Guillen’s and Jacob’s asses in 2008. He was twice as good as those bums PUT TOGETHER last year.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 11, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Believe me, I've looked
Keep in mind that even extending it to 2005, (Guillen’s best year), he’s still barely better than Brown when you total all four years. ANd again, FanGraphs version of UZR is much harsher on Emil than Stats UZR… Also, Fangraphs doesn’t adjust for the superior pitching in the AL, which make Emil more valuable with respect to Guillen’s Nationals years…
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 11, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm...
Actually, Fangraphs just updated UZR with ARM and double play ratings (ugh, Teahen now under replacement for 2008, although he goes way up for 2006 and 2007 — nice correlations with THT Arms so far). Emil’s value goes down for 2008, but up in 2006 and 2007. Guillen stays about the same. Jacobs is helped out a bit.
Here are the new numbers for Brown, Guillen, Jacobs, and a bonus Marky-Mark.
Jose Guillen:
2006: -0.2
2007: 2.3
2008: 0.1
Total: 2.2
Emil Brown:
2006: 3.1
2007: 0.4
2008: -0.1
Total: 3.4
Mike Jacobs:
2006: 0.9
2007: 0.4
2008: 0.1 (yes! above replacement level!)
Mark Teahen:
2006: 3.3
2007: 2.4
2008: -0.1
Total: 5.6
Just for fun:
Adam Dunn:
2006: 1.8
2007: 2.8
2006: 1.3
Total: 5.9
Yikes… Dunn really, really, really needs to DH
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 11, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
wait a minute
is that statement a:
1. “that’s what she said”; or a
2. “that’s what HE said” thing?
hmm
Feb 13!!
by kabrink on Feb 11, 2009 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wish you hadn't gone there.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Feb 11, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
When that is AJ at the bottom of the pile you will quickly come to love the Professor
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.
by kcscoliny on Feb 12, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It looks like the pr0f3550r is the one in love
Bringing you more-or-less replacement level analysis and commentary since sometime in 2008.
by devil_fingers on Feb 12, 2009 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
is that the bunny position?
look at his hands…
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Feb 12, 2009 5:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Farnsworth
As a Yankee fan who grew up in KC (and who will always have a place in his heart for the George Brett-era Royals), I think you guys could see good things from Farnsworth. KC is a small market with low expectations, so maybe if you guys don’t boo him every time he gives up a hit, he’ll show you how dominant he can be with that crazy fastball of his.
In NYC, I think the pressure was maybe just too much for him. People booed him and yelled “Farnsworthless” when he stunk. I think I was the only one pulling for him in NYC (other than Joe Girardi). He had a tough couple of years, but he was really starting to perform well around the middle of last year, before he got traded. His 2008 performance in Detroit means nothing. His confidence was shattered; he loved NYC, and I wish they hadn’t let him go.
But he’s a great guy with a great personality! As far as other plus points, he’s apparently a “crack shot” at Big Buck Hunter, he’s a great clubhouse presence and teammate, he’s 6’4" 235lb and afraid of nobody (i.e., he’ll kick somebody’s ass if you cross his team, as Jeremy Affeldt knows all too well), and he makes cookies. And he’s not afraid to play it old school; if a Royal gets HBP, the other side better watch out for his sneaky fastball to the helmet.
by Royal Yankee on Feb 12, 2009 2:52 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Do these things add up to wins, holds, and saves?
But he’s a great guy with a great personality! As far as other plus points, he’s apparently a "crack shot" at Big Buck Hunter, he’s a great clubhouse presence and teammate, he’s 6’4" 235lb and afraid of nobody (i.e., he’ll kick somebody’s ass if you cross his team, as Jeremy Affeldt knows all too well), and he makes cookies. And he’s not afraid to play it old school; if a Royal gets HBP, the other side better watch out for his sneaky fastball to the helmet.
I already agree he could bring some entertainment value. But, I’m worried that I’ll be very nervous every time he comes to the mound fearing poor control and home runs.
Feb 13!!
by kabrink on Feb 12, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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