• Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.

2022 Season Series #26 | Guardians @ Tigers | July 4-6, 2022

Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Real Deal said:
Honestly guys, what are we gonna do.. came into the year expecting just to fight for a 6th seed, so sit around 7-9th was more like it.

36-28 was really fun, because it was unexpected.
Click to expand...

I've resigned myself to it so, although I'm disappointed at the ineptitude, I can live with it. Better days are coming. I also accept that we've played 16 games in 13 days without a true off day and still have two more days before they can have a full day off. They can be expected to be dragging a bit. But it sure is hard to watch.

ETA - If I'm reading the schedule correctly, as of Wednesday they will have played 33 games since June 3rd with only 2 scheduled off days.
 
Last edited:
1-4 on July 4th weekend. Does this team hate America?
 
Real Deal said:
Team reminds me of those nasty stinky black snake fireworks
Click to expand...
If Dolan had a fireworks stand:

tenor.gif
 
I still like Ernie as the utility guy OFF THE BENCH a la Michael Martinez but not as some sort of platoon starter.

Miller can compete with him but I think it's time to add a new trick to his development and teach him out to play outfield. And the place to do that is in the minors. Problem is, his plate approach just isn't very good. While he has good bat-to-ball skills, he often just looks like he's guessing at the plate as to whether or not he should swing. He chases too much garbage but also can get strangely passive on pitches he should be squaring up. Without a better approach, his low-pop hitting just doesn't have a very high ceiling.

If he can do that, we hopefully won't have to see Mercado again. I was intrigued by the idea of Mercado putting on some muscle and maybe being able to hit the ball harder as a result. Not only has that not happened, but he's gotten clunkier in the field too.
 
KluberSociety said:
I still like Ernie as the utility guy OFF THE BENCH a la Michael Martinez but not as some sort of platoon starter.
Click to expand...
Why? He's a good infield glove and not much else. When he's in the outfield we lose range and arm strength compared to Straw and even Kwan. Even Oscar G. has better foot speed and a much stronger arm. And Clement is an automatic out as a batter. He's not young and developing, he is mature and developed. So what you see is what you get.

He's taking a spot that should be upgraded, probably with a trade for an actual outfielder who can hit.

I'm sure Ernie is a great guy. He's just not that good.
 
buzzdog said:
Why? He's a good infield glove and not much else. When he's in the outfield we lose range and arm strength compared to Straw and even Kwan. Even Oscar G. has better foot speed and a much stronger arm. And Clement is an automatic out as a batter. He's not young and developing, he is mature and developed. So what you see is what you get.

He's taking a spot that should be upgraded, probably with a trade for an actual outfielder who can hit.

I'm sure Ernie is a great guy. He's just not that good.
Click to expand...

Clement is getting more time because of doubleheaders and whatnot. He isnt supposed to play everyday, but be the last man off the bench. Like I have said before he is just a guy to get a startish a week and make sure guys get some rest. If you want to put someone else if a role where they barely play, go for it, but it's hard to find a guy who is willing to do whatever is necessary plus can deal with not playing all the time. He his under team control for awhile and he fits the attitude and whatnot of that last bench spot by Francona perfectly...

Would we really care about what Clement was doing if we had better production from Straw, Reyes, Miller etc... I doubt we would care since we would only see Clement as a pinch runner for Reyes in a sense...
 
sportscoach said:
Clement is getting more time because of doubleheaders and whatnot. He isnt supposed to play everyday, but be the last man off the bench. Like I have said before he is just a guy to get a startish a week and make sure guys get some rest. If you want to put someone else if a role where they barely play, go for it, but it's hard to find a guy who is willing to do whatever is necessary plus can deal with not playing all the time. He his under team control for awhile and he fits the attitude and whatnot of that last bench spot by Francona perfectly...

Would we really care about what Clement was doing if we had better production from Straw, Reyes, Miller etc... I doubt we would care since we would only see Clement as a pinch runner for Reyes in a sense...
Click to expand...
Bring in an actual starting outfielder and relegate Miller to Clement's role at the end of the bench. What we need is one less black hole in the batting order.
 
There's no justifying Clement's role, take off the Guardians colored glasses with that take.
 
buzzdog said:
Why? He's a good infield glove and not much else. When he's in the outfield we lose range and arm strength compared to Straw and even Kwan. Even Oscar G. has better foot speed and a much stronger arm. And Clement is an automatic out as a batter. He's not young and developing, he is mature and developed. So what you see is what you get.

He's taking a spot that should be upgraded, probably with a trade for an actual outfielder who can hit.

I'm sure Ernie is a great guy. He's just not that good.
Click to expand...
I am not suggesting playing him over Straw, Kwan, or Oscar except when they need a day off. But I am suggesting keeping him as the bench guy over Miller because as of now I don't think Miller know how to play the OF. By optioning Miller and keeping Clement on the roster, we free a slot. By DFAing Clement and keeping Miller on the roster we free a slot but also would have more need for an extra OF like Mercado.
 
buzzdog said:
Bring in an actual starting outfielder and relegate Miller to Clement's role at the end of the bench. What we need is one less black hole in the batting order.
Click to expand...

So Miller, who isn't as strong defensively, will be put into a role that he only plays a couple times (at most) a week? In OOTP that works, but in real life, you are wasting away Miller in that role. He won't hit any better than Clement, if anything he may produce less... He doesn't run as well as Clement does, doesn't play as good of defense. He has never played in the OF.

From watching Miller, he doesn't have as thick of skin at times as Clement does. Miller sometimes let's things get to him and putting him in Clements role will actually regress him not help him get better. He still has some upside and developing to do while Clement doesn't. I want Miller to either get through this tough stretch with almost everyday ABs either here or at AAA. He cannot turn it around as the guy who is at the end of the bench. It's way too soon to sacrifice Miller since putting him in Clements role will be that...

Real Deal said:
There's no justifying Clement's role, take off the Guardians colored glasses with that take.
Click to expand...

Clement has the most thankless role in baseball... I actually haven't seen anyone in baseball better suited for that role in Francona's system. He always has the garbage man like that at the end of the bench. Whether you like or dislike the role, Francona always has a guy like him there and we have to deal with it...

I agree and disagree with it myself. I have run a million teams in OOTP so I get roster construction better than most on paper. Most of the time I end up with guys who can play everywhere defensively and whatever they hit, is bonus. I almost always have the kid from the Cubs with the name of Morel since in the game he can play everywhere but C fairly well. As long as he is playing most days (I have him playing once a week at every position, so he always plays) he never has moral troubles. How many people in real life can put aside their pride and are willing to do that type of thing, while maybe getting once or twice a week playing? I have been around guys who have made professional teams, it's not always simple to find those who put aside their egos like Clement has for the team.

The problem is the garbage man has the same OPS as some of the starters... Let's get the starters fixed and see how everything else falls. Clement in his role isn't a problem, it's when the guys in front of him aren't doing any better, that there is problems. Your end of the bench guy, better not be hitting the same as the starter. If that happens, changes need to happen to the starters...
 
BimboColesHair said:
Ernie Clement is a classic late bloomer.

He just needs about 2000 to 2500 more plate appearances and then you are going to see something truly special.
Click to expand...

He will get over the mendoza line and finally get HR number 4! Lol
 
sportscoach said:
So Miller, who isn't as strong defensively, will be put into a role that he only plays a couple times (at most) a week? In OOTP that works, but in real life, you are wasting away Miller in that role. He won't hit any better than Clement, if anything he may produce less... He doesn't run as well as Clement does, doesn't play as good of defense. He has never played in the OF.

From watching Miller, he doesn't have as thick of skin at times as Clement does. Miller sometimes let's things get to him and putting him in Clements role will actually regress him not help him get better. He still has some upside and developing to do while Clement doesn't. I want Miller to either get through this tough stretch with almost everyday ABs either here or at AAA. He cannot turn it around as the guy who is at the end of the bench. It's way too soon to sacrifice Miller since putting him in Clements role will be that...



Clement has the most thankless role in baseball... I actually haven't seen anyone in baseball better suited for that role in Francona's system. He always has the garbage man like that at the end of the bench. Whether you like or dislike the role, Francona always has a guy like him there and we have to deal with it...

I agree and disagree with it myself. I have run a million teams in OOTP so I get roster construction better than most on paper. Most of the time I end up with guys who can play everywhere defensively and whatever they hit, is bonus. I almost always have the kid from the Cubs with the name of Morel since in the game he can play everywhere but C fairly well. As long as he is playing most days (I have him playing once a week at every position, so he always plays) he never has moral troubles. How many people in real life can put aside their pride and are willing to do that type of thing, while maybe getting once or twice a week playing? I have been around guys who have made professional teams, it's not always simple to find those who put aside their egos like Clement has for the team.

The problem is the garbage man has the same OPS as some of the starters... Let's get the starters fixed and see how everything else falls. Clement in his role isn't a problem, it's when the guys in front of him aren't doing any better, that there is problems. Your end of the bench guy, better not be hitting the same as the starter. If that happens, changes need to happen to the starters...
Click to expand...
If Miller can't hack a utility role then send him down. Pick up a utility guy who can hit better than Clement on the cheap if you must. Miller doesn't look ready for prime tie the more innings he plays. I'd put Straw to defensive replacement and 4th outfielder until he pulls his head out of his ass. Go out and find a legit bat to play one of the OF positions, or maybe a 1st baseman/outfielder if possible.

It's either that, or just keep the status quo... which translates to writing off the season. Because what this team is showing right now is what they will be if they somehow manage to scrape into the playoffs. They'll get run out of a playoff series in short order as currently constituted.

But if the front office wants to give this team a puncher's chance they need to give the roster a shot in the arm offensively, maybe 2 shots in the arm. Whether that comes from within the farm system or from an outside trade, I don't care and I don't have a qualified opinion. But surely the front office knows what moves are there to be made. It's time to make them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-15: "Cavs Survive and Advance"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:15: Cavs Survive and Advance
Top