2024 Season | Series #9 | Guardians @ Braves | April 26-28, 2024

[Otsego Mar]

What would you say if I told you a certain red, white, and blue colored team offered him more money than Houston gave him.

I'd say the Rangers probably dodged a bullet.

 

[CATS44]

Keeping track of the KC-Toronto game, while watching Twins-Chisox.

Its awfully tough to root for Chicago, because the Sox suck.

But at the moment they are tied 2-2.

KC brought up rookie Jonathan Bowlan for tonight's game, and he gave up three dingers in 2.2 IP. Jays lead 4-3, batting in the bottom of the fourth.

 

[CATS44]

KC had runners on the corners with two outs in the ninth, but didn't score. Royals lose 6-5.

Chicago had runners on the corners with two outs, but didn't score. Twins win 3-2.

 

[CDAV45]

I think we're in a position where our team is too good to give the kids the cushiest, kindest landing spot possible.

A rebuilding team can afford to play a youngster every day. I don't think we can.

I'd let JRod take Laureano's AB's. Even if he has to split time with Will Brennan, he's got his shot. He has to produce in limited AB's and earn more, or he gets kicked aside for the next man up.

Manzardo is probably going to have to play some DH. He can split time at 1B with Josh, but he's going to have to perform at DH as a youngster, which is hard to do.

You and I have a different take on this team and that's fine. I'm just not overly confident in this lineup just yet, but hopefully they earn my trust. When I look at a team like the Orioles I can't help but think that there is a very small chance we could beat them. Their lineup is so ridiculously deep and powerful that any mistake by a pitcher won't stay in the park. When you look at SLG and OPS we aren't there with the big boys yet. Guys like Manzardo and Rodriguez could possibly help, but you have to expect some initial struggles. Guys like Florial and Arias could certainly help, but you have to allow them time to see if they can "settle in" because right now they're nothing short of talented question marks. Kwan, Freeman, Brennan, Rocchio and Laureano are not going to cut the mustard. I don't take pleasure in saying that either and I wish I felt differently. Pick 2 of those to keep and replace the other 3 with more potent bats.

You're not going to win in the playoffs with a "death by a thousand cuts" offense. The pitching is too good. I don't know what the answers are, but I'm confident this lineup isn't "there" yet. I would love to be wrong.

I am enjoying watching this team compete though. Everyone loves a surprise and appreciates when things are done the right way. You cannot knock this team's effort and grit. There are no showboats or self centered individuals and I freakin' love it.

 

[CDAV45]

IMO Rodriguez and Manzardo though playing different positions and handedness, both "fill" the same spot. Meaning no matter which one you call up, the DH spot gets much more clogged. Because of that and service time stuff...

Laureano ain't going anywhere for another month or so unfortunately. Ramon is a better ballplayer than this IMO, so maybe he can get back on track. But I don't know, maybe he's cooked.. When the business end of it isn't an issue, I hope we pull up Manzardo and consider bringing up JRod at the same time. One thing that is nice about JRod, is he still has his options so he can marinate until he's kicked the door completely down. Maybe one of the guys who are running out of time/options like Tena, Valera or Noel gets the first crack. Guess we'll see.

I sorta think that too Criz, but I honestly don't have a damn clue on how to get them both regular AB in Cleveland. I think Florial's potential buys him some time.

I don't think I've made any mention of Laureano being a bad player. He's not in a position to succeed if we're being honest. There just isn't enough consistent AB for him and it would be the same case for Rodriguez I'm afraid. What gives?

 

[CDAV45]

I don't see Florial or Laureano as reasons to hold up the natural growth of your younger talent.

If they aren't producing, kick them to the curb.

I guess when it comes to a player like Florial you have to give that potential a longer leash. Pretty much the same argument I've been using for Arias. The ceiling is undeniable, but the performance to this point is less than admirable. At what point do they say "enough is enough" and it's time to move on? Some say 1000 ML AB is a good measure and neither are close to that so.....

 

[CATS44]

If your decision making is based solely on how our offense stacks up against the best ones in a short playoff series, you will never build a successful team.

We are not gonna see another team like the 90s Indians for several reasons. We are not gonna see another instance where Thome-Belle-Manny-Sandy arrive at the same time, and then be here for 8-12 years. We are not gonna sign major FAs like Murray and Robbie.

If you want to compete with the teams with the power offenses, you do it with elite pitching.

1995....#1 in ERA....#1 in run prevention
1998....#5 in ERA....#5 in run prevention
2016.....#2 in ERA...#2 in run prevention

If the Guards don't win the division, it won't be because lack of power. It will be because of lack of pitching.

 

[CDAV45]

If your decision making is based solely on how our offense stacks up against the best ones in a short playoff series, you will never build a successful team.

We are not gonna see another team like the 90s Indians for several reasons. We are not gonna see another instance where Thome-Belle-Manny-Sandy arrive at the same time, and then be here for 8-12 years. We are not gonna sign major FAs like Murray and Robbie.

If you want to compete with the teams with the power offenses, you do it with elite pitching.

1995....#1 in ERA....#1 in run prevention
1998....#5 in ERA....#5 in run prevention
2016.....#2 in ERA...#2 in run prevention

If the Guards don't win the division, it won't be because lack of power. It will be because of lack of pitching.

LOL! What a bunch of bullshit. How your team stacks up against the best teams is how winning teams are built. Otherwise the league wouldn't be in the condition it currently is in and it would be a pure crapshoot.

We may not have a lineup like the 90's Indians, but we could come pretty damn close should a few of Brito, Manzardo, DeLauter and Rodriguez find their way soon and replace the light hitters. We need Bo, Arias and Florial to perform. We need JRam and Josh to continue being anchors. We need to continue playing good defense. Just pitching or just hitting isn't going to do shit.

If you want to compete with the elite power offenses you don't just do it with pitching because pitching doesn't score runs and those don't come easy against the best pitching staffs in the league. You better have a good balance if you're not great in a couple of areas. First, you need to have a very good pitching staff and secondly you need to capitalize on the few mistakes the good pitching staffs make. Do that and you can compete.

 

[CATS44]

The regular season is not a crap shoot. Over 162 games the cream rises to the top.

The post season IS a crap shoot. Otherwise, why have the Dodgers, the best team over the past decade, won only one World Series?

Or the Yankees, the third best team over the last decade, not even won a pennant?

How did Arizona, with an average offense (8th in the NL in SLG and OPS), with below average (10th in the NL) in homers), get to the WS last year?

How did the 2014 Royals get to the Series?
LAST in the AL in homers. 11th in SLG. 10th in OPS.

And how did the Royals manage to WIN the Series the next year?
14th in the AL in homers. 8th in SLG. 7th in OPS.

Get back to me when you can answer those questions.

I will give you two hints:

P_____NG

R_N S---------N

 

[jmilo]

there will be the concern regarding the salary being "wasted".. almost $ 6MM to go with Straw's complete waste... Good thing this isn't houston where they're contemplating droping Abreu and his $ 35MM over the next two years..

No there won't be.

 

[CDAV45]

Since we don't address each other and you prefer your childish slants I'll address it here. Read the fucking posts and quit making up your own versions. The postseason was specifically stated in my post.

The Royals won because they were a well rounded team. You put it right in your post. They were top 10 in SLG and OPS, pitched well and played good defense during the regular season. Can't get much more well rounded than that. They also hit the 2nd most HR(17) behind the Mets(20) in the 2015 postseason. They had the highest OPS and were 4th in SLG that postseason.

Arizona was top 4 in all the power categories during the postseason and they lost to a team that was better than them in each of those categories.

I answered your "questions" now get back to me and admit you're wrong. If you can't slug the ball you aren't going to win in the postseason. This isn't opinion so you can keep your hard on for the contact hitters with little power because they aren't going to get you to the promise land.