On this date back in 1974, the Red Sox released Orlando Cepeda and Luis Aparicio, both future Hall of Famers. Cepeda, then 36, signed with Kansas City and retired after the season as a .297/.350/.499 career hitter with 379 home runs. Aparicio, 39 at the time, never played again following his release, and finished his career as a .262/.311/.343 hitter and with a reputation as one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball history.
Here are some links from around the baseball blogosphere…
- Josh's Thoughts acknowledges the possibility that it may not have been the best move for the Twins to sign Joe Mauer to such a huge deal since it will eat up a large chunk of their payroll.
- Pittsburgh Lumber Co. compares a theoretical Andrew McCutchen extension to Justin Upton's deal.
- The Daily Something calls Cristian Guzman and Adam Kennedy the two most redundant players in baseball.
- Camden Crazies wonders if Chin-Lung Hu makes sense for the Orioles.
- Gear Up For Sports asks if you could only keep one, who would it be: Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp?
- Mets Paradise tries to figure out the Mets' Opening Day roster.
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The Orioles should go after Ivan DeJesus Jr. rather than Chin Lung Hu.
Mets Paradise doesn’t have Bobby Parnell or Sean Green on the Mets Opening Day Roster but he has Pat Misch in the Bullpen…I think Misch will not make it and Parnell will.
Why would Ruben Tejada make the Mets roster? Is he having a amazing spring or something. It seems like they would be rushing him, no?
He is having an amazing Spring and theres a good chance he’s the Opening Day Shortstop.
I figured he must of been having a great spring.
How much time is Reyes supposed to miss? I hear he’s coming along and should be back sooner than later.
maybe the 3rd or 4th week of the season at most.
darn those oysters.
darn those oysters.
“Gear Up For Sports asks if you could only keep one, who would it be: Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp?”
Is this a serious question?
Agreed. The argument in favor of Ethier seems to be an appeal to “clutch”, which is proven to be a bogus concept. Kemp is the better player by every other measure.
Indeed. Fellow Dodger fans who like Ethier over Kemp have baffled me for 2 years now. Kemp clearly has more tools and greater overall potential. Ethier’s speed and defense are both merely average and I think Ethier’s probably peaked in terms of his offensive production. He’s still an excellent player – but far more replaceable than someone with Kemp’s abilities.
How exactly is “clutch hitting” proven to be false? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe that there are guys who are going to hit .350 with men in scoring position their whole lives, but to say that hitters are completely unaffected by hitting in important situations seems to be a stretch. Can you elaborate, or refer me to an article/study on this?
I don’t have the story handy, but 60-Minutes ran an extended interview with (I forget his name) the man who pioneered Sabermetrics and brought it to the Red Sox. He was cited as being responsible for putting emphasis on various stats we now consider common, and dispelling many myths (such as “clutch hitter” and “save your best reliever until the 9th inning” – though neither are widely accepted, they’re apparently statistically irrefutable).
Sorry I don’t have a better recollection. Basically, I heard a smart guy on 60 Minutes say it, and the reporter didn’t challenge or question the assertion.
Bill James. And that was a great article 60 Minutes did on him.
Bingo! Thanks man. And agreed, it was a great story.
I think where some would get confused is that Ethier is the better power hitter right now, and still has room for growth(isnt that kinda scary?). Kemp has the better tools all the way around, and of course has the defense, but doesnt have the power swing that Ethier has, yet. Kemp came up as a linedrive hitter and although he is strong enough to hit linedrive lasers to all fields, he doesnt have the traditional HR swing…
I think where some would get confused is that Ethier is the better power hitter right now, and still has room for growth(isnt that kinda scary?). Kemp has the better tools all the way around, and of course has the defense, but doesnt have the power swing that Ethier has, yet. Kemp came up as a linedrive hitter and although he is strong enough to hit linedrive lasers to all fields, he doesnt have the traditional HR swing…
kemp! any day over ethier. kemps defense keeps the games close by not allowing other teams to score for ethier to hit a walk off. not to mention that his bat is better.
Agree. Kemp’s the man. I’d try to keep Eithier around, though, along with Kemp. He’s a good player too.
Agree. Kemp’s the man. I’d try to keep Eithier around, though, along with Kemp. He’s a good player too.
Oh, and as far as Guzman and Kennedy being the “same player”, I’d say not quite. Kennedy has at least been healthy enough to take the field the majority of his career; Guzman has not. I’d rather have Kennedy as my “old” infielder than Guzman for that reason.
Oh, and as far as Guzman and Kennedy being the “same player”, I’d say not quite. Kennedy has at least been healthy enough to take the field the majority of his career; Guzman has not. I’d rather have Kennedy as my “old” infielder than Guzman for that reason.
I hope/expect to see Mauer put a hole in the hack old argument that one player can’t eat that big a chunk of your payroll. If that one player provides that much value, why not? Back when every hack writer said the Rangers couldn’t win while paying A-Rod so much money, he wasn’t the problem. If you had taken him and his salary and just added him to the A’s of the time, their payroll would have been less than the Rangers payroll handily, and they would have been the best team in baseball. Signing guys to huge contracts like that isn’t a problem if they’re young enough and they’re actually peak hall of famers.
With the current ownership of the dodgers being what it is it is doubtful either one will stay with the team when they become free agents. The best bet is the team is sold to someone who would resign at least one of them. I prefer Kemp but eithier has a very quick bat and his 35 home runs last year were not a fluke.
With the current ownership of the dodgers being what it is it is doubtful either one will stay with the team when they become free agents. The best bet is the team is sold to someone who would resign at least one of them. I prefer Kemp but eithier has a very quick bat and his 35 home runs last year were not a fluke.