The Sports Bar
- Thread starter Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra
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I don't know, he could be good. A 1.44 ERA, with 276 strikeouts, and an 18-6 record is damn good -- even if it's not in the majors. They've scouted him a ton and scouts have constantly raved about him, I'm not going to be too critical of this until I see him pitch.
I don't deny he's a fantastic pitcher...in Japan. His ERA is phenomenal and he has a brilliant K/9 and BB/9. Here are the problems. One, Japanese pitchers stats historically drop when they come to America, for various reasons. It's an adjustment in both game and lifestyle, the offense is stiffer here, etc., etc. That's probably enough to push his ERA over 2.00. Furthermore, in Japan, he pitches in a 70 degree climate controlled dome. With the Rangers, he's throwing half his games in Arlington, arguably the most brutal park for pitchers in the MLB. I see him struggling to keep his ERA under 4.00 in 2012, and his peripheral stats will likely trend toward average. Those are decent numbers for a Texas pitcher, but they're not numbers to replace CJ Wilson and they're not really #1 starter numbers either. The only circumstances under which Yu was a good move are if he replicates Wilson's numbers. Now, I could give Yu a year to do that...if the Rangers hadn't been legitimate contenders for Prince Fielder, which is who they ought to have signed instead. In the end I don't think Yu is ever going to be worth the money they paid and they will probably regret not using the money on Fielder instead.
Stormtrooper
Championship Contender
There's been some big news in the sports world recently.
1. Bruce Arians has retired from Coaching after being the Offensive Coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2. Gary Carter (hall of Fame Mets Catcher) is in grave condition fighting numerous cancerous tumors on his brain.
3. Carlos Pena signed with the Rays on a 1 year deal.
4. Ryan Braun had his appeal for the PED suspension heard Thursday.
5. Fausto Carmona is not Fausto Carmona. He is actually Roberto Hernandez-Heredia, and is 31 years old, not 28.
1. Bruce Arians has retired from Coaching after being the Offensive Coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2. Gary Carter (hall of Fame Mets Catcher) is in grave condition fighting numerous cancerous tumors on his brain.
3. Carlos Pena signed with the Rays on a 1 year deal.
4. Ryan Braun had his appeal for the PED suspension heard Thursday.
5. Fausto Carmona is not Fausto Carmona. He is actually Roberto Hernandez-Heredia, and is 31 years old, not 28.
He was fired...
Damn right it is. Stafford should have been in the game originally and instead he was just second alternate.
The news just broke - Prince Fielder will sign a nine year, 214 million dollar deal with...the Detroit Tigers, of all people. Total madness coming out of nowhere. I'm wroth. This probably murders the Indians hopes for playoffs anytime soon.
Congratulations, you bastards, enjoy your World Series.
Congratulations, you bastards, enjoy your World Series.
Stormtrooper
Championship Contender
Yeah, just heard this. HUGE for Detroit, although I wonder what will happen with Miguel Cabrera. Both are 1st basemen, and not really very well suited playing anywhere else in the field. He'll likely end up playing half-DH, half 1B. I don't know if that'll be good for either him or Miggy, nor if it will be good for the Tigers to have $57.7 Million stuck with 1B/DH between Fielder ($23.7 annually), Cabrera ($21-$22 through 2015), and Victor Martinez ($13 through 2014).
I wouldn't be at all surprised if Victor Martinez gets traded after this season. They'll have to, unless they jump their payroll even higher, and are willing to have a very bad defensive catcher coming off an ACL injury.
Funny. I didn't know the Angels, Rangers, Yankees, Rays, and Red Sox played in the NL. The Tigers will keep themselves in the running, but can't say they will definitely get to the Series, yet alone win it.
Fielder at 1st, Cabrera at 3rd, probably, some at bats at DH for both are possible, but for the first few years of this contract I wouldn't expect a lot. Neither of them are great defenders but that's not what they're getting paid for. Martinez is a maybe trade candidate, I can see it to free up payroll, but we'll see.
It may not be a done deal, but this has made the Tigers at least as good, if not better, than most of those teams. To be honest I'd pick them soundly over anyone in the AL East right now, though the Rangers and Angels give me a little pause. This has made Detroit a huge threat to go all the way, though, no doubt about it.
Stormtrooper
Championship Contender
Cabrera was moved from 3rd for a reason. I believe it had something to do with his inability to play the position.
I agree they are a threat to go all the way, but one Free Agent signing and a controversy as to where everyone will play doesn't necessarily mean they will definitely win the World Series. They said the same thing about the Red Sox last year, and they failed miserably.
You aren't a professional athlete, and as such have a large ego. You wouldn't give a shit. Although would you like being told that you are not the best person for the job on your own team?
I know he has a huge ego. But here is the thing. He had already claimed more than once that he hates his father, Cecil, who was a HUGE figure with the Tigers in the early 90s. Even with that hatred of his dad, he just signed a contract to play for his dad's team, at the same position as his dad, where the comparisons between them will be an almost everyday occurrence. Prince Fielder, just by signing with Detroit, has already shown that he can swallow his pride. If he had a great relationship with Cecil, and would welcome the constant mentioning of him, it would be different. But, Cecil and Prince Fielder aren't exactly the Griffeys. Many people would have put Detroit as the absolute last spot for Fielder to sign with because of that animosity.
I think that realistically, Cabrera and Fielder will split time between DH and 1st base. I don't think Cabrera will move full time to 3rd base, at least not unless he drops about 50 lbs. Cabrera has the body of a 1st baseman, not a 3rd baseman. Moving Cabrera to 3rd would be a huge drop off in infield defense. Brandon Inge sucks donkey ass at the plate, but he is acceptable defensively.
This year they'd be best off having Cabby at DH. Try to get him to shed a few pounds and either play 3rd or OF next year with V-Mart at DH. V-Mart isn't going back to catcher. His knees are too weak and his body is wearing down, plus Avila is coming off an all-star season and they signed Laird as a backup (although I'm not sure for how long).
This teams defense will suck aside from Jackson/Santiago/Avila (all up the middle guys); but my god this offense should rake (with hopefully Jackson reverting back to 2010 form).
I still wouldn't rule any other moves out either. Someone like Juan Pierre could be a nice 1 or 2 year deal as a tablesetter and real leadoff man (and trade Young for a arm or two).
This teams defense will suck aside from Jackson/Santiago/Avila (all up the middle guys); but my god this offense should rake (with hopefully Jackson reverting back to 2010 form).
I still wouldn't rule any other moves out either. Someone like Juan Pierre could be a nice 1 or 2 year deal as a tablesetter and real leadoff man (and trade Young for a arm or two).
Rumor has it that even with the Fielder signing, Dombrowski is still going to aggressively pursue Cespedes. I think Ilitch gave him the green light to pretty much do anything it takes this year. Ilitch can't compete with the Yankees payroll every year, but he can do it once or twice.
Stormtrooper
Championship Contender
The early twitter reports by baseball writers are suggesting the Cabrera is moving back to 3rd.
If that's the case, then every team in the AL Central better learn how to bunt, since it'll be easy infield hits with that defensive infield. They are of course still about 3 times better then everyone else in the division though.
Non-baseball related: The Jets hired Dave DeGuglielmo as their O-Line coach. He was the Dolphins O-Line Coach under Head Coach Tony Sparano, and he will not be the O-Line coach under Offensive Coordinator Tony Sparano. I don't know how good he is, but his name looks like it's fun to say. Dave DeGuglielmo. De-Goog-leel-mo? De-guhg-leel-mo? I don't know.
If that's the case, then every team in the AL Central better learn how to bunt, since it'll be easy infield hits with that defensive infield. They are of course still about 3 times better then everyone else in the division though.
Non-baseball related: The Jets hired Dave DeGuglielmo as their O-Line coach. He was the Dolphins O-Line Coach under Head Coach Tony Sparano, and he will not be the O-Line coach under Offensive Coordinator Tony Sparano. I don't know how good he is, but his name looks like it's fun to say. Dave DeGuglielmo. De-Goog-leel-mo? De-guhg-leel-mo? I don't know.
I do not want to see Cabrera at 3rd. With his weight, playing 3rd for any extended length of time is going to crush his knees, and if he loses the weight to play 3rd effectively, he will lose some of his power. I cannot believe I am saying this, but Inge would be a better option at 3rd base, so is Wilson Betamit. Cabrera would be much more effective as a DH than a 3rd baseman.
This year Cabby should be almost full time DH with Martinez out.
And like I said in SS next year, move him to a corner OF spot and have him lose 10-15 pounds. We had Maggs and Delmon Young out there the past few years, I think we can sacrifice more bad defense. However, Nelson Cruz is the same billed weight and plays OF (I know they aren't built the same way but still).
And while I'd like Cespedes, there really won't be room unless they get rid of Young (which is possible). I know there isn't many great arms left out there, but they need to get a 5th starter so we don't have to pressure Turner into winning the spot since he's still young and another year (or even 1/2 year) in the minors could do him well.
And like I said in SS next year, move him to a corner OF spot and have him lose 10-15 pounds. We had Maggs and Delmon Young out there the past few years, I think we can sacrifice more bad defense. However, Nelson Cruz is the same billed weight and plays OF (I know they aren't built the same way but still).
And while I'd like Cespedes, there really won't be room unless they get rid of Young (which is possible). I know there isn't many great arms left out there, but they need to get a 5th starter so we don't have to pressure Turner into winning the spot since he's still young and another year (or even 1/2 year) in the minors could do him well.
Freedom 35
Kyle Orton Legend Killer
well there goes any small chance the Sox had this season
