November 21, 20196 yr 1 minute ago, Balta1701 said: So a general question here and there's 1 or 2 people who have brought this up...some people have suggested that (even excluding the playoffs where he had the yips series), the Dodgers didn't like his fielding nearly as much as the advanced metrics, which adore him. Does anyone have any extra ability to add reading or info on that? He does have a problem with passed balls I believe.
November 21, 20196 yr 40 minutes ago, BrianAnderson said: I'm saying at the end of his contract .. so his ages 33 and 34. Look at Catcher historical results -- even the best like Posey really age poorly. Mauer is another example. Of course I hope it doesn't happen and maybe it will be less if we have him at DH a bit more over these next few years. But I think there's a real shot his HR total and ability to get on base drops with age and you're stuck then paying a big tab for a DH and occasional backup catcher. Fair point...but most big contracts are not great at the end. Maybe saving his knees with more DH games at ages 31& 32 he can be a good 1B/DH option during his 33/34 years. But I would agree his numbers would drop at the end of his contract..no doubt.
November 21, 20196 yr Where’s Balta? It’s 3:37 a.m. China time, c’mon! The bizarre thing is just signing a five year contract to stay teaching here...precisely twelve hours ago, on Thursday. Unfortunately, only five zeroes!
November 21, 20196 yr The only problem, if you can call it that, is Ricky is going to have to be a little creative with lineup construction now with the lineup rotations. And he's fucking bad at that.
November 21, 20196 yr 10 minutes ago, Balta1701 said: So a general question here and there's 1 or 2 people who have brought this up...some people have suggested that (even excluding the playoffs where he had the yips series), the Dodgers didn't like his fielding nearly as much as the advanced metrics, which adore him. Does anyone have any extra ability to add reading or info on that? This, from late 2016...the obvious risk or concern here is automated/computerized ball and strike calls being instituted in the the next four seasons https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/playoffs16_appreciatinggrandal/putting-value-los-angeles-dodgers-catcher-yasmani-grandal-proper-frame “Or, arguably, catchers who frame, which is how Grandal got brought into this MVP conversation in the first place. Grandal is a fine hitter, though that fact is obscured by his home ballpark and a low batting average. Only two catchers -- Jonathan Lucroy and Wilson Ramos -- were better hitters in 2016, by wOBA, and only Lucroy, Buster Posey and Russell Martin top him since 2014. But he doesn't hit the way MVPs hit. His arm and blocking aren't notable, and he has twice led the league in passed balls. But he's almost certainly an extraordinary pitch-framer, finishing second in the majors in Baseball Prospectus' framing runs (with 27 saved) this season after leading the majors (with 26) in 2015. That made him the seventh-most valuable player in the NL this year, according to BP's wins above replacement player -- just as PECOTA had projected. The existence of pitch-framing is not controversial; teams have taught it for decades, and Grandal traces his own education in the skill back to a college coach. He takes pride in his ability to steal strikes, and his teammates and bosses praise him for it. There is, then, nobody disputing that collecting strikes is real, and very little dispute that Grandal is good at it. But there's also no disputing that making strong relay throws is a real skill for a middle infielder, or that a good pickoff throw is a real skill for a pitcher. Were I to argue that Elvis Andrus' relay throws are worth 30 runs and make him an MVP candidate, I would find disputers. So Grandal's potential MVP candidacy would come down to one question: Is the number -- the 27 runs -- credible?”
November 21, 20196 yr 6 minutes ago, caulfield12 said: Where’s Balta? It’s 3:37 a.m. China time, c’mon! The bizarre thing is just signing a five year contract to stay teaching here...precisely twelve hours ago, on Thursday. Unfortunately, only five zeroes! Is there a 6th year option on that?
November 21, 20196 yr 11 minutes ago, mqr said: He does have a problem with passed balls I believe. Watching lots of Dodgers games, I can tell you he is also a bit iffy and slow on plays in front of the plate... But we lived with ol AJ for what... 9 seasons?
November 21, 20196 yr 6 minutes ago, wegner said: Is there a 6th year option on that? Only if I teach 30+ hours per week and miss less than 2 days of school in Year 5, at age 55. Ironically, teachers are typically forced into retirement at age 60 in China...but I think there’s an exception if you stay with your current employer (as opposed to signing with a new school at 60+). Edited November 21, 20196 yr by caulfield12
November 21, 20196 yr Just now, caulfield12 said: Only if I teach 30+ hours per week and miss less than 2 days of school in Year 5, at age 55. Ironically, teachers are forced into retirement at age 60 in China...but I think there’s an exception if you stay with your current employer (as opposed to signing with a new school at 60+). What if you are voted teacher of the year in years 2-4? BTW I love the Soxtalk dedication with how late/early it is over there!!
November 21, 20196 yr So thrilled the Sox jumped right on it and set the market, wish they could have done it with Brantley last year. The only concern I do have about Grandal is how in the world do 2 teams now lose him via free agency? And two solid contending teams who for the most part appear to know what they are doing?
November 21, 20196 yr 15 minutes ago, BackDoorBreach said: The only problem, if you can call it that, is Ricky is going to have to be a little creative with lineup construction now with the lineup rotations. And he's fucking bad at that. Prepare for Grandal in the leadoff spot lol Edited November 21, 20196 yr by ScooterMcGee
November 21, 20196 yr 5 minutes ago, ScooterMcGee said: Prepare for Grandal in the leadoff spot lol .380 OBP last year...you could do a lot worse at leadoff.
November 21, 20196 yr Just now, sj91 said: .380 OBP last year...you could do a lot worse at leadoff. True!
November 21, 20196 yr 1 hour ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said: BA literally thinks that only a minute amount of teams who make the playoffs have a chance of actually winning. And was I wrong? I predicted almost in order the final remaining teams. 4 teams had a chance going into the playoffs this year. Astros, Dodgers, Nats ... and Yankees, but mostly because of their bats and bullpen. The rest needed everything to break right. Rays and Braves were the next closest. We're not up to snuff with any of those teams and won't be until 2022 (assuming no injuries and young guys continue to progress)
November 21, 20196 yr My god... I can't believe Reinsdorf is actually putting those old, shriveled up balls on the table. I'm jacked!
November 21, 20196 yr 2 hours ago, mqr said: Stoney has been telling us this was going to happen for two months He's now indicating on Twitter that pitching is next, so that probably does mean a Wheeler signing could soon be in the offing!
November 21, 20196 yr This makes me think they never liked Machado that much and were just trying to placate the complainers.
November 21, 20196 yr 1 minute ago, TaylorStSox said: This makes me think they never liked Machado that much and were just trying to placate the complainers. Revisionist history in 3-2-1....I never wanted Machado anyways.
November 21, 20196 yr 1 minute ago, wegner said: Revisionist history in 3-2-1....I never wanted Machado anyways. I never wanted Machado at all.
November 21, 20196 yr 13 pages and has anyone mentioned the Cuban connection with Grandal? PS: when can I buy a Grandal jersey T?
November 21, 20196 yr 3 minutes ago, TaylorStSox said: I never wanted Machado at all. I believe you, I was talking about myself actually. I was convinced he was the answer last year. In retrospect, we are probably better to have lost out on him.
November 21, 20196 yr 39 minutes ago, Balta1701 said: So a general question here and there's 1 or 2 people who have brought this up...some people have suggested that (even excluding the playoffs where he had the yips series), the Dodgers didn't like his fielding nearly as much as the advanced metrics, which adore him. Does anyone have any extra ability to add reading or info on that? https://www.wsj.com/articles/heres-the-catch-on-yasmani-grandal-11546188449 I think that covers it a bit; not sure as I am not home so I don't have my WSJ login.
November 21, 20196 yr 3 minutes ago, Charlie Haeger's Knuckles said: 13 pages and has anyone mentioned the Cuban connection with Grandal? PS: when can I buy a Grandal jersey T? Yes they have
November 21, 20196 yr 7 minutes ago, wegner said: Revisionist history in 3-2-1....I never wanted Machado anyways. I was pretty butthurt we didn't sign Machado.... mostly because of what he represented in terms of a major shift to organizational philosophy. In hindsight, I am very relieved he did not sign with us.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.