Players who will project to hit 15 or more homers next season:

 

Abreu

maybe Garcia

 

How is that going to play at USCF?

 

What is your assumption that the intention of next season's team is? To win the most games? To hit the most home runs? To set the team up to be competitive in 2017?

 

 

If someone is a crappy overall player but hits a few more home runs than a better overall player, the crappy player won't be the difference between a competitive and non-competitive team. That crappy player won't make the team better, he'll make it crappier.

Not a coincidence that our best teams in recent years (2000, 2003, 2005-2006, 2008, 2010, 2012) put up a ton of homers.

 

Those teams were already constructed with power hitters. If the team did not hit well, it was because the power hitters (having few other worthwhile skills) failed to hit for power due to injury or other.

 

The 2005 team did not win the World Series because of power hitting. They had a slightly subpar offense. 9th out of 14 AL teams. They scored 741 runs. You can get to that mediocre number a million different ways, hitting a lot of home runs is not a requirement.

 

They won the World Series because of their pitching.

Those teams were already constructed with power hitters. If the team did not hit well, it was because the power hitters (having few other worthwhile skills) failed to hit for power due to injury or other.

 

The 2005 team did not win the World Series because of power hitting. They had a slightly subpar offense. 9th out of 14 AL teams. They scored 741 runs. You can get to that mediocre number a million different ways, hitting a lot of home runs is not a requirement.

 

They won the World Series because of their pitching.

The 2005 Sox hit 200 HRs, which was 5th in all of baseball.

Trade who?

 

What power hitters under 30 are available, exactly, on the FA market?

 

Colby Rasmus? There aren't many, that's for sure.

 

You are right. Why do they need to be under 30? What is the point of next year's team? Is it to be set up to compete 3 years from now? Chris Sale is dominant now. Is it a good gamble to assume he won't have had a serious injury in the next 3 years? Nevermind your opinions on his particular frailty, look at every pitcher ever.

 

With no payroll obligations, I think Hahn will be more aggressive about fielding a potentially competitive team next year. If there is power hitting to be had, fine, but best available players is more important.

The 2005 Sox hit 200 HRs, which was 5th in all of baseball.

 

I know that.

 

And you didn't read my post.

Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo · 10m

Buzz this morning: #Mariners could be close to making a trade.

 

Possibly Viciedo???

 

 

what happen the the buzz regarding Mariners???? any updates???

what happen the the buzz regarding Mariners???? any updates???

 

their top scouts are at the Royals game today

their top scouts are at the Royals game today

 

 

Dayton Moore is undoubtedly considering a blockbuster trade where he deals James Shields in a blockbuster to the Mariners then tries to assure the fanbase Walker/Paxton/DJ Peterson will lead the Royals to the playoffs in 2016 and 2017.

Except we play at our park 81 times and the opposing team does not? Why wouldn't we tailor our offense around the characteristics of our park?

 

And in all 81 home games, we play a team that is also affected by the park we're in.

 

I can't think of any team that's been successful building a winner by tailoring the team to its extreme park. Colorado and San Diego have the most extreme parks and have tried the hardest. And before someone says it, Yankees have a bunch of good left handed power hitters doesn't help them because of the short porch; it helps them because good left handed power hitters are helpful.

The 2005 Sox hit 200 HRs, which was 5th in all of baseball.

 

Which led to a 9th ranked offense in runs. They don't give you wins based on homers, they give you wins based on runs.

 

Homers are great, but they are just one component of an effective offense.

And in all 81 home games, we play a team that is also affected by the park we're in.

 

I can't think of any team that's been successful building a winner by tailoring the team to its extreme park. Colorado and San Diego have the most extreme parks and have tried the hardest. And before someone says it, Yankees have a bunch of good left handed power hitters doesn't help them because of the short porch; it helps them because good left handed power hitters are helpful.

 

 

The Mariners, 3-4 seasons ago, built a "defense first team" for Safeco.

 

The Cardinals and Royals in the mid-80's built teams specifically for AstroTurf play...you can argue the Blue Jays did the same exact thing.

 

The Twins and Rays also come to mind.

The Mariners, 3-4 seasons ago, built a "defense first team" for Safeco.

 

The Cardinals and Royals in the mid-80's built teams specifically for AstroTurf play...you can argue the Blue Jays did the same exact thing.

 

The Twins and Rays also come to mind.

 

And the Mariners failed spectacularly.

 

What is a team specifically built for Astroturf play? One full of guys with strong knees?

 

How are the Rays built for their park?

 

Which led to a 9th ranked offense in runs. They don't give you wins based on homers, they give you wins based on runs.

 

Homers are great, but they are just one component of an effective offense.

With the OBPs on that team, they would have finished in the bottom 5 in offense without the homers.

what happen the the buzz regarding Mariners???? any updates???

 

Theres buzz that they may be targeting Willingham from the Twins.

Those teams were already constructed with power hitters. If the team did not hit well, it was because the power hitters (having few other worthwhile skills) failed to hit for power due to injury or other.

 

The 2005 team did not win the World Series because of power hitting. They had a slightly subpar offense. 9th out of 14 AL teams. They scored 741 runs. You can get to that mediocre number a million different ways, hitting a lot of home runs is not a requirement.

 

They won the World Series because of their pitching.

Exactly. Put it another way:

 

2014 Sox: 4.30 runs per game (7th in AL), .154 ISO (5th), 1.0 HR/game

2014 KCR: 4.13 runs per game (9th in AL), .113 ISO (15th), 0.6 HR/game

 

And yes, I know park comes into play. But here we've got two vastly different ways to get basically the same meh results.

With the OBPs on that team, they would have finished in the bottom 5 in offense without the homers.

 

Which is as much an argument that they needed more OBP as it is that they needed so many homers.

The 2005 White Sox scored almost the exact same percentage of their runs from home runs as previous teams. You need power in USCF. It plays as an average park to even slightly pitcher friendly except for home runs.

The 2005 White Sox scored almost the exact same percentage of their runs from home runs as previous teams. You need power in USCF. It plays as an average park to even slightly pitcher friendly except for home runs.

 

 

If you put this year's Royals team into USCF for 81 games, they would struggle to finish at .500 IMO.

With the OBPs on that team, they would have finished in the bottom 5 in offense without the homers.

 

With different hitters, they would have had higher OBPs.

If you put this year's Royals team into USCF for 81 games, they would struggle to finish at .500 IMO.

 

I think you misfired on this post, caulfield. The Royals actually play AWFUL in Kauffman Stadium. They've played well in the Cell. I think some of their moribund hitters actually would hit a lot of homers in the Cell. KC is abysmal at home.

Chris Cotillo ‏@ChrisCotillo 8m

The two #WhiteSox drawing the most interest: John Danks and Dayan Viciedo, according to sources.

Chris Cotillo ‏@ChrisCotillo 8m

The two #WhiteSox drawing the most interest: John Danks and Dayan Viciedo, according to sources.

 

 

Possibly good news is the Red Sox are playing really well and their GM said they are still in it. That may make them buyers instead of sellers( although Peavy will probably still go). They still need an outfielder and Viciedo may be suited to Fenway.

Good news. Hope we can steal something for Danks and Tank.

I feel like Jonny Gomes would make Tank redundant in Boston.

 

I don't see a fit either.

I feel like Jonny Gomes would make Tank redundant in Boston.

 

Yeah, I still think the Mariners would be the best fit for Viciedo.