Running slow is also a skill.

Bucky wrote:is hitting into DPs considered more luck-based or skill-based? i.e. is it a repeatable talent???

I have no idea, however Pujols also led the NL twice in this category (even though he was great then)and others also gravitate toward the top. I suppose you're more likely to do so if you're on a good offensive team, you play a lot, and you put the ball into play, so while it's somewhat repeatable it's not necessarily negative. Being slow helps too, though. The list of players to lead the league over the past few years includes (besides Pujols) Matt Holliday, Ryan Zimmerman, Vladimir Guerrero and Billy Butler. Also Delmon Young in 2007.

The Cardinals lead the league in GDPs and also runs per game.

THey also lead the league in OBP. My guess is that there is a correlation. But maybe not.

They're also batting 1.001 with RISP-2

Kinda impressed Brown has only managed to GIDP once. Either he's been very lucky or just quick enough to avoid them

maybe its a repeatable thing like M. Young's GIDP skill.

4 years/$50M (2012-15), plus 2016 option

4 years/$50M (2012-15), plus 2016 vesting option
signed by Philadelphia as a free agent 11/14/11
12:$11,000,058, 13-15: $13M annually, 16:$13M vesting option
2016 option guaranteed with 55 games finished in 2015 or 100 games finished in 2014-15

Barry Jive wrote:4 years/$50M (2012-15), plus 2016 option

4 years/$50M (2012-15), plus 2016 vesting option
signed by Philadelphia as a free agent 11/14/11
12:$11,000,058, 13-15: $13M annually, 16:$13M vesting option
2016 option guaranteed with 55 games finished in 2015 or 100 games finished in 2014-15

Didn't remember that last part. Could well be 5 years.

It'll be like K-Rod where he'll wind up being terrible enough to lose his spot as closer my the middle of 2014.

K-Rod still would have eclipsed it had he not waived it as part of a buyout agreement when he was traded to Milwaukee. or it would have been close

edit: ah, i guess not since the Brewers didn't use him in that role. he ended up with 36 GF out of the 55 he needed. but i'm guessing he knew that would happen which is why he took the buyout agreement

Too soon to add Prince Fielder to this? He of the same OPS+ as Ryan Howard and seven (!) more years of contract.

Nah, he'll definitely bounce back. Good body.

what's with the bitter sarcasm all the time now, grote

Barry Jive wrote:what's with the bitter sarcasm all the time now, grote

From me? Ok...

I support offering Howard straight up for Prince.

Grotewold wrote:Too soon to add Prince Fielder to this? He of the same OPS+ as Ryan Howard and seven (!) more years of contract.

Nah, he'll definitely bounce back. Good body.

Yes, too soon.

Played 162 games each of the last 2 years, and put up 164 and 151 OPS+
Howard played 152 and 71, and put up 126 and 91.

Fielder's 29.
Howard's 33.

Fielder has two (fat) legs.
Howard has one.


That said, I don't think Fielder will be playing at any kind of level at 35 or 37 years old. But, at 29, with no injury problems, too soon.

Grotewold wrote:

Barry Jive wrote:what's with the bitter sarcasm all the time now, grote

From me? Ok...

i mean i expect it from other people. sometimes (this instance in particular) I don't know what you're getting at. I don't think anyone here would argue that Prince Fielder's contract is good or that his body type is a plus

Shore wrote:

Grotewold wrote:Too soon to add Prince Fielder to this? He of the same OPS+ as Ryan Howard and seven (!) more years of contract.

Nah, he'll definitely bounce back. Good body.

Yes, too soon.

Played 162 games each of the last 2 years, and put up 164 and 151 OPS+
Howard played 152 and 71, and put up 126 and 91.

Fielder's 29.
Howard's 33.

Fielder has two (fat) legs.
Howard has one.


That said, I don't think Fielder will be playing at any kind of level at 35 or 37 years old. But, at 29, with no injury problems, too soon.

I get all that. But we're not gonna count this year? I'd be pretty concerned if I were a Tigers fan.

If you only abide by one rule in your life as a baseball GM and that rule is "don't sign fat people to long term deals" you'll avoid the stupid mistakes from that article that Trent Steele posted. You may miss out on a CC Sabathia from time to time but I think all things considered you'll live a happier life.

Grotewold wrote:

Shore wrote:

Grotewold wrote:Too soon to add Prince Fielder to this? He of the same OPS+ as Ryan Howard and seven (!) more years of contract.

Nah, he'll definitely bounce back. Good body.

Yes, too soon.

Played 162 games each of the last 2 years, and put up 164 and 151 OPS+
Howard played 152 and 71, and put up 126 and 91.

Fielder's 29.
Howard's 33.

Fielder has two (fat) legs.
Howard has one.


That said, I don't think Fielder will be playing at any kind of level at 35 or 37 years old. But, at 29, with no injury problems, too soon.

I get all that. But we're not gonna count this year? I'd be pretty concerned if I were a Tigers fan.

Of course we'll count this year. (BTW, if your Tigers fandom was anything like your Phillies, you would NOT BE CONCERNED AT ALL). We'll count the whole year. And take it in context with the dominant 2 prior years. If this year finishes the way it is, and next year goes like this year, then, yep - put him on the list. But if this is a 3 or 4 month aberration (one that puts him only 13% better than the average hitter), and he pops back up to a 135 OPS+, or all the way back to 150 or 160, then, no, off the list.