Counsell is a far better offensively player, mostly due to his obp, but even his slugging pct is higher. I'm sure Punto is a fine defensive player but he's been a terrible hitter most of his career.
That seems like a lot of money for a guy who can't hit at all. I cannot believe there aren't a handful or even a dozen slick fielding middle infielders in the minors who could be as valuable as Punto.
Didn't they sign Travis Ishikawa to a minor league deal the other day? LH PH with good 1B defense. Good luck Casey. Few players get the chance to prove their worth in the majors. You grabbed your chance, played better than anyone could have expected, and now have great MLB stories to remember and share with the grandkids. Awesome job.
I have a hard time believing he is stupid or arrogant enough to do this and think he can get away with it in this day and age. Manny Ramirez? Yes, he's a great player, but he's dumb. Braun? It's hard to believe. His numbers have been consistent his entire MLB career. Either the test is faulty, or well, I don't know...
I'm fine with signing ARam; he'll make the team better. But I just gotta point out: Hart Career: 277/334/487 ARam Career: 284/342/500 Last two seasons combined: Hart: 283/340/525 ARam: 284/348/518 Overshadowed by Prince and Braun, Brewers fans don't appreciate how good Hart has become.
So with Albert signed does this make Kendry Morales available? I'd rather see Doug tell Prince, thanks, but we can get a younger guy for cheaper, who still pounds the snot out of the ball.
Good luck Jerry. Thanks for playing so well for the Brewers. If they aren't in the hunt come the trading deadline in 12 or 12 he can easily be flipped to a contender and have another chance at a ring.
Count me in for McGriff too. I think it was Bill James who wrote comparing a player to fringe HOF inductees is not a valid argument for that player's induction. That's kind of what the Bernie Williams argument feels like. Bernie was a very good/excellent hitter for 9 straight seasons. Before and after he wasn't anything special. Even though I hate the Yankees, he never bothered me and I always liked him as a player. I don't think he quite makes it, but I'm still listening to the arguments. Bernie being elected will be a lot easier to swallow than if Mattingly ever gets in. Donnie Baseball's career is remarkably overrated.
I like this list. No one else really feels like fighting for from the eligibles. I would fight for Lou Whitaker and Ted Simmons, however. Had they been Yankees.....well you know how that would have turned out.
Does this move Neftali into the rotation? If so, in effect they are getting a closer and possibly good to great starter for less than the cost of a free agent starter.
I suspect it will still matter at least on a regional level, for local matchups. Twins/Brewers, Yankees/Mets, Orioles/Nats, White sox/Cubs, those sorts of games will still bring the interleague angle to media coverage.
I agree with you. I think the Orioles had the best uniform in the game. Although their play is wretched, the look of the home team in the Camden Yards setting is as close to classic iconin MLB as you get these days.
As a lifelong Oriole fan I always preferred the "ornithologically correct" bird logo, but the cartoon bird is a nice alternative. Certainly better than the stupid, uninspired "O's" alternative logo. In the end they can dress up the team however they like. It's still just putting a rose on a cowpie.
Jerry has made a good name for himself in recent years. I bet the main factors will be length of contract and best chances for playing. He may be content to start the season with a bad team if it looks like he could play most days. The trend has been to flip him to a contender at the deadline. It's not a bad gig; he gets to play a lot early, then winds up with a contender looking to fill an important need. I guess what I'm saying is, Milwaukee may need Hairston more than he needs Milwaukee. He could still wind up back here if they are in contention.
I don't get the Barmes love. He's played his entire career for teams with great hitter's parks, yet has put up YuniB numbers. Is his defense so fantastic that he can be considered anything more than moderate upgrade/push over Yuni?