There are currently 32 major league ballplayers that, based on 92 games played, are on pace to hit 30 or more home runs this season.
Let's assume, for the sake of discussion, that none of the other players will get hot and eventually hit 30-plus bombs...though of course some of them will. Then, just using this as a yardstick for big fly production, let's compare BARB players on the list. Doesn't prove anything, it's just food for discussion (OK, really, it's an argument-starter from a provocateur).
Black Mesa: 1 (Dunn)
Brooklyn: 4 (Utley, Howard, Bay, McCann)
Casselton: 2 (Gonzalez, Dye)
Darwin: 5 (Berkman, Hamilton, Ankiel, Jones, Bradley)
Frostbite Falls: 1 (Albert Pujols)
Las Vegas: 2 (Fielder, Ramirez)
Lexington: 2 (Lee, Wright)
Oakeyland: 2 (Carlos Quentin, Mark Reynolds)
Pottsylvania: 1 (Aubrey Huff)
S-Mart: 2 (Uggla, A-Rod)
Worcester: 4 (Sizemore, Ramirez, Mike Jacobs, Mark Teixeira)
Yuma: 1 (Braun)
Not in BARB, at all (5!): Pat Burrell, Ryan Ludwick, Jason Giambi, Marcus Thames, Nate McLouth
Now, what about the highlighted names above? Well, these guys are (get this) players who have spent most of the first half of the season in these club's minor-league system! Quentin hasn't played regularly, despite Oakeyland's well-publicized injuries to Andruw Jones and Eric Byrnes. Pottsylvania, which hasn't scored many runs, still hasn't recalled Aubrey Huff. There are players here which could help the world champion Yuma Firebirds, who have averaged less than three runs per game in the last two weeks. Curious! In many cases, these players are blocked by big-money vets, which brings us to . . .
WORCESTER'S FOLLY
As mentioned, Eliminators farmhand Mike Jacobs (.249, 18 HR, 50 RBI) could really help a Yuma Firebirds club that's struggling to score runs, and he's blocked by a pair of high-priced keepers on Worcester's roster: Derek Lee and Mark Teixiera. Why isn't Worcester trying to deal Jacobs?
Here's another Eliminators puzzle: why does SS Derek Jeter, so far, have only 42 at-bats this season? Answer: because the veteran (hitting .333 with 2 HR) is warming the bench so that Robinson Cano (hitting .220 in 62 games) can play second and Hanley Ramirez can play short. Well, that's just crazy, to keep a talented AND expensive ($10 million!) player like Jeter sidelined. Why isn't Worcester trotting out Jeter regularly as a 'super-utility' player capable of playing all the infield spots and DH-ing?
One more Eliminators question: LHP Eric Bedard (3-4, 3.80) and RHP Tim Hudson (1-5, 5.10) haven't been that effective in the club's rotation, and Bedard is nursing lingering injuries. How long will it take for Worcester to put LHP Jon Lester (the author of a no-hitter) into the starting mix?
Or, perhaps, since Worcester has the best mark in BARB of late (9-3 over the last two weeks) perhaps all this well-intentioned advice should be ignored . . .
3 comments:
well lets answer these questions.
1st- i like the security of knowing that if lee or tex go down with an injury i have a very capable 30 HR potential bat ready step in. i may take a dip avg but power wise i feel fine. also, maybe when the barb trade deadline approaches i may decide to trade him. but i, im no rush. right now, i like the security.
2nd- hpw am i suppose to know cano is struggling so badly?????????????????????? maybe we could get consistent stat updates. Hey there's a thought. I wish i wouldve had that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And BARB should be running on last years stats which make Cano's .306 AVG 19 HR 97 RBI and Hanley's .332 AVG 29 HR 51 SB a little more appealing that Jeter's .322 AVG 12 HR 15 SB.
3rd- Im affraid i have to pull the stat card again. In BARB we have no stats on these players only you (SH) do and are able to update you lineups accordingly!!!!!!!!!! Cheating?????? well thats a topic for another discussion. Also, BARB IS PLAYING OFF LAST YEARS STATS so again (sigh)... Bedards 13 W 3.16 ERA and 221 SO and Hudsons 16 W 3.31 ERA 224.1 IP are a little more appealing than Lesters 4 W 4.57 ERA 63 IP
4th- trust me i will ignore all advice.
Matt,
First, HA HA, You can't trade Lee or Tex... you locked them up as keepers. Stupid decision.
Second, you have to remember that the hitters are facing almost every time out all-star type pitchers, so you cannot expect every time hitters will produce those numbers; same for pitchers cause they too are facing all-star like hitters. SOO all in all, its a fifty-fifty every time out... but pitching does win championships
ALSO, I love how Cano, Bernard is doing in BARB. JUST LIKE IN REAL LIFE> Gosh I love that lol!
um ronald if you read SH article he was talking about me trading jacobs because i have lee and tex. i was saying i like the security of knowing i have jacobs backing up lee and tex. it was about me trading jacobs not lee or tex.
yet you have sent many offers for cano and i dont even know who bernard is.
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