Nate Silver takes a closer look at replacement level in search of a better, zestier approach.
Roy Oswalt is making a point of shoving his doubters noses in his return. Randy Johnson remains on track for his July 17th return after having a successful side session. The fracture news isn’t as good for Nick Johnson. Kent Mercker has gone through more than almost any baseball player in recent memory, from a torn hand to a cerebral hemorrhage.
With the Juan Gonzalez trade still up in the air, Joe Sheehan urges the Rangers to play hardball with their reluctant slugger: accept the deal or grab some pine.
The White Sox may finally commit to Willie Harris. The Reds are playing all the wrong players. The Miguel Cabrera era begins in Florida. The Twins’ handling of Johan Santana is a crime. News, notes, and Kahrlisms in the latest edition of Transaction Analysis.
The Braves have a history of great minor-league pitching; Johan Santana continues to be oppressed by Lord Gardenhire; and the Devil Rays have a couple of players who might actually deserve a spot on the AL All-Star team. All this and much more news from Atlanta, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay in your Wednesday edition of Prospectus Triple Play.
Part II of Jonah Keri’s interview with Tendu founder Ron Antinoja discusses the rigors of being a Tendu scorer, some of the firm’s clients, and future improvements in the company’s database and software.
Edgar Martinez’s Hall of Fame candidacy remains controversial, judging by my e-mail, which baffles me.
There is a historical precedent for electing a Designated Hitter to the Hall of Fame. As baseball has evolved, the players who have evolved with it have been recognized for their accomplishments in the new roles they’ve filled. Shortstop, for instance, hasn’t always existed in its present role, but would anyone argue that no shortstop should ever have been elected to the Hall of Fame because they would be the first? For most of baseball’s history, the relief corps has been random swing starters, position players, the rotation on their off-days, and passers-by. Would anyone argue that true relief aces like Goose Gossage and Dennis Eckersley shouldn’t even be considered because their contributions in relief came in a role that didn’t exist, or wasn’t important, throughout baseball history? The DH is a position in the rules, and the DH contributes to a team’s success or failures.
Mark Buehrle isn’t the ace the White Sox hoped he’d be. The Cardinals offense is more top-heavy than Morganna. Kameron Loe may be a late-round steal for the Rangers. These and other news and notes out of Chicago, St. Louis, and Texas in today’s Prospectus Triple Play.
Matt Mantei is nearing his return to the mound–and his next appearance in UTK. Fred McGriff goes on the DL for the first time in his career. Melvin Mora’s off-the-charts season hits a snag. These and other injury updates in today’s Under The Knife by Will Carroll.
Joe Sheehan clears up a Fisk snafu, endorses Ryan Klesko for the NL All-Star Team, and mourns the loss of a die-hard Reds fan in Prospectus Today.
Ron Antinoja founded and runs a service called Tendu. The firm–so named for teams’ desire to understand player and coaching tendencies to do certain things in certain situations–expects to track the velocity, location and result of about 90% of all major league pitches this season. Tendu tracks those pitches and their outcomes and stores that information in an Internet database that allows users to discover pitcher and hitter tendencies in any given situation. Jonah Keri recently chatted with Antinoja about teams’ neverending quest to get the upper hand on the opponent.
A year and a day after Darryl Kile’s death, Will Carroll wonders if MLB has learned any lessons from the tragedy.
Billy Koch said that his current “dead arm” period is forcing him to learn to pitch. I guess if I had high-90s heat, I might be inclined to just try and throw it by everyone, but somewhere–perhaps after Tommy John surgery or when he was with Rick Peterson–shouldn’t he have learned just a little bit about pitching? Changing speeds and hitting spots is a good thing, even with that heater in your arsenal. Most pitchers would love to have a live arm that was in the 92 range, let alone a dead one at those velocities.
The Expos have been very encouraged by reports surrounding the rehab of Vlad Guerrero. It’s pretty clear at this point that Guerrero will avoid surgery in the near term, but as he transitions from physical therapy to baseball activities over the next week, his ability to remain healthy will come into question.
Jeff Kent had a cortisone injection in his left wrist to try and control some “raging tendinitis.” This problem is nothing along the lines of those experienced by Nick Johnson or Travis Hafner, but wrist problems do have a tendency to heal slowly and fitfully. This injury could rob Kent of some power, at least in the short term, and the DL is not out of the question.
Adam Everett has been Gold Glove-worthy so far this year. The Brewers’ 2002 draft is bearing fruit. The A’s may pay for their ill-advised spending on the likes of Jermaine Dye. Plus more news and notes, Prospectus Triple Play-style, out of Houston, Milwaukee, and Oakland.
Baseball Prospectus mourns the loss of pioneering sportswriter Leonard Koppett.
Kansas City Royals owner David Glass discusses taking on salary and the pennant race. Sammy Sosa’s still talking Corkgate, but Danny Graves isn’t. Rick Peterson offers some insight on developing and managing pitchers. All this and more in this edition of The Week In Quotes.