Thursday, September 26, 2013

Award Voting

Wow, I am surprised at the turnout for award voting this season. Since Rodney was listed as the #1 choice, we know that at least 27 owners or more cast their ballots. Suzuki was a good choice though I still think Bennet had a better MVP season in the NL. I was surprised Santana won the AL MVP also. I guess Posey and his .327 average didn't wow the masses.

Somewhat surprised that Gibbons won the NL Cy Young by such a wide margin. Meanwhile Payton did squeeze out the AL Cy Young. Thurman and his final bout with the DL might have cost him the AL ROY but the Cy Young is in his sights next year. Congrats to Shannon as he was the closer with the mostest and deserved the AL ROY. Coghlan was pretty much a shoo-in for ROY in the NL.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

GM of the Year Voting

The polls are now open for the GM of the Year voting. I have tested the function thoroughly this year and have run into problems once again, at least it is different than last season. I thought it was the Browser but tested in FireFox and Chrome and ran into similar problems on registering the vote, sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. So, using the poll, just send me a Trade Chat voting for the GM in both leagues.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

And It Is the Final Pitch

The last game of the season and only one game of any real importance is left, Boston vs Baltimore to decide the AL East crown and the 2nd and 5th seeds. The Mets didn't wait around for Houston to beat Tampa Bay as we took care of business. Atlanta is happy as the Cards help capture the 2 seed for them.

The Mets won their last 7 games so I get to rest the beleaguered an extra day and a couple really need it. Trust me, Atlanta needed the 2 seed to rest. Now that things are wrapped up will they rest also?

Speaking of that 7 game win streak to finish the season, did I do something to help it along?  The answer is yes but I don't understand it at all, about as understandable as bread falling butter side down, Murphy's law.  All I did was switch the 4 and 5 hitters around, Peralta to the 4 slot and Gant to the 5th.  What that did I have no clue whatsoever. All I know is after I did that, the Mets as a team scored 51 runs in those 7 games and only gave up 11. That is something we hadn't been doing, scoring runs. We also put in a stronger defense to rest some of the starters a little but I doubt that had much to do with it.

I really liked the defense this year, looking at the NL as whole it is a little skewed as the Reds and Giants led the way with less than 70 errors, everyone else had 81+.  other than the Giants the rest of the playoff teams had between 88 and 94 errors. Cubs were the lowest with 86 and the Mets the highest at 94.  The Mets had the best plus/minus ratio though, 82/8. Mexico City had the most plus plays of the playoff teams and also the most minus plays at 87/34. The Cubs had almost the fewest in plus plays at 55 but only had 11 minus plays. The Braves were the worst with a 38/30 leveling. Last year the Mets were in trouble because of stolen bases, no one ran on us this year of course we know why.  Most of the playoff teams you can run against pretty easily.

Hitting is the optimal thing, as all the playoff teams were above the line in this area. Yeah the Mets were tied at 2nd place in hitting with three teams. That is unusual as we usually have a horrible average as a whole.

The Mets were first in pitching with all the playoff teams falling right behind except for the Cubs who just power their way in. The Mets had the most save opportunities at 75 but  almost had the most blown saves at 23, still that looks on average considering. The big factor as a whole, the Mets only gave up 564 runs which is the fewest of anyone.

The Mets had to replace  Omar Ordonez and Miguel Otanez at the beginning of the season. Just like Money Ball, we had to replace them as cheaply as possible. We went with Brutus Mora even though he was deemed a washout with Salem and LA.  He paid big dividends for us at 3B and the plate. Osvaldo Reynoso also played a big part, just couldn't let a good lead-off hitter go else where for cheap even though we didn't need him.  Which kinda brings us to a problem next year as we have three RF's and lead-off hitters on the team and only need two. John McInerney's days at playing an inept 2B are over and Jimmie Valentin will take over the spot in the field. That leaves some very expensive backups, but who to trade is the question.

Now for the question on the NL MVP:

Leo Rodney is ranked first with just cause. He is the Mets MVP hands down. The funny part he never hit before, remember I was always scratching my head about that. Don't know what caused him to do that but... So lets compare him to Pat Suzuki.  Suzuki leads the NL in the long ball department, second in batting average and RBI's, third in OPS, first in hits and runs scored. Meanwhile Rodney's ratings don't actually compare that well to Suzuki in all reality. However, he only has 9 fewer home runs and isn't in a home run friendly park. 16 fewer RBIs, 12 fewer hits but what sets them apart is the fact Rodney also has 13 more doubles and 30 more walks making his OBP 30 points higher and OPS 7 points higher. To me their stats make them rather equal. Comparing them in defense is pretty much a wash as both are very good at their position.

Now you compare those to with Jair Bennett and it becomes more of a problem as I consider his numbers better than Suzuki. I will vote for Rodney just because he is a Met and put up awesome numbers but all three could be the MVP.  BTW, Tyreace French will have better years ahead.

Look at the top 3 in the NL Cy Young, talk about tough choices. I might have to go with Nixon because he can go deeper into game, more innings and strike outs but it is a tough call.

Josh Coghlan for NL ROY because he with the right team and ball park.

The AL MVP is not that easy either as I like Donatello but how can you not like Posey's numbers in Oakland? Alvarez has some fantastic numbers also even though he is a DH.


Payton and Pose for the AL Cy Young is a hard distinction also.

Howard Shannon is an easy pick for AL ROY. Lou Thurman is a good choice also if it wasn't for the injury in his last start of the season.








Friday, September 13, 2013

The Iniquitous Trey

It has come down to the final series of the season. There is a lot riding on these games for a few teams.

AL

Baltimore is at home hosting Boston, on the line is the division crown. Can Boston make it 13 straight? Loser gets a Wild Card with the 5th seed. Just think, Boston won 12 in a row and barely made up any ground at one point.

Anaheim is on the road at Colorado Springs, on the line is a possible 2 seed. The Sky Sox reportedly are in bed with the flu but already possess the 6th seed.

Kansas City is on the road at Memphis, on the line is a 100 win season. Okay, who really cares.

NL

Chicago wins 15 out of last 17 to hit the 100 win mark. THHHHHUUUUUPPPPPP!!!!!

Atlanta hosts New York in a big series, on the line is the 6th seed for the Mets, 2nd seed for the Braves. Mets need a win coupled with a loss by the Rays and Dodgers at a minimum. Braves need to stay ahead of the Diablos.

Diablos vs Cards just because it is good baseball. Actually Mexico City could make a play for the 2nd seed but would need a sweep by the Mets plus sweep the Cards. That is a real tough scenario. Mexico City would hold the 2nd tie breaker if it comes down to a tie however.

Tampa Bay is on the road at Houston, on the line is a shot at the 6th seed. Tie or pass the Mets coupled with a Los Angeles loss.

Los Angeles is at home hosting Arizona, on the line is the 6th seed. Tie or pass the Mets and stay tied or pass Tampa Bay as they hold all the tie breakers.


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The Finality of It All

Yup, we have come down to the final 10 games of the season. It has been a mind blowing season if you ask me. Cubs and Royals are the only teams that could win 100 games and that could be just barely. That could be a record if no playoff team wins 100 games, too lazy to look it for sure.

AL

The AL wrapped up its season 10 games ago which is a first in a very long time. All we are waiting on is the final seedings and that could become a bit problematic..

1. Kansas City
2. Baltimore, Boston, Anaheim or Colorado all have a shot
3. See above
4. Detroit, the surprising Wonderkind of the North
5. The best loser of 2 and 3
6. The loser of losers from 2 and 3...well, SNAP, it could be a tie all the way around wouldn't that make it perplexing?

NL

The NL is showing a lot more Drama fro the final 10 games.

1. Chicago has a three game lead
2. Atlanta and Mexico City still looking for the break
3. Loser of 2
4. Giants are penciled in even though they didn't believe me.
5. St. Louis were better than I thought
6. A kinky three way has turned into a foursome, golf anybody?

Tampa Bay, New York, Los Angeles, and Cincy try to make the final push

Rays have Chicago and Mexico City on tap, that ain't good
Mets have Arizona, Philly and Atlanta, not exactly easy
Dodgers have Milwaukee, Frisco and Arizona, that ain't cake either
Reds have San Diego, Pittsburgh and Chicago, may look easier but...


Saturday, September 7, 2013

The Twisted Twenty

The Last 20 games are on tap for those who are faint of heart. But first...

Desi Guerrero should hit .250 or better easily. Stolen bases should be a bit better also. Strikes out more than he should also. He has better ratings than Omar Ordonez and Miguel Otanez and they were very admiral at the plate. Could be playing hurt or his age as I don't see it being coaching this time around.


As promised things have calmed a bit in the NL. Big fight for the #1 seed however as the Cubs, Diablos and Braves are fighting for position.

The Giants have advanced to a 5 game lead out in the West over the Dodgers with the D'Backs still in hot pursuit.

The Cards are still in striking distance of the Diablos and holding onto the first Wild Card slot also.

The Rays, Mets and Dodgers all have their eyes on the last Wild Card spot. The D'backs and Reds remain hopeful.

The Dodgers and Reds have the easiest schedules, The Rays have the most horrendous schedule while the Mets have 7 with the D"Backs and 3 with the Rays which overjoys no one but the fans.

Unless something drastic happens in the AL, The Tigers, Orioles, Royals, Angels, Sky Sox and Red Sox look primed to be the playoff teams. Oakland and Dover can still put a monkey wrench in things but their schedules just don't look that great for making up many games.

As for the Mets, I have no clue except one. I have no fix for this one so don't ask. Not often you see one of the best pitching and hitting teams not make the playoffs in the NL. On the surface we have one of the worst defenses, error wise anyway. The stolen base issue from last season was resolved and our plus/minus is one of the best. The only problem I can see is the immaculate 1-run record, 11-23 is a laughing matter that makes me want to cry...lol

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

International News

Jackson Law agreed to terms with the Florida Marlins for $10.5M. I am not all that keen on Internationals who aren't 18 years old as they tend not to progress well. Still, Law has the potential to be a very nice player for the money paid. My scouting says he might be a bit of long shot to play a decent SS but 3B is very probable. My own thoughts says 3B and a probable 2B thrown in with an outside shot at a decent SS, all of which would make a lot of difference in my books as to his value. CF doesn't look all that logical btw. Has speed which is a big help and throw in some already decent hitting abilities that will go up some though what my scouts and what I think is two different stories and you have a very good cheap buy.

Grade: A+

Season 28 Dirty Thirty

That is right sport fans, down to 30 games to go. I will tell you what!, it has been an unusual season in the NL.

The Cubs, Braves and Diablos may have pulled far enough away from their division rivals to finally think about claiming their respective division titles. Believe it or not there is a huge uproar over who will claim the final division title out West. Then there is the race for the two wild card spots, the Pirates are the only team not in the hunt. I have never seen 15 of the 16 teams eligible for the playoffs this late in the season.  The next 10 games should shorten the list however, good or bad.

The AL is a lot different as things are a lot quieter. Detroit is one of the biggest surprises of the season. After last years mediocrity season, they were sort of written off. All eyes were on Toronto but they haven't been able to put things together.

The AL East sees someone other than Boston in first place. This one has been a fun division to watch. The Dung might be running out of Beetles though. The O's and Red Sox may battle down to the wire and it is possible both might be playoff bound besides.

Kansas City is the only shoo-in team and they actually claimed the division title at All-Star break. Their goal is to be the #1 seed which is up in the air still.

The West has been a menage a' trois all season long. All three hold the keys as to how the AL will turn out in the end.

Other than Kansas City and probably Detroit, I can say that as 10 more wins would make the rest of the North go 21-9 to just catch up which is feasible but unlikely, only 5 other teams are in position to make a playoff run. Add in an outside chance for Dover and even slimmer hopes for Toronto, Montreal and Minnesota doesn't make for a big race like the NL.