[Savage Henry]

Swampy, on 29 October 2011 - 14:36, said:

Disagree, I don't think he could have done anything else last year. This year, yeah, but last year the Giants were simply better.

I'd argue his use of the bullpen in the first two games in San Francisco was poor. Not pitching Feliz until game three after having a week off or something like it was strange. As was playing Vlad in right field at AT&T park twice. He didn't bench players who needed benching, whereas Bochy showed no loyalty to anyone struggling. He also handled the matchups badly, and clearly had no idea how to deal with Javier Lopez. I'd also suggest that he had no idea about CJ Wilson's blister in game 2. That game should never have finished 9-1 or whatever it was.

Of course, it wasn't his fault that his number 4 starter was a bloated idiot who couldn't finish five full frames. Or that Cain, Bumgarner and Lincecum were just ridiculous pretty much every game. Or that Edgar Renteria of all people took Cliff Lee deep. A combination of lightening in a bottle and quality there, I'll grant you, but I thought Bochy outmanaged him nonetheless, and I think the Rangers would have beaten the Cardinals with a different manager.

Having said that, the Rangers system is loaded, and I can see them dominating the AL for a while.

[calum_gers]

Tony La Russa has retired, a good way to go i guess!

[Swampy]

Savage Henry, on 30 October 2011 - 08:21, said:

I'd argue his use of the bullpen in the first two games in San Francisco was poor. Not pitching Feliz until game three after having a week off or something like it was strange. As was playing Vlad in right field at AT&T park twice. He didn't bench players who needed benching, whereas Bochy showed no loyalty to anyone struggling. He also handled the matchups badly, and clearly had no idea how to deal with Javier Lopez. I'd also suggest that he had no idea about CJ Wilson's blister in game 2. That game should never have finished 9-1 or whatever it was.

Of course, it wasn't his fault that his number 4 starter was a bloated idiot who couldn't finish five full frames. Or that Cain, Bumgarner and Lincecum were just ridiculous pretty much every game. Or that Edgar Renteria of all people took Cliff Lee deep. A combination of lightening in a bottle and quality there, I'll grant you, but I thought Bochy outmanaged him nonetheless, and I think the Rangers would have beaten the Cardinals with a different manager.

Having said that, the Rangers system is loaded, and I can see them dominating the AL for a while.

The point about benching is a good one. This postseason I'd say he actually went the other way and was slightly too ruthless. But for me it all comes down to SF's pitchers last year. Lincecum in Game 5 was a historic performance. Even in Game 1, against on-fire batters, he was decisive. I think SF were simply the better team.

But it doesn't change the fact that this year was simply a massive missed opportunity. Texas should have won their first ever World Series and with just one or two different decisions they would have done. The worry now is that all the momentum that's built the franchise up over the past two years is being undone. Guys like me who took a vague interest previously but have now turned into actual fans, we'll drift away. It helps that North Texas is a growing area but with the Cowboys and even the Mavericks to compete with, anything short of another division title is going to see interest fade very quickly.

[Savage Henry]

Swampy, on 31 October 2011 - 15:36, said:

The point about benching is a good one. This postseason I'd say he actually went the other way and was slightly too ruthless. But for me it all comes down to SF's pitchers last year. Lincecum in Game 5 was a historic performance. Even in Game 1, against on-fire batters, he was decisive. I think SF were simply the better team.

But it doesn't change the fact that this year was simply a massive missed opportunity. Texas should have won their first ever World Series and with just one or two different decisions they would have done. The worry now is that all the momentum that's built the franchise up over the past two years is being undone. Guys like me who took a vague interest previously but have now turned into actual fans, we'll drift away. It helps that North Texas is a growing area but with the Cowboys and even the Mavericks to compete with, anything short of another division title is going to see interest fade very quickly.

Tell you what, as a bit of an anorak baseball fan who could talk the great American past-time all day, Texas could become one of the most dominant teams in recent memory. Their farm is absolutely loaded with talent, especially position players. Get a top quality pitcher or two - a Lincecum, a Cain - anyone from the Giants rotation - and they'll win their division for years. Texas fans have a good thing going on, much as Washington does in the NL. As you say, whether the fans have the patience is another matter.

Edit; I'll also say this. You are right. He definitely tried to emulate Bruce Bochy's management from last year. But from the outside it looked like he found it un-natural, and as you say, over did it. He's definitely trying to learn as a manager, I'll give him that.

This post has been edited by Savage Henry: 01 November 2011 - 04:05

[Cowshed Chris]

As I suspected Jim Thome has agreed terms with the Phillies, 1 year $1.25mil.

Nice

[lichtie23]

Cowshed Chris, on 06 November 2011 - 12:20, said:

As I suspected Jim Thome has agreed terms with the Phillies, 1 year $1.25mil.

Nice

How old he now? 41?

[Cowshed Chris]

Nationals Catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in his hometown in Venuzuela...

Hope everything works out okay

[David W]

Papelbon to the Phillies. Long contract and a lot of money. As someone who feels that the value of a closer is overstated, I'm not convinced.

[Cowshed Chris]

David W, on 11 November 2011 - 20:07, said:

Papelbon to the Phillies. Long contract and a lot of money. As someone who feels that the value of a closer is overstated, I'm not convinced.

The role of closer is not overstated but I'm disappointed we've given so much to JP. I'd have preferred Madson for that money.

[Savage Henry]

Cowshed Chris, on 11 November 2011 - 23:52, said:

The role of closer is not overstated but I'm disappointed we've given so much to JP. I'd have preferred Madson for that money.

There doesn't seem to be much "fare thee well" coming out of Boston. I heard he's not one for coaching. Four years and $50m seems like a reasonable deal for ostensibly an elite pitcher. Much more reasonable than other contracts being thrown about.

Oh and edited to add; Giants trade hot-headed Jonathan Sanchez - due for a massive pay hike - for Melky Cabrera. Makes much more sense for the Giants than the Royals on first look.

This post has been edited by Savage Henry: 12 November 2011 - 07:43

[Shuggie_Murray7]

Cowshed Chris, on 10 November 2011 - 19:36, said:

Nationals Catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in his hometown in Venuzuela...

Hope everything works out okay

Venezuelan police can get shit done!!!

[lichtie23]

Shuggie_Murray7, on 12 November 2011 - 15:45, said:

Venezuelan police can get shit done!!!

Great news

[David W]

The Astros are off to the AL West in 2013. Means interleague play every day.

[Savage Henry]

David W, on 17 November 2011 - 23:08, said:

The Astros are off to the AL West in 2013. Means interleague play every day.

Seems fairly sensible I guess. Not sure how big a fan I am of so much interleague play.

[David W]

Tragic news from MLB that Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman has been stabbed to death in his native Netherlands; his brother has been arrested as a suspect.

[lichtie23]

David W, on 21 November 2011 - 23:04, said:

Tragic news from MLB that Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman has been stabbed to death in his native Netherlands; his brother has been arrested as a suspect.

Tragic indeed.

In other news I see Justin Verlander won the AL MVP

[Savage Henry]

David W, on 21 November 2011 - 23:04, said:

Tragic news from MLB that Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman has been stabbed to death in his native Netherlands; his brother has been arrested as a suspect.

That has all the makings of a genuinely horrible story. So sad for all concerned.

[calum_gers]

Probably time for an MLB 2012 thread, but i'll put it in here for now.

The big news of the day is that Albert Pujols and C.J Wilson have signed multi-year deals with the LA Angels. Pujols' deal seems particularly mental to me. 10 years and $250million. No chance he'll be productive that long.

I must admit i expected Pujols to stay in St. Louis, the talk was of Miami. This seems to come have come right out of the blue.

[Shuggie_Murray7]

calum_gers, on 08 December 2011 - 21:50, said:

Probably time for an MLB 2012 thread, but i'll put it in here for now.

The big news of the day is that Albert Pujols and C.J Wilson have signed multi-year deals with the LA Angels. Pujols' deal seems particularly mental to me. 10 years and $250million. No chance he'll be productive that long.

I must admit i expected Pujols to stay in St. Louis, the talk was of Miami. This seems to come have come right out of the blue.

Was Pujols not believed to be in talks with several teams? I'm sure I read Cubs were a possibility too. I either expected Miami or to stay where he was. The Angels seems a strange one.

[lichtie23]

There is a stat going that the owner of the Angels bought the club for less than what he is paying Pujols

[Savage Henry]

Ten years for a 31 year old, who is allegedly a couple of years older than that? They'll try and off load him in five years or so, I would guess, but it's quite a bizarre signing, even if he is the best player in baseball.

[Shuggie_Murray7]

Tut tut

[Savage Henry]

Shuggie_Murray7, on 11 December 2011 - 01:05, said:

Tut tut

That's the last thing the game needed. Having said that, by some accounts his reading was absolutely ridiculously high, so it could well be a false positive.

[drs]

Mrs Pujols has done an interview where she has an Ashley Cole moment by stating that they were greatly dissapointed to only be offered a 5 year contract by St Louis

The final St Louis offeer was ten years but for around $210m with $30m deferred. Angels are paying $254m with no deferral.

[Savage Henry]

drs, on 13 December 2011 - 14:34, said:

Mrs Pujols has done an interview where she has an Ashley Cole moment by stating that they were greatly dissapointed to only be offered a 5 year contract by St Louis

The final St Louis offeer was ten years but for around $210m with $30m deferred. Angels are paying $254m with no deferral.

There are also income tax differences between the states, which is why LA are having to pay so much. If the Cards only offered five years, then it's no surprise he walked.