OnBaseMachine (03-15-2013)
That is how most AL teams use the DH. They rotate guys around who are actually fairly young and can play the field. I think there were only about 4 true DH's in the AL last year. The idea that over the guys that still can hit but can't field anymore become DH's in the AL is a fallacy for the most part.
As displayed by one of the 1st ML players to be a DH in the initial experiment in the IL in the 60’s
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...2695/index.htm
Complete players.. thanks to the DH?"Being the Designated Hitter," Campbell said last week at Silver Stadium in Rochester, "made me start to think a little more about hitting. If the pitcher got me the first time I could go back to the bench and think about how he had done it and what I had done wrong. Because I didn't have to go out and play in the field the idea of hitting was more on my mind. I had never done much pinch-hitting, but I know it's different. With the Designated Hitter rule you go up to bat and know that if you don't get a hit the first time up that you are still going to get two or three more chances."
Yet they don't add value in those years in most instances. Seriously, if that was true, the AL would be full of those guys. There is one. I will say it again. ONE! Maybe a possibility of two. At the very most, 4-5 if Hafner and Berkman suddenly find the fountain of youth and Dunn learns there is more to hitting than the long ball. That is huge outside shot where only 33% of the teams in the AL doing that. AL teams simply do not build themselves around that for the most part. They realize it's stupid to clog up the DH spot with an over the hill guy when they can rotate around good young hitters instead.
You are missing my point. I could care less about what the free agent do once they get to the DH role. I am saying it allows AL teams to sign guys than NL teams don't and get good production out of them for 3-5 years before they decline and become a so-so DH. NL teams aren't signing those guys as often because they can't move them to DH. They have to move them to the bench, or let them continue to play in the field where they aren't good on either side of the ball at that point. So they just don't offer as many of those guys similar contracts. Then guys sign with the AL team because they were offered 6 or 7 years instead of 4 or 5 from the NL teams.
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
I completely understand what you are saying, and very few AL teams are doing that with even fewer every year. They realize the value of a so so over the hill hitter is worth just about as much as just cutting the guy and going with a younger guy that can actually be rotated around in the field if needed. The value is simply not there. The A's and Tigers signed Pujols and Fielder to massive, long term contracts because they have the money. They are not justifying it with "well, he can become a DH." They simply wanted the guy and paid him what it would take because they could. In the Tiger's case, they got desperate when Victor Martinez got hurt and shelled out whatever it took to get Fielder. He was expected to sign with the Dodgers until that point, and many in the Dodgers front office thought it was pretty much a done deal. Let's also just ignore the fact the Marlins reportedly offered more to Pujols than the Angels.
The value of a so so over the hill DH is so minimal it makes little to no difference in the contract that gets offered to free agents.
At this point, we can just agree to disagree. Yet very little backs up your assertion, and if AL teams are doing it they are going it based on a fallacy, not an actual advantage.
I'm a purist myself, but also get that the DH isn't going anywhere, so I propose a compromise rule where you can send a DH up to bat for somebody, but then DH either stays in the game, or is burnt and the guy who was hit for can go back in......adds some strategy. 1 on 2 out, Cueto up in the second inning....burn a DH or just have Cueto go up?!?!
OnBaseMachine (03-15-2013)
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
I see your point and I agree that is an advantage. However it can also be a disadvantage. Those AL teams who choose to sign an aging slugger to those long contracts are spending a lot of money in a way that NL teams don't have to do. Every million dollars those AL teams spend on a DH is a million dollars they can't spend on pitching or other positions, which gives the NL teams an advantage going after those players. Also, those aging DH type players can't play in half of interleague games and postseason games (or else will be a defensive liability) -- and that is a big disadvantage for those AL teams who choose to fill their DH slot with an expensive aging slugger. I personally believe it is unwise for an AL team to sign that type of player.
So in the end I think the DH is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage for the AL and NL teams. It is a difference, but not one that helps or hurts either side.
LOL you are a piece of work. You are the king of personal attacks and insults and argumentative posts without substance. We all know it and have known it for years. You should have seen my PM box after your barrage. Lots of laughs and thank you's. People know how you are and apparently they like it when you get a comeuppance.
My Ignore List re-set after the site got moved, but now the only member of its population is about to be repatriated.....and... done! Ah, much better now.
Please just share your opinion and move on without harassing me and others with sniping distortions of our opinions.
I apologize for falling prey to his shenanigans guys. I won't let it happen again. Nothing but peace and serenity now that the Ignore List is protecting me again.
OnBaseMachine (03-15-2013)
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