"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
Did you not bother to read the other stats posted?
They needed a lefty. They got one. Then needed to improve the D at first. They did that. Is he going to replace ALL of the 1B production? No, but they're not planning on him doing so either.Entering the day, Pirates left-handed hitters had a .229 batting average, .296 on-base percentage and .694 OPS. The former two ranked worst in the majors. The latter ranked seventh-worst.
Morneau is a particularly potent bat against right-handed pitching, with a .281/.343/.488 slashline.
He also provides slightly better defense at first base than the Pirates had been getting. He has four Defensive Runs Saved this season. The Pirates first basemen have combined for -3 Defensive Runs Saved.
Old school 1983 (08-31-2013)
Let me chime in here for just a sec. I love these moves. Dilson Herrera is a solid prospect, who I didn't like losing, but all in all, there is little risk in these deals from the Pirates' perspective.
I think that Byrd upgrades right field, which was a black hole for the Bucs. Buck provides insurance in case Martin gets injured. Pirates needed a back up catcher with McKenry going down.
As for Morneau, I agree, in terms of stats, he doesn't provide much of an upgrade. But, what he does do is rake against right handers. If he can be the left hand side of a platoon with Gaby Sanchez, who has been mashing lefties, and push Garret Jones into a platoon with Bryd in right field, it's a net upgrade at both positions.
mth123 (08-31-2013),Revering4Blue (08-31-2013),_Sir_Charles_ (08-31-2013)
The production the Pirates have gotten from their first basemen (all of them combined) is a better OPS than Morneau.
If Morneau is coming to be a starter, it is not an upgrade because his overall production will be no better than the platoon they already have in place. If he's coming to be a part-time platoon player, than it is only a very moderate upgrade.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
I'm trying to say it's not a 1 player replacing 1 player situation. He's going to play 1st most likely, yes. But they're not going to just bench Jones.
Read IABucFan's post. His explains it better IMO. He fills 2 voids (hitting against RHP and 1b defense) and forces a player to move to another position which improves THAT position too.
mth123 (08-31-2013),Old school 1983 (09-01-2013),powersackers (08-31-2013)
I did read and like I said a couple of times, if he's coming to be the starter at first base, he isn't filling a void because his overall numbers are no better than what they already have playing the position as a whole.
It's no more than a very, very smallish upgrade.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
You guys are Missing the point entirely. Should I even try to explain it again?
Here goes. ..
A roster improvement in Sept doesn't have to be a ss to replace Izturis, doesn't have to be a 1b that plays in place of Jones or Sanchez. The rosters expand and your bench can get better for the late inning matchups. Byrd vs. Lhp, Morneau vs Rhp. Like the guy above said about Magic cards, he was in jest, but he gets it. You supply your deck with the right cards to win the little battles. Thus giving you a better chance at the major battle. The games within the game per se. Dusty doesn't have as good of cards as Hurdle now has. Becasue Huntington made these minor nearly costless moves. Walt didn't.
But you all keep quoting yearly stats and whatever else makes you happy. Ignoring the splits, ignoring the situational advantages. You guys should play simulation baseball against another human. Maybe you would see these little advantages matter.
Last edited by powersackers; 08-31-2013 at 10:48 PM.
Attended 1976 World Series in my Mother's Womb. Attended 1990 World Series Game 2 as a 13 year old. Want to take my son to a a World Series Game in Cincinnati in my lifetime.
camisadelgolf (08-31-2013),mth123 (08-31-2013),Old school 1983 (09-01-2013),_Sir_Charles_ (08-31-2013)
You also have to pay the salary for amonth. I'm honestly not sure if they can do that the way jock has operated since od. Not saying that's right or wrong but appears to be a strong consideration after stretching payroll for choo and ludwick.
powersackers (08-31-2013)
Dodgers acquire Michael Young.
powersackers (08-31-2013)
Old school 1983 (09-01-2013)
Attended 1976 World Series in my Mother's Womb. Attended 1990 World Series Game 2 as a 13 year old. Want to take my son to a a World Series Game in Cincinnati in my lifetime.
malcontent (09-01-2013)
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