He traded for Mark McGwire and the HR chase that followed made the Cardinals a financial powerhouse. Then he stumbled into Albert Pujols to keep it going. It enabled bringing in the likes of Edmonds and Rolen.
I think FCB is right, this team is not going to spend big bucks right now and is filling in with cheap guys that will actually agree to play here (i.e. have few other options at this point). I'm starting to believe it is the real reason that Adam Dunn is no longer a Red. He didn't want to stay IMO. Hairston's limited success in 2008 opened some doors elsewhere and now apparantly he won't even come back.
The team really needs to find a way to keep all its best home grown guys and that may mean that position changes for EdE and Votto are in order to make room for Alonso and Frazier. I don't see impact acquisitions in this team's future unless it come from dealing Harang and Arroyo for young guys who turn out to be studs.
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
You know, I wish there was some stat that was easy to look at to get a good idea on how a player produces on offense. It would need to be something the common internet fan could find in about 30 seconds on ESPN.com if they wanted. It would also need to be really accurate (about 98% would work). It would pretty much include everything you needed to know about a player (inlcuding scrappy things like SB and CS).
When you have NO POWER, getting on base is your biggest weapon. You cannot steal 1st. The ability to take a walk is very important, and for a guy with Taveras game, he needs to BB 50+ times a season just to be freaking AVERAGE. Never mind the fact that despite what Jocketty says, all defensive metrics show him to be below average.
Dubito Ergo Cogito Ergo Sum.
If by "Ya'll" you mean me, then the answer is yes. While the 2 get on base at the exact same pace in terms of OBP, I value the hit over the walk. The hit has more value. It advances runners, puts pressure on the defense and creates more options for the manager. But I don't undervalue the walk. Many here simply OVERvalue it. Just like many here OVERvalued Dunn.
Walt hasn't even sniffed fixing the biggest problem with this team: up the middle defense.
There are holes on this team large enough to run a semi through. SS, LF, infield defense, pathetic OB potential, take your pick.
Instead of addressing these, Walt comes up with a move that will almost certainly make the team worse.
There are no words.
That's mighty stinky.
I'd rather platoon Stubbs and Dickerson and see what they give us. I guarantee Stubbs would be more productive than Tavares (I know, not saying much) and we all know his defense in CF would be way better.
I don't see anything wrong with pushing our 24-year old former 1st round pick and seeing what he can do.
I'm amazed that someone gets paid to make these kind of baseball decisions. I was pretty cool with Walt, just like I was once with Krivsky, but this reminds me of the day Wayne traded for Juan Castro. Wayne was never the same in my eyes after that day.
Well, I guess now I'm forced to wonder if Walt is clueless as well.
Nobody ever said that batting average doesn't mean anything.
All hitters have slumps. When a hitter with a BA driven OBP slumps he's just making outs.
When a hitter with a high walk rate slumps he can still avoid making outs by getting on base via a base on balls.
It aint that hard to understand.
I find it a little sad that the season will be nearly ruined for lots of regular posters because of this signing. It's a weird thing.
Personally, I find Tavares entertaining. Looking forward to seeing him play for the Reds.
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