The Double-Helix of Failure Returns

[M2]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

The Cards' so-so pitching just came in and made mincemeat of the Brewers' offense before the Reds. The Brewers are good, but I think the Reds are just getting that bad streak going.

Other teams execute; the Reds fail to execute.

The Cards so-so pitching leads the NL in ERA. I stopped underestimating what Dave Duncan can get out of a pitching staff almost a decade ago.

The Reds certainly could be looking at a slide, but I'd say that's because the team has a small margin for error and Votto's on the shelf.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by M2

The Cards so-so pitching leads the NL in ERA. I stopped underestimating what Dave Duncan can get out of a pitching staff almost a decade ago.

The Reds certainly could be looking at a slide, but I'd say that's because the team has a small margin for error and Votto's on the shelf.

Yeah, the obvious answer is that it's Votto--but the offense has largely been okay in his absence (though certainly won't be long-term).

The answer no one wants to hear is that the pitching just keeps getting worse. They're not falling off a cliff like they've done in past years, but they're sliding, day by day.

[M2]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I'll admit, not trading Harang and Bailey in the offseason was probably a mistake on Walt's part. Definitely a "season too late" for trading them now.

Harang had a bad game, but he's got as much value as he did during the offseason. I still expect the Mets to come knocking for him in another month or so.

After what he did in 2008, I don't see how Bailey's value has dropped since the offseason either.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by M2

Harang had a bad game, but he's got as much value as he did during the offseason. I still expect the Mets to come knocking for him in another month or so.

After what he did in 2008, I don't see how Bailey's value has dropped since the offseason either.

Harang could really extend his career in a big park. I've not been to the Mets' new place--are its dimensions similar to Shea?

[mth123]

Walt made mistakes in the off-season allright. But the names are Willy and Mike not Harang.

[M2]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

The answer no one wants to hear is that the pitching just keeps getting worse. They're not falling off a cliff like they've done in past years, but they're sliding, day by day.

It's reasonable to expect the pitching will wear down a bit. Heading into today, the club was on pace to surrender 713 runs this season. I could see it dropping to a 750-run pace. One main reason is there isn't any real help in the upper minors if one of the starters isn't effective or gets injured.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by mth123

Walt made mistakes in the off-season allright. But the names are Willy and Mike not Harang.

Come on. Neither of those signings--while bad--has done anything to cripple this organization long-term.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by M2

It's reasonable to expect the pitching will wear down a bit.

Here's the thing: you could easily say the same thing about the rotations of the Cards and the Brewers. Only Carpenter and to a much lesser extent Gallardo are in the ace class for those teams. But you can bet they won't wear down over the course of the season.

[M2]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Harang could really extend his career in a big park. I've not been to the Mets' new place--are its dimensions similar to Shea?

Deeper to right center, closer in left center. Higher walls. Still a good place to pitch, particularly for a FB pitcher.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Come on. Neither of those signings--while bad--has done anything to cripple this organization long-term.

They keep better players off the roster. Taveras isn't one of the team's 13 best position players IMO. The Reds had 5 better options for CF on the roster and left other major problems unaddressed. In Lincoln's case, the Reds ignored the greatest area of cheap depth in the system and committed to a 2 year deal.

These deals may not hamstring the franchise long term, but they are certainly a case of "fiddling while Rome is burning."

[Ron Madden]

Originally Posted by mth123

They keep better players off the roster. Taveras isn't one of the team's 13 best position players IMO. The Reds had 5 better options for CF on the roster and left other major problems unaddressed. In Lincoln's case, the Reds ignored the greatest area of cheap depth in the system and committed to a 2 year deal.

These deals may not hamstring the franchise long term, but they are certainly a case of "fiddling while Rome is burning."

Well said, very accurate post in my opinion.

[Ltlabner]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

But you can bet they won't wear down over the course of the season.

I hear they also walk on water, fart silk and have saved entire species of animals from destruction.