Inside Pitch

So for those keeping track... Skaggs, Richards, Santiago, and now Heaney are all Butcher success stories.... Long live the Kazmir narrative.

Mr. Babip showed up.... asked if the team missed him.

I LOLed.....

I think you nailed it -- whats more, I think the psuedo saber types are more inclined to argue what's a clutch hitter and lineup protection than the people deep into it.

Your contrarian is showing.

The best part is the data is collected from the same exact source -- Statcorner.

So your umpiring is based on subjective information, not a strike zone that should be constant. That's why pitchfx has led to the pitch framing "revolution" and why the head coach at one of college's most successful programs just shrugs his shoulders

There is nothing suspect about it -- players can and do improve their games. Pitch framing is something that's become more relevant since the advent of pitchfx. When I asked Mark Marquess of Stanford if it was something they were working on at the college level he said that as much as they would love to, they lack the data to grade out the framing. He states that while they do work at positioning and their placement, the eye test does little to help in this case because there is greater variance in how the strike zone is called at the collegiate level. Lineup protection like the myth of the clutch hitter are things the saber community fought way too hard at it -- in some ways the two theories are connected. Both arguments are built on the idea that players will perform to their established levels of performance regardless of the variables.

You always have to look at the neutral park numbers when talking about anyone from an extreme ballpark. Dickerson looks like a Coors creation.

Even if a trade happens now, it won't be because of Stoneman, I don't think he's running the show so much as keeping the office warm. I think Stoneman may be here to get a look at the two guys they are looking to as potential candidates to replace Dipoto.. If the Angels make a trade it will be because Servais or Klentak worked the deal IMO.

I'd argue it's purely coincidence, but one thing even Scioscia haters must admit..... since he's been in Anaheim he seems to get them to up their game when the team faces adversity.... Think back to how he handled the Adenhart tragedy, and to a much lesser degree, the loss of Richards last year

Alden Gonzalez ‏@Alden_Gonzalez 1h1 hour ago #Angels tried to trade for Reddick before Dipoto's resignation, even tried to get the Red Sox involved, but couldn't. Maybe that changes. Alden Gonzalez ‏@Alden_Gonzalez 1h1 hour ago LHH OF Josh Reddick may have angered some important A's folks with his recent comments about the front office keeping him out of the lineup. Sort of interesting, in Anaheim Dipoto leaves due to whats been billed an old school/new school war.. Meanwhile in Oakland a player is calling out his GM for making the lineup from his GM's suite...

Dang -- he is due some money... basically 9 mil per the next two years. Not Elvis Andrus money but still a lot for a glove guy who will play LF...

I'd prefer to stay away from career NL hitters -- I know he had a taste of MLB with the Tigers but, it was a taste. Maybin might be having a fluke year. His numbers are completely out of line with his career. We are talking about a guy who has only posted a batting average over .250 once, in his career and an OBP above 320 twice. His neutral park numbers are kinda worrisome as well - .248/.296/.361, those are right in line with his previous two seasons. He's a legit glove man though.

Grigori posts - 0

At least he was nice enough to take his wallet out so they didnt have to work too hard to identify the Alligator Chow.

"He removed his shirt, removed his billfold ... someone shouted a warning and he said 'blank the alligators' and jumped in to the water and almost immediately yelled for help," Price said. LOL -- possibly the greatest article ever printed/posted.

Definitely wasn't Cez.

This is why we cant have nothing nice...

So, who body snatched Cron?

Season over...

I know people here worry about Weaver, but he's one and done next year... and it's 20 mil owed .vs 112 mil.... They have to be sweating it in Detroit.

A day later -- that laughing pic of MS in the corner is still pure comedy.

Short night for a lot of the starters.. Wonder if we actually get a legit lineup tomorrow

Meanwhile back at the Rangers board -- Good ole Grigori (Flounder1) is posting up a storm... http://forum.newbergreport.com/forum/the-newberg-texas-ranger-blog/texas-rangers-the-big-leagues/403558-home-disadvantage