seawolf17

Bret Sabermetric wrote: Which Mets infielder was the tactiturn head of a monastery? That would be "Curt Abbot".

Wasn't it "Kraze The Sign Man"?

I love Strat-O-Matic, but I almost never play it (because my wife thinks it's boring). I bought the All-Star version they came out with a few years ago for five bucks, and since then, I've bought about twenty random teams on eBay. I'll just play little one-off games; I don't have the time nor the energy to replay seasons. I don't usually add all the park effects either. Anyone remember Statis Pro? (I think that's what it was called.) Played that a lot as a kid in the mid-80s. Similar to SOM, but with way smaller player cards.

And I'll play the part of Bean Stringfellow: Contribution during the past season: 28 saves, good for tenth in the NL. Overall performance: 3.94 ERA, only a half run higher than his career average, and a .271 BAA and 1.47 WHIP, only slightly higher than his career average as well. Special qualities of leadership: Agreed, not a factor. Public appeal: What's more appealing than a closer coming in, fans on their feet, and shutting down the opposition in a big spot? The length and consistency of his career contribution: 2-0 career postseason, including one WS ring. Came off a 2004 season with the Mets that saw him post a career high 158 ERA+. The record of the Player�s past compensation: Agreed, coming off a very modest contract. Highly underpaid for a guy with almost 90 saves in the past three years. Comparative baseball salaries: Bullpen salaries are rising, but the relief pitchers signed in previous seasons would also come into account. The existence of any physical or mental defects on the part of the Player: Coming off an injury which affected his performance, but he's now completely healed. And the recent performance record of the Club including but not limited to its League standing and attendance as an indication of public acceptance: I'm not saying Looper sells tickets, but this club was very good last year, and Looper led the team in saves.

sharpie wrote: We'll need to interview SI Metman's mom's coworker's daugher NOW. Maybe Valadius's dad can give her a call. edit: Just messin' with you, Val.

="abogdan"]I believe that Reyes scored on the highest percentage of times on base, but I can't find where I read that. abog, this isn't terribly precise, but... Of the top 40 players in runs scored in 2005, here are the lowest OBPs: Renteria .335 (23rd in runs - 100) Crawford .331 (22nd in runs - 101) Pierre .326 (32nd in runs - 96) Biggio .325 (35th in runs - 94) Soriano .309 (21st in runs - 102) Reyes .300 (26th in runs - 99) Only Soriano was even close to Reyes' OBP. In fact, you have to go down to Pudge Rodriguez, who tied for 97th in the majors in runs (71) until you find someone with a lower OBP (.290) than Reyes. Your statement might be correct.

What the Mets get out of the 3/$13 deal is that IF Jose comes up with a line like this in 2008: .280/.350/.420, 18 3B, 120 R, 55 SB then they're only paying him $4 millionish a year, as opposed to some crazy arbitration figure that springs from Bobby Crosby's 5 year/$170 million deal that he signs with the MFYs that offseason.

He's not going to sign away his FA years that early; nobody does that for that kind of scratch. If he'd sign for 5/$22, I'd do that. But he won't. That's why I'd say 3/$12-15.

Exactly. If he improves even slightly, I'm not averse to seeing them give him a three-year, $12 million kind of package, just to get him through his arbitration years. I think a lot of teams have done that with young players. He has security if he gets hurt, and the team's not breaking the bank if he becomes Al Moran II.

A-Rod chooses © none of the above. ]"When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the United States of America and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either. "Sports participation should only include the admiration and respect an athlete has for a nation and family. I intend to play baseball only when I am dedicated to both. "Playing baseball for the New York Yankees allows you to honor and advance the interest of both without division." BARF.

Sorry. Forgot to run that one by the Funny Police first. I don't see how it's a bad move by the Yanks. They get a guy who has a good bat when healthy; they can afford it even if he gets hit by a bus tomorrow; and it decreases the average age of the players on the roster to 38.

Edgy DC wrote: It goes without saying that it's unusual for a player in this stage of Garciaparra's career to assume such a role. Largely because he sucks.

Opinion: Whoever marries the girl who was my best friend from high school will probably be a borderline major-leaguer someday. Fact: Art Howe and Mo Vaughn both celebrate birthdays today.

Johnny Dickshot wrote: ="Bret Sabermetric"]Johnny Dickshot wrote: I raised the Reyes point to demonstrate that while it's easy to criticize deals when they're done, these decisions are rarely so obvious at the time you make them. And a fine point it was, though I don't really notice this thread becoming filled fast and furious with firm commitments to or against Reyes even a year in advance of any decision, with plenty of time to rethink before the decision needs to be made. What's your call, Johnny? Reyes goes .311 OBP next year, are you eager to sign him to a longterm bigbux deal? Keep in mind, when you say "bigbux" you actually mean "usually less $$ overall than the 3 or 4 consecutive 1-year deals it would take to get him to free agency" You say, no LT contract unless his OBP is north of 335 this year. I wouldn't be that rigid (or unrealistic given that a pretty large jump). 311 is still pretty stinky, so maybe I go for a year at a time until he gets into a 330ish range too Right, but if he leas the league in triples and SBs and scores 100 runs, then you're going to have a pretty ugly arbitration fight on your hands. He might not just sign a one-year deal.

Edgy, fix your link. The video's okay, but it shows it from a funny angle. I'd rather see it full-speed from the usual angles.

I wanna be Santa Claus, I wanna ride in the sleigh. Then I'd fly through the air And catch you a star tonight for Christmas day. Santa Claus is someone who comes just once a year, But I could be there ev'ry day, bringing Christmas cheer. (I wanna be, I wanna be Santa Claus) I wanna be Santa Claus. (I wanna be, I wanna be Santa Claus) I wanna be Santa Claus. Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo (I wanna be Santa Claus) I wanna be Santa Claus.

Forget the Braves! Let's buy Quizno's!

Willets Point wrote: Sounds like your complaining Elster. All the children in the photos appear to be girls, but I'm sure some boys would happily sit in Anna's lap instead of Santa's. Dibs.

Steve -- this was great fun. Thanks so much for dropping by!

Johnny Dickshot wrote: ]Theo, thankfully, doesn't have to worry about Renteria any more, but the Sox seem willing to eat contracts, deal people off for less than they valued them a year ago, and other similar moves that the Mets have been loathe to entertain. This is an odd complaint: Is there any team out there over the past few years paying more money for guys not playing for them than the Mets? Keep in mind that Senor Bonilla will be on the payroll until the year 2289.

Yeah, but our Wolfie (left) could kick the hell out of their C. Wolf (right).

Then he should also register for CPF 125: Nobody Cares Who Starts The Thread. I think Elster's teaching that this spring.

Actually, Val should sign up for the section that Bret's teaching.

But ultimately, the dollar determines at least some piece of what they do. Maybe Fred doesn't want to pay guys millions of dollars not to work for him; that's his prerogative. It's all play money to us.