Comments on: Tigers find enough in the cushions for Valverde http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:06:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: floor cushions http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-138165 floor cushions Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:49:53 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-138165 How do you recover seats of wicker bar stools with permanently attached cushions ? How do you recover seats of wicker bar stools with permanently attached cushions ?

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137408 Kathy Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:16:51 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137408 Too much "logic" for me too. Too much “logic” for me too.

]]> By: Andre in Chi http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137407 Andre in Chi Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:54:26 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137407 "You’d be much more interesting if you had a dose of it." As I'm sure TSE is only too aware, if he were ever to drop the "superior logic" act, there really would be nothing of interest to his posts. “You’d be much more interesting if you had a dose of it.”

As I’m sure TSE is only too aware, if he were ever to drop the “superior logic” act, there really would be nothing of interest to his posts.

]]> By: Jeff Molby http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137406 Jeff Molby Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:10:26 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137406 <blockquote>I know for a fact he didn’t try</blockquote> No, you don't. You're an aspiring GM yet you've already admitted you have no meaningful contacts in the business. There's no way you know <em>anything</em> about what goes through (or has gone through) DD's mind (or any other GM for that matter) "for a fact". Yet you constantly prattle on as if you do. There's a constant theme amongst those that are respected on this board: humility. You'd be much more interesting if you had a dose of it. P.S. Reading comprehension seems to be a recurring problem too. I said, "When you’re trying to contend on an annual basis..., you’re not going to trade a key component of your team...<em>unless you’re going to profit by the deal</em>." (emphasis added). I then went on to discuss what it would mean "to profit" and why such an opportunity might not have been available.

I know for a fact he didn’t try

No, you don’t. You’re an aspiring GM yet you’ve already admitted you have no meaningful contacts in the business. There’s no way you know anything about what goes through (or has gone through) DD’s mind (or any other GM for that matter) “for a fact”.

Yet you constantly prattle on as if you do. There’s a constant theme amongst those that are respected on this board: humility. You’d be much more interesting if you had a dose of it.

P.S. Reading comprehension seems to be a recurring problem too. I said, “When you’re trying to contend on an annual basis…, you’re not going to trade a key component of your team…unless you’re going to profit by the deal.” (emphasis added). I then went on to discuss what it would mean “to profit” and why such an opportunity might not have been available.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137405 Kathy Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:25:35 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137405 What a humble guy. Hope he finds a home. Marcus "country strong" too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cVpZXq8zdY What a humble guy. Hope he finds a home. Marcus “country strong” too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cVpZXq8zdY

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137404 Kathy Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:17:04 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137404 John Paul Morosi says the Tigers are looking for more of an infield type of guy. You know......in case Inge's knees aren't quite right or Sizemore and his ankle don't agree. We'll see what happens. John Paul Morosi says the Tigers are looking for more of an infield type of guy. You know……in case Inge’s knees aren’t quite right or Sizemore and his ankle don’t agree. We’ll see what happens.

]]> By: TSE http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137403 TSE Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:03:50 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137403 Well under your premises, then yeah the 6 spot is fine. You are assuming he fails at hitting successfully or for power to DQ him from the top 5 spots. So I guess if he fails, well he fails, and yeah 6 or lower you have no choice. I am not going to assume he will fail though. Granderson to me is a SOLID hitter. I'm the guy that's a stickler for everything, but yet somehow I don't waver on Granderson, that should tell you something, cause I don't vouch for very many players. I don't lose on my reputation for vouching for crappy baseball players. I vouch for the guys that you can depend on, and Granderson's hitting you CAN depend on, and to have a player like that brings a nice sense of security in knowing you've got a guy that is going to be a highlight reel film in CF with good defense and fantastic hitting. I don't give 2 craps about his recent struggles with strikeouts, previous strikeouts don't count in future games. When Grandy strikes out to an abysmal rate on MY watch, then we have a problem. But I have no intention of letting Grandy fall apart on my watch. I'm going to GIVE him what HE NEEDS to be successful and I'm certain he's going to hit well with flying colors as a result. He's fantastic hitting clay. I'm not sure what you mean with the hypothetical conversation of Leyland asking for less strikeouts, it doesn't work that way. If it did, why wouldn't he just forget the strikeouts part and just tell everybody on the team to hit 50 HRs. If everybody on our team did that we'd be awesome. But you can't make somebody come up with a certain result. Leyland has DIRECT orders in place on hitting tactics that affect when players swing in certain situations plus he influences the program of the hitting coach. It's not Grandy's fault that Leyland and the hitting coach are giving him bad advice and improper instruction, and it's not Grandy's fault when Leyland can't identify when hitters should have green lights, red lights, or yellow. He has our entire team of hitters messed up with his flawed ORDERS and INSTRUCTION. As far as predicting what the Yankees will do with Grandy, who cares. They might want to use him as a leadoff hitter because they have too many other potent power hitters and so an unnatural Grandy fit at the #1 spot might make sense for their team, although I haven't spent any time trying to analyze what I would do with the Yankee's lineup structure. Well under your premises, then yeah the 6 spot is fine. You are assuming he fails at hitting successfully or for power to DQ him from the top 5 spots. So I guess if he fails, well he fails, and yeah 6 or lower you have no choice. I am not going to assume he will fail though. Granderson to me is a SOLID hitter. I’m the guy that’s a stickler for everything, but yet somehow I don’t waver on Granderson, that should tell you something, cause I don’t vouch for very many players. I don’t lose on my reputation for vouching for crappy baseball players. I vouch for the guys that you can depend on, and Granderson’s hitting you CAN depend on, and to have a player like that brings a nice sense of security in knowing you’ve got a guy that is going to be a highlight reel film in CF with good defense and fantastic hitting. I don’t give 2 craps about his recent struggles with strikeouts, previous strikeouts don’t count in future games. When Grandy strikes out to an abysmal rate on MY watch, then we have a problem. But I have no intention of letting Grandy fall apart on my watch. I’m going to GIVE him what HE NEEDS to be successful and I’m certain he’s going to hit well with flying colors as a result. He’s fantastic hitting clay.

I’m not sure what you mean with the hypothetical conversation of Leyland asking for less strikeouts, it doesn’t work that way. If it did, why wouldn’t he just forget the strikeouts part and just tell everybody on the team to hit 50 HRs. If everybody on our team did that we’d be awesome. But you can’t make somebody come up with a certain result. Leyland has DIRECT orders in place on hitting tactics that affect when players swing in certain situations plus he influences the program of the hitting coach. It’s not Grandy’s fault that Leyland and the hitting coach are giving him bad advice and improper instruction, and it’s not Grandy’s fault when Leyland can’t identify when hitters should have green lights, red lights, or yellow. He has our entire team of hitters messed up with his flawed ORDERS and INSTRUCTION. As far as predicting what the Yankees will do with Grandy, who cares. They might want to use him as a leadoff hitter because they have too many other potent power hitters and so an unnatural Grandy fit at the #1 spot might make sense for their team, although I haven’t spent any time trying to analyze what I would do with the Yankee’s lineup structure.

]]> By: Keith (Mr. X) http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137402 Keith (Mr. X) Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:02:05 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137402 I watched Lopez his entire career. He's a former 1st round pick for Toronto. He was considered one of the top SS prospects during his minor league career. Had a tough time breaking into the majors. His breakout year was in 2005 for Cincinnati, where he was instantly the talk of the roto community. He's was an aggressive player with a fiery attitude. Some fans may not like him because he's covered with tattoos. He's been bouncing around from team to team also. He had a rough 2 time playing for Washington, but since leaving, he's been rather terrific with the bat. Last year he posted a .310 batting average and .383 OBP. His fielding peripherals improved also. He'd actually be a good fit for Minnesota at 2B or 3B. I'm sure he'd rather play at one position full-time, than be a utility guy. I watched Lopez his entire career. He’s a former 1st round pick for Toronto. He was considered one of the top SS prospects during his minor league career. Had a tough time breaking into the majors. His breakout year was in 2005 for Cincinnati, where he was instantly the talk of the roto community.

He’s was an aggressive player with a fiery attitude. Some fans may not like him because he’s covered with tattoos. He’s been bouncing around from team to team also.

He had a rough 2 time playing for Washington, but since leaving, he’s been rather terrific with the bat. Last year he posted a .310 batting average and .383 OBP. His fielding peripherals improved also.

He’d actually be a good fit for Minnesota at 2B or 3B. I’m sure he’d rather play at one position full-time, than be a utility guy.

]]> By: TSE http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137401 TSE Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:45:19 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137401 Felipe is far from an extraordinary player or a must have player, or a money player, this is a guy that can do nothing more than be a short term solution that gives you ok results. This team is disgustingly short of premier hitting talent in the infield positions. Felipe is a guaranteed non-spectacular player and is the type of guy you want if you want to play conservatively and play it safe and he probably gives us a nice fortification to secure 2nd place so if that's all you seek then he's your guy, but he certainly is not the type of guy you want if you are interested in "getting ahead" or being a long-term dynasty powerhouse. He doesn't fit into that equation, but he does fit for any team that isn't looking for premium long-term results. As far as I'm concerned he's a waste of time. The only way I can see him being of any use to us is if he's willing to drop down closer to Everett's contract price and that we can then bump Everett off the team. I'd rather have Everett and the $2MM of savings because neither guy makes any sense to possess for a franchise of our potential. He would give us a fair chance for a tiny increase in overall production. Felipe is far from an extraordinary player or a must have player, or a money player, this is a guy that can do nothing more than be a short term solution that gives you ok results. This team is disgustingly short of premier hitting talent in the infield positions. Felipe is a guaranteed non-spectacular player and is the type of guy you want if you want to play conservatively and play it safe and he probably gives us a nice fortification to secure 2nd place so if that’s all you seek then he’s your guy, but he certainly is not the type of guy you want if you are interested in “getting ahead” or being a long-term dynasty powerhouse. He doesn’t fit into that equation, but he does fit for any team that isn’t looking for premium long-term results. As far as I’m concerned he’s a waste of time. The only way I can see him being of any use to us is if he’s willing to drop down closer to Everett’s contract price and that we can then bump Everett off the team. I’d rather have Everett and the $2MM of savings because neither guy makes any sense to possess for a franchise of our potential. He would give us a fair chance for a tiny increase in overall production.

]]> By: Dr. Detroit http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137400 Dr. Detroit Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:51:32 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137400 Okay, if he is not a lead-off hitter as you say immediately above, and he is not a two-hole hitter--Polanco was A-1 exemplar of a 2-hole hitter, i.e. around .300, lots of contact, fantastic hit and run hitter, very few strikeouts, and bunts well. Granderson does not fit that bill at all--and he is not a 3-5 hole hitter as I stated above (specifically a guy hitting for power and/or average, and if he strikes out alot, it had better be both and although 25 to 30 home runs is a fine number, it's not 3-5 hole power numbers), then applying your "school of brilliant thoughts and sound reasoning" (that's an awesome statement, btw), where is the next spot for him? That would be the 6-hole or lower in a light-wood line-up like the Tigers, no less. So, as I stated in my original post, we traded what is essentially a 6-hole hitter for Granderson 2.0, a damn fine lefty bullpen ace who may become a starter, and also as a corollary to the deal a fine young right-hander and a potential lefty bullpen stud. The Yankees may try him at the 2-hole for a bit, or they may think to hit him lead-off (and that is a very strong possibility since Brian Cashman is terrible in picking sub-superstar talent prospects), but my guess is he will bat 6-9. Perfect for the Yankees because they have money to burn. We don't and what DD got in return was some fantastic work as a GM. And as for your theory on Leyland teaching him efficient run production, don't you think that includes the possibility that Leyland said one time or another, Hey, Grandy, could you lighten up on striking out so damn much? Apparently that did not help. Yes, Granderson was good, but to get value you need to trade value, and in the end the Tigers are on top in this deal. Okay, if he is not a lead-off hitter as you say immediately above, and he is not a two-hole hitter–Polanco was A-1 exemplar of a 2-hole hitter, i.e. around .300, lots of contact, fantastic hit and run hitter, very few strikeouts, and bunts well. Granderson does not fit that bill at all–and he is not a 3-5 hole hitter as I stated above (specifically a guy hitting for power and/or average, and if he strikes out alot, it had better be both and although 25 to 30 home runs is a fine number, it’s not 3-5 hole power numbers), then applying your “school of brilliant thoughts and sound reasoning” (that’s an awesome statement, btw), where is the next spot for him? That would be the 6-hole or lower in a light-wood line-up like the Tigers, no less.
So, as I stated in my original post, we traded what is essentially a 6-hole hitter for Granderson 2.0, a damn fine lefty bullpen ace who may become a starter, and also as a corollary to the deal a fine young right-hander and a potential lefty bullpen stud.
The Yankees may try him at the 2-hole for a bit, or they may think to hit him lead-off (and that is a very strong possibility since Brian Cashman is terrible in picking sub-superstar talent prospects), but my guess is he will bat 6-9. Perfect for the Yankees because they have money to burn. We don’t and what DD got in return was some fantastic work as a GM. And as for your theory on Leyland teaching him efficient run production, don’t you think that includes the possibility that Leyland said one time or another, Hey, Grandy, could you lighten up on striking out so damn much? Apparently that did not help.
Yes, Granderson was good, but to get value you need to trade value, and in the end the Tigers are on top in this deal.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137399 Kathy Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:03:54 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137399 I take that back on SS. Carlos was a worse SS that Lopez. I don't know. He's a switch hitter, too, but I don't know how to separate his batting stats from both ways. This is when we need billfer or someone else who could analyze this guy and know what their talking about. I take that back on SS. Carlos was a worse SS that Lopez. I don’t know. He’s a switch hitter, too, but I don’t know how to separate his batting stats from both ways. This is when we need billfer or someone else who could analyze this guy and know what their talking about.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137398 Kathy Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:35:54 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137398 Well, he had a pretty good year in '09, but that was at 2nd base. Strikes out alot, though. Awful at SS, so I don't think that's even a possibility.....too many errors. According to fangraphs his WAR is higher than Polly's if I'm reading it right. Well, he had a pretty good year in ’09, but that was at 2nd base. Strikes out alot, though. Awful at SS, so I don’t think that’s even a possibility…..too many errors. According to fangraphs his WAR is higher than Polly’s if I’m reading it right.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137397 Kathy Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:53:50 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137397 Felipe Lopez? Not too expensive, either, Can play multiple positions? I'm heading over to fangraphs and compare his stats. Felipe Lopez? Not too expensive, either, Can play multiple positions? I’m heading over to fangraphs and compare his stats.

]]> By: Keith (Mr. X) http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137394 Keith (Mr. X) Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:25:34 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137394 I think the Tigers are content with Raburn/Guillen in LF for now. Raburn was one of the few bright spots in LF last year. He certainly surprised me, so I'm not sure he can repeat the year he had. He deserves the chance to prove me wrong and I hope he does prove me wrong again. I do think Damon is a better option than either of them, but we just don't have a roster spot to spare for a guy like him. I'd much much rather have the Tigers go after Filipe Lopez and try to get him as a super utility guy at 3B, SS, and 2B. It would be nice to see less of Don Kelly, Santiago, and Everett. I think the Tigers are content with Raburn/Guillen in LF for now. Raburn was one of the few bright spots in LF last year. He certainly surprised me, so I’m not sure he can repeat the year he had. He deserves the chance to prove me wrong and I hope he does prove me wrong again.

I do think Damon is a better option than either of them, but we just don’t have a roster spot to spare for a guy like him. I’d much much rather have the Tigers go after Filipe Lopez and try to get him as a super utility guy at 3B, SS, and 2B. It would be nice to see less of Don Kelly, Santiago, and Everett.

]]> By: Keith (Mr. X) http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137393 Keith (Mr. X) Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:54:56 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2010/01/tigers-find-enough-in-the-cushions-for-valverde/#comment-137393 So so, move for the Yanks. I guess they view Winn as a 4th OF and speed off the bench. He hit very poorly vs lefties last year (.158 avg), which is probably why nobody else wanted him. This kind of shows that the Yankees have no plans on sitting Granderson vs Lefties. They'll probably get away with it because the rest of their line-up is just incredible. Hard to believe, but Granderson is probably the worst hitter in their starting line-up. The most curious move was the Twins picking up Jim Thome. It's perfectly fine by me if he steals at bats away from Kubel and Mauer at the DH spot. They also plan on using him as a pinch hitter. How used this way helps them, I don't know. I think the roster spot could be utilized better if that's how he's used. But if they plan on benching Delmon Young and putting Kubel in LF, then this might just be a decent move for the Twins. If they are going to have a defense liability in LF, it might as well be Kubel. I'd take Thome over Young in the line-up any day of the week. So so, move for the Yanks. I guess they view Winn as a 4th OF and speed off the bench. He hit very poorly vs lefties last year (.158 avg), which is probably why nobody else wanted him. This kind of shows that the Yankees have no plans on sitting Granderson vs Lefties. They’ll probably get away with it because the rest of their line-up is just incredible. Hard to believe, but Granderson is probably the worst hitter in their starting line-up.

The most curious move was the Twins picking up Jim Thome. It’s perfectly fine by me if he steals at bats away from Kubel and Mauer at the DH spot. They also plan on using him as a pinch hitter. How used this way helps them, I don’t know. I think the roster spot could be utilized better if that’s how he’s used. But if they plan on benching Delmon Young and putting Kubel in LF, then this might just be a decent move for the Twins. If they are going to have a defense liability in LF, it might as well be Kubel. I’d take Thome over Young in the line-up any day of the week.

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