Wednesday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Oct 21, 2009 8:40 AM CDT
in Milwaukee Brewers News
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PrintThe Brewers made Rick Peterson's hiring official yesterday, and he immediately turned his sights to Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra.
Peterson also tweeted about his new gig, and was welcomed into the fold by Seth McClung (more on McClung later today). Miller Park Drunk also welcomed Peterson, and started him off with a cheat sheet on Brewer pitchers.
Now, perhaps the Brewers will get started on the task of acquiring some pitchers for Peterson to coach. Dave Cameron of USS Mariner has the Brewers trading J.J. Hardy to the M's for Brandon Morrow, and Matthew Pouliot of Circling the Bases has a hypothetical trade sending Prince Fielder to the Red Sox for Jacoby Ellsbury and Michael Bowden. Meanwhile, over in Speculationville, Roguejim wonders if J.J. Hardy might be a fit for the Pirates.
Could Jody Gerut end up as a bargaining chip in a trade? Amazin' Avenue lists him as a player who may be undervalued this winter due to a low BABIP in 2009. Gerut posted a .230/.279/.376 line last season, but hit a much more respectable .272/.341/.447 in August and September.
Wherever pitching help might come from, there doesn't appear to be much of it on the horizon in the minors. Baseball America has their final minor league pitching leaderboards up, and the only Brewer mentioned (Evan Frederickson) is among the leaders in a category you don't want to lead (walks allowed). Frederickson, a sandwich pick in the 2008 draft, walked 82 batters in 97.1 innings for Wisconsin this season, and has posted a 5.22 ERA in the minors.
Perhaps Josh Butler will be the exception, though: After playing all over the minors and in the majors this season, Butler is blogging from the AFL (FanShot) His first post covers his wild season, AFL teammates, food and weather.
We've covered the list of reasons why Felipe Lopez should be offered arbitration and the opportunity to return, but Miller Park Drunk has the counterpoint: the list of reasons why Lopez doesn't fit into the Brewers' plans and will almost certainly not be back.
Around baseball:
Braves: Pitchers Buddy Carlyle, Jorge Campillo and Vladimir Nunez have been removed from the 40-man roster and will become free agents. (h/t Rowland's Office)
Mets: Released reliever Ken Takahashi.
Pirates: Reliever Chris Bootcheck rejected an outright assignment and is now a free agent.
Because of the arbitrary nature of the cutoff line for Super 2 players, there's good news for the Diamondbacks and bad news for the Giants today. Slugger Mark Reynolds fell three days short of the service time required to be a Super 2, will not be arbitration eligible and will remain under team control for four more seasons. Tim Lincecum, on the other hand, was over the cutoff by about a week and will be arbitration eligible this offseason.
Three managerial vacancies remain, but at least one team has eliminated Ned Yost from contention: The Indians are believed to be conducting second interviews with four candidates, but Yost is not one of them. Manny Acta is the only finalist for the Indians' job that is also a candidate for the Astros' job.
Over the last few seasons, baseball has shifted heavily toward emphasizing young players and prospects, but here's a reminder on the importance of not looking too far ahead: Lookout Landing has a list of 44 players who appeared for the Mariners in 2008. Less than two full years later, only ten of them are still with the organization. Things can change pretty fast.
Livan Hernandez spent the end of the 2009 season with the Nationals, and despite the fact that he's long past the prime of his career, he'll likely be looking for work again this offseason, because he needs the paycheck. Hernandez reportedly has serious financial issues that could lead to the foreclosure of his home in Miami.
Unfortunately, despite the fact that the postseason has had some pretty exciting games and interesting storylines, the top story once again is terrible umpiring, and a call Big League Stew is calling "the worst call of all time." I keep hoping that maybe, someday, Major League Baseball will be shamed into action on this issue, and do something to either correct inept umpires or put effective umpires in their place. It's likely a pipe dream.
I've spent a fair amount of time lately discussing the Arizona Fall League, partly because there's not much baseball being played lately but also because I find it fascinating. If you're having a hard time getting into it, maybe you should check out Geoff Young's look back at the 2001 AFL, which featured a bunch of future productive major leaguers...and Bill Hall.
Speaking of prospects and development, Derrick Goold has a nice conversation starter about age as it relates to prospects, and when one becomes too old to be considered one (h/t BBTF). In last year's Community Prospect Rankings, we ranked a couple of older players (Brad Nelson and Tim Dillard), and I'm guessing Adam Heether might sneak into this year's list as well.
Finally, this link isn't really baseball related, but I'm dropping it in today because I think it's important, and if you or someone you know coaches youth or high school sports I hope you'll read it: Driveline Mechanics has a look at overtraining in high school sports and its consequences.
Happy birthday today to Gabe Gross, who posted a .797 OPS over 2+ seasons as a Brewer and turns 30 today, and to Franklin Stubbs, who was virtually worthless as a Brewer and turns 49.
Drink up.
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Is MLB the next NBA?
After watching the blown call – and it wasn’t the obviously blown call in the game, I have to wonder if MLB is quickly becoming the next NBA. I stopped watching and caring about the NBA when it became so blatantly obvious that the refs favored the stars ala Kobe & AI where any defender caught within 5 feet was called for a foul.
It is either that, or they are as clueless. Either way something needs to be done.
by Saberilliterate on Oct 21, 2009 9:00 AM CDT reply actions
Proofread Fail
“it wasn’t the obviously blown call in the game” should read “it wasn’t the only obviously blown call in the game”
by Saberilliterate on Oct 21, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
What incentive is there for the umpires to be better, though?
If the blow a call (even in the playoffs), they don’t get suspended. They don’t sit out the rest of the series. Hell, Phil Cuzzi was right back out there in Game 3 after that fair-four debacle in Game 2 of the LDS, and I’m sure McClelland will be manning a post in Game 5 of the Angels – Yankees series.
So, since there’s no pressure for the umps to be better, we need more instant replay, and we need it yesterday.
I disagree. Kinda.
We don’t need more instant replay, we need there to be pressure for the umps to be better. It’s too complicated to set up fair rules for instant replay for all situations in baseball. It doesn’t really even make sense the way they do it for home runs right now.
Unless we switch to computers for everything, which would be expensive. And would take a lot of getting used to.
I see special fibers in uniforms so that the computers can tell when a player has been tagged, sensors in all the bases that detect when someone is on the base, when they leave early, etc. Sensors in the ball that indicate when it’s caught, when it’s trapped, etc. It’s entirely possible. It’s not plausible, and it’s probably not even that good of an idea.
Couldn't you just have one guy watching on TV up in a booth?
Then the crew chief can call up to the box if there’s a controversy.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
Agreed.
And, moreover: these aren’t judgment calls — ala pass interference or holding in football — that are being missed. These aren’t bang-bang calls that are being missed. These are calls that are objectively, incontrovertibly, unmistakably wrong, and one look at a replay tells you that. Why shouldn’t we fix it?
I'm not saying we shouldn't fix it, I'm just saying there's not as clear of a solution in baseball.
Do we do the play over? Where do we put the runners? We have to make assumptions as to how the play would have played out had the call not been missed. Obviously this is easier when the call is the last part of the play, but when it’s a fair-four thing like Cuzzi-gate, what do you do? If that ball doesn’t bounce into the stands, where do you put the runners? That’s my issue.
The fact that replay wouldn't be a perfect solution ...
doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do anything at all.
i didn't advocate not doing anything at all.
I advocated there being pressure on the umps to do better. Scroll up a little.
Yep, I saw that.
I was responding more to your “What do we do with the baserunners?” question. I acknowledge there will be problems like that. But I don’t think that outweighs the fact that blatant mistakes — including the three no-doubters that the umps missed last night — would be fixed by replay.
If I took your point too far about the problems with baserunners, etc, too far, that’s my bad.
Yeah, you're right, but what we need to avoid is having replay in place, then having what happens to the runners be umpires judgement.
We all know that the judgeship kinda sucks. Gotta have something on paper.
Or just get better umpires. is it that hard?
the technology is there
it’s definitely time for some instant replay. A challenge system could be instituted ala NFL. It’s ridiculous how obvious all 3 calls were. The main issue would be camera angles, because relying on some local cameras would not be exactly the best thing. the things that should be challengable:
- Fair or Foul for homer
- over yellow line for homer
- tag plays at bases
- safe or out at 1st.
The strike zone is too much of a sensative issue for umps, but these other issues could easily be instituted
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
The strike zone is the easiest
There are on average 40ish balls put into play in a game, but about 300 pitches so its also the most opportunities for blown calls. They have Questec at the parks now. Just let that call the balls/strikes with the HP ump getting foul tips, check swings and the other assorted calls that they will inevitably screw up.
by Getting Yosted on Oct 21, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Graham at Lookout Landing suggested a plan
I think QuesTec is gone, it’s useless anyway with Pitch f/x. Graham’s idea is to make an umpire helmet that flashes a light for strike, ball, or borderline— about a 2-inch zone on either side of the strike zone. He even thought that umpires could adjust their strike zone based on preference. Do it like this and the major blown calls on strikes/balls are eliminated, there is still some subjectivity, and the umpire stays in the game.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
He can also go spelunking after the game!
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
I thought Questec fed Pitch f/x, but if it has been replace by a better technology that can call a ball or strike then let the tech do the job. You don’t hear accountants whine that spreadsheets have taken the human element out of math.
And personal strike zones drive me crazy. The rule book says what is and isn’t a strike. I don’t think there is a sub-section that says “All proceeding discussions can be ignored at the whim of the umpire”. If the tech can be programmed to ignore ‘close’ and accurately determine the strike zone as written on every batter then the umps can pound sand.
How dumb would it be to assert an ump has a personal interpretation of the size and placement of 2B? Because that is in essence what the umps do with homeplate. They are shrinking, expanding or simply moving the thing in their mind while no one else has a clue what the current configuration is.
by Getting Yosted on Oct 21, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
yep
i know people that use math everyday that think computers/calculators have made us “weaker” intellectually.
by PagsBrewCrew on Oct 21, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I quit watching the postseason
even before that disgusting TM call because I wasn’t enjoying baseball, I was yelling at bags of %&$@ like Cuzzi.
by Braunstalker on Oct 21, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I am sure I am not the only one with a 'soft' boycott on this postseason.
MLB take head and catch up with the times.
by Braunstalker on Oct 21, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I vote this is the new tagline
I know it has to work in “Milwaukee Brewers” somehow, though.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
Yeah I figured that one out
I usually don’t change the tagline, though
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
Minor League Pitching
There actually is one other Brewer on that minor league leader board list…and it’s for a good reason. Evan Anundsen checked in at #14 for oppponents BA against at 0.216.
Still its kind of discouraging that on the two lists (batting and pitching) the main Brewers representation for for walks by pitchers and strikouts by hitters.
by Infield Fly Rule on Oct 21, 2009 9:16 AM CDT reply actions
Actually I missed one also...
Lindsey Gulin also made the walks list at #11
by Infield Fly Rule on Oct 21, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't watch the entire Angels/Yankees game last night
and I assumed that “the worst call of all time” was in reference to the tag-up appeal or even the pickoff. That’s 3 obviously blown calls in the same game, wow.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
and all 3 were just blatant too
McClellan’s quote on the the tag-up:
“I felt in my heart that he left early.”
Seriously? Your eyes would be better as opposed to your heart. It’s not a judgement call Tim, it’s a LOOK AT THE FRIGGING PLAY CALL!!!
You were out of position, and for that, you should be reprimanded
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
I don't know if it's required by contract
But if anyone addresses the media, it’s almost always the crew chief, in this case McClelland. I remember it was kind of notable that the HP umpire who called the dropped third strike in that Angels-White Sox LCS a few years ago spoke when he wasn’t the crew chief.
Sign Corky Miller
The quotes on the Posada / Cano fiasco were equally bad.
This line, in particular, bothers me: “I was waiting for two players to be on the base, and when there was never the situation where both of them were on the base at the same time.”
This “I was expecting one situation, but that situation didn’t happen, but I made the call that would’ve applied to the expected situation” B.S. drives me batty. (You see it all the time when the ball beats a runner to the bag, but the runner slides around the tag — only to be called out anyway.) STOP CALLING WHAT YOU EXPECT TO SEE AND CALL WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS.
by Rubie Q on Oct 21, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It may be their training.
I recently read an autobiography of an umpire, and he talked about bang-bang plays at first base. He was told to watch the runner’s feet hit the bag while listening for the ball being caught. If he watched the ball in, then looked for the runner’s feet, that transition may be enough time to blow the call. Since they have to judge multiple events that happen in rapid succession, they have to isolate them, and that means playing the odds that the play will unfold as you imagine it would instead of watching the whole play.
by dickie_thon on Oct 21, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
With all the talks of Rick Peterson and mechanics dabbling...
Is he like that Mike Marshall guy that teaches the only move forward, straight over the top stuff? Driveline I think they term it. That would be pretty crazy.
Looking to buy: General Manager Deputy Badge
by Bush League All Star on Oct 21, 2009 10:34 AM CDT reply actions
Marshall is unique in his extreme approach
I bet he’s mad that Peterson gets hired based on his mechanics expertise while Marshall keeps beating the drum about how his guys are never injured and he doesn’t so much as get a look.
Sign Corky Miller
other issues with Marshall-trained pitchers?
I thought the main reason his pitchers haven’t had success is due to other factors of bias, like that guys are coming to him because they have a history of injuries, and also that his pitchers don’t tend to be velocity pitchers (and we all know the bias against the slow.)
From what I understand, bias is a big part.
Some of the Marshall guys do throw pretty hard. But I think I remember seeing him say that he thinks his pitchers don’t get taken seriously because his mechanics are way different than what is deemed traditional. Don’t take my word on that, I am just trying to recall what he said.
Looking to buy: General Manager Deputy Badge
by Bush League All Star on Oct 21, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Rick Peterson v. Mike Marshall
I think that there are elements of what Marshall teaches that Peterson uses, however they are not walking hand in hand or anything like that.
Marshall is an unique guy in that he pitched at a very high level (Cy Young), and holds a PhD in Kinesiology from Mich St., so it isn’t as if his theories are unfounded.
I think Marshall’s theories getting implemented have the following obstacles…
1.) Marshall is a very abrasive and hard to work with guy. For example, I remember when I was a kid, he was one of the best relief pitchers in the game, and he didn’t allow Topps to produce cards of him — he may have had his reasons, but he definitely makes it a point to go across the grain.
2.) His methods stress injury prevention, and probably compromise velocity — especially for guys that have been pitching professionally for 4-5 years. You can’t just overhaul a guy like Yo or Parra, – and while you may be able to prevent injury, I think a lot of teams would risk injury rather than have Yo reduce his velocity.
I think that there are a lot of approaches, and conclusions that Peterson has “lifted” from Marshall. At the end of the day, Peterson has probably compromised the message to be able to be employable by a MLB team.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Oct 22, 2009 7:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Livan Hernandez isn't the only financially troubled ballplayer
I believe Scott Eyre had to borrow money this spring because he lost a bunch of money in one of those financial advisor swindles.
Sign Corky Miller
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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Cincinnati
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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Houston
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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Milwaukee
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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Pittsburgh
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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St. Louis
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
(updated 2.15.2012 at 7:03 PM CST)
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