Open Thread: Walk-Rod
ByAt 29-17, the Yankees boast the best record in baseball since Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup on May 8th. That has more to do with the pitching than anything else, as A-Rod is currently having his worst statistical season since 1997. The good news is that A-Rod’s .232 batting average is fueled by a ridiculously low .219 BABIP, and his IsoP is .252, right in line with his career mark. His prodigious power is still there, it’s just that fewer balls are dropping in for hits at the moment. That should correct itself in time.
But let’s not worry about batting average and hitting for power right now. Has anyone noticed how much A-Rod’s been walking this year? Even though he’s only played in 46 of 75 games, he’s third on the team with 39 walks (behind Nick Swisher & Mark Teixeira) and already 15th in AL in free passes. He’s walked in 20.1% of his plate appearances this year, far and away the best mark of a career in which he’s walked 11.3% of the time. All those walks allow A-Rod to have a fantastic .399 OBP despite his low batting average.
One of the byproducts of drawing walks and working deep counts is striking out. Nick Swisher and Adam Dunn are extreme examples, but we also see it with Jorge Posada and Johnny Damon. It’s just the way it is. Except that hasn’t been the case for A-Rod this year. He has more walks than strikeouts (28 K), something he’s never done, and frankly has never even been close to doing before. Over the his first five years in pinstripes, Alex struck out in about 22% of his plate appearance, but this year he’s cut it down to 18.1%.
A-Rod’s always been a guy that put a ton of pressure on himself, particularly in big spots, but this year he seems more content to just take what he’s given and pass the baton on to the next guy if the pitcher doesn’t give him something to hit. Maybe it’s just a statistical anomaly. I really have no idea, any theories?
* * *
Anywho, here’s your open thread for tonight. The Mets are in Milwaukee, surely happy to not be facing the Yanks any more. Talk about whatever you like here, just be nice.
Oh, and make sure you vote in this week’s Fan Confidence Poll if you haven’t already.
Let’s hope the O’s can help us out tonight.
Not a promising start.
1) Last I heard, Ivan Nova was pitching a no-no in Scranton through five.
2) Should I watch the Mets or the Rays/Jays?
NEvermind…
@swbyankees: Nova loses no-hitter with 2 outs in 6th. Line drive off top of shortstop’s glove. Leaves game to nice ovation.
Nova just lost the no-no with two outs in the sixth.
All those walks were when Cano hits behind him.
pwnt.
That’s just cruel.
If only we could bat Cano behind Cano, then we solve his walk problems!
lolol
I think A-Rod is content with passing the baton to whoever is hitting behind him. He is scared to swing the bat in clutch situations and with his bad hip all he does is clog up the bases anyway. We need less of A-Rod and more guys like Robbie Cano who swing at will. I wish A-Rod could be a little more like Derek Jeter in clutchy situations. Jeter has no fear and he never fails.
10/10
Nearly indistinguishable from a serious post, but the last line is juuuust over the top enough that it’s clear you’re joking.
Nice.
Basically A-Rod is feared.
A-Rod = Jim Rice?
A-Rod =
Jim RiceBernie WilliamsFixed.
A-Rod =
Jim Rice BernieFear WilliamsDouble Fixed.
You just blew my mind.
This might be a joke, but A-Rod is WAAAAY better than Jim Rice, who shouldn’t have made it in.
It is a joke.
Come on you guys, Jim Rice did it cleanly so his stats count for twice as much. And he played in an era where offense was severely deflated. Not only that but the NO HITTAHS!!!……….wait, wrong feared guy
Arod = Jim Rice = HOF
And thats why Arod should be in the Hall of fame.
A-Rod =
Jim RiceMariano RiveraA-Rod = Michael Corleone?
BTW, Since Tex has the second most homers in the AL, he will definitely be asked to do the home run derby, Do you think he will participate in it?
I hope not. I’m afraid of Abreu and Wright syndrome.
I am watching two baseball games at once. I think I need help.
When I was at UConn, I would watch the Yankees on Gameday, the Sox on NESN, and one random game on MLB.tv. You do not need help.
Or maybe you both need help.
Did anyone see the post on MLBTR, Jays are willing to take just about anything to get rid of Alex Rios’ contract or Well’s. I would say no way to Wells but Alex Rios could be a good fit. Any thoughts?
Rios is awesome but I just realized that Wells’ contract is like one of the worst in MLB history. He’s just not that good.
Also, I’m not sure where Rios would play on the Yankees.
Yeah the Wells contract is one of the worst in baseball right now. Rios is gonna make 12mm a year for the next few years. He could play right this year and have swisher go back to the role he started the year at. Rios should be able to manage center too I would imagine.
Also after this year Matsui, Nady and Damon are off the books and I can’t find a better outfielder that will be available as a free agent after this year. Unless you would want in on Holliday but he’s going to be looking for crazy money.
Personally I don’t think Rios is really worth all the hopla though. You can make the arguement that Cano is a better player than Rios.
You could probably make that argument, although I’d disagree. Similar power numbers, and Rios steals bases. Even if you made that argument, it doesn’t really effect whether or not he’d be an upgrade in the outfield. I think he would be.
WTF? Swisher > Rios right now. Rios may steal more bases but I’d take Swisher on my team over Rios
It would take Hughes and one more solid prospect to get Rios. Remember the Jays could of potentially gotten Lincecum or Cain for Rios.
That was also before the economy took the turn it did but I would have thought it would take a lot as well. I would say the Yankees should get in on it if the MLBTR post is accurate and they are willing to trade as a salary dump not looking for a Hughes type return.
Yeah but the Jays are not just gonna dump Rios for some dirt either. Your gonna have to give some legit high upside talent to get Rios or at least one legit high upside talent allah a Romine or Betances or A-Jax (which I doubt)
I’d trade Betances or Romine for Rios. No question.
Wonder if there is any interest in Cabrera plus another prospect.
Unless that other prospect is named “Phil Hughes”, I don’t think so.
I think you could center a package around a high-upside guy that’s far away (like Betances), but you’d have to add a high-probability guy that’s closer to the majors. Like, Betances and Melky? Maybe? Romine and ZMac? I dunno, I’m kind of just spitballing here.
No, they could never have gotten Lincecum. We heard relatively unsubstantiated rumors that there was a Cain/Rios deal on the table.
The whole point is that, now, the Jays are in a more desperate position and they REALLY want to dump money. It only costs Hughes if someone else is willing to give up something close to Hughes. If no one else is willing to give up that much AND take on the whole contract, then the Yanks could possibly broker a deal for less talent, but more salary relief.
Yeah, or better prospects and possibly tie in Kei Igawa? haha
if they’re willing to take on that salary and trade a prospect–let them.
Corner OF in 2010 instead of Damon?
The day that Wells contract was signed, eyebrows went up all over Baseball. Wells was coming off a career year and was never known to be a hard worker, or the type of player that would produce both good numbers and longevity. He always struck out a little too much and didn’t walk enough to be an elite player, but he was paid like one.
The Vernon Wells contract is ugly now, it is only going to get a lot uglier for that front office.
Vernon’s ticket shoots to $20+ million next year. Ouch.
Rios would be money, and can play all 3 OF positions. Don’t think the Jays want to trade him in the division though.
I think that would be the main hurdle to get over.
Rios has a line that’s about the same as Robinson Cano’s for his career (they have the exact same wOBA), but he plays a corner OF position, though he does play that position very well.
Cano plays a premium position so if everything else is equal Cano is the better player but Rios is still very good even if Cano is a bit better. Also would Rios’ numbers get better playing in Yankee stadium and in that lineup?
Well, Rios would probably get better but I don’t know if the price is worth it. I’d rather just replace a corner OF with money only instead of giving up prospects to a division opponent who’s on the rise.
Any possibility that the Rays decline their 10mm option on Crawford?
Ugh, I’m dreaming it but I doubt it happens. If it happens, the Yankees better be all over him like white on rice on a paper plate in a snow storm with a glass of milk on the side.
If he were going to be available I would say no to a Rios deal but other than him I don’t see an athletic type outfielder like that available for just money after the season.
I’m just hoping the Rays are stupid enough to decline the option.
Why would they decline it when they could pick it up and then trade him for something?
That way they control where he goes, at least for another year.
Rios and Cano are quite similar players. Nevertheless, I’ll take Cano anyday over Rios. Rios while can play CF, is really more a RF and Cano plays a more preminum position in 2nd base. Not to mention has hit for more power as a 2nd baseman than Rios as a OF.
I would take Cano over Rios as well but I’ll definetly take both.
I’d take Rios. But it’s a coin flip.
That doesn’t make sense. Same level of production, premium position
Perhaps it has to do w/me wanting a premium CF’er really badly.
If Rios can play a good center field then it puts his value up there with Cano. I don’t know much about his ability to play CF. I’ve only seen him play mostly RF.
What a debut for Nova! He could’ve stayed a little longer, as he exited after only 90 pitches.
He had also K’d the last 2 hitters before serving up the single on the 90th pitch, so he apparently was still going strong at the time.
Hey Tommie ur right, nobody wants to play in minnesota lol.
If im the knicks, I wouldn’t mind at all if they traded for Rubio. I understand ur not the biggest Rubio supporter, but he’s still has alot of ability and didn’t get all this hype for nuttin.
personally I don’t have any opinions on Rubio, cuz I haven’t seen him much, but if he’s considered a legit top talent, why not go after him especially since he would fit well in D’Antoni system quite well.
If all it takes is David Lee then id do it. If they have to throw in another player not named Curry or Jeffries, I say pass.
Hype =/= ability
He might’ve gotten the hype because he’s a good looking young European point guard who plays decent ball.
We seriously should have Melvin Croussett T-Shirts made up, so we can spot each other at games and on the street.
+1
Any ideas for a design?
Just a blue shirt with:
M E L V I N in white.
Great. I can use that to cover up my “Save the Big Three” tee that I get laughed at for.
http://imagecache2.allposters......osters.jpg
Except it says “Melvin”
(front) Melvin (the Son of Mo) is coming.
(back) REPENT YE SINNERS!
with a Yankee logo underneath on the front and back.
Yankee logo would be a no-go, trademarks, copyrights, etc… etc… Leave it off or replace it with an RAB logo (they should create one!) and we’re talking
Fine, we’ll replace the logo with a picture of Randy Levine.
A-Rod’s approach at the plate has been fascinating. It’s also tantalizing. His pitch recognition seems far superior this year. Anecdotally, it seems like he is much less vulnerbale to the breaking ball out of the strike zone. Most impressively, he seems to be laying of these pitches even when he is behind the count. His increased BB rate and decreased K-rate support my anecdotal observations.
The problem, of course, is he has not regained his timing. He’s fouling of hittable pitches, pulling groundballs, popping up, etc. I think his timing issues are playing a large role in his amazingly low BABIP. He’s swinging at strikes, so he should put the ball in play more often than not, which he has. But the fact that he’s a little late or a little early means that he is much less likely to put the ball in play with authority.
So, why is this tantalizing? Well, if A-Rod can get his timing back, his new found plate discipline could lead to incredible results. Simply put, it is very hard to get A-Rod out in the strike zone. It can be done (excellent mixing of pitches, precise location), but the pitcher has to be damn near perfect. His combination of bat speed and plate coverage is unbelievably unique.
If A-Rod can maintain his new found high level of plate disciple and regain his timing (which he has not yet), I really think we will see him reach another level (at least for a year or two before age robs him of bat speed).
It is almost as if he knew what pitches were coming…
nice
Well done sir.
I’ve thought the same thing. Even with the awful BA, seems like he’s avoiding the bad pitches better than in the past.
I think Cano’s troubles with RISP are contributing, too. But that’s ok with me…the more chances Robbie gets, the sooner he will, I hope, learn how to perform up to his ability in those situations.
yup. he’s got to perform in those situations if he’s going to learn how to perform in those situations…
Via FanGraphs, his O-Swing (out of zone swing percentage) is down to 16.1% a career low, while his Z-Swing (in zone swing percentage) is at 67.6%, which is right around his career mark. So, it would seem that he’s swinging at the bad pitches less. Even though he’s swinging at balls out of the zone less, he’s actually making contact with them more (58.2%, career mark of 49.2%). Interesting.
Cano needs to take batting lessons from Mo. Mo had more RBI’s with the bases loaded yesterday than Cano did.
Interesting, indeed. Do they breakdown the location of the “out of zone” pitches? Perhaps he has a higher contact rate on out of zone pitches because he is swing at better “out of zone” pitches.
In other words, he’s swing at a higher percentage of “close” out of zone pitches rather than that 1-2 slider in the dirt.
I think they use whatever the Pitch F/X tool Gameday uses.
Oh wow, I totally mis-read what you said. Anyway, no, there’s just the general “in zone” and “out of zone” designation. I think to find out what you’re interested in would take days of studying Pitch F/X data for each player.
Josh Kalk’s blog had player cards where you can look at something like that but he took them down once he got a job with the Rays.
.313/.397/.672 7HR 17RBI for June
Anyone worried that the display that David Ortiz has put on in the month of June is more indicative of his current ability rather than the early part of the season?
Yes. I know we all enjoyed it when Ortiz was hitting like crap, but if we actually thought that he would stay that crappy all year, we were fooling ourselves.
No more jokes about who has more home runs, David Ortiz or Brett Gardner.
I know…
i was hoping for a ‘Mo has more HR than Papi’ year
Those were good times. We’ll never see their like again.
Until David Ortiz slumps again next year. This time all the way until July.
Until David Ortiz slumps again next year. This time all the way until
Julyhis season ends in September.His current ability was always somewhere in the middle of his early struggles and now. Players go through ups and downs, it’s called variance and it usually evens out. A-Rod obviously battled the same thing and now he’s showing signs of coming out of it.
Let’s see him keep it up now that Interleague play is over.
He’s done it before. He’ll do well.
So has Hank Aaron. Put a bat in his hands today, not so much.
You’re comparing A-Rod at the age of 34 to Hank Aaron, who’s like in his seventies or something?
And Hank Aaron didn’t just get on a hot streak.
My point is that A-Rod has gotten hot in the AL before, when he’s hot it doesn’t matter what league he’s in.
He was talking aboot ortiz.
In that case, I’m way off the mark.
I apologize. Never mind.
I feel stupid.
anyone watch the muts screw up in the 2nd inning and give up that run?
too bad they have the wrong reyes at short…
Anyone else notice Morgan’s harping on Wang’s sinker not sinking, and then the replay he shows to illustrate this was clearly his 4 seam fastball?
Wang throws a very straight, hard 4 seamer and Morgan is talking about how ‘its supposed to be sinking and it isn’t’. Joe Morgan is a HOF player, I would hope he would know the difference between a 2 seamer and a 4 seamer, but I think he was just typically being lazy and/or trying to shoehorn his opinion into a replay where it didn’t fit. I could see screwing that up live, at real speed. But screwing that up on a replay and not correcting it on the spot is just inexcusable.
That “non sinking sinker” got Wang his first win. And don’t tell me it was vs. a minorr league lineup. These are professional hitters and Wang wasn’t burned.
They were missing two middle of the order .900 OPS bats in Beltran and Delgado. They were leading off Daniel Murphy, he of the .676 OPS. They also are giving regular at-bats to Alex Cora and Luis Castillo.
I’m all for the optimism with CMW, but “professional hitters” and “good professional hitters” are two completely different things.
So? This was a major league ballclub and Wang did a good job against them. The fact is that, regardless of where they should be or would be w/no injuries, they are not in the minor leagues. Wang did a fine job against the lineup they put out there.
And the lineup they put out there was a offensively below average lineup. Shutting down the team that scores the least runs per game in the MLB is not the same as shutting down the team that scores the most.
Did Wang do a good job? Yes. Was it against a team who’s 1-8 hitters average a .726 OPS? Yes. And that does matter.
We agree though. Wang did a good job. Of course it matters that the lineup was pretty bad. But that wouldn’t have made a difference earlier in the season.
I respectfully disagree. Wang pitched well enough to win and is showing improvement, but he is not anywhere near the Wang of old. It’s not even close.
I want Wanger back just as much as the next guy, but unless he starts finding it really soon, he’s going to go back to getting shelled. There’s no doubt in my mind.
Not even close, but the imporvement he’s shown is significant.
Luis Castillo has a .380 OBP. he may be overrated but not THAT overatted.
Yup depleted lineup. But it doesn’t really matter…every pitcher’s record includes results against good and bad lineups…sometimes great lineups stink in games (Yankees 2 weeks ago), and sometimes lousy lineups hit well.
He did what he did. He pitched a decent game. It’s not bad news, but for someone as good as he was, it’s not like we should be doing backflips celebrating, either. If he’s gonna get back to ‘06 form, he has a ways to go.
Hey, minor league hitters are professionals too you know.
joe morgan is an utter, complete moron
I concur.
+1000
Oh and for the way the mets treated him, i hope willie randolph gets a sweep against the mets being with the brewers now
The Mets have one of the worst defense’s I have ever seen.
hahaha i totally agree
and Looper is dominating their offense. haha
Whats with social anxiety disorder as the in vogue DL stint this year. Dontrelle and Khalil Green.
Yeah, it’s strange. Greinke had it too last year. Was Dontrelle’s DL stint for social anxiety or was that just made up? He seems like a totally different personality than Greinke. It doesn’t really seem to fit Dontrelle.
Psychological disorders traditionally had a very negative social stigma. It’s only recent that it’s become more accepted. In a setting where you’re expected to play every day unless you physically can’t, it takes longer to break the stigma. A-Rod telling the world he sees a psychiatrist and Grienke recovering from his issues then turning around his career the way he did would do a lot to change attitudes.
Hey Mike, any way you can get that Leroy Smith ad off the RAB homepage? It’s a tad creepy for my liking.
It’s charlie murphy.
?
CHAAAAAAAAALIE MURPHY!
charlie murphy is leroy smith…
duh mane
Finkle is Einhorn…Einhorn is Finkle….
Einhorn is a man!
Laces out.
Game. Blouses.
There have been some pretty bad games on ESPN this year. Mets at Brewers? Nieve vs Looper? Spare me.
For any Nets fans here, what do you think about the trade? I know they’re basically giving up next season by trading vince, but courtney lee is decent and only 23. I don’t like that we gave up Ryan Anderson though, he’s way better than Yi. Also glad we drafted T-Will.
Keep the faith. Nets 2009 NBA champions!
I don’t follow basketball, I’m just joshing with ya.
It’s a good trade for the Nets considering they got rid of VC contract, and recieve a talented player in Lee. Not a bad trade at all.
Lee is an excellent defender and could be deadly offensively with Harris.
Nets financially needed to get of Carter’s contract, Orlando wasnt going to take Yi’s contract. I think Lee is better then Anderson anyways, and he’ll be the #2 scoring option this year so you’ll see his numbers go up, similar to Harris getting a much bigger role
agreed
Anyone see this..and does anyone think it’s real?
http://www.rotoinfo.com/read_a.....icleId=318
So according to that list, Every dominican player in baseball was on steroids…..
So it seems..
101.Todd Helton
This would surprise me.
Really? Why?
I guess at the end of the day it wouldn’t because I don’t think I’d put it past anyone to have been on the juice, but Helton just doesn’t strike me as the type.
I get ya. I really think before 2003 at least 50% of players were using one way or another, so I can’t think of a single player that would surprise me at this point. Can’t really think of a single player that would bother me either. People get all high and mighty about Griffey and Jeter and how it would stain the game so much, I just don’t see it. They all either did it, or knew it was happening and didn’t care. The playing field was level. Bonds/Clemens/Sosa/McGwire, put them all in the Hall. It’s amazing as the years go by how I find myself becoming a Bonds apologist. Sure he was juicing, but he was still the best of the juiced bunch. After 1998, he said screw it, I’ll use too, I know I’m better than those clowns.
Agreed.
Jeter and Mo would shock me, but that’s it. Especially Jeter.
I have issues w/Bonds and McGuire because the amount of HR’s they hit was impossible. Nobody can hit 70 HR’s in a season w/o PED’s. It’s physically impossible.
I’d put them in the Hall but I can’t rank them with the best ever because I have no idea how good they’d be w/o steroids.
I’m sure teams thought it was physically impossible for Babe Ruth it hit more HRs then entire teams had
It’s never been done since testing was enacted.
Nobody hit 61 since Roger Maris until this whole cluster of players all of a sudden started power hitting.
It is IMPOSSIBLE to hit 70 HR’s w/o PED’s.
I just disagree. The right guy in the right situation it can be done. Put Prince Fielder on the Yankees infront of ARod and you dont think he has a chance?
To add to Zach’s comment, throw in expansion. That’s when Maris hit his 61, expansion would possibly get a player to 70, with other factors in place.
Not to mention smaller ballparks, more tightly wound balls, etc.
Tightly wound balls? We’re talking about players NOT taking steroids.
Impossible. Babe Ruth protected by Lou Gehrig in today’s time can’t do it. CAN’T BE DONE.
doubt it
Love how the whole 04 red sox team was on it =)
thats a typo obviously
Pretty much the whole cubs rotation is on that list.
That list is SO fake.
Might just be my internet, but that link isn’t working
I highly doubt its real. Casey Blake? Todd Helton? I doubt it
Hey, the Mets were just on the receiving end of a dropped pop-up.
Ajax, BOMB
Austin Smash!
Anyone else think that Pope is pretty much done?
He had a 3.42 ERA in his last five starts coming in to today. It was one bad start, and Tony Franklin said they left him to soak up innings since the pitching staff has been stretched so thin.
coaches LOVE when kids do that.
So, Mike, are you saying Pope isn’t pretty much done? Is that what you were getting at?
A-Rod’s increased walks is probably related to the effects of the surgery. He doesn’t feel as comfortable attacking certain pitches he used to drive for hits, so he’s taking more pitches, trying to zone in on the smaller selection of pitches he believes he can hit with authority. The increased walks and reduced strike-outs means he’s being less agressive. I’m not saying this will continue throughout the season, but it will continue as he mends and gets more of his strength back, or until he starts believing he can hit certain pitches again. It’s possible his recent hot streak, evidenced by his HR to center and right, is a sign he’s getting closer.
I’d rather he take the walks than swing at balls out of the zone (a la sinker from Fausto Carmona) that he has no chance of hitting but thinks he can drive nonetheless.
No problem with taking walks.
You realize his HR at Citi Field was an absolute bomb? It was just hard to realize since the ballpark is so freakin cavernous.
Mike Francesa just continues to annoy anyone who has half a brain. Today I decided to listen in mid-afternoon. He was discussing the BoSox and Yanks. He offered up that the BoSox can’t carry their offense on the road and that a lot of Yankees play better on the road than at home (some of which is true ie Swisher) and have a MUCH better road record than the BoSox.
Actual Records:
BoSox – Home 25-10, Road 21-19
Yanks – Home 21-14, Road 22-18
The record really supports his ranting that the Yanks are so much better than the BoSox on the road . . . NOT!!!
He has all that friggin’ equipment surrounding him in the studio. Why doesn’t he look at espn.com and check some facts before he spouts off with such AUTHORITY. He blows off knowledgeable callers using the same NON facts. I don’t know why (except perhaps just a crass desire to prostitute himself for ratings), but he has moved from being a very good braodcaster to a ratings building, controversy instigating muckraker. It really is sad to witness this change over the years.
I used to be a huge Francesa fan since the 1980’s. Now, I only listen in if I am desperate and there is nothing else worth listening to.
1 game is 1 game, right?
Right?
I used to think so.
Possible that ARod has finally put down the whole “I have to get a power hit” mentality and embrace the “a walk is as good as a single” mentality?
Considering he’s walked between 75-100 times in 8 of the last 9 years I don’t think he’s finally decided to embrace walking.
yeah, why all of a sudden are his walks a big deal? its not like he was Cano pre-2009
A.) 3.81 ERA 1.41 WHIP
B.) 3.90 ERA 1.42 WHIP
Quick, Francesa which one is Joba and which one is Porcello?
Give up?
A= Joba
B= Porcello
But…but…but Joba should be in the bullpen!
I mean instead of a 3.81 ERA he will magically get a 0.00 ERA in the bullpen!
my eyes tell me hes better in the bullpen
Robinson Cano……