posted by TBone14When does Alonso get popped for PEDs?
Home runs by season: 0, 5, 9, 6, 7, 5, 7, 28
Ones of these things is not like the other. Unless he is wearing Tom Brady's pajamas and is getting better at 30, I don't see him repearting that. Hopefully I am wrong.
I agree and it was the first thing that popped out at me when I heard his stats. From what I've heard, it sounds like a lot of guys have been hitting abnormal amounts of HR's.
posted by BR1986FBI agree and it was the first thing that popped out at me when I heard his stats. From what I've heard, it sounds like a lot of guys have been hitting abnormal amounts of HR's.
While I wouldn't be surprised at any MLB player(or pro athlete) being popped for PED's, Alonso did make a pretty dramatic change to his approach in 2017. He scrapped his "toe touch" load style, and went to an aggressive leg kick ala Josh Donaldson. He also went all in on the Fly Ball Revolution, basically doubling his launch angle from around 10 degrees to around 20. More balls in the air = more doubles and HRs. Will be interesting to see how he performs this year after such a dramatic change. He was as good as any slugger for most of the 1st half last year then tapered off.
posted by WooballWhile I wouldn't be surprised at any MLB player(or pro athlete) being popped for PED's, Alonso did make a pretty dramatic change to his approach in 2017. He scrapped his "toe touch" load style, and went to an aggressive leg kick ala Josh Donaldson. He also went all in on the Fly Ball Revolution, basically doubling his launch angle from around 10 degrees to around 20. More balls in the air = more doubles and HRs. Will be interesting to see how he performs this year after such a dramatic change. He was as good as any slugger for most of the 1st half last year then tapered off.
What you are saying is exactly what I meant. Seems like a lot of these guys are adopting the Fall Ball Revolution approach and it's feast or famine. Don't quote me on this but I think there was both a record number of strike outs and a record number of HR's. If pitchers can somehow adapt to this, I think we'll see numbers taper off.
posted by BR1986FBWhat you are saying is exactly what I meant. Seems like a lot of these guys are adopting the Fall Ball Revolution approach and it's feast or famine. Don't quote me on this but I think there was both a record number of strike outs and a record number of HR's. If pitchers can somehow adapt to this, I think we'll see numbers taper off.
I know for sure MLB set a record for HRs hit in a season. Wouldn't surprise me with strikeouts, as the game has adopted the idea that a strikeout is just like any other out(I can't 100% buy in on that). Pitchers have started to adjust, more and more offspeed pitches and more success with the high fastball.
Yeah, this move does nothing for me. Oh well.
And BR, there is no way Alonso was better than Santana last year, probably in any metric/category. I don't even have to look that up. Maybe his power numbers are similar, but Santana walks as much as he Ks, one of the top base runners in the AL and finished 2nd in the GG voting (probably should've won). Santana also hit leadoff/middle of the order.
posted by Laley23Yeah, this move does nothing for me. Oh well.
And BR, there is no way Alonso was better than Santana last year, probably in any metric/category. I don't even have to look that up. Maybe his power numbers are similar, but Santana walks as much as he Ks, one of the top base runners in the AL and finished 2nd in the GG voting (probably should've won). Santana also hit leadoff/middle of the order.
Was going off HR's (more), RBI's (12 less) and BA (higher) in 120 few AB's. Alonso had 20 fewer walks and 24 more K's. Alonso had a higher OBP & Slugging %.
If you project Alonso's numbers out with 120 more AB's he's at 35 HR's, 81 RBI's and 83 walks which is significantly more HR's, more RBI's and a few less walks than Santana. Granted, his strikeout numbers would also jump quite a bit but it looks like the numbers are pretty comparable.
I will say that I'll be surprised if Alonso comes close to repeating these numbers this year.
Not a bad pickup as in bridges the gap until prospects are ready.
GO TRIBE
posted by cat_loverNot a bad pickup as in bridges the gap until prospects are ready.
GO TRIBE
Exactly.
Alonso started hot. 120 more ABs and he probably doesn't sniff this contract. He was really bad the last part of the year.
His 42 games in Seattle he hit .265 w/ 6 HR. If he would stay at that production in 2018, he would hit 21 HR with a decent BA. Obviously we'd all rather have Santana, but that wouldn't be a bad year for less than half the price. He also wouldn't be the first player in the last 5-10 years to go from an average/doubles guy, revamp their approach, and become a 25-35 HR player.
posted by WooballHis 42 games in Seattle he hit .265 w/ 6 HR. If he would stay at that production in 2018, he would hit 21 HR with a decent BA. Obviously we'd all rather have Santana, but that wouldn't be a bad year for less than half the price. He also wouldn't be the first player in the last 5-10 years to go from an average/doubles guy, revamp their approach, and become a 25-35 HR player.
Spot on.
10 years ago, the Indians jettisoned top prospect Brandon Phillips because he wouldn’t adapt to Derek Shelton’s line drive, gap shooting, Hit the ball to all fields hard, hitting style. For his insistence on doing what works for him , the Tribe labeled him “uncooperative “ LOL. The Indians ended up with egg on their face, Phillips was soon vindicated, and now… guys are switching to what Brandon was doing ten years ago.
Over the years, certain hitting styles rise and fall in popularity...anybody remember Orioles hitting coach Walt Hriniak?
It’s hard for me to believe, that Derek Shelton‘s method isn’t the “best“ way to hit anymore. But truth be told, the metrics seem to bear out that sacrificing consistency and strikeouts for power and home runs is more productive in terms of driving in runs.
I fully expect Alonso to do well... his backslide at the end of last season is normal when you change what you’ve been doing and start another system.
While we all agree that the Phils overpaid for Santana, it’s my opinion that we may not have seen the end of Santana’s growth as a hitter.... the Phils may be vindicated before all is said and done.
For now, I’m content in what the Tribe has done. The guys in the front office deserve the benefit of the doubt... and more.
I don't think Phils overpaid for Santana. But, it was too much for the Tribe. But he is a top 1B in the game, no question.
Agreed that Santana wasn't necessarily overpaid in today's baseball. He was not in the Tribe's price range though.
Jay Bruce goes to the Mets for 3 yr/$40 million.
WTF.
The tribe picks up the option on an injured Micheal Brantley for $12 million and won’t keep Jay for $13.3. ... and they were going to give that much to Santana.
WTF....WTF. :(
posted by HitsRusJay Bruce goes to the Mets for 3 yr/$40 million.
WTF.
The tribe picks up the option on an injured Micheal Brantley for $12 million and won’t keep Jay for $13.3. ... and they were going to give that much to Santana.
WTF....WTF. :(
My thoughts exactly. When I heard "3 years, $39M" I was like, "you've got to be kidding me." They are going to roll the dice on that china doll Brantley being healthy when they could've had proven production from Bruce.
They didn’t have a choice though, when the market was projected to be higher for Bruce. Brantley’s option had to be picked up quickly.
Sucks looking back though. Wish they would’ve waited like last year. Might’ve been able to steal a lot better players than injured MB and Alonso.
The Tribe will make their move jut prior to the deadline for an aging vet on his last year prior to UFA.
McCutch & A Jones should be available at the trade deadline.
^^^ i’m sure they will.
It’s still hard for me to believe they turn down the opportunity of getting Jay Bruce for three years at such a bargain price.
Having him and Edwin back to back in the lineup just seems like a no-brainer.
