Comments on: The Kid on His Way Home?

By: John

John — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:30:56 +0000

Indeed you do.

By: Biased Carruth

Biased Carruth — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:42:06 +0000

I have a low IQ and I smell like cheese.

By: Jason X USN

Jason X USN — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:06:39 +0000

The fact of the matter is noone is more critical of the Mariners front office than the Mariners blogosphere. This is just a look at potential upside, and unless your seeing an extended post not once does Matthew praise this move. He examines the possible upside of low risk move.

Mr. Bias, your opinions may actually hold a drop of water if you can point out an instance where Matthew criticized a front office move made by the Angels/A’s/Rangers without backing it up with actual facts or projections that supported the claim. Is it possible that I missed the following post on the front page?

The Angels Suck
by Matthew Carruth:

Today the Angels announced the signing of Bobby Abreu. Wow, what a stupid move. They truly suck. Obvious overpay for underproduction (of course I’m not sure the $$/years and I haven’t bothered to check projections based on PA and UZR because I’m totally biased but I’m sure it’s not good) that is typical of that awful franchise. Screw off Angels!

If that was an actual post your criticisms might be valid. Now that you’ve attacked Matthew’s claim why don’t you back up your own? In your original response you stated “Call it what it is, a terrible move.” Can you please explain intelligently your reasoning behind the claim that this is a terrible move that directly contradicts Matthews opposing position? I’ll be waiting.

By: Fresh Hops

Fresh Hops — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:14:51 +0000

I didn’t say solely! I said 75%, which is obviously a made up number and largely intended to express a point that this game really is about our sympathies and preferences (“loves” and “hates”, to be reductionistic) as it is about the academic side of understanding how the game works. If i have to sacrifice those sympathies and preferences in order not to be an idiot fan, I’d rather be an idiot fan. Fortunately, we can have our preferences and our understanding at the same time.

(Just because we have our preferences doesn’t mean we can’t also be objective. Objectively, I know that Coach K is one of the best college basket ball coaches ever, probably as good or better than Dean Smith. I’m a UNC fan; I went to college there. I hate Coach K, because that’s part of what enjoying the game is about.)

By: jamesllegade

jamesllegade — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:41:56 +0000

Mr. Biased

In your next response please enclose an example of this supposed bias. Then we can discuss whether it is actually bias or a supportable arguement.

Something tells me that your own bias is showing… in that you think a fair critique of your favorite team is, by its very nature, unfair.

regards,

JLL

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:43:34 +0000

Based on my calculations, which are assuming a return to a semi-respectable .364 wOBA and 400 PA, and that all of his at bats will come from the DH position, Griffey will only be a 1.1 WAR player next year. Assuredly, this is far from great, and not even in the neighborhood of good. From the standpoint of winning more ball games this would not be a great move for the Mariners.

From a nostalgia and marketing stand point this would be fantastic. But, if the goal is to win more ball games (as it should be) truly a meh kind of move. Under the parameters I described (which are truthfully on the high side) it’s not a team killing move. However, if Griffiey plays the field, ever, for any reason, this will destroy them.

Now, I would like to believe that Griffey will come back to Seattle, be healthy, blast 40 HR’s and put up a .420 wOBA and play amazing defense, it just isn’t likely to happen. As much as I want this move to work, it most likely won’t. And that is the hard truth of it.

By: Erich

Erich — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:16:10 +0000

Positive here is that M’s front office is more balanced. Jack Z would simply walk off the job if he had to be subjected to the kind of smoochy relationship other GM’s have had with the Seattle ownership. Jack will make this move without much enthusiasm and will not sell the future in the process. Manager Wakamatsu probably knows well the balance of developing the team and pleasing sentimental fans. I honestly can’t see us really getting burned here.

Things are different now.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:58:54 +0000

Oh yeah? Well I heard Matthew is biased against hamsters! That’s right. What the heck is wrong with the guy? He’ll go on and on about how great puppies and kittens and iguanas are, but when it comes to hamsters he HATES them! Well f***k you, Matthew! Until you start writing something positive about hamsters, I’m not reading another word!!!
/sarcasm

John G. – clever. I like it.

By: BrettJMiller

BrettJMiller — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:44:46 +0000

*facepalm*

(obviously not directed to you, Milendriel)

By: BrettJMiller

BrettJMiller — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:43:34 +0000

Who cares? An Angels fan would do the same. There’s obvious downsides to this move that Matthew has pointed out and beaten to death with the rest of the Seattle blogosphere for months. Since 2008 Matthew, Graham, Jeff, Dave, and DMZ have pretty much argued why Griffey was a bad idea for the team. Now that he’s here, we know the reasons why it could be bad, so it hurts no one to know the potential upside.

And it would be worse for the Angels–he wouldn’t be a huge draw for them, the park isn’t as good for him, and he’d have a harder time finding ABs, which may force his terrible glove into the field more often.

Matthew may be a bit biased but almost any fan will naturally be a bit biased against their biggest rival. Give it a rest, you look like a child.