A.L. Central Discussion 2016

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Not really. He's a nice hitter, for a catcher.)

Which is handy, because he's a catcher...

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

i can't blame him for that -- it is his contract year. his road to a big contract is behind the plate. i applaud the honesty of the Indians GM. i would have just told him what he wanted to hear and then told him to grab ankles next year.

Right, but if the Indians had traded him, they'd have gone back on their guarantee.

 

[navamind]

Also, I think you're underselling just how bad the catcher position has been for the Indians, especially at the plate.

Major League Team Stats » 2016 » Catchers » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball

Indians catchers have a collective wRC+ of 29 (the league average is 100). They're batting .163/.215/.277. There are pitchers that have hit wayyyy better than that. they make Yuniesky Betancourt look like early 2000's Barry Bonds.

 

[navamind]

a catcher with a 120 OPS+ is a way more valuable player than a 1B with a 120 OPS+

 

[dougplayer]

Yep. Catcher is weak spot for indians. For sure

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

exactly.

Had Lucroy continued to hit the was he's been this year and the Indians starting pitching continued to pitch the way they had, Lucroy would have made a MASSIVE difference to the team.

Right now, the most important thing to understand is that the Indians pitching is not living up to their end of the bargain, and in this circumstance, Lucroy would not have made up the difference.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Yep. Catcher is weak spot for indians. For sure

As is pitching, apparently.

 

[dougplayer]

That remains to be seen. Dog days will tell

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Also, I think you're underselling just how bad the catcher position has been for the Indians, especially at the plate.

Major League Team Stats » 2016 » Catchers » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball

Indians catchers have a collective wRC+ of 29 (the league average is 100). They're batting .163/.215/.277. There are pitchers that have hit wayyyy better than that.

My initial reaction is to tell you that I hate you.

But I know you're right, so for a minute, I don't hate you.

Then I remember you're a Red Sox and Michigan fan, so I'm back to hating you.

 

[Iffster]

As bad as the Tribe's starters have been in the last week....I'd still give them an edge over Detroit's. Zimmermann has the feel of a ''bust'', Sanchez and Pelfrey won't hold up, and Norris and Boyd are untested. Fulmer and Verlander will have to pull off a Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling to pull away from Cleveland.

 

[navamind]

My initial reaction is to tell you that I hate you.

But I know you're right, so for a minute, I don't hate you.

Then I remember you're a Red Sox and Michigan fan, so I'm back to hating you.

 

[broncosmitty]

Which is handy, because he's a catcher...

Id rather have a lot of things an a good hitting catcher.

 

[bksballer89]

Sick to my stomach that were helping the tigers

 

[broncosmitty]

As bad as the Tribe's starters have been in the last week....I'd still give them an edge over Detroit's.

No shit!?!

 

[broncosmitty]

Sick to my stomach that were helping the tigers

You're also helping the Red Sox in the WC.

If that helps.

 

[broncosmitty]

a catcher with a 120 OPS+ is a way more valuable player than a 1B with a 120 OPS+

Plus sign stats are make believe, but I'm with you on the general idea.

 

[Iffster]

No shit!?!

Detroit only has so many 'razors' to go around!

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Id rather have a lot of things an a good hitting catcher.

Like a full set of teeth?

 

[navamind]

Detroit only has so many 'razors' to go around!

Same could be said about the 1985 Pirates.

 

[dougplayer]

Detroit only has so many 'razors' to go around!

Verlander. Sharp tonight. Wins. Tigers win