What kind of baseball dork are you?

[calsnowskier]

I don't disagree with this. In the past, bullpens were often just teams picking up washed-up starters or hard-throwing Latin guys. The problem is, how much is a bullpen worth in the total payroll? I personally think closers are overrated, though nobody in baseball agrees with me.

Closers are VERY over-rated. But that is only because that was the only role in the bully that has actually gotten any attention since the mid-80s.

Today, the bully is critical IF YOU INTEND ON CONTENDING. If you want to win, you need to be able to pull your starter and go 4 relievers deep in the game. That means that you need to have 7 or 8 SOLID relievers on the roster, with another 4 or so to cycle in from the minors.

This also means that your 6th/7th inning guy just might be your most important reliever. For the Giants in '15, Casilla was the closer. But the hands-down main guy in the pen was George Kontos, and he was the 7th inning guy. He would come in with runners on and ALWAYS close the door, not allowing them to score. He allowed only like 5 inherited runners to score all year. He did not allow his first until late July. Having that kind of weapon is invaluable, if you know how to use it.

 

[calsnowskier]

As well, what looks like a low strike might actually just be something in the dirt. The difference in hitting 1-1 and 0-2 is pretty significant. MLB has been aware that the K rate is too high. It's not all just bad hitting. Some of these strike zones are flat-out unfair.

#robotumps

 

[Fountain City Blues]

There are few things as pleasurable as seeing an OF'er gallop across the outfield's expanse and gracefully make a stunning catch. All the while ensuring that there is precision in returning the ball to the infield.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Geeked out

 

[romeo212000]

With what I said, I think my favorite thing in the world is seeing an outfielder with attest arm gun down a runner at the plate. Just think about the athleticism and precision that has to go into that. I so wish Leonys Martin could've fulfilled his potential with Texas.