Y08Marlin

1996, the year I started to care about baseball.

mlb.tv just seems to act up once in a while. It refused to let me watch 400K once and just kept asking me to upgrade. My experience with Tech support wasn't so good. They dropped my call 5 times and then I gave up.

Early reports are that Jake's injury isn't too bad. Looks like his quad just tightened up a little. Link Edit: didn't see Tee Ball's post

Um no offense dude, but.........The Padres have the worst offense in baseball. Not exactly the greatest measuring stick of how well he's progressed. He was throwing strikes. He got most batters out on less that 3 pitches. This game was a great measuring stick. I gotta disagree. I just have no confidence in the kid right now. You don't cure inconsistencies with one start. He probably won himself another start or two with this outing, so we shall see. While I agree his still needs to prove himself, I think this start was encouraging. The fact that he looked good doing shows that maybe he is coming around. We obviously won't know until later this week. Can't wait to see him pitch on Saturday. I hope to see more of the same.

I know you don't fix something that isn't broke, and Uggla is on fire in the 6 hole, but the only change I would make is swapping Cantu with Uggla so he's in the meat of the order and has more opportunities to drive in runs. As far as Amezega and Cody leading off, we have no choice because they are the best options right now. Bringing Hanley down into the 3 hole brought balance to the lineup and really strengthened the bottom of the order. If we have to deal with a sub .310 OBP coming from the leadoff spot in order to improve the production of the rest of the lineup, then so be it. Not to mention that with the return of Willingham, assuming Fredi sticks with Hanley in the 3 hole, Cantu/Uggla become your number 7 hitter which means even better production out of the bottom of the order. I don't think Hanley has hit as well #3 and obviously no one else can be close to as good a leadoff hitter. I HOPE that when Hammer comes back they put him #3 and Hanley #1 (keep Hermida #2, Jake #4, and flip-flop Cantu & Uggla #5 & #6 however you like). I'm not saying I expect it to happen, but I think it would make sense and hope they do it. I don't know, Hanley was in a bit of a slump before he moved to the 3 hole. I think he probably came out of it today. Judging his performance there from three games is dubious.

We've only had two I believe all time, Hee Seop Choi, and B.K. Kim. Both Korean

Um no offense dude, but.........The Padres have the worst offense in baseball. Not exactly the greatest measuring stick of how well he's progressed. Doesn't matter how good the offese was, he didn't walk to many people and seemed to control his stuff. That is progress.

Giving Livan's year, he might make a case for best active pitcher who used to play for the Marlins. Beckett Penny Burnett Livan Olsen That would be a rotation.

He was never a prototypical lead off hitter. He never had good enough plate discipline. He's always been a high average, empty hitter. His OBP was only good when his BA was high enough to compensate for his low walk totals. He does draw walks occasionally but often his OBP is only marginally more valuable than his BA is. He's always been this type of player for the most part. He just hasn't been hitting for as high of an average anymore. He could still be a starter for some teams but he should be hitting at the bottom of the order. Also- Willingham absolutely has a history of high OBP and could easily be fitted to the top of the lineup when healthy. I have no problem with Amezaga hitting lead off temporarily, because his OBP numbers are acceptable for the time being. However, to have some people here calling him the closest thing we have to a lead off hitter after Ramirez is absolutely insane. I disagree about Pierre. Because he had a high BA, his OBP was high. Secondarily, he could take advantage of his speed, which is an advantage at the top of the lineup. Certainly OBP is the top consideration, but if a player hits for a high enough average to support his OBP AND has great speed, then he is definitely a productive leadoff hitter. He made up for the lack of walks in other ways, then wrecked havoc on the bases. He didn't walk much. It's a fact. Look at his numbers. His OBP was high in 2003-2004 primarily because he posted his highest BAs of his entire career. He has not been getting on base a decent amount since 2004. Since then he has not hit for high enough average to support his OBP and he has not sustained a high enough OBP to hit lead off. Again, his speed means nothing if he doesn't get on base, but even then his "havoc" on the bases could also hurt his own offense. For his 50 some stolen base totals, he usually gets caught about 20 times creating more outs. In 2004, he only stole 45 bases and got caught 24 times. The offense would be much more effective with players guaranteed to create less outs while bringing themselves into scoring position for players like Ramirez, Jacobs, and Uggla. Huh? I agreed with everything you just said, except the base stealing thing. In his prime, he made up for the lack of walks by hitting for a high average. Oh and all those bunt and infield hits weren't aided by his speed? I don't know about his speed not helping him get on base. Also, there is something to be said for being able to go 1st-3rd on a single or 1st-home on a double. I know that Pierre wasn't perfect (now he's crap), but I think you are a little too one dimensional in your conception of a leadoff hitter.

He was never a prototypical lead off hitter. He never had good enough plate discipline. He's always been a high average, empty hitter. His OBP was only good when his BA was high enough to compensate for his low walk totals. He does draw walks occasionally but often his OBP is only marginally more valuable than his BA is. He's always been this type of player for the most part. He just hasn't been hitting for as high of an average anymore. He could still be a starter for some teams but he should be hitting at the bottom of the order. Also- Willingham absolutely has a history of high OBP and could easily be fitted to the top of the lineup when healthy. I have no problem with Amezaga hitting lead off temporarily, because his OBP numbers are acceptable for the time being. However, to have some people here calling him the closest thing we have to a lead off hitter after Ramirez is absolutely insane. I disagree about Pierre. Because he had a high BA, his OBP was high. Secondarily, he could take advantage of his speed, which is an advantage at the top of the lineup. Certainly OBP is the top consideration, but if a player hits for a high enough average to support his OBP AND has great speed, then he is definitely a productive leadoff hitter. He made up for the lack of walks in other ways, then wrecked havoc on the bases.

Does this lineup show an end to Cody starting in center? Doesn't look like it. Apparently Fredi said he would hit Cody leadoff against lefties.

I'm just trying to reiterate the point I've been making all season. For a lead off hitter, on base abilities are absolutely pivotal. Amezaga in small sampling size this season has a decent OBP but his career numbers are closer to .317. Likewise for Juan Pierre, but if you look at the paradigm for his 2005-2007 seasons, his numbers are around .330. Typically you want to have a minimum of .360-.370 for your lead off and number two hitters. Amezaga is far from being the closest candidate in that respect. Having Hermida hitting before Ramirez is a start, but I am wondering why Gonzalez waited until Willingham went on the DL (one of our most disciplined at the plate) before he shuffled the lineup and finally moved Ramirez third. We all know that Pierre has struggled recently. I think he is only suited for a bench role now. But before his production fell off, he WAS a prototypical lead off hitter. I don't think anyone wants Pierre back (I hope), but I do would be glad to have Pierre five or six years ago back. I understand your point and agree with you; however, other than Hanley and Hermida, no one on the team has a history of high OBP. I like the lineup change despite the fact that I don't think Amezaga is perfect, mainly because I appreciate seeing Uggla move down the order. I just don't see anyway the team can meet your demands with its current personnel.

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Good move. The offense was sputtering, it was time to mix it up. Lets see how it works. I'm still skeptical about Amezaga leading off full time.

Phillip Hughes Ian Kennedy Clay Buccholz Johnny Cueto Matt Garza ...young pitchers...all inexperienced...all struggling just like Andrew Miller. Be patient. Look at Ervin Santana, for example. Struggled mightily last year, yet the Angels stuck with his potential, and he's 5-0 this year, after experiencing growing pains last year. ...and I could continue naming pitchers, who weren't successful early on, and grew up to become good pitchers. Heck, our own, Scott Olsen has done it so far, this year. It's WAY TOO EARLY TO EVALUATE THIS TRADE. Maybin is 21 years old. Miller is 22 years old. Wait at least 2-3 YEARS...then evaluate. Also, I think Badenhop has good stuff, and could develop into a good end of the rotation starter for us. He showed some flashes today, and I think he has a very good sinker. Don't give up on him, either, just yet. Agreed. Also, Badenhop had few pitches today that were downright filthy.