Comments on: 5 questions on the eve of Phillies- Mets, Round 1 http://www.phinallyphilly.com/2009/04/30/5-questions-on-the-eve-of-phillies-mets-round-1/ Sports analysis and newspheed. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Why is Miguel Cairo still here? » Phinally Philly http://www.phinallyphilly.com/2009/04/30/5-questions-on-the-eve-of-phillies-mets-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-672 Why is Miguel Cairo still here? » Phinally Philly Mon, 11 May 2009 01:43:03 +0000 http://www.phinallyphilly.com/?p=1900#comment-672 [...] first brought up the Cairo situation a few weeks ago when Chooch was coming off the DL.I was originally campaigning to keep Lou Marson around and cut Cairo loose. That would have left Marson as a backup catcher and Chris [...] [...] first brought up the Cairo situation a few weeks ago when Chooch was coming off the DL.I was originally campaigning to keep Lou Marson around and cut Cairo loose. That would have left Marson as a backup catcher and Chris [...]

]]> By: Philadelphia Phillies versus New York Mets: Rivarly Renewed | Heard in the Cheap Seats http://www.phinallyphilly.com/2009/04/30/5-questions-on-the-eve-of-phillies-mets-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-643 Philadelphia Phillies versus New York Mets: Rivarly Renewed | Heard in the Cheap Seats Fri, 01 May 2009 22:17:56 +0000 http://www.phinallyphilly.com/?p=1900#comment-643 [...] The Phillies on the other hand are looking for more consistency out of their starting rotation.  Although, the fact that Cole Hamels did not win a single game in April indicates improvement might be around the corner if he can outrun the black cloud that has been hovering over him the past few weeks. [...] [...] The Phillies on the other hand are looking for more consistency out of their starting rotation.  Although, the fact that Cole Hamels did not win a single game in April indicates improvement might be around the corner if he can outrun the black cloud that has been hovering over him the past few weeks. [...]

]]> By: Kieran Kelly http://www.phinallyphilly.com/2009/04/30/5-questions-on-the-eve-of-phillies-mets-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-642 Kieran Kelly Fri, 01 May 2009 20:20:54 +0000 http://www.phinallyphilly.com/?p=1900#comment-642 Damn Chris, beat my comment! I agree, Coste just isn't a major league caliber starting catcher. His flaws start to show after he plays for long stretches, but he's a very good backup catcher, in my opinion. I will stand by my story thought that he has said that he plays better when he's not in a starting role. He knows it. He can just focus on doing what he does best and that's being the backup. -KK Damn Chris, beat my comment!

I agree, Coste just isn’t a major league caliber starting catcher. His flaws start to show after he plays for long stretches, but he’s a very good backup catcher, in my opinion. I will stand by my story thought that he has said that he plays better when he’s not in a starting role. He knows it. He can just focus on doing what he does best and that’s being the backup.

-KK

]]> By: Kieran Kelly http://www.phinallyphilly.com/2009/04/30/5-questions-on-the-eve-of-phillies-mets-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-641 Kieran Kelly Fri, 01 May 2009 20:18:54 +0000 http://www.phinallyphilly.com/?p=1900#comment-641 Thanks for the comment. 1. I agree that Cole has been unlucky when it comes to the last two starts. Not many pitchers get hurt like that, so I'm hoping that it's not a sign that he's unlucky. 2. I can't remember where I read it, but Coste has actually said he plays better when he doesn't need to focus on playing every day. He knows he's only a backup and is fine with that. When he plays everyday, he's not as good. He knows that. His strong suit is coming in to spell the starter every few days and pinch hit when needed. The more he plays, the more his flaws as a catcher come out. He's good as a backup, but not so good as a starter. He'll be out of that role soon anyways. I hope the Phillies take it to the Mets and put them out of the race of the division early. I know it's only May, but sweeping this series could have a huge affect on their attitudes. -KK Thanks for the comment.

1. I agree that Cole has been unlucky when it comes to the last two starts. Not many pitchers get hurt like that, so I’m hoping that it’s not a sign that he’s unlucky.

2. I can’t remember where I read it, but Coste has actually said he plays better when he doesn’t need to focus on playing every day. He knows he’s only a backup and is fine with that. When he plays everyday, he’s not as good. He knows that. His strong suit is coming in to spell the starter every few days and pinch hit when needed. The more he plays, the more his flaws as a catcher come out. He’s good as a backup, but not so good as a starter. He’ll be out of that role soon anyways.

I hope the Phillies take it to the Mets and put them out of the race of the division early. I know it’s only May, but sweeping this series could have a huge affect on their attitudes.

-KK

]]> By: Chris Iafolla http://www.phinallyphilly.com/2009/04/30/5-questions-on-the-eve-of-phillies-mets-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-640 Chris Iafolla Fri, 01 May 2009 20:17:39 +0000 http://www.phinallyphilly.com/?p=1900#comment-640 Nice post Kieran, looking forward to the series. Justin, you are right that Chris Coste is little more than a backup catcher, but I disagree with the idea that increased playing time cannot sometimes have an adverse effect on production. It's usually not a result of the added burden of playing time, but the fact that the player gets exposed. Matt Diaz of the Atlanta Braves is a perfect example. He flourished two years ago playing in a platoon role, but when he was forced into everyday duty, his flaws were exposed. Greg Dobbs is another solid example. If he was really the .301 hitter that showed up last year, he would likely see the field every day. But the fact is, Dobbs is an excellent situational hitter that would likely see a huge dip in production if he was forced into every day duty. Looking forward to the series! Nice post Kieran, looking forward to the series. Justin, you are right that Chris Coste is little more than a backup catcher, but I disagree with the idea that increased playing time cannot sometimes have an adverse effect on production. It’s usually not a result of the added burden of playing time, but the fact that the player gets exposed. Matt Diaz of the Atlanta Braves is a perfect example. He flourished two years ago playing in a platoon role, but when he was forced into everyday duty, his flaws were exposed. Greg Dobbs is another solid example. If he was really the .301 hitter that showed up last year, he would likely see the field every day. But the fact is, Dobbs is an excellent situational hitter that would likely see a huge dip in production if he was forced into every day duty.

Looking forward to the series!

]]> By: Justin http://www.phinallyphilly.com/2009/04/30/5-questions-on-the-eve-of-phillies-mets-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-638 Justin Fri, 01 May 2009 19:52:51 +0000 http://www.phinallyphilly.com/?p=1900#comment-638 Just a few notes: A) Cole Hamels had elbow trouble this Spring. And while I agree that he's probably injury prone (Baseball prospectus also claims that in any given year, at least 15% of all pitchers who throw over 4,000 MLB pitches get hurt the following year...that number has been as high as 80%), the injuries so far have been the result of freak accidents (like you say) B) Major league baseball players don't do worse when they're forced into active duty (rather than a pinch hit/reserve role). I'm not sure where you get that idea, but Coste's increased played and decreased production are more a result of him basically not being that good (hence the reason he was a 33 year old rookie) rather than adjusting to a significantly larger role. Last May he started 13 games (and played in 17) and batted .321 (.368 OB) with 3 homers and 9 RBIs - then again he played in 11 in July and batted .208 (.208 OBP) with 1 homer and 7 RBIs The fact of the matter is, Coste isn't that good...he's just a backup catcher - nice story, but there's a reason he's not starting over Ruiz. Regardless, I hope the Phils kick their asses and I'm not sure whether a 6-5 stunner in the 9th or a 13-2 drubbing is better, but I do know a Phils win is best Just a few notes:

A) Cole Hamels had elbow trouble this Spring. And while I agree that he’s probably injury prone (Baseball prospectus also claims that in any given year, at least 15% of all pitchers who throw over 4,000 MLB pitches get hurt the following year…that number has been as high as 80%), the injuries so far have been the result of freak accidents (like you say)

B) Major league baseball players don’t do worse when they’re forced into active duty (rather than a pinch hit/reserve role). I’m not sure where you get that idea, but Coste’s increased played and decreased production are more a result of him basically not being that good (hence the reason he was a 33 year old rookie) rather than adjusting to a significantly larger role. Last May he started 13 games (and played in 17) and batted .321 (.368 OB) with 3 homers and 9 RBIs – then again he played in 11 in July and batted .208 (.208 OBP) with 1 homer and 7 RBIs

The fact of the matter is, Coste isn’t that good…he’s just a backup catcher – nice story, but there’s a reason he’s not starting over Ruiz.

Regardless, I hope the Phils kick their asses and I’m not sure whether a 6-5 stunner in the 9th or a 13-2 drubbing is better, but I do know a Phils win is best

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