This Team is Uninspired and thus, Bad

[TucsonDevil]

I know that Tim Lincecum is a good pitcher, and might just walk away with the Cy Young award this year. However, this team is just playing uninspired baseball. They have lost 7 of 9, and those two wins came from late inning rallies to a team that leads the league in games lost when leading after 6 innings.

What is the problem? It is easy to say that the D-Backs just have too many injuries to key players (Byrnes, Hudson, etc) to overcome. In addition, the youth seem to be feeling strong growing pains and struggle with confidence. Each of those might be enough to excuse most seasons in MLB - However, this year, it is no excuse. The division is absolutely Horrible! The team leading the division is just two games over .500.

The problem is a lack of inspiration. Josh Burnes has made some great deals in putting this team together - fantastic deals. However, what is sorely lacking is leadership. Certainly, Bob Melvin isn't the answer. A player is needed that can lead by mouth and example. Someone to inspire the guys that are down, and kick those that aren't moving. Every great team that has won the WS has had a couple of these guys on the roster.

Who is the D-Backs leader? Byrnes? When he was in the lineup, his production was very questionable, but his energy wasn't. A leader has to be among most productive, as to not look like a hypocrite, and Byrnes does struggle here from time-to-time. Hudson? I would think that he was more of a leader for the D-Backs with his defense and high BA, and he also talks to everyone. Too many guys seem to bury themselves in a silent coma while in the dugout and in the field and Hudson helps break that up. Problem is, both Byrnes and Hudson can't fill this role - they are injured. Like it or not, an injured guy just can't lead men from the sidelines, he lacks perceived authority.

Tracy? Co-Jack? Drew? Young? Webb? Each of these guys might have the tools to be an on the field leader, but seem to lack any extrovert characteristics to be 'off-the-field' or 'dugout' leaders. These guys seem to be very 'shy' and quiet and motivate the guy that isn't pulling his weight.

If the D-Backs were looking for 'rent-a-players' to help the other guys, they haven't.

Oh well - someone else posted in the forum, "I will quit wasting my time every night watching this team". Right now, I agree.

 

[JS22]

Oh well - someone else posted in the forum, "I will quit wasting my time every night watching this team". Right now, I agree.

That was me, with a handful of others agreeing. I didn't watch a second of the game last night. But I wasn't surprised when I took a look at the boxscore and the Giants were already leading 5-0.

 

[PoolBoy]

any manager who can't get a team fired up at the end of the season with a division title on the mound, has no place managing, being in professional sports, or even doing concessions. fire melvin

 

[mjb21aztd]

Totally agree with what everyone is saying the dbacks are a disgrace to baseball right now getting blown out by everyteam we play, not showing any energy on the field were like the bad news bears right now.... This team is starting to become a real pain in the head in to watch anymore but somehow I keep watching thinking maybe we will turn it around somehow but I see no hope in the near future . Oh yeah and put me down for another one in favor of fireing Melvin

 

[Lefty]

any manager who can't get a team fired up at the end of the season with a division title on the mound, has no place managing, being in professional sports, or even doing concessions. fire melvin

Did you see Melvin tonight, it looked like he was picking his nose? The entire coaching staff needs to be fired.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Did you see Melvin tonight, it looked like he was picking his nose? The entire coaching staff needs to be fired.

Didn't see Melvin because I quit watching this team... OK, I tuned in for a few minutes here and there. Can't say I was surprised by the outcome.

 

[asuhoopsnut]

I know that Tim Lincecum is a good pitcher, and might just walk away with the Cy Young award this year. However, this team is just playing uninspired baseball. They have lost 7 of 9, and those two wins came from late inning rallies to a team that leads the league in games lost when leading after 6 innings.

What is the problem? It is easy to say that the D-Backs just have too many injuries to key players (Byrnes, Hudson, etc) to overcome. In addition, the youth seem to be feeling strong growing pains and struggle with confidence. Each of those might be enough to excuse most seasons in MLB - However, this year, it is no excuse. The division is absolutely Horrible! The team leading the division is just two games over .500.

The problem is a lack of inspiration. Josh Burnes has made some great deals in putting this team together - fantastic deals. However, what is sorely lacking is leadership. Certainly, Bob Melvin isn't the answer. A player is needed that can lead by mouth and example. Someone to inspire the guys that are down, and kick those that aren't moving. Every great team that has won the WS has had a couple of these guys on the roster.

Who is the D-Backs leader? Byrnes? When he was in the lineup, his production was very questionable, but his energy wasn't. A leader has to be among most productive, as to not look like a hypocrite, and Byrnes does struggle here from time-to-time. Hudson? I would think that he was more of a leader for the D-Backs with his defense and high BA, and he also talks to everyone. Too many guys seem to bury themselves in a silent coma while in the dugout and in the field and Hudson helps break that up. Problem is, both Byrnes and Hudson can't fill this role - they are injured. Like it or not, an injured guy just can't lead men from the sidelines, he lacks perceived authority.

Tracy? Co-Jack? Drew? Young? Webb? Each of these guys might have the tools to be an on the field leader, but seem to lack any extrovert characteristics to be 'off-the-field' or 'dugout' leaders. These guys seem to be very 'shy' and quiet and motivate the guy that isn't pulling his weight.

If the D-Backs were looking for 'rent-a-players' to help the other guys, they haven't.

Oh well - someone else posted in the forum, "I will quit wasting my time every night watching this team". Right now, I agree.

This team emulates their uninspiring manager. That la de da, whatever will be will be attitude is infecting the whole team. They never should have extended him, and now I only hope they have the guts and common sense to go in another direction!

 

[BC867]

And it keeps getting worse. Max Scherzer, in his first start in 4 months since Melvin pulled him from the rotation, pitched lights out baseball.

A normal manager would have motivated the young pitcher, as well as the fans, by exclaiming, "Wow, the kid pitched great. He's going to stay in the rotation."

Instead, Bob Less-Than-Mediocre told the Press the first day that he has to confer with others before making a decision. Hey, who's the Manager here?

Then the next day, he said that he'd give Scherzer one more start. On a pitching staff that has been failing from top to bottom lately.

Bob Melvin has been ruining our young players left and right.

When Mike D'Antoni told the Press that it wasn't his job to develop young players, he was a fool. But at least he was aggressive about it.

He was still told to leave.

Melvin is limp and flacid -- a wet rag. Afraid to make a decision. Pretending to go with young guys, but obviously not up to the task.
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We have two Managers-in-waiting in uniform. But I can see Josh Byrnes not wanting to have them take over with the team in such doldrums. So he is probably waiting until a new Manager can start with Spring Training and mold the team. There is alot to be said for that.

But all we have to do is win the worst division in baseball and we could go for it all. I'm sure that either Chip Hale or Kirk Gibson can handle this inherited situation and breathe life into it immediately.

Then get rid of Rick Schu and Bryan Price as Hitting Coach and Pitching Coach as soon as the season ends.
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Oh no, I just got home from work and see that Brandon Lyon gave up two runs in the bottom of the 9th for a one-run loss. The Giants have swept us.

We have two closers, with good credentials until they hit Melvin's world, and Lyon continues to pitch the 9th.

After Melvin told the Press weeks ago that he met with Lyon, preparing us for an impending (and necessary) change . . . then changed nothing.

Bob Melvin is ruining the team, our young players (once considered the best group of prospects in baseball) and our fan base.

If I were GM, I'd "promote" him to Special Assistant to the GM now.

 

[UncleChris]

Look up "folding like a cheap tent" in the dictionary, and they have a picture of the 2008 DBacks. What an abysmal friggin' team.

When this is all over, a housecleaning is in order.
Melvin goes first. The "Mad Scientist" turns out to be nothing but a lobotomized lab tech.

Lyon goes - I've never been crazy about him anyway, and he has just fallen apart. We need a real closer.

Bye-bye Pena - He has spurts of looking quite good, but then falls back into his "serve 'em up on a tee" pitching.

Dunn and ODogg are both gone, I suspect, whether we like it or not.

Davis can go, too and put Scherzer in his spot.

I'd like to see Reynolds go as well.... If he could just field a little bit I wouldn't feel this way, but his abysmal record in the field is not overcome by his RBI's. Of 3rd basemen with over 20 games, Reynolds is the worst fielder in MLB. Put Tracy there.

And with Dunn gone, Jackson goes back to 1st.

We'll figure out 2nd base between now and then.


Whaddaya think, gang?

 

[dogpoo32]

Look up "folding like a cheap tent" in the dictionary, and they have a picture of the 2008 DBacks. What an abysmal friggin' team.

When this is all over, a housecleaning is in order.
Melvin goes first. The "Mad Scientist" turns out to be nothing but a lobotomized lab tech.

Lyon goes - I've never been crazy about him anyway, and he has just fallen apart. We need a real closer.

Bye-bye Pena - He has spurts of looking quite good, but then falls back into his "serve 'em up on a tee" pitching.

Dunn and ODogg are both gone, I suspect, whether we like it or not.

Davis can go, too and put Scherzer in his spot.

I'd like to see Reynolds go as well.... If he could just field a little bit I wouldn't feel this way, but his abysmal record in the field is not overcome by his RBI's. Of 3rd basemen with over 20 games, Reynolds is the worst fielder in MLB. Put Tracy there.

And with Dunn gone, Jackson goes back to 1st.

We'll figure out 2nd base between now and then.


Whaddaya think, gang?

Sounds good to me. The infection starts up top. Once Melvin is gone it will be a lot easier to breathe and consider what we have. Dunn and ODog can go, that's fine. On the fence with Reynolds, but would not tear up if he left. Bob Melvin is horrible for young players and he disgusts me. :spitsonground:

 

[TucsonDevil]

I disagree with moving Mark Reynolds. His bat is feared, you can't say that about anyone else on the team. Yes, at times others are hot - but at any given pitch, Mark can park it 15 rows deep.

... of course, Mark also thinks that, with every given pitch... A hitting coach is desperately needed.

We are going to miss Orlando Hudson.

How many are excited to get Eric Byrnes back next spring?... yeah, I didn't think there would be any.

 

[khilari]

Let's move Mark to 1st base if possible and move Tracy and couple Pena to get a real 3rd base guy with defense and power. What do you guys think???

 

[AzKarl]

Who fears Reynolds?

I disagree with moving Mark Reynolds. His bat is feared, you can't say that about anyone else on the team. Yes, at times others are hot - but at any given pitch, Mark can park it 15 rows deep.

... of course, Mark also thinks that, with every given pitch... A hitting coach is desperately needed.

We are going to miss Orlando Hudson.

How many are excited to get Eric Byrnes back next spring?... yeah, I didn't think there would be any.

Sorry that is a joke. I've seen people intentionally walked at least 2 times to get to him in a game. He struck out both times. He needs to hit for average and display some plate discipline. I think he should either play in the instructional league or winter ball but he needs a great deal of hitting and fielding help.

 

[Lefty]

I think they keep Reynolds if he moves to 2nd base.

 

[UncleChris]

Reynolds appears to have no feel for the ball at all. He does not belong in the infield. You could make an argument that the outfield would work for him, but we've got a whole team of outfielders....

And where does Jackson fit into all of this?

 

[Lefty]

Reynolds appears to have no feel for the ball at all. He does not belong in the infield. You could make an argument that the outfield would work for him, but we've got a whole team of outfielders....

And where does Jackson fit into all of this?

Who knows what next year's team will look like. Maybe we can post what we would like to see. Maybe the lineup will look like this:
1B)Dunn
2B)Reynolds
3B)*Tracy
SS)Drew
LF)CoJack
CF)Young
RF)Upton
C)Snyder

*I believe Tracy will be traded in the offseason. There probably will be a team that will take a chance on him. He be a better player in the AL.

 

[Gee!]

This team is just going the exact opposite that it should be going at this time of year.. I just dont get it..

 

[BC867]

This team is just going the exact opposite that it should be going at this time of year.. I just dont get it..

The past two days are a good example of why.

Justin Upton batted third for a few games, hitting in front of Adam Dunn, and was lights out. It was a good situation for the young player with a world of potential.

Then yesterday, he was moved to second, batting in front of Jackson (slumping and just back from injury).

Today he's batting fifth, just ahead of Montero.

Why, oh why, would anyone "demote" a young player day-by-day who was finding his niche again?

As you said, Gee!, I just don't get it. NBA lottery teams do things like that to get higher in the draft pick selection. But Major League baseball? It makes no sense.

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Edit: Justin Upton just tripled in the tying and go-ahead runs, hitting a pitch at his ankles in the sixth inning.

Good for him . . . but they were definitely pitching around him with Montero hitting next. Would Lincecum have thrown one out of the zone to load the bases if Dunn were coming up instead of Montero? No.

 

[BC867]

In one of the most popular movies of 1954, The Caine Mutiny, Humphrey Bogart played Captain Queeg, a ship's captain who obsessed over a missing container of strawberries. He nervously rolled two chrome balls in his hand all the time.

His officers mutinied and locked him in the brig, for the good of the crew and the ship.

Perhaps Kirk Gibson and Chip Hale should . . . . . oh, you know what I mean.