Why are these guys playing?

[maddogkf]

Why are ANY of these guys still playing? Last month stats:

Counsell
Games =18
AB = 69
Runs = 11
HR= 2
RBI = 5
SB= 2
AVG = .232

Grace
Games = 11
AB = 16
Runs = 0
HR = 0
RBI = 1
SB = 0
AVG = .188

Delucci
Games =21
AB = 44
Runs = 3
HR = 0
RBI = 0
SB = 4
AVG = .114

McCracken
Games = 22
AB = 57
Runs = 5
HR = 0
RBI = 6
SB = 0
AVG = .298

Thse stats are PATHETIC!!!!

 

[Dback Jon]

Good question!!

I am willing to give Counsell a bit of slack, since he is just off the DL, but Grace and Looch especially are not doing well.

 

[AZZenny]

Looch has not fully recovered from the concussion. His timing is off, which (research says) very well may extend to the rest of the season. But he's been expendable for a long time.
Q was a one-year-wonder. Beyond fungible.
Grace should have the courtesy to the organization to either retire to the booth or develop a 60-day-DL-hangnail.
CC has typically been the ONE guy on the team who really works the count every time, and his base-running intelligence and fine defense at three positions is a big plus - but even he has been much less patient this season, before AND after the injury.
Everyone has been less disciplined at the plate, and I just don't get it.

 

[DWKB]

Originally posted by AZZenny
Looch has not fully recovered from the concussion. His timing is off, which (research says) very well may extend to the rest of the season. But he's been expendable for a long time.
Q was a one-year-wonder. Beyond fungible.
Grace should have the courtesy to the organization to either retire to the booth or develop a 60-day-DL-hangnail.
CC has typically been the ONE guy on the team who really works the count every time, and his base-running intelligence and fine defense at three positions is a big plus - but even he has been much less patient this season, before AND after the injury.
Everyone has been less disciplined at the plate, and I just don't get it.

I looked it up and Counsell has been taking about 1/2 a pitch/PA more this year than he has the last two years. (4.40 this year 3.97/3.94 the previous two).

I couldn't agree more about Q. Why anyone thought giving him a new contract was a good idea I don't know.

Everyone has been less plate disciplined because we watched the Angels win the WS and though we'd go for a new "agressive" strategy at the plate. This is why Shea likes it here so much more than BOS.

 

[AZZenny]

Thanks, DWKB, I feel better. Where can you look up things like that? I really think Counsell has one of the best on-field baseball brains in the organization, so I fret when he seems to struggle.
And a side question - I read somewhere that a new variation or adjustment to DIPS had been presented recently or was being discussed - would you have any info on that? (Look what you've DONE to me!! But I STILL love good defense the best.)

Oh, and I think Shea might also like it because we don't have the green monster in his way. Can't blame him! If his defense was tolerable instead of execrable, he'd be an OK player for us.

 

[Lefty]

Mark Grace is 4 for his last 37 at-bats. I have always said Grace is a key figure in the locker room but he has to realize he is not the player he once was.

 

[IndyDevil]

I've always kept out of the Grace discussions, mainly because I love having him in the clubhouse, and I felt he was a roster untouchable; as the season wears on, my mind has changed on that, and I really hope he decides to either come up with a prolonged ailment or go to the announcing booth, because he simply doesn't belong on the roster anymore. Both he & McCracken are taking valuable spots away from Hammock/ Overbay/Tracy, and if management waits too much longer, the season will be lost.

 

[DWKB]

Originally posted by AZZenny
Thanks, DWKB, I feel better. Where can you look up things like that? I really think Counsell has one of the best on-field baseball brains in the organization, so I fret when he seems to struggle.
And a side question - I read somewhere that a new variation or adjustment to DIPS had been presented recently or was being discussed - would you have any info on that? (Look what you've DONE to me!! But I STILL love good defense the best.)

Oh, and I think Shea might also like it because we don't have the green monster in his way. Can't blame him! If his defense was tolerable instead of execrable, he'd be an OK player for us.

You can find the #P/PA on ESPN under the individual play stats page:

Counsell's player page. Look at the 3rd block down, 5th column from the left.

To answer the second question, here is the study:

http://www.diamond-mind.com/articles/ipavg2.htm

I haven't totally digested what Tom has to say but I don't think it comes to any conclusion that hasn't already been addressed. In fact, I think some of his conclusions are incorrect.