I’m a little behind in my reading. Here are few items you might enjoy…
- The FanGraphs UZR Primer (FanGraphs). MGL continues his fascinating foray into the world of defensive metrics.
- Rebuilding not part of Peavy’s plan (MLB.com). Quoth ex-Padre Jake Peavy: “At this point in my career, I certainly don’t want to be a part of any rebuilding process.” If he wants to increase his trade value, he should get that ERA below 6.00. And I don’t know how many teams will be willing to take on his salary. Honestly, Kevin Towers’ trade with the White Sox looks better with each passing day.
- On the Padres Broadcast Booth (Gaslamp Ball). From Dex’s article: “I’ve been watching this hatred towards Dick Enberg stew and bubble over. I mean, now we’re writing letters and emails and what not.” I have a theory that when things are going well, people start complaining about stupid stuff. Another option would be to get over it and enjoy the ballgames. Especially while the team is, you know, winning.
- Cooperstown Confidential: Ross Grimsley and the swingin’ ’70s (Hardball Times). The practical joke Grimsley played on writer Terry Pluto is classic.
- Chris Young: ‘I never saw (it). I just felt it’ (U-T). Chris Jenkins chats with Young and Albert Pujols about the latter’s horrific line drive off the former’s face in 2008. Good read. [h/t Rob Neyer]
- In 1990 a Gwynn doll is hung in effigy, he is called a “selfish mother” and he accuses Padres of cover up (Gaslamp Ball). Jbox remembers an ugly little incident from the Padres’ past.
- 90>95? (Baseball Analysts). Jeremy Greenhouse examines pitch speed and movement. Daniel Cabrera will beat Zack Greinke and Roy Halladay on a radar gun, but never on a baseball diamond.
- At the Quarter Mark… Well, Almost (It Might Be Dangerous… You Go First). DePo talks about the Padres’ early success.
- Jon Garland Stranding Runners at Home (FanGraphs). From Joe Pawlikowski’s article: “There is little chance that Garland ends the year with a 2.38 ERA. A few more balls will find their ways into the seats, and while he’s likely to cut down on the walks, the increase in homers will likely hurt him to a greater degree…. Even so, he’s setting himself up for a quality season. The Padres are certainly getting their $5.3 million worth.” [h/t DePo]
- Seamhead stuff (Inside the Padres). The pitch Luke Gregerson got Ichiro to chase last Sunday was awesome. Slider in the dirt. You don’t see Ichiro swing at that pitch very often. And yeah, the Chris Denorfia/Eric Owens thing is dead-on, right down to their both being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. [h/t Gaslamp Ball]
- It’s not easy rationing rising Latos (U-T). Yet another reason pitching depth is a good thing. Incidentally, did you realize he worked into the seventh against Seattle with a migraine?
- Playoff predictions at the quarter-pole (Baseball-Reference). Andy has the Padres as the favorites to win the National League West. On another note, Sean has added photos to B-R, which is very cool.
- Interview: Jed Hoyer (FanGraphs). Michael Lee chats with the Padres GM.
- Reader Didi points us to a nice series of articles by Bryan Smith at FanGraphs about shortstops drafted in the first round:
- After 596 Saves, Hoffman Works to Reclaim His Closer’s Role (New York Times). Our old friend is struggling in Milwaukee. [h/t LynchMob]
- Pay attention to the count, baseball’s hidden treasure (Washington Post). From Thomas Boswell’s article: “With less than two strikes… the average big leaguer is a .339 hitter, comparable to Stan Musial, and is a .549 slugger, comparable to Hank Aaron… In every at-bat last season that reached a two-strike count, the MLB average was .186, with pathetic on-base and slugging averages of .259 and .283.” [h/t reader Didi]
Well, that should keep you busy for a while…
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