Chase Headley Watch

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:29 pm

Hairston 0-4 today with 2 K's. One day closer to Headley being called up.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:42 pm

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Hairston 0-4 today with 2 K's. One day closer to Headley being called up. Inquiring minds want to know: will he be up in time to get his minimum 450 AB season?

(Full disclosure: my Ultimate team will need him to replace Chipper Jones if -- make that when -- he gets hurt)

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:49 pm

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Hairston 0-4 today with 2 K's. One day closer to Headley being called up. Inquiring minds want to know: will he be up in time to get his minimum 450 AB season?

(Full disclosure: my Ultimate team will need him to replace Chipper Jones if -- make that when -- he gets hurt) [/QUOTE]If the Padres want to win this year, yes. Better hitter and fielder than their current #3 hitter. The only question is, how long can they afford to keep him down?

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:53 pm

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Hairston 0-4 today with 2 K's. One day closer to Headley being called up. Inquiring minds want to know: will he be up in time to get his minimum 450 AB season?

(Full disclosure: my Ultimate team will need him to replace Chipper Jones if -- make that when -- he gets hurt) [/QUOTE]If the Padres want to win this year, yes. Better hitter and fielder than their current #3 hitter. The only question is, how long can they afford to keep him down? [/QUOTE]As long as Peavy is half their offense, while pitching shutouts, the Padres will be fine...every fifth day.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:04 pm

Well, the rest of their rotation is probably league average but hitting slightly below average right now, so call them a .500 team right now with the hitting everday offsetting Peavy every five. Get Headley and Edmonds in there for Hairston and whoever, and they're probably +5 to +10 or so which puts them right where they need to be in the division.

Pennywise and pound foolish, just like the Rays. Hope it doesn't cost them the division (like it did Milwaukee last season keeping Braun down).

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:36 pm

How bad do you really need a .270 hitter with 15 homeruns? Or do you expect his power and equivalent average to grow by leaps and bounds in PETCO against major league pitching? Not really trying trying to give you a hard time as much as I think it's a fair question.

[ April 01, 2008, 12:41 AM: Message edited by: bjoak ]

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:41 pm

It does seem like MLB has lost touch with how to handle kids. They see a flaw, for example Braun's fielding, and think the minors are the instant answer.

Let them take their lumps in the Bigs. They're big boys, they can handle it. Its a shame some rookies outperform all others in the minors, outplay their competition in spring training, only to be sent down to the minors thus stalling their careers. Meanwhile we're being treated to the likes of Esteban Loaiza, Willie Aybar, Skip Schumaker, Corey Patterson, and Scott Hairston.

And the funny thing is that excluding the Dodgers, these teams do not have big playoff aspirations and could use a boost at the box office.

Makes one yearn for the NFL mentality of perform or be benched.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:47 pm

Originally posted by bjoak:

How bad do you really need a .270 hitter with 15 homeruns? Or do you expect his power and equivalent average to grow by leaps and bounds in PETCO against major league pitching? Not really trying trying to give you a hard time as much as I think it's a fair question. Improved significantly over the last season and Winter. Got stronger, focused on improved pitch selection. I think its a matter of it all coming together for him. Smart, dedicated player. Other examples in recent years of players taking this leap, he has that look. I'll take him head-to-head over Kouz for BA and SLG the day he steps on the field in Petco.

[ April 01, 2008, 01:09 AM: Message edited by: KJ Duke ]

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:47 pm

It's not true for every team. As a Braves fan, I've seen them bring up plenty of kids over the years. Some directly from A, some directly from AA, whatever. The Yankees, BoSux, Twins, Rockies to some extent, etc all have too. There are some organizations that do stagnate the growth of their prospects, but I think they are in the minority, not the majority.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:55 pm

Originally posted by NorCalAtlFan:

It's not true for every team. As a Braves fan, I've seen them bring up plenty of kids over the years. Some directly from A, some directly from AA, whatever. The Yankees, BoSux, Twins, Rockies to some extent, etc all have too. There are some organizations that do stagnate the growth of their prospects, but I think they are in the minority, not the majority. Still, there are 3 great examples right now in Bruce, Headley and Longoria all of which are significantly better than the guy they should've replaced on opening day. I think these all are teams within striking distance of a playoff spot, where with a few good breaks they're very much in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Its as if the GMs of these teams are looking at Braun last season and saying "look at his success, that's the way to do it", rather than what they should be saying, "if they had brought him up a month earlier they would've won the division".

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:59 pm

I don't entirely disagree with you. However, I'd throw Pearce in there instead of Bruce. Patterson outperformed Bruce in ST, so I don't have a problem with that one.

Longoria and Headley and Pearce were all having solid springs and deserved the chance to play. I find it hillarious that Nady was ass the entire spring, so I sit him, and of course he erupts on openind day. F*ck you Xavier!! But I digress. It's a bad precedent, but again, it's not every team that does it.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:04 pm

Bruce was hitting well in ST before he tweaked something and missed some time. Whatever Patterson did in ST didn't mean much, we already know who he is. He'll have his hot streaks but he is a low BB/ 270-280 hitter (some would say worse) with moderate power, which is clearly inferior to Bruce. But I agree Pearce should be in that group too.

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:14 pm

Bruce had/has the added disadvantage of having Dusty Baker as his manager. However in this case, I wouldn't entirely disagree with his assessment that Bruce needs a little more seasoning. Dude should be good, but he is only 20 and has just half a season above A ball. Albeit a very good half season.

And yet another guy I'd add to that list is Balentien.*

*this has nothing to do with the fact I drafted Pearce, Headley and Balentien in the latter rounds

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:15 pm

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

quote:Originally posted by NorCalAtlFan:

It's not true for every team. As a Braves fan, I've seen them bring up plenty of kids over the years. Some directly from A, some directly from AA, whatever. The Yankees, BoSux, Twins, Rockies to some extent, etc all have too. There are some organizations that do stagnate the growth of their prospects, but I think they are in the minority, not the majority. Still, there are 3 great examples right now in Bruce, Headley and Longoria all of which are significantly better than the guy they should've replaced on opening day. I think these all are teams within striking distance of a playoff spot, where with a few good breaks they're very much in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Its as if the GMs of these teams are looking at Braun last season and saying "look at his success, that's the way to do it", rather than what they should be saying, "if they had brought him up a month earlier they would've won the division". [/QUOTE]As a fan I understand. As a GM, if somebody told me I can save 20 million dollars by finding a way to keep Longoria in the minors for one month, I'd think it is part of my job to do that. It is different with 3 months or especially five or all season, but from his point of view it helps them possibly contend this year and in 2014 when they might be in a better position to do something spectacular anyway.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:17 pm

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Still, there are 3 great examples right now in Bruce, Headley and Longoria all of which are significantly better than the guy they should've replaced on opening day. How about Pearce over Jason Bay?

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:18 pm

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Still, there are 3 great examples right now in Bruce, Headley and Longoria all of which are significantly better than the guy they should've replaced on opening day. How about Pearce over Jason Bay? [/QUOTE]He was mentioned.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:20 pm

Originally posted by NorCalAtlFan:

quote:Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Still, there are 3 great examples right now in Bruce, Headley and Longoria all of which are significantly better than the guy they should've replaced on opening day. How about Pearce over Jason Bay? [/QUOTE]He was mentioned. [/QUOTE]You're right. Note to self: it helps to read the entire thread before posting.

I'd put him right at the top of that list. In addition, Pearce is in his Age 25 season. The time to find out whether this kid is for real is NOW.

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:23 pm

Absolutely. That one surprised me more than the others. But that's why the Pirates are the Pirates.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:51 pm

At least let Nady have his hot week. Pearce probably wasn't going to go 4-for-7 with two homeruns today!

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:08 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

It does seem like MLB has lost touch with how to handle kids. They see a flaw, for example Braun's fielding, and think the minors are the instant answer.

Let them take their lumps in the Bigs. They're big boys, they can handle it. Its a shame some rookies outperform all others in the minors, outplay their competition in spring training, only to be sent down to the minors thus stalling their careers.Not sure I agree. I think for the most part, MLB has been rushing players to the majors (OK mainly pitchers but many batters as well) ever since expansion. It was not that long ago that a 25 year old pitcher in the majors was pretty rare. Now not so much. Young men being brought up at 20-21-22 is probably not the answer. If the majors is the best way to learn, why use minors. Just bring them up from High School.

Baseball is a game of fundamentals and few AB and games more sharpening the fundamentals against increasing levels of competition I think improves players chances to succeed. And remember, for every Braun, there is a Marte or ten out there!

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:04 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

quote:Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

It does seem like MLB has lost touch with how to handle kids. They see a flaw, for example Braun's fielding, and think the minors are the instant answer.

Let them take their lumps in the Bigs. They're big boys, they can handle it. Its a shame some rookies outperform all others in the minors, outplay their competition in spring training, only to be sent down to the minors thus stalling their careers.Not sure I agree. I think for the most part, MLB has been rushing players to the majors (OK mainly pitchers but many batters as well) ever since expansion. It was not that long ago that a 25 year old pitcher in the majors was pretty rare. Now not so much. Young men being brought up at 20-21-22 is probably not the answer. If the majors is the best way to learn, why use minors. Just bring them up from High School.

Baseball is a game of fundamentals and few AB and games more sharpening the fundamentals against increasing levels of competition I think improves players chances to succeed. And remember, for every Braun, there is a Marte or ten out there!

[/QUOTE]Strange that Andy Marte would be an example. The kid hit .260 his last full year in the minors before being brought up. A product of the Braves hype machine, he didn't dominate the minors the way Bruce, Pearce, and the others have.