cp176

that is a pretty narrow way of looking at things i think - Possibly depends on where you place your value I guess. I see how the wording you choose might conjure some similarities between the two deals. I see no actual comparison between the two deals. Substitute the third baseman of your choice, I would always take one of the best pitchers in the game. Hinsdale absolutely aside. Zero comparison.

My opinion - There is an incredible difference between the two signings.

Well - I have to mention this because I did see the great Hank Aaron play. Because of the records that he broke and set, he should be mentioned among the greats. He was one of the greats. Now that being said, the greatest hitter that I ever saw play was the one and only Ted. But, in addition, to date, the greatest player I ever saw play the game was Willie Mays. It really wasn't even close. Griffey, Bonds, etc. etc. etc. - Willie Mays.

Richard M. Nixon = a very tragic story.

second thought - Personally I would actually feel better if he was going to third and Shaw became our first baseman.. Sam Travis may also soon be ready and he might be the one who winds up at first for a long time. Not happening though.

I have no hate for him. I really do hope he will get it done. It would be good for us and better for him if he can. Just a little nervous here. That's my personal makeup. I'm pretty sure that he has the physical ability to do the job.

I had a hunch that was where we were going.

seems a tad risky but kind of looks like we might be stuck with him

No question about that one - my statement was very generalized. If a pitcher has the nuts to come on in high and tight and he can throw it, I don't think that it makes any difference how tall he is.

LoL but it is scary - the back of the head - the top of the head- the side of the head

He was Christmas shopping - people were going up to him asking for autographs and pictures. He didn't like it and obviously let people know how he felt. We don't need to like him for that but I'm just guessing that we should respect his privacy and his right to do what all of us have a right to do. Some people would actually felt it discourteous to bug him. That I realize is an old and traditional way of looking at things.

Given the choice between facing a 5'11" or 6'5" pitcher - both throwing at the same speed, standing in that batter's box, I always felt more comfortable with the smaller guy. A tall pitcher can give the impression of literally standing in there right along with you. I think that there is a mental component that can give the taller pitcher the edge here. I know I know "old school traditionalist" way of looking at things. Guilty as charged.

It is reasonable to assume that Ramirez has the ability to play a serviceable first base at least for a little while. Two things worry me about him even though I have no "quantifiable statistical evidence" to back it up - can he stay healthy - is he willing to put in the time that it will take to be able to get it done. After reading Napoli's careful detail of how hard he had to work to make the transition to first base, we are going to find out soon how badly Hanley wants it. No matter how many ground balls he has fielded, the nuances of the position won't be easy for him to master. Hope he can do it.

The corners - What we hear so far is that the big boy has been doing 2 a days getting ready for the spring. We have heard that Napoli has given Ramirez some really good advise. Whether he puts the time in to make himself an adequate first baseman or not, guess we just wait and see and hope for the best. I'm glad we have something that resembles good backups if either or both of these guys can't get it done.

I also am very much up in the air over this one. It might be a good thing that HOF voters still have the perogative to vote for whoever they want to no matter how ridiculous some of the votes and non-votes look. This name will keep me questioning for a long time - Raphael Palmeiro.

I just find talking about baseball stuff much more entertaining than arguing about my personal philosophical beliefs. In all honesty, I am much more interested in the way players perform daily than I am in trying to project how they might perform. As for the arguing, I have been involved in a few. But I am old school. Arguing on the internet with someone I don't know about something I really could give a s*** about never made much sense to me. Dombrowski is responsible for all of this down time.

From a mental perspective I think a taller pitcher can seem much more intimidating which could result in good outcomes for him. All things being equal, I used to feel a lot more comfortable with someone my size throwing the ball at me.

That is a good question. It would really have to do I think with what you are specifically talking about. My values might seem traditional I guess to some. When it comes to something like baseball or athletics in general, I like to think that I am open to any new concept or idea. In all honesty, I find many "younger" people to be much less tolerant with respect to many things than I am. I really get a little nervous and tend not to trust people who are so set in their opinions that they won't listen, respect, and consider someone elses point of view. I was fairly successful with respect to my teaching and coaching career until I retired from all in 2014. You think someone could have started teaching and coaching in 1973 and been successful over that period of time without learning to adjust and often times change? I think you know the answer to that one. With respect simply to baseball, in all honesty I don't that embracing saber metrics defines someone as new school or old school. There is a lot more that goes into than that. Sorry you had to read all this. The simple answer - with respect to baseball - old school, new school, blend of both. With respect to things that really matter in my life like my family, guess you could call me a traditionalist.

Conjures up some bad thoughts.

I think that with just a couple more tweaks they could turn it all around. I think that they are still looking like they are going into the season with a couple of question marks that they could do something about. Talked to a friend yesterday who gets to a number of games every year. He said they would have to pay him to go this year. i plan to go but I hope that they aren't done dealing.

? - A misconception of myself?

My comment about Bill James tells you which way you think I lean. My opinion is that if he did not actually play, he missed the experience of playing a wonderful game. I take 0 offense by anything you say on this board. Once again, I enjoy reading different points of view. If old school to you, means not being afraid to admit that your opinion could be wrong, you got me pegged - I am old school. I learn something new everyday. I will say this - given the choice between actually playing and experiencing the games in general or studying them solely from a statistical perspective, I know you can figure out which way I lean on that one.

I tried to find information about college of high school and couldn't. Probably not that important. I'm just glad that I played. Also, it is probably old news but I just read Mastrodonato's column about possible things that might help this team. I have to admit that I would feel much better about things if Davis was at first and Gordon was in the outfield. Obviously that would probably mean that Ramirez, Castillo and at least one other probably an arm would be gone. I don't have much confidence in Hanley and Castillo needs to hit better than he ever has. JBJ can make up for a lot with his arm and glove but one of those two guys needs to hit.

Hey - He still looks good for his age though. I'm not opposed to learning new things either. i just think that the whole idea of labelling and categorizing people as being in one camp or the other is ridiculous. If you are going to succeed then I think you have to expect change. Means you have to let go of some things but not all things. I enjoy posting here because of the different points of view. I have learned a great deal about the new baseball language as well. I don't have anyone on ignore here yet either. Not even Charlie McCarthey (can you guess who I mean) even though he never adds anything meaningful really to any of the postings. He just spews away. I do have one question for you or anyone. Did Bill James ever actually play at all? I'm not saying that that is of particular importance with respect to what he does. I would say that playing the game as well understanding the metrics rounds the picture out better than simply doing one or the other.

I bet they are. He has an interesting projection for Swihart for this year. If he is more right than the people who have coached and been on the field with Swihart, he would be more valuable to us as a trade candidate than anything else. Which Swihart will we see this this year? For him to help us much, he will either have to catch better than projected or certainly hit better than projected.