Mike Cameron has been #1 in the league on getting from 1st to 3rd for the last 2 years (15 of 22 was the number he gave); the base running instincts are key.
Mike Cameron takes more than 4 pitches in his at bats. The bad thing about this isn't Mike Cameron but that only one other Brewer, Rickie Weeks, can say this. The more pitches you fight off the more opportunities you give a pitcher to make a mistake.
Quick side note for those who are interested. Doug Melvin also said during his press conference that Cameron will be able to play in all Brewer exhibition games, including the two being played at Miller Park. Additionally, after 20 days of the suspension, Cameron will be allowed to suit up for AAA-Nashville and play there to finish off his suspension. This will help the transition back to baseball.
All the analysts are suggesting the Brewers are going to fall off the face of the earth this year because we have a bunch of has-beens and never-will-bes in the pen, but I think our chances are better than they think. Only time will tell. Let's go Crew!
4 comments:
I think you were discussing yesterday the sort of second life now available in the Brewers batting order....the 6, 7, 8 spots.
The rap against Kendal is that he hits into too many double plays and he can't throw runners out. I've even read critics who flat out say...he sucks as a hitter.
I am confused. Kendall hit .319, .271, and .295 between 2004 and 2006 with an OB% of .399, .345, and .367 in those years...
Yes, he fell off last year....but saying he sucks because he hits into too many double plays which they blame on him taking too many good pitches and then over exerting himself in order to hit to th eopposite field.
I don't know. A criticism like that strikes me as over analysis because he gets on base and he hits the ball.....especially for a catcher.
Sure, Estrada will always have a higher slugging percentage and probably hit more homers...but it's a toss up who hits into more double plays and we all know too well that Estrada swings and swings and runs like an oompa loompa.
As far as Cameron....good insights man about him going first to third...
I was excited to learn that Brewers have something like 12 picks in next years draft...12 out of the first 100 or something like that...I guess in part from losing Linebrink and Cordero...Do we lose picks after signing Cameron and Gagne?
As far as I know, the Brewers did not lose a draft pick by signing Eric Gagne. I don't really recall why because you would think he's a Class B free agent (maybe not), but I believe it's because the Red Sox finished at the top. As far as Mike Cameron, I haven't heard anything, with the exception that the Brewers still have 7 of the first 90 picks in this year's first year player draft. If everything is still square in my mind, that's the same number discussed immediately after Linebrink was signed.
Help me out with something. I've been ping ponging back and forth with this Oakland guy who has a bounty out on Kendal...He's using his diminishing VORP ranking the past three years as prrof that Kendal doesn't even crack the top 50 of available MLB catchers....He puts Rivera above Kendal.
I understand that VORP takes into consideration virtually every offensive stat, but what I am arguing is that it doesn't take into consideration a team's specicif needs...The Brewers have overlooked VORP and instead are focusing in on cerain intangibles...like you discussed the other day. The Brewers see Kendal as someone who will wok a count and take a walk...and apparently, they value this more than a catcher who hits doubles and 11-15 homeruns. Statistically, it makes no sense, but we are not talking strictly statistically....
And like you....the more and more I think about the Cameron and Kendal signing, the more and more I am liking it...
Truth be told, Kendall is on his last legs, but the Brewers were looking for his clubhouse savvy and durability. All that the Brewers were really looking for was some bullpen help and a minor upgrade at catcher. Estrada had a sub-.300 OBP last year and struck out and GIDP a tremendous amount of times, regardless of how hurt he was. Considering the amount of depth we had at catcher last year with Rivera, Rottino and Miller, I never understood why they wouldn't put him on the DL.
I don't mind the Kendall deal after some serious thought, but he's not going to blown anyone's mind. In fact, your guy may even be right, but what he really needs to concern himself with is the potential 70 point rise in OBP. Additionally, Kendall only strikesout 7.5% of the time while Estrada goes for 10.2%. Even better, Kendall takes almost a full pitch more per AB than Estrada.
It is an upgrade, not a big one because you give up a lot of SLG, but it's worth it. This teams needs something a little more stable and durable behind the plate and not a liability on the base pads. If he wants to get into it, as him about the WARP (Wins Above Replacement Player) between the two. Estrada dwindles every year, but Kendall will stick around because of consistency.
There were a lot better catchers to be had out there, Lo Duca for one, but Kendall was the proper pickup if there was a problem in the clubhouse.
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