Comments on: 2013 Top 111 Free Agents: Nos. 50-1

By: Tim's Neighbor

Tim's Neighbor — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 19:09:48 +0000

Good stuff. I definitely enjoyed this detailed run-down.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 14:36:29 +0000

Couldn’t agree more. When people have looked at all of the evidence, it actually suggests that PEDs were more helpful for pitchers (especially for fringy relievers who suddenly added 4-5 mph to their FBs) than for hitters. Problem is, no one seems to what to hear it. They made up their minds while Bonds was jacking HRs and no amount of evidence will sway them.

By: joerymi

joerymi — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 07:46:14 +0000

I wonder why we talk of the steroid era as though it were only hitters. I would submit that pitchers have even more of an incentive to use PEDs.

The misconception comes with the idea that PEDs are just used to bulk you up. The accelerated healing process is, in fact, the biggest benefit with many of these drugs. The strain on a pitchers body is certainly greater than that of a defender and hitter.

To a certain extent, having a culture of mass PED use probably kept many numbers fairly neutral. If many are using the same edge, it fails to be as significant.

By: mazblast

mazblast — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 02:11:25 +0000

Yes, they should. Most other teams should, too. The question is–at what price?

By: bigharold

bigharold — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 01:49:11 +0000

I’d love to be about a half a foot taller, 30 pounds lighter and a head full of black hair, .. like my 20-30′s,. But, that isn’t happening either.

And, .. I’d bet a years salary I’m getting my old hair back before the Pirates get Hamilton or Jackson.

By: lmoneyfresh

lmoneyfresh — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:38:56 +0000

Maybe they can pull of that Dickey for Profar trade too…

By: lmoneyfresh

lmoneyfresh — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:37:50 +0000

To be honest, I’d rather trade Kinsler at this point. Andrus is still performing at a high level, Kinsler not so much. He leads 2B in errors and is getting picked off on the bases like crazy.

An ideal situation would be to move Kinsler to the OF and bring in Olt and Profar to the infield. That would require getting rid of Young and Mooreland though. Not sure that will happen.

By: exibitsman

exibitsman — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:36:56 +0000

. I think the mets should sign bj uptown and Josh Hamilton.

By: markcycy

markcycy — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:32:42 +0000

Phillies will sign him. Why not.

By: kkolchak

kkolchak — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:16:57 +0000

That’s what I was thinking. Even the biggest names comes with baggage.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:39:24 +0000

I know people really really really really really want to believe that steroids make guys much better baseball players….and there may be isolated cases where such was the case, but overall there appears to be very little evidence that it has much effect. Plenty of players get into better shape via one method or another (BSOHL), and don’t get any better at baseball.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:35:28 +0000

That doesn’t seem to be supported by the data though. For example, the team with the highest BABIP in 2012 is StL, with a BABIP of .319. During the height of steroid use (1998), the team with the highest BABIP was Colorado with .321. If PEDs did affect BABIP, then we should see a big difference in BABIP through the years, which just did not manifest.

By: Chip Caray's Eyebrows

Chip Caray's Eyebrows — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:14:14 +0000

I tend to believe there are other things besides power numbers that could be helped by PEDs, mostly because of the way they can help your body overcome the wear and tear of a long season. Even if the ball’s not going over the fence, a guy who’s feeling better than he would in natural circumstances is going to be stinging more balls than usual. Also, that enhanced recovery could come in handy for aggressive offseason workouts and a transformation from fat slob to svelte.

So would all of that explain away his impressive season-and-a-half and the extraordinary BABIP that came with that time frame? Probably not. But I do find it perfectly believable that your “magic elixer” statement could be missing the mark a bit.

By: Chip Caray's Eyebrows

Chip Caray's Eyebrows — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:04:54 +0000

I don’t know a ton about Texas’ payroll situation, but trading Andrus seems like a pretty good idea to me. They’ll get a boatload in return and will still have one of the game’s best young shortstops under relatively cheap club control for several years.

By: contraryguy

contraryguy — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:53:13 +0000

Berkman’s one foot in the grave; shouldn’t even be in the top 50.

Ludwick has been huge for the Reds this year, I hope they keep him.

By: Matthew Pouliot

Matthew Pouliot — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:46:41 +0000

Thanks! Fixed.

By: mattj425

mattj425 — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:25:30 +0000

Was thinking the same thing

By: hojo20

hojo20 — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:18:04 +0000

Guthrie is on the Royals.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:10:56 +0000

If the choices are $90/3 or something like $125/5, it might be worth it to offer more money for a shorter period because he just can’t stay healthy. I assume that’s what Matt is trying to say.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:09:12 +0000

Olt at first, Profar at SS, trade Andrus and you have two cost controlled players freeing up money for Hamilton?

By: steviep23

steviep23 — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:58:56 +0000

Whole lotta pitchers n OFers

By: paperlions

paperlions — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:57:05 +0000

Yes, it is possible he was doping. No, it is not possible that he was never tested as every player is tested at least twice (once during ST, and at a randomly chosen time during the season), with additional random tests possible as the MLB average is 5 tests/player/year.

Unless Melky took a magic elixir that enhanced his ability to hit the ball where the fielders are not standing, you can chalk up most of his difference in performance the last couple of years to not being fat (2011) or to chance (2012). His 2011 Royals season was very similar to his 2009 with the Yankees…..and his 2012 numbers are greatly enhanced by an unsustainable .379 BABIP (his career BABIP is .309).

By: beefytrout

beefytrout — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:56:55 +0000

Thanks for 2011, Napoli. Sorry 2012 didn’t work out. We will give you an appropriate ovation when you return with whatever team you’re playing for in 2013.

- Rangers fans

By: paperlions

paperlions — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:45:24 +0000

Holy slim pickings batman!

That is one ugly list if you are a GM looking to fill some holes.

By: Gardenhire's Cat

Gardenhire's Cat — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:44:14 +0000

Isn’t it plausible that Melky was also doping in 2011 while on the Royals and just was never tested?

By: somekat

somekat — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:39:42 +0000

I’m assuming saying that “it may be worth paying him 30 mil per year for a 3 seaons”

Really? 3 years 90mil? PLEASE tell me that is a typo

By: lewp

lewp — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:34:07 +0000

“My guess is that he stays in Texas for $25 million per year.”

I hope you are right, but I think you are wrong. I just think there is a log jam in Texas with Profar and Olt now on the team. I just don’t see the two sides agreeing on a long term deal that Josh wants.

By: themanchine

themanchine — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:33:03 +0000

I’d LOVE for the Pirates to sign Hamilton and Edwin Jackson but I know neither will happen.

By: icanspeel

icanspeel — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:32:16 +0000

It is a pretty weak free agent class.. I wonder if it means we will see more trades in the off season.

By: darthicarus

darthicarus — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:16:29 +0000

Detroit beat writers seem to think that Valverde will not get an extension & that Peralta will have his option picked up, FWIW.