I gotta get back to work, but I'll go ahead and die on my hill. WAR is a bull**** stat that doesn't tell you anything how good a player is. Judging Ichiro by WAR is like judging NOlan Ryan by his win/loss record. Porkchop, over and out.

Still just surprised Crane pulled the trigger on Hader, and rather pumped.

Easy path would've been to trim payroll to get under the first luxury tax threshold or whatever and count on new manager, starting Diaz to lead to improvement in '24.

Ichiro played in an era in which OPS wasn't really important except in fantasy leagues and in Oakland. It doesn't take away the impact he had on games, though. I have posted many times that I think there is value in simply being on base. Ichiro immediately put pressure on opposing pitchers. Not only did he force them to pitch out of the stretch in almost every 1st inning, he also immediately had them worried about the steal. What about the impact a pitch out might have on the next AB? Or the pressure catchers had to make good throws?

Is there a stat that adds the value of a steal to a single? I'm sure analytics knocks a player for being caught and giving up an out. But did slapping singles really hurt his chances to score?

OK, so what about when batting with men on base? His oba jumped 60 points and his OPS 40 points with men in scoring position.

I'm sure we can all go back and forth on him (and other players). However, I truly believe that if he was coming into his prime in today's game he would still be a star. I bet he'd even knock a few more over the fence. Why couldn't he be a Corbin Carroll?

I can't find the article, but years ago I read that Ichiro had a home run rate near the top power hitters when he was the tying or go ahead run late in the game. Gives a good picture of how he could do whatever he wanted as a hitter.

Maybe one of you baseball reference wizards can pull up his late and close stats.

Beat40 said:

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Been quite the evening discussion you boys have been having.

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I think what has swayed me on the importance of the single is what Altuve has said about some of his offensive approach change.

Altuve has said that OPS of .900 is the new BA of .300.

I think Altuve has the ability to slap singles all over the yard if he wants, but his change in approach tells me he has devalued the single. Not written it off, but devalued it. I think that's the overall consensus of the league too.

I'm not saying that to put ichrio down. Can't change the era he played in.

I was saying it as more of just a on why I think the league, and me as well, have devalued the single quite a bit.

10 gold gloves and 3000 hits IMO should be a unanimous hall of famer

Venezuelan guy chatted me up at the gym in brazil because I am wearing an astros hat. I'm certain you can guess the first thing that was brought up.

Sea Speed said:

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Venezuelan guy chatted me up at the gym in brazil because I am wearing an astros hat. I'm certain you can guess the first thing that was brought up.

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I hope it was Altuve.

agproducer said:

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Sea Speed said:

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Venezuelan guy chatted me up at the gym in brazil because I am wearing an astros hat. I'm certain you can guess the first thing that was brought up.

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I hope it was Altuve.

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Of course.

The Padres' Director of Analytics gave a talk to my work today. Most of us stat nerds are already aware of a lot of what they are doing. Maybe old news to some, but the only thing I hadn't seen before was this pitching machine that is basically an AI pitching robot. From what I understand a lot of teams are still in the process of implementing and not many used last year. This could be a game changer, paired with Rhapsodo, to allow batters to take as many simulated ABs against pitchers as they want before facing them live in a game. Freaking insane ...

https://vimeo.com/533935376

Pretty sure the Astros are already doing that.

Edit: Let me clarify. IDK about that particular tool. I just know the Astros take BP and face a machine that throws the same stuff as the starting pitcher they face that day.

AggieJ2002 said:

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The Padres' Director of Analytics gave a talk to my work today. Most of us stat nerds are already aware of a lot of what they are doing. Maybe old news to some, but the only thing I hadn't seen before was this pitching machine that is basically an AI pitching robot. From what I understand a lot of teams are still in the process of implementing and not many used last year. This could be a game changer, paired with Rhapsodo, to allow batters to take as many simulated ABs against pitchers as they want before facing them live in a game. Freaking insane ...

https://vimeo.com/533935376

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The A's have named Trajekt Arc as their Opening Day starter.

AggieJ2002 said:

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Yeah I'd be curious if they are or not. I know a lot of teams used iPitch to simulate what players would see, but to me this takes it to another level simulating the release point along with the visual of the pitcher. I wouldn't be surprised if most teams hadn't moved on to this as of last season.

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This seems way more like cheating than the trash cans.

Here's how you picked the #Top10RightNow in left field!

Find out who cracks The Shredder's list tonight at 8pm ET on MLB Network. pic.twitter.com/WBwA5i4Y0L

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 24, 2024

bearkatag15 said:

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That's a lot less than the previous report.

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I don't think that was ever correct.

Trev now has his own funny Zack Greinke story pic.twitter.com/36KGpAz8BE

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) January 24, 2024

I love a good Zack Greinke story and this one is good