Beltran Has Big Shoes to Fill

Posted by Merrens on Dec 25, 2011 in Blurbs

by Craig Merrens | cmerrens@fieldofignorance.com |

Less than three weeks after losing Pujols to the now mighty Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Cardinals signed Carlos Beltran to a two-year, $26 million dollar contract this Thursday. Beltran, who turns 35 in a few months, is a veteran player who, when healthy, is capable of putting up big numbers. A six-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year, Beltran looks to be the biggest piece in the “replacing Pujols” puzzle.

Last year, his first full season since 2008, Beltran came back strong with the Giants after a midseason trade from the Mets. He hit .300, had an OBP of .385, and an OPS of .910. That’s not too shabby for anyone, let alone someone who played 145 games in the previous two seasons combined. By the way, those numbers are all higher than what Pujols put up last year in the same categories. He also had a higher wOBA with .389 to Pujols’ .385.

Interview with Jason Martinez

Posted by Behr on Dec 4, 2011 in Featured Story, Interviews

MLBDepthCharts.com is the creation of baseball junkie Jason Martinez, who has been intrigued by the construction of rosters since childhood. The website, and a soon-to-be-released digital magazine, allows readers to follow along as he deconstructs and rebuilds the pieces to the roster puzzle for all 30 major league organizations. The website has become a valuable resource for baseball fans, fantasy geeks, beat writers, reporters, scouts, and front office executives. In July 2011, MLBDepthCharts was named to SI.com’s inaugural Twitter 100, a list honoring the most essential twitter feeds in the sports world.  

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Jesse Behr: Since the story is hot off the press, what’s your reaction to the Marlins reeling in Heath Bell?

Jason Martinez: I understand the concerns people are going to have. Giving a 34-year-old with a declining strikeout rate a three-year, $27 million deal is risky for obvious reasons. But let me put a positive spin on this, since I’ve watched him on a daily basis here in San Diego. His stuff is still there. I couldn’t tell you the reason why his K rate is down, but the mid-90′s heater and sharp breaking ball haven’t gone away. He’s been one of the best relievers in baseball for the past five seasons, first as a setup man to Trevor Hoffman, then as the Padres’ closer. Bell will be fine for the first two years in Miami. I’d worry how effective he’ll be in year three of the deal when he’s 36 years old. But that’s less of a concern for a team that has a sense of urgency to compete in 2012.

Imperfect Roads to Becoming a Baseball GM

Posted by Field of Ignorance Staff on Nov 15, 2011 in Featured Story

Though it certainly doesn’t hurt, you don’t have to play pro ball or go to an Ivy League school to become a GM. Here are the ‘imperfect’ roads taken by the current class of  *general managers, listed in reverse chronological order:

Dan Duquette, Baltimore Orioles

Amherst College, 1980

Played baseball as a catcher at Amherst College. Started his career with the Brewers as a scouting assistant. Served as General Manager of the Montreal Expos (1991-1994) and Boston Red Sox (1994-2002). Named General Manager of the Orioles in November 2011.

Don’t Say J-Behr Didn’t Tell Ya …

Posted by Field of Ignorance Staff on Nov 7, 2011 in Blurbs

Because he did, and they didn’t. You’re welcome, America.

Carpenter Diem: Baseball’s Horatius

Posted by Behr on Oct 31, 2011 in Featured Story

by Jesse Behr | @jj_behr | jjbehr@fieldofignorance.com

“Dum loquimur, fugerit invida aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero … While we speak, envious time will have fled, seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future.”

This Latin phrase from Horatius’ “Odes” tells of a lesson that all ballplayers should live by. For October baseball, one can’t look past the series, the game, the inning you’re in; there is no trust in the future.

Enter Carpenter Diem.

Christopher John Carpenter’s career began as a Blue Jay. He pitched in six seasons with Toronto, where he won 49 games, posted a 4.83 ERA and a combined WAR of 6.8. He never threw a pitch in the playoffs.

Shoulder issues forced Carpenter out of Canada and sent the right-hander packing for the States, where he signed a one-year deal with St. Louis in 2003. Eight seasons later, Carpenter has won 104 games (95 during the regular season, 9 in the postseason), a combined 25.7 WAR, a Cy Young award, and two World Series rings with the Cardinals.

World Series title was ‘In The Cards’

Posted by Behr on Oct 29, 2011 in Blurbs

Adam Wainwright (left) headed into the 2006 postseason with three career saves. Jason Motte (right) “closed-by-commitee” during the 2011 regular season. Both left the mound in October as World Champions.

Seize the Series

Posted by Behr on Oct 29, 2011 in Blurbs

Game 6: W, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 91 pitches, 53 strikes

2011 Postseason: 4-0, 3.25 ERA, 6 GS, 36.0 IP, 31 H, 13 ER, 11 BB, 21 SO

“How can you not be romantic about baseball?”

Posted by Behr on Oct 28, 2011 in Blurbs

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

We’ll see you for Game 7.