Thursday, February 28, 2013
VIDEO: Zimmerman on sharing "FoF" title
Ryan Zimmerman has not only been a member of the Nationals since the franchise's first season in D.C. but has been labeled the "Face of the Franchise" throughout his tenure. These days, the organization has plenty of star-power beyond the veteran third baseman. So how does Zimmerman feel about sharing (or even ceding) top billing on the club? His answer to that question and more is featured in this TV interview that aired last night on Comcast SportsNet.
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52 comments:
What a classy guy. We might have newer, flashier guys, but Zim has been our guy for a long time. His walk-offs are legendary.
I'm sure Zim wants to fast forward this season back to the postseason.
Wishing him much health, success and happiness and the World Series the Nationals organization deserves.
Zim is a nice guy. You know I think Harper is the best player in baseball, but yeah, Zim is a good guy. Face of the Nats...1:Harper...2:Zim.
Even if Zimmerman isn't the Face of the Franchise any more he can still be the Man Boobs of the Franchise.
This is from Buster Onley's article on catcher collisions at the plate. Very interesting economics. On Baseball Tonight, Olney also said outfielders are warned that slamming up against a wall is not worth the injury risk, in most cases.
"Throughout baseball, a marginal win (in terms of salary cost/production) is valued at an average of 2.5 million. It's about double that number if we use free agents only, excluding pre-arbitration and arbitration players, but let's stick with the overall number.
Ten runs of differential adds up to a win, so you could roughly say that a marginal run is worth $250,000. Obviously, that run will be more valuable if it's a game-winner, or in a game involving two teams in a pennant race. But the context-neutral average value of a run is $250,000.
One of the other considerations in evaluating this is that blocking the plate doesn't necessarily guarantee saving the run. Let's say the probability of saving the run by blocking the plate vs. standing in front of the plate (toward the pitcher's mound) and reaching over for the tag increases by 50 percent (for example, from 25 percent to 75 percent, and it may be less than that). Now the expected value from blocking the plate is only half of $250,000, or $125,000.
Meanwhile, Buster Posey's dollar value in 2012 was $36 million [per FanGraphs]. Obviously, he's hardly the typical catcher, but he provides a very real data point of the type of productivity loss that's risked when a catcher blocks the plate, since they actually did lose him for two-thirds of a season."
Nats Lady...
I read that post three times....
I need advil now...
Does the price of concessions affect the number of games you attend? For me, the limiting factor is work... I wonder if we will still have those "dollar hot dog" promotions.
However, Cleveland did a survey and found that concessions prices were having a "major" impact on ticket sales so they lowered prices.
[Indians are] lowering many concession prices at Progressive Field in '13. Hot dogs start $3, beer at $4. Many other items slashed up to 25%
the label is what it says it is. it doesn't say best player, though he can still carry the team with his play. he will forever be the face of the franchise for me.
TimDz==> LOL. It was fascinating to me that a team could put a (somewhat) exact dollar value on a run, and then compare it to a player's value and it shows in stark terms that collisions at the plate are not worth it--unless you can somehow figure in their dramatic value.
You want a guy to play hard. But RZ and the team paid a high price for that flip over home plate--AND he was out!
OTOH, what I don't want to see is guys not hustling because the team is giving them a subtle or not-so-subtle message that "it's not worth it." If any of you missed it, Secton 222 did some great analysis yesterday on how much Bryce's hustle is adding to the team. I distinctly remember this also: after that May 26 game, Jason Heyworth upped his hustle noticeably.
natslady, I was at a $1 dollar hot dog game in Cleveland this summer. the fans got in to it as the number comsumed was posted throughout the game.
alexva--agree on RZ. It's not only his play on the field, it's that you need a player to speak for the guys when there is trouble (e.g., Riggs). That role may not come naturally to him, but he does it very well.
As long as they don't make the beer 10 cents, it might work out okay. :-)
[Indians are] lowering many concession prices at Progressive Field in '13. Hot dogs start $3, beer at $4. Many other items slashed up to 25%
As long as they don't make the beer 10 cents, it might work out okay. :-)
[Indians are] lowering many concession prices at Progressive Field in '13. Hot dogs start $3, beer at $4. Many other items slashed up to 25%
And on topic, seconding swami's post.
an interesting point NatsLady, but unfortunately i don't think catchers will ever not stop blocking the plate thereby risking injury because of their competitive drive to win. I would much rather have the a catcher well liked and mosters like Dunn or Morse, think twice before barreling into them.
I thinks the Nats should make Zim the captain of the team. I think he has earned it with his classy and professional approach even through all the losing years.
In yesterday's conversation re where Harper fits in as far as the best players in the game I took the following approach: if the MLB disbanded and a new league held a draft where every player was available I am pretty sure that Harper and Trout would go 1 and 2 (not necessarily in that order.
I think Stanton would go no. 3. What does everyone think?
The Nats improved attendance in 2012 over 2011 by more than 5K per game. The only team with better improvements were Miami (new stadium) and Texas.
Here are the figures.
attendance by team
http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/current_attendance.shtml
NatsLady, you brought up some great points and Jayson Werth is your poster child for players that go through a wall at key times.
I always thought Werth was not good on handling balls up against the wall and then last year he showed a big improvement at key times and who could forget his robbery in Game 1 going above the wall to rob DeScalso of a 2 run HR and essentially saving the game for the Nats.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/20504470/video-jayson-werth-robs
Here's my top 10 for a universal draft:
1)Harper
2)Trout
3)Stanton
4)Mc.Cutchen
5)Heyward
6)Strasburg
7)Kershaw
8)Possey
9)Price
10)Machado
Natslady- thanks for the Cleveland info. My daughter and I are planning a road trip to see the Nats series there in June. A $4 beer sounfs like a bargain.
My next 10
11)Bundy
12)Profar
13)Bauer
14)Kemp
15)Cano
16)Justin Upton
17)Ryan Zim.
18)Gerit Cole
19)Reyes
20)Votto/Braun
Im sorry but there is no way that prospects, even top prospects are a teams first pick. kershaw is ahead of Stras, i know we are all nats fans but you have to be realistic.
JD, I have Harper, Trout, McCutchen as 3 position player game changers but I take 5 Aces in Verlander, King Felix, Strasburg, Kershaw, Price with outstanding defense who can give offense.
I wouldn't have Heyward that high on my list.
Here is my top 10
1) Trout
2) Harper
3) Kershaw
4) Stanton
5) Posey
6) Strasburg
7) McCuthen
8) Braun
9) Verlander
10)Kemp
Comment aruge let the chaos begin
Teddy,
When drafting you are buying the future and I like Stras's future more than Kershaw. The prospects I named are pretty close to sure things. I left out pitchers like Felix Hernandez and Lincecum because I think there is significant injury risk.
Anyhow; this is just my opinion and I really didn't spend spend that much time thinking about it and researching.
JD, hate to sound like a prick here, but you are way overrating prospects, Bauer, Bundy, Profar, Cole, and Machado will be taken in rounds 4-8 by teams. The fact is that there they are unproven talent and we are not sure if they will be any good yet.
Ghost,
I left Verlander out on purpose because It's hard to judge how much is left in that right arm.
I think Stanton will be scary good given his power and his youth and I think Heward is also just scratching the surface on his talent potential.
JD, you might be drafting towards the future, but there is a difference in smart and bias. You have to give it an unbiased view and from every fanbase, except then nationals, Kershaw IS the best pitcher in the MLB at 25. He has been consistent for 3 years, plus he is a lefty. At 20 and 21 its hard to argue against Trout and Harper 1 and 2. And the others are proven MLB commodies that have not yet reached or are in the middle of their prime. And are able to produce at an MVP level.
Teddy,
You don't sound like a prick at all. We just happened to disagree. Machado and Profar have already made it to the show and the industry knows how good they are. I agree that Bauer and Cole may be a reach but with 30 teams drafting there is no way any of these guys get out of the 2nd round.
Teddy, I would have a list that looks more like yours. I also don't add any prospects until they have dominated on a MLB team for close to a full season.
Machado is an interesting player to me. He's good but far from great right now. He's young and still growing. We have been so spoiled by Harper and Trout at this point that we have to realize that a player like Machado needs more time. I would say the same for Profar.
I'm glad I am not a loner on this. Yes we happen to disagree but my point with Profar and Machado is that #1 profar has had ~200 ABs in the MLB and Machado is a stud but hasn't shown me much yet. When drafting towards the future you want players that are the superstars in the leauge or 95% sure they will be the superstars of the leauge. Profar and Machodo don't cut it for me yet.
I ll say more on it later got to go right now.
Teddy,
We are splitting hairs here. I have Stas and Kershaw 6 and 7. I like Strar's future a hair better than Kershaw's but it's reasonable to feel the way you do as well.
I put up my Machado thoughts just based on visual. He hit .262 in 51 games with a .294 OBP and a .739 OPS. That's actually not even good, that's below average.
If you are talking about prospects/1st year guys with promise, Matt Moore could break out as an Ace.
Ghost,
The whole point of a draft is that you are predicting the future; of course some of these guys are unproven. I mean if I made a list of the best players today I couldn't leave out Pujols, Agon, Molina etc.
Drafts are not an exact science but if you wait until someone is proven and dominant odds are the their best years are behind them.
Ghost,
OK, look at Trout's numbers in his rookie year; pretty awful right? yet everyone knew he was a can't miss talent. Same goes for Machado.
JD said...
Ghost,
I left Verlander out on purpose because It's hard to judge how much is left in that right arm.
I think Stanton will be scary good given his power and his youth and I think Heward is also just scratching the surface on his talent potential.
February 28, 2013 10:27 AM
I can buy off on that approach if you are looking at long-term dominance although I think that Verlander guy has many good years ahead of him.
JD said...
Ghost,
OK, look at Trout's numbers in his rookie year; pretty awful right? yet everyone knew he was a can't miss talent. Same goes for Machado.
February 28, 2013 10:41 AM
Trout had 135 plate appearances when he was called up at age 19 which is about a full month's worth of ABs.
Machado had 202 plate appearances and more than a cup of coffee in 2012. Machado was already 20 when he was called up. I'm not ready to model everyone off of what Trout or Harper did. Most of the experts don't even believe Trout can do this year what he did last year!
Give Machado time is all I'm saying.
Stanton could be scarred by too many more years in Miami. There won't be anything to play for except individual nos., compounded by constantly looking for an exit. He may turn out to be a prima donna like Bonds, Reyes, Greinke (see Boswell article re chemistry), unable to subordinate personal goals to the team goals.
Machado was rushed to the majors ahead of schedule because the Orioles, at their root, were a crappy team that got lucky in a bunch of games. I thought he performed above expectations and showed a lot of ability. The one possible downside is that he may plateau more quickly than people expect and become Melvin Mora, not a superstar.
Theo,
Someone will offer Miami an attractive prospect package for him and they will move him because I think he starts getting expensive next year.
Opening Day is just about sold out.
I dont think Machado is anywhere near the top 10. Ill take Stras and Kershaw over Heyward.
Concerning Strasburg versus Kershaw, I don't do best pitcher in Baseball. I do top 5 and thats Stras, Kershaw, Hernandez, Verlander, Price in no particular order. Stras is already top 5 without as much experience as the others, so I can see him being the undoubted best pitcher in baseball in the next few years. I think he has a higher ceiling than Kershaw and Bundy.
Theo Stanton is gone before 2014 season begins.
I love Stanton but I value pitching more and the Marlins will ask for proven young studs in a big package.
They are going to trade him and possibly in July.
What the Nats need to in 2013 is find a strategy against him. I think you have to throw him a lot of junk and have him expand his K zone. Can't let him beat you as bad as that lineup is.
tayo said...
I dont think Machado is anywhere near the top 10. Ill take Stras and Kershaw over Heyward.
...I do top 5 and thats Stras, Kershaw, Hernandez, Verlander, Price in no particular order.
Read my 10:20AM comment. You may owe me a drink!
Tayo, those Top 5 pitchers are possibly better than any combo of 5 pitchers in the league at one time going back 5 decades.
Verlander totally abandoned his 2 seam fastball and over the years has developed his slider to go with that great 4 seamer and Change and curveball.
I go back to JZim, if he can get that changeup frequency to 15%-18%, I think he can jump into this elite group.
All of those elite pitchers throw 4 plus pitches and King Felix throws 5 as he has all of Verlander's pitches plus the 2-seamer.
Kershaw throws the same 4 pitches as Verlander but only throws the change 4% of the time.
David Price throws 5 pitches and like Strasburg doesn't throw a slider. His top pitch is his sinker, cutter, changeup, 4 seam, and curveball.
The one constant of all these pitchers is a great fastball and off-speed and at least 2 other pitches.
4 plus pitches seems like a must to get through the lineup multiple times.
Stop it - It very unlikely that Stanton get deal this year. If he is dealt, no way is he deal in the division. Pipe dreams...
Tayo, those Top 5 pitchers are possibly better than any combo of 5 pitchers in the league at one time going back 5 decades.
Agreed. Cain, Zimmerman, Gio, Sale then Bundy(potential wise) look to headline the next group looking to join the elite.
Tayo, excellent 2nd grouping!
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