Comments on: Flying J, the Score Truck, and a Live Arm

By: William J.

William J. — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:08:11 +0000

[9]From watching, which is admittedly flawed, it seems like Granderson loses a lot of balls to Gardner, Jeter and Cano, all three of whom are more aggressive and usually call him off even when the situation dictates Granderson should make the play.

In addition to other flaws, another problem with defensive metrics is they are zero sum. If Gardner cuts in front of Granderson, the former gets credit and the latter a penalty, but the out was made. That just doesn’t make any sense to me.

By: Jon DeRosa

Jon DeRosa — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:46:16 +0000

[6] also to separate for clarity, curtis has all the offense he’ll need to convince the voters on either side of the aisle, homers, runs, rbi and SB for the trad guys, wOBA, runs created, off WAR for the SABR guys. Batting avg might hurt, but as will said, if he’s around .290, it won’t be too bad.

some trad guys will give him the CF bump for just playing there and having a decent rep, the SABR guys may downgrade him for being the worst CF in the AL according to their stats.

By: Jon DeRosa

Jon DeRosa — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:28:32 +0000

[6] my take on how the voters might see it. but i think i’ve underestimated just down the offense is this year. .380 wouldn’t cut it 10 years ago, but it’s more than enough now.

according to fangraphs, in the AL, he’s the 2nd best batter, the second best base runner and the worst center fielder. hope they’re wrong about the last part, or at least the voters don’t see it that way.

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:12:07 +0000

[2][3][4] Yes, Martin is from Montreal. He grew up, I believe, in the Notre Dame de Grace neighborhood, which is more or less where I live when I happen to be living in Montreal.

I have no idea what Sterling says when Martin bats because I no longer listen to Yankees home radio broadcasts. However, if he says “Monsieur Martin est là meaning “Mr. Martin is here” that’s not so good French methinks (even for Quebec French).

By: RIYank

RIYank — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:52:53 +0000

Jon, is .380 OBP shy of MVP even for a CF? I doubt that.

I guess I’m not clear on whether you’re making the case to us, or describing how the voters might see it. Or both.

By: Jon DeRosa

Jon DeRosa — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:26:40 +0000

Granderson’s MVP case hinges on his defense, because he makes a few too many outs to be among the top two or three offensive players. He’s an elite offensive player because of his versatility, but a .380 ish OBP is just a tad shy of MVP level out-avoidance.

If voters look to rep for defense, he could get serious consideration. If the voters look to defensive stats, he actually loses ground to field.

By: rbj

rbj — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 12:02:11 +0000

[2] Morning, folks. Flying J, reminds that I get a nice 640 mile drive tomorrow, half on the PA & OH turnpikes. Yup, Martin is French Canadian.

So what does MVP mean? Curtis has been instrumental in keeping the Yankees in the division/playoff hunt, while Toronto is stuck in fourth. Gotta be value in that.

By: RIYank

RIYank — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:55:23 +0000

I heard that! He seems to be saying “est là”, “… is here.” Why, I couldn’t say. And of all Yankees, why does Martin get his homers called in French?

By: Chyll Will

Chyll Will — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 07:32:55 +0000

[1] Isn’t he Canadian? Montreal, if I recall, or at least grew up there as his father was a jazz musician and Montreal is a jazz hotbed. Anyway, Montreal is also in Quebec, and the predominant language of that region is a hybrid French; thus Sterlinglish “Monsieur Martin”… I think? (*shrug*)

By: Just Fair

Just Fair — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:44:08 +0000

Awesome write up. Dug the Iowa straw poll line and give me Granderson every day of the week. Modamn does he shine. Checked out early to go out but I heard Martin’s homer call via radio. What the hell does Sterling say, “Monsieur Martin,…………..” ? I took 6 years of french but have no idea.