The ASB is basically here, and as we know, This Time It Really Matters (No, Really, Please Watch This Game). I'd like to take to remake each team and not abide by the silly rule of having a player from each team. Today, I'll look at the NL.
Catcher
There are 2 catchers I'd definitely take. Yadier Molina is going to be my starter, because he's slightly better defensively, which I'm going to take over the 21 points of wOBA that Posey has (.394 to .373). Buster Posey will be the backup. He's probably a better overall player, but I'm giving the edge to Molina's defense. Still, .317/.392/.529 is incredible from a backstop.
Yadier Molina, Cardinals
Buster Posey, Giants
First Base
I'm giving the start to Paul Goldschmidt. He's got a lot more pop in his bat (not that Joey Votto is missing any), and he's the clear better fielder (one of the best fielding 1B in the league if not the best). Votto is the world's best bench bat in this game.
Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
Joey Votto, Reds
Second Base
I've got Matt Carpenter so far. He's not a great fielder (despite what FanGraphs says), but he's been undeniably great with that bat this year. I'm half tempted to take Darwin Barney (seriously!) as a defensive MINF replacement, but his bat is just too anemic. Barney would be absolutely nifty as a bench MINF for a contending team, though. Brandon Phillips gets the nod, who is just a hair worse with the glove and many wigs better with the bat.
Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
Brandon Phillips, Reds
Shortstop
Troy Tulowitzki wins here. He's been banged up, but when healthy he's still absolutely incredible. Also, give me Ian Desmond. Yeah, he strikes out a ton, but he also has a SLG of .493.
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
Ian Desmond, Nationals
Third Base
This is probably the easiest choice. David Wright is on pace for another .300/.400/.500 season, which is the sign of a clear superstar. Have 5 of those seasons, and you should be a no-doubt HOF, don't care who you are. Picking a backup is tricky; the choices are Pedro Alvarez, Todd Frazier, and Chase Headley. Alvarez has the huge bat, but plays subpar defense. Headley has the pedigree but has struggled this year. Todd Frazier has the defensive numbers and the highest OBP of the three. For that, I'm going with Frazier here. You could talk me into either of the other two pretty easily.
David Wright, Mets
Todd Frazier, Reds
Right Field
A cesspool. I'm going with the pedigree of Carlos Beltran, though he's 7th on the list in WAR. He has poor defensive metrics, but he still had a .375 wOBA, so that's enough to vault over Hunter Pence. Michael Cuddyer has had a good season too (.410 wOBA!), but his H/A split is 1.068/.871, OPS-wise. Cuddyer is probably the pick, now that I think about it, but I'm leaning on the fact that Cuddyer's had Coors help, a high BABIP (.370 to .321), and the fact that his defense is worse than even Beltran's. I could be wrong.
Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
Center Field
Can I go outside the box? I am, and nominating Andrew McCutchen. Carlos Gomez has been great. I'm afraid that when he plays against great pitching, he's going to have to rely on BABIP, because he strikes out a lot more than McCutchen and never, ever walks. His defense is superb, but so is McCutchen's. Andrew also rarely strikes out (14.1%) and walks often (9.3%).
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
Carlos Gomez, Brewers
Left Field
I'm also breaking from tradition here. Shin-Soo Choo can't play center very well. However, he can surely play left, where his range isn't needed. He's probably good enough to sit the bench while Carlos Gonzalez starts. You can't have a slugging percentage of .623 and not start, I don't care how often you get on base. I feel bad for Starling Marte, who gets snubbed here. He'll probably make a half-dozen ASGs in his life, though.
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
Shin-Soo Choo, Reds
That's 16 players. However, there are 21 position players allowed, so I get 5 more picks. Starling Marte actually gets to play, then. I'll also take Yasiel Puig for my last outfielder. I need two infielders, a middle and a corner. The middle will be Jean Segura, who can pinch-run with the best of them. My corner infielder will be Freddie Freeman. My last catcher will be Russell Martin.
Starling Marte, Pirates
Yasiel Puig, Dodgers
Jean Segura, Brewers
Freddie Freeman, Braves
Russell Martin, Pirates
Pitchers
My starter is going to be Matt Harvey. Adam Wainwright has a slightly lower FIP, but it's negligible. Instead, give me the guy that strikes out 10.18 per 9, even if he walks a few more. After those two, you've got plenty of good ones to choose from, including Patrick Corbin, Clayton Kershaw, Cliff Lee, Mat Latos, Jordan Zimmerman, Homer Bailey, and Madison Bumgarner. I'll also take 4 relievers. The first two are the twin Pirates, Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon. Each has been absolutely filthy this year. I'll also take Trevor Rosenthal, and take Kenley Jansen with my last pick. Craig Kimbrel is the hard-luck loser for me.
Matt Harvey, Mets
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks
Cliff Lee, Phillies
Mat Latos, Reds
Jordan Zimmerman, Nationals
Homer Bailey, Reds
Madison Bumgarner, Giants
Jason Grilli, Pirates
Mark Melancon, Pirates
Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals
Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
This is the whole team. Breakdown:
Braves: 1 player
Brewers: 2 players
Cardinals: 5 players
Diamondbacks: 2 players
Dodgers: 3 players
Giants: 2 players
Mets: 2 players
Nationals: 2 players
Phillies: 1 player
Pirates: 5 players
Reds: 6 players
Rockies: 3 players
Cubs: 0 players
Padres: 0 players
Marlins: 0 players
Full Team
| Player | Starter | Team |
| Yadier Molina | Yes | Cardinals |
| Carlos Beltran | Yes | Cardinals |
| Matt Carpenter | Yes | Cardinals |
| Paul Goldschmidt | Yes | Diamondbacks |
| Matt Harvey | Yes | Mets |
| David Wright | Yes | Mets |
| Andrew McCutchen | Yes | Pirates |
| Troy Tulowitzki | Yes | Rockies |
| Carlos Gonzalez | Yes | Rockies |
| Freddie Freeman | No | Braves |
| Carlos Gomez | No | Brewers |
| Jean Segura | No | Brewers |
| Adam Wainwright | No | Cardinals |
| Trevor Rosenthal | No | Cardinals |
| Patrick Corbin | No | Diamondbacks |
| Clayton Kershaw | No | Dodgers |
| Kenley Jansen | No | Dodgers |
| Yasiel Puig | No | Dodgers |
| Madison Bumgarner | No | Giants |
| Buster Posey | No | Giants |
| Jordan Zimmerman | No | Nationals |
| Ian Desmond | No | Nationals |
| Cliff Lee | No | Phillies |
| Jason Grilli | No | Pirates |
| Mark Melancon | No | Pirates |
| Starling Marte | No | Pirates |
| Russell Martin | No | Pirates |
| Mat Latos | No | Reds |
| Homer Bailey | No | Reds |
| Joey Votto | No | Reds |
| Brandon Phillips | No | Reds |
| Todd Frazier | No | Reds |
| Shin-Soo Choo | No | Reds |
| Michael Cuddyer | No | Rockies |
Comments
McCutchen is outside the box? Is that because the Reds insist on using Choo in center?
joshQuote Reply
People have been saying Carlos Gomez might be the MVP and he plays CF. I’m saying I’d rather have McCutchen there in spite of Gomez’ gaudy numbers.
MylesQuote Reply
@ Myles:
Didn’t even realize Gomez had been doing that well.
joshQuote Reply
Cubs sign Trevor Clifton
MylesQuote Reply
they could have offered $441k, unless there is some overslot money going elsewhere
GWQuote Reply
GWQuote Reply
@ GW:
that leaves $15,925 in overslot money
GWQuote Reply
@ GW:
Somebody’s gettin’ a new Kia!
uncle daveQuote Reply
@ GW:
Chad Gaudin could use that money to help pay for whatever the treatment is for acute renal failure. If there is some money left over, he could use it for an attorney.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
dialysis, unless he manages to swipe a kidney from some unconscious chick somewhere
GWQuote Reply
@ dmick89:
Treatment? How about not going through three handles of Old Crow a week? It might be naturopathic quackery, but I’m gonna say it’d probably help.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Myles wrote:
RynoQuote Reply
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=21191
dmick89Quote Reply
Kris Bryant is happy to be rich. He’s gonna go out and work hard and get better every day. The decision to move him up the system is up to those in charge, but he’s gonna go out and work hard and get better every day. Loves Wrigley. Very excited. Definitely gonna go out and work hard and get better every day and is very happy to be rich.
(dying laughing) I love these press conferences of newly drafted players. They’ve already gotten a crash course in what the fuck to say to the media. I love it. You could take a press conference for a top pick from 25 years ago and it would be the exact same as they are today. The media doesn’t know this and still asks the same questions.
Next year they should throw ’em for a loop. Question 1: how much does the money that you have and obviously love help you in your efforts to bed the hottest chicks possible?
That’s what everyone wants to know.
dmick89Quote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh7-F6e1wFk
GWQuote Reply
@ GW:
I think I am a horrible person for finding that absolutely hilarious.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
braves one allstar gets them a 53-39 record
Brewers 2 gets them 37-54 record
lots of above average players > several well above average players
AndrewQuote Reply
@ GW:
I mean seriously, she read it off the telestrator without missing a beat like she was Ron Burgundy. There was no “hey waitaminut” pause or anything. That’s either super professional or profoundly oblivious.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/12/ktvu-gaffe/2513971/
They all apologized, but damn, people…it got past several layers of checks including producers and editors and the anchor herself, how does that happen?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Do planes normally have four “pilots”? That’s what would have tipped me off.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
I think they do for long flights like this one – the pilot/copilot trade off to the ‘second shift’ so they’re not flying for 10 hours straight.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
the number of pilots depends on the length of the flight. Four is standard, or it was at one point anyway, for super long flights with no layover.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ Berselius:
I think the same person who takes off must also land. He has some fancier title than the other pilots on board. I don’t know if there is a time limit they can be the pilot, but flights from KC to Taiwan (if there are any!) would probably have 4 pilots. One pilot would take off and land and after that they’d just switch off.
I think.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
Heh, I’m hopping on a transoceanic flight in an hour or so, so maybe I’ll try to pay attention (dying laughing).
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I think you were right about crews switching on and off. I just looked around on Google and found one that confirmed what I had said, but at least 3 or 4 that confirmed what you said. It sounds like there are even more pilots than either of thought. Somewhere between 4 and 6 crews so 8 and 12 pilots. Can that possibly be correct?
dmick89Quote Reply
Ignore that. That’s per plane and not per flight. Looks like in the US you need 10.15 pilots for every new plane purchased. That could be out-dated. I’m going to stick with 2, 3 or 4 pilots per flight.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
That can’t be right – they’re probably talking about an entire flight run, since they turn the planes around so quickly. For example, 4 pilots fly to Japan, 4 new pilots get on and fly back to US.
BerseliusQuote Reply
From the Yahoo Answers:
I believe the captain is in charge of taking off and landing. Obviously others would have to be able to do so because if he gets sick the plane would be fucked otherwise.
dmick89Quote Reply
Off to the land of waffles and beer. Berselius out, fuckfaces!
BerseliusQuote Reply
Berselius wrote:
Have fun in Milwaukee!
Aisle424Quote Reply
Also… Brett Jackson’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
http://aeryssports.com/a-league-of-her-own/chicago-cubs-brett-jackson-20130713/
Aisle424Quote Reply
@ Aisle424:
If he’s rehabbing, he’s probably either in CA (his home state) or AZ to swing the bat with the other prospects.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Yeah, I’m not worried about him or anything, He’s always been a bit of a weird dude, but it is interesting that the Cubs don’t seem to know where he is. Maybe they don’t care anymore.
Aisle424Quote Reply
@ Aisle424:
He’s rehabbing with my dog who was today put on the 60-day DL with a torn ACL. How did she tear said ACL? Chasing a stupid fucking rabbit!
I’m a non-violent person, but I can guarantee that there will be no rabbits left in our yard. Ever again. After seeing my dog eat a few of them and then tear her ACL a month later chasing another, those rabbits days are numbered.
So tell me, how do I kill a bunch of rabbits and make sure they never come back?
dmick89Quote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
I actually thought that the fake names being so reminiscent of a joke that’s at least ten years old would have been the clue, but I guess news anchors aren’t all that sharp.
http://news.yahoo.com/ntsb-apologizes-gaffe-over-derogatory-asiana-pilot-names-041704046.html
There’s something horribly wrong with that intern at the NTSB then.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ dmick89:
don’t hire yosemite sam, i’ll tell you that much.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
@ dmick89:
…Elmer Fudd?
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7447.html
This link may be more helpful than Elmer Fudd though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ EnricoPallazzo:
Ha!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
great minds think alike. also us.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
new shit
sitrickQuote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ocaZb-bGg
Aisle424Quote Reply
i’m actually pretty surprised that a rabbit-killing dog isn’t sufficient.
i used to work in a garden store and we sold some kind of urine (i think it was coyote but i could be wrong) that was supposedly pretty effective at keeping rabbits away. you’d apply it to cotton swabs and then place the cotton swabs in your garden. i don’t think it’s supposed to be effective over a very big area though so if you have a large yard, this may be a pretty pricey rabbit deterrent.
are they in your yard for any particular reason? i.e. do you have a bunch of flowers that they like to eat or something?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply