| | You have to love those players who just can't wait to get out on the field. The ones who thrive on anticipation. Guys like Rob Neyer.
ESPN.com's baseball columnist was slated to chat on Friday but jumped the gun a little early on Thursday afternoon. He returned, on good faith, Friday to pick up where he left off, taking your questions on all things baseball. Neyer tackled such issues as raising the mound, rethinking the All-Star game and whether or not guys are becoming so fast that routine ground balls will no longer be routine.
Along the way, Neyer hit upon what makes baseball such a special game.
In case you missed the July 14 chat, or July 13 depending on when you logged on, the following is an edited transcript.
Justin Barney: With the drought of good pitching in baseball and the Mariners finding themselves in a position
they've hardly ever been in (having an overflow of pitching), who do you think GM Pat Gillick
will try for, if anyone, in the days leading up to the 31st? Who do you think will be traded?
John Halama and Brett Tomko look most likely to me.
Rob Neyer: Halama and Tomko are indeed the most likely, but I think that Gillick should at least consider
trading one of his young guys, Meche or Freddy Garcia. If that's what it takes to bring in a Grade A
third baseman or corner outfielder, it's worth thinking about.
Another Mariners note: I lost the question, but I want to say that yes, it's time to start talking
about Kazuhiro Sasaki as a Rookie of the Year candidate. Shoot, he should probably be the
favorite at this point.
Evan Darrow: There are a lot of rumors around the Los Angeles Dodgers saying that Darren Dreifort is gone
before the deadline. Do you think he'll be traded, and where is he likely to go (a lot of the
rumors seem to be around the Reds)?
Rob Neyer: I don't know if he'll be traded, or to whom. But I think he should be traded, because it seems
that the Dodgers will never understand that Dreifort is probably best suited to middle relief. He
just doesn't have the stuff to consistently pitch well in the rotation.
|
NEYER'S FILE
|
|
ESPN.com's Rob Neyer writes a daily baseball column from March through October. His book "Baseball Dynasties," co-authored with Eddie Epstein, has just been published, and can be ordered from Amazon.com. |
Al Czervik: Did the Reds get snookered on the Denny Neagle deal? If Ed Yarnall is such a blue-chipper, why have
three organizations dumped him?
Rob Neyer: You can never have too many good arms in your organization, so every team likes to acquire
them when possible. But Yarnall is only the No. 3 component in the deal, behind Drew Henson
and Jackson Melian. I do think Yarnall will eventually be a decent major league starter,
assuming of course that he's healthy.
SPDB: Now that the pitching market has thinned (quite substantially), what do you see the Mets doing
transactionally? Will they go after pitching? Lefty hitting? Any chance for the Mets to go after
Johnny Damon?
Rob Neyer: I like that word, "transactionally."
The Royals would move Damon if the right deal came along, but I think their asking price will
be too high. The fact is that Kansas City's player-development people place too high a value on
Damon, because at this point he's the crown jewel of the system. I do think the Mets will go
after a left fielder, but they don't have a lot to offer.
Tom Ryan: I read your commentary on the All-Star Game. I feel you pain, buddy. You should read what Jim
Caple wrote today. He had a brilliant idea that would put some serious old-time juice back in
the All Star Game -- let the winner dictate the DH rules for the World Series. Pure genius? Jim
Caple for Baseball Commissioner?
Rob Neyer: Jim Caple for Baseball Commissioner? Hmmm, I think he'd have to take a pay cut. He is a
smart guy, though. As for the All-Star Game, I've concluded that it's beyond help, and I will
probably just stop watching it. It will always be an exhibition, and things will only get worse,
because the lineup silliness will get sillier when the rosters are expanded, probably in 2002 or
2003.
BDirck: Rob, a number of sportswriters have recently suggested that, at this point in the season, David
Wells is the frontrunner for a Cy Young, ahead of Pedro Martinez. Do you buy this, or is this
just another example of infatuation with the relatively meaningless statistic of wins?
Rob Neyer: I think that Wells is indeed the frontrunner, in the sense that he'd probably win if the balloting
were conducted today. I, of course, would vote for Martinez, given that his ERA is two full
runs lower than Wells'.
David in Newport: I really enjoy your work, but why are you the only ESPN baseball analyst who can't
get his mug on TV?
Rob Neyer: 1. You're asking the wrong person. 2. I don't want to get my mug on TV. I would have to wear a tie.
Skip: Will Houston ever budge on Jeff Bagwell? The worst "at the break" team in baseball has got to
know that they could get the farm for him. I know that Boston doesn't have the best farm
system in the AL, but surely the Astros would listen to a Stenson, Paxton Crawford, Sunny
Kim, deal. Would it take more? And will these teams even get to the table?
Rob Neyer: At this point, Dan Duquette seems fairly content with the team that takes the field (Friday) against
the Mets. At only two games over .500, perhaps it's foolish for the Red Sox to worry too much
about this season. I do think the Astros should explore trading Bagwell, unless they're truly
serious about re-signing him.
By the way, did you know the Astros are 3-19 in one-run games? That's almost impossible,
and goes a long way toward explaining their record.
RedsFan: Everyone says the players are stronger, but nobody says anything about steroid use in MLB.
I've heard 30 percent of the players are on the juice. Is this an unspoken fact?
Rob Neyer: It's a touchy subject. From what I've heard, though, perhaps 30 percent of non-pitchers are
indeed using performance-enhancing chemicals that are banned by most other pro sports.
Darin B.: Hey Rob, just wondering what you think about some of the talk about changing the All-Star Game to a
"U.S. vs. Rest of the World" game, like was recently done in the NHL. Given the all-time low
ratings for this year's game, do you think this type of format would regenerate some excitement
back into the game and give the players something to play for?
Rob Neyer: I'm not a proponent of this idea, and I'll explain why in (Saturday's) column.
MBelt: Who do you see in the World Series? You ask me it'll be Seattle vs. Arizona. With Freddy Garcia beating Randy Johnson in Game 7 (Freddy having pitched on six days rest and Randy on three).
Rob Neyer: Funny that you'd mention those teams. Tuesday afternoon, I did a segment on
MajorLeagueBaseball.com's new radio station, and the M's and D's were my World Series
picks, too. I think the Big Unit wins the big game, though.
Justin Seagraves: What team would you say will have the biggest turnaround from their first half record to their
second half?
Rob Neyer: That's easy. The Houston Astros will play nearly as well in the second half as they've played
poorly in the first half.
Tim: Is Montreal going to make any moves to get some production from third base or center field?
Rob Neyer: It's hard to see them making a big push, given (1) the unlikelihood of a postseason berth, and
(2) the current ownership problems. Actually, they've got some options in center field with the
available talent. But third base is certainly a hole at the moment, though I still think Michael
Barrett will eventually hit.
HugheyJennings: When you're evaluating players, do you tend to use stats like OPS and ERA, or the supposedly
more accurate EqA and SNRA?
Rob Neyer: I use, for the most part, OPS and ERA, but not because they're better than EqA and SNRA.
It's just that we're still in the middle of the process whereby people are understanding that OPS
is significantly more important than batting average, and that ERA is a better barometer of a
pitcher's effectiveness than his W-L record. I suspect that in a year or two, I'll begin using EqA
and other more sophisticated metrics in my work.
Jason: Would the Twins be willing to trade Corey Koskie? I can see teams like the Mariners having
interest in a lefty third baseman.
Rob Neyer: Makes sense, doesn't it? Koskie's a heckuva player, lack of power notwithstanding, but the
Twins' best prospect is also a third baseman. The Mariners don't strike me as a good fit,
though, because Pat Gillick generally prefers veterans.
Short-Suffering Stro Fan: Is this contraction thing His Highness Bud is talking about a realistic possibility? Would the
players' association allow it to happen?
Rob Neyer: No, and no. (I wrote about this situation at slightly greater length in (Friday's) column.)
OhioUniversityBobcat: Who's your pick for best all-time second baseman? Did anyone play longer at such a high level
than Eddie Collins?
Rob Neyer: A couple of winters ago, I spent a month or so ranking the greatest at each position. Joe
Morgan and Rogers Hornsby were Nos. 1 and 2 among the second baseman, and I believe
Collins was No. 3. Fantastic player for, as you note, a long, long time.
Ted: You saw Willie Wilson in 1978 and 1979. Was he the fastest man ever? What was your
reaction to the Darrell Porter revelations of 1980. I'm certain you remember these two
vividly from your youth.
Rob Neyer: I'm not sure that Wilson was any faster than Deion Sanders, but it's certainly possible that
Wilson was the fastest ever going from home plate to home plate. In 1979 alone, he hit five
inside-the-park home runs. As for Porter, they didn't bother me, even at that age I didn't expect
ballplayers to be gentleman and scholars.
Crash Davis: Will we ever see someone who can outrun routine grounders like Luis Castillo nearly can? With
players getting stronger and faster every year, it seems like it might happen eventually.
Rob Neyer: Remember, the infielders aren't required to play in certain spots. If someone's that fast,
everyone will just move in a step or two. That's the beauty of the game, there's a balance that's
very hard to completely upset.
Jaysfan: Love your work and read your column every day. I'm just wondering if you're going to make
an appearance on the Toronto all-sports radio station The Fan 590. Twice this week they
touted your appearance and I was disappointed when you didn't show up.
Rob Neyer: I'll certainly appear on The Fan if they'll still have me. The first of my non-appearances was not
my fault, but the second one was, so I may be persona non grata in Toronto now. Thanks for
asking.
Dan: What one thing, that you witness every game at Fenway, best represents why baseball is a
great game?
Rob Neyer: I could write an essay to answer this question, but I don't think it would be particularly
interesting to anyone except maybe my mom. But since you asked, I think the one thing that
keeps me coming back is baseball's unpredictability, something that we saw exemplified in the
bottom of the ninth at Fenway (Thursday) night.
Stu Cole: My first reaction to my Reds trading Denny Neagle was that they were surrendering. And,
realistically, I know they won't win the division. But now, there are a flurry of rumors about
them trading Barry Larkin as well. What is your take on Larkin vs. the Reds?
Rob Neyer: Larkin's a possible Hall of Famer, but the facts are that (1) he makes a lot of money and is going to
make more soon, (2) he's 36, and (3) Cincinnati's best prospect, Travis Dawkins, plays
shortstop. From a performance standpoint, Larkin is a guy you have to consider trading.
Alex Vila: How would raising the pitcher's mound help out pitching? It seems to me that if you raise the
pitcher's mound, you're adding a foot or more to the distance between the pitcher and home plate
(pythagorean theorem). Please explain.
Rob Neyer: Without taking the time to consult "The Physics of Baseball," I can think of a couple of ways.
One, throwing more "downhill" should slightly help a pitcher's velocity. And two, it's a tougher
angle for the hitter, in terms of making bat meet the ball flush.
Y-Bander: Have we seen the last of Morganna (sp?), the woman with the huge breasts who would
come out and hug players? Has Major League stadium security finally thwarted her?
Rob Neyer: Uh, I suspect (hope?) that time has finally thwarted her. One of the less attractive things about
baseball in the '70s and '80s, methinks.
NR: What the heck is wrong with Kevin Millwood?!?
Rob Neyer: Good question. It's too early to draw any conclusions, but a fair number of analysts think that
Millwood's been overworked, a la Steve Avery. What a shame that would be.
MikeyMitch: Can Nomar Garciaparra (.391 through Thursday) hit .400?
Rob Neyer: Impossible. No right-handed hitter has hit .400 since 1925, when Hornsby did it. What's more,
the more at-bats you have, the worse your chances. And Nomar piles up a lot of at-bats
because he doesn't walk much.
Quincy: There is debate in Chicago as to whether the only way to force Cubs management to put a
winning team on the field is to tear down Wrigley. What is your opinion? Are they just milking a
cash cow or is Cubs management really that inept?
Rob Neyer: I read that, and frankly it's right up there among the stupidest things ever written. The argument,
I suppose, is that fans will show up at Wrigley whether the team's any good or not, and this
lessens management's motivation to win. But doesn't the same thing happen with new ballparks?
Seems like Oriole Park is always full, and when did they last win anything? What the Cubs need
is a strong owner and a good general manager, and where they play ball is fairly irrelevant.
I'll take one more, then I gotta get going.
Jeff: How would you rate Tony LaRussa's handling of his pitching staff this year? You've been critical
of him in the past, but it seems that he has done a really good job so far this year. I guess it
helps when you actually have a pitching staff.
Rob Neyer: Well, you probably know that I think Rick Ankiel has been overworked a few times. But in general,
LaRussa has indeed done a good job with the staff. This is not a surprise, as he's always done
well with veteran pitching staffs like this one.
Thanks for all the questions. I'll see you sometime next week. -R | |
ALSO SEE
Rob Neyer chat archive
|
