Silver Slugger Awards announced tonight
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 02, 2011 
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Last night it was ESPN that broadcast the Gold Glove winners. Tonight, MLB Network is broadcasting the Silver Sluggers. The hour-long special begins at 6 p.m. ET.
Surely Curtis Granderson is a favorite to win one in the outfield, and Robinson Cano has the American League’s best offensive numbers at second base.
Mark Teixeira hit more home runs than any other AL first baseman, but he’s not going to beat Miguel Cabrera or Adrian Gonzalez for the Silver Slugger. Derek Jeter’s probably not going to win at shortstop either, but that strong second half left him with the second-highest batting average and the second-highest on-base percentage of any shortstop in the league. Alex Rodriguez didn’t play nearly enough to be in the mix at third.
Anyone who thinks Beltran is a significant upgrade over Swish should read Steven Goldman’s piece over at the Pinstriped Bible.
http://www.pinstripedbible.com.....he-moment/
He sums it up nicely:
“I hate to disillusion anyone, but Beltran wasn’t 10 percent better than Swisher last year. Beltran homered every 24 at-bats, Swisher every 23 at-bats. Beltran walked in 12 percent of his plate appearances, Swisher in 15 percent of his. The main difference was Swisher hit .260 and Beltran hit .300 in roughly an identical number of at-bats, so I put it to you: should the Yankees throw over Swisher for Beltran, when the latter is likely more expensive, definitely older, definitely worse on defense, and 100 percent more prone to injury, over a difference of about 20 hits, most of them singles?”
When they needed him keep the season going he stepped up. The ability is there.
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I wouldn’t figure on Burnett being able to reliably replicate his performance ERA wise in the playoffs. He walked a lot of guys, didnt strike many out, and gave up a HR in his game. He got lucky on balls in play including a few ridic catches.
His playoff ERA is terrible. I’d prefer he not be in line to start any playoff games.
swisher has just been so epic-ally bad in the post season that it’s time to just have someone new in that slot…
except that Beltran played all of his home games in parks that were not conducive to hitters and particularly LH hitters.
Beltrans home #’s in Yankee stadium would be off the charts whereas as Swish’s were terrible @ Yanks stadium….
Gardner has to win this one, right???
all the people lobbying for Beltran are going to be lobbying the Yankees to get rid of him for one of the Dodgers outfielders next winter.
Imagine this: an aging playing with questionable health has a productive year the final year of his deal! Never saw that before!
champ809 according to http://katron.org/projects/baseball/hit-location/ Beltran’s numbers would be no different.
If you look at the Citi/AT&T hits overlayed on Yankee Stadium III, you will see that he would actually have LOST 3 home runs this year if he was a Yankee.
There is absolutely no reason to think about signing Beltran, especially at the expense Swisher… a younger, cheaper player with nearly identical production.
Burnett did a nice job…..but let’s not forget he was a great Granderson catch from not seeing the 2nd inning……and he had several other close calls etc in that start. Its probably time to stop hoping AJ has turned some kind of corner.
but let’s not forget he was a great Granderson catch from not seeing the 2nd inning
Let’s not forget that there were plenty of plays in other starts which worked his ERA in the wrong direction that he had no control of either. Two sides to that coin when you start eliminating performances from lucky plays in the field.
People I’d allow in a foxhole with me!
ET November 2nd, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Burnett’s XFIP was lower than Nova’s.
He really wasn’t that bad last year. He had a bad month.
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Warning Track Power November 2nd, 2011 at 2:43 pm
I for one want A.J. back in 2012. Could have the makings of a great “comeback story”.
Listen, 200 innings is difficult to replace.
Cashman is thinking with his brain and refusing to listen to Yankee fans that treat the roster
like a video game.
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Irreverent Discourse November 2nd, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Burnett had a 4.23 ERA going into August.
In August he rocked an 11.91 ERA.
In September he was back down to 4.30, right in line with the rest of his season.
So he had a really bad August… but was pitching fine for most (almost 5/6ths) of the season.
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Bronx Jeers November 2nd, 2011 at 2:54 pm
AJ has a clean slate as far as I’m concerned. When they needed him keep the season going he stepped up. The ability is there.
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You guys rock.
trisha that’s sweet… but I always thought a foxhole was somewhere you “ended up”… not somewhere you get invited to for tea and crumpets
Would Burnett take a pay cut if we just asked him to be the designated pie thrower?
Would Beltran be like his idle Bernies rightfield years or his centerfield years?
Can Swisher fetch us a Danks and we replace him with Nunez in right?
Will Hughes be packaged this winter knowing they werent too pleased with his conditioning? Maybe a package for Felix?
Inquiry minds want to know.
Beltrans home #’s in Yankee stadium would be off the charts whereas as Swish’s were terrible @ Yanks stadium….
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Swisher struggled at home in ’09, but since has been a very good hitter at YS.
I regard Beltran as I do Colon and Garcia: all good athletes who went through some injuries and managed to make it back. None of them have forgotten how to play the game, and if they are available reasonably, why not? I personally like Swisher, but if Beltran is willing to come for a year or two, you’ll see he’s better than Swish. Jeff in Canada, just one single in the post season might have won it for us.
Who has a better chance of a comeback next year Hughes or Burnett?
Those who have hopped onto the Beltran bandwagon are going to be disappointed when he inevitably ends up signing somewhere else.
He’s not the most durable guy the last few years. His defense is nothing like it used to be.
And I’m not getting the “he’s a proven postseason player” stuff when he hasn’t sniffed the postseason in 5-6 years.
“trisha that’s sweet… but I always thought a foxhole was somewhere you “ended up”… not somewhere you get invited to for tea and crumpets
”
LMAO!!!!
Even moreso that someone in combat would insist on foxhole mates by invitation only! Yep, I’m not taking any chances that the enemy walks over and someone in the foxhole gives me up for a bag of balls!!! I want to know my pals have my back. So yes, you are invited ID! Only the most loyal and trustable will be in Foxhole #28.
Didnt Beltran make the final out the last time the Mets were in the postseason. A strikeout? We
need to get younger fellas, we get no senior citizen discounts on the field.
all the people lobbying for Beltran are going to be lobbying the Yankees to get rid of him for one of the Dodgers outfielders next winter.
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Kemp to RF, Montero to C, Beltran to DH in 2012.
“Who has a better chance of a comeback next year Hughes or Burnett?”
I am giving Hughes 100% and I’m giving AJ 90%.
Still good enough to have them both back in my book!
I’m willing to knock 10% off AJ’s in the event that there’s a little slippage here and there. But I’d say that they will both have comeback years. I’m voting on Hughes to be the one to go without much of a hitch. I’m comfortable with AJ having a few stinkers, if he does.
Cubs fire Quade. Francona next?
Didnt Beltran make the final out the last time the Mets were in the postseason. A strikeout?
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In the same series he had a 1 OPS and 3 HRs ?? .296 .387 .667 1.054
Out to buy pillows and blankets for the foxhole.
Later y’all.
Everyone calling for Swisher to be replaced (especially by Beltran) needs to wake up.
Swisher: 30 years old
Beltran: 34 years old
Micro-fracture Surgeries:
Swisher: 0
Beltran: 1
2011 WAR among RF’s (min 400 PA)
Swisher: 3.8 (9 out of 30)
Beltran: 4.7 (5 out of 30)
2009-2011 WAR among RF’s (min 1000 PA)
Swisher: 11.0 (7 out of 35)
Beltran: 8.5 (15 out of 35)
UZR is supposed to become “useful” at 3 years of data so…
2009-2011 UZR among RF’s (min 1000PA)
Swisher: 5.4 (14 out of 35)
Beltran: -13.7 (25th out of 35)
File Beltran under “Do Not Want”.
In the same series he had a 1 OPS and 3 HRs ?? .296 .387 .667 1.054
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Oh right! Throw out those Arod numbers. You know, the padding the stat ones when they
dont count.
Seriously though, hes not getting younger and im sure we can find someone like the Japanese
guy from Cleveland instead thats faster and younger. Maybe he could also help us reel in
Yu.
JF,
Yu for 100 mil or Danks on a trade without giving up our future?
I’m not enamored with the idea of moving Swisher to make room for Beltran.
Yu for 100 mil or Danks on a trade without giving up our future?
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Both. Also the ‘japanese guy’ on cleveland is Korean. Beltran single handedly won game 1 of the NLCS 2-0 with 2 RBI.
Steven Goldman should look at Beltran and Swishers splits and then ask himself which h would help the Yankee lineup more
My bad JF. Just looked a Choos numbers, does not look that great. What am I missing? There
has to be someone we can grab thats younger in a trade. I dont doubt Beltans numbers in the past. Just his age, injuries and future.
Beltran single handedly won game 1 of the NLCS 2-0 with 2 RBI
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Glavine helped him just a little bit.
tomingeorgia – “I personally like Swisher, but if Beltran is willing to come for a year or two, you’ll see he’s better than Swish. Jeff in Canada, just one single in the post season might have won it for us.”
And it could’ve came from anyone…like Tex…or Alex.
I actually love Beltran, always have. I think Swisher is underrated as a player overall. But his personality annoys me, and worse is that my wife loves him.
But I’m on the side that says the difference in ability between the two today, coupled with the difference in their ages, isn’t worth what will probably be a difference in their pay. And I would agree too that there is more risk losing Beltran to an injury than there is Swish. And I also agree that Swish has high trade value should an opportunity present itself, whereas once you sign Beltran, you’re stuck with him no matter what happens.
I would only want Beltran for 2 years or less…….and it would in no way block the signing of Matt Kemp if he hit the market.
The biggest difference between Beltran and Swisher is that Beltran is very good from the left side…..and therefore good against RHP. Swisher is the opposite of that
Also the ‘japanese guy’ on cleveland is Korean
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That’s alright. Our “Italian guy” is actually Venezuelan.
The biggest difference between Beltran and Swisher is that Beltran used to be able to play right field. Swisher still does.
“And it could’ve came from anyone…like Tex…or Alex.”
Or Jeter, or Cano, or Granderson, or Martin, or Posada or Gardner.
Each of them came up in a situation in the lost games where a hit would have been much appreciated.
Everyone in the lineup was at that non-party.
I’d take Beltran up in a playoff game 100 times out of 100 over Swisher
“The biggest difference between Beltran and Swisher is that Beltran used to be able to play right field. Swisher still does.”
What are you talking about.
He’s saying Beltran is a bad outfielder (which he is). Only in NY do you hear people wanting to replace Swisher.
I checked out Beltran’s children’s album on itunes and it’s no better than Swisher’s!
But Beltran’s wins on points because he didn’t mess with “Heroes”.
Swish had a bad, a very bad year infact vs RHP. But it’s not like he’s always bad against them
in 2010 he hit .286/.330/.549/.880 vs rhp. In ’09 he OPS’d .866 vs RHP.
Maybe there is little difference between Swisher and Beltran, overall. However, the issue with Swisher that is very concerning is how consistently bad he is batting left handed. Swisher’s overall stats are greatly improved upon because he crushes left handed pitching. But the problem is that most pitchers are right handed, which means more at bats batting left handed, clearly his more weaker side.
I always saw Beltran as the opposite … crushes right handed pitching, but struggles against lefties.
Bottom line – who would I rather have in a big spot, runner on 3rd base and less than 2 outs – Beltran without question … he is the better situational hitter and will do more to make contact. Swisher has that long, hard swing regardless of the count … which is why he has been so inept in the post season 3 years running now.
I dont know about you guys, but I think we need to get back to team Melky vs. team Gardy. Or some would put it team bad influence vs. team 4th outfielder. Much funnerer.
I think the Yankees should keep Swisher, unless they can get a desirable trade for his 1 year deal. And I think Beltran would be a good replacement for Swisher until a better option comes along.
I don’t think Swish will do poorly vs RHP next year, but Tex and Jeter will likely continue to decline (Tex can turn it around with a mechanical change)
I’m so disenchanted with baseball awards right now….
Anyway, Darvish is Persian for Verlander? And who is his co-ace in Toronto? (serious question)
I can’t get upset about Burnett. I think if Cashman had the opportunity to do it, he would.
P&C is forever away…
Wasn’t it a mini-scandal/humiliation for Irabu when they found out he wasn’t 100% Japanese?
That’s another reason to like Yu Darvish: he knows who he is.
Japanese finesse + Persian power.
And his parents met in the USA. It’s destiny.
2011… runner on 3rd less than 2 outs:
Beltran: .394/.429/.606
Swisher: .483.465.828
Career… runner on 3rd less than 2 outs:
Beltran: .397/.415/.680
Swisher: .315/.404/.577
Beltran is more likely (over this career) to walk in that situation. Swisher has gotten more hits.
Would you like to rethink that position disco stu? It would seem that Swisher is actually the better situational hitter by your standard.
Beltran is more likely (over this career) to walk in that situation. Swisher has gotten more hits.
err… scratch that… reverse it.
Beltran is in the same tier defensively as Swisher…..you guys are acting like he’s Marcus Thames out there and that’s just not the case.
As I’ve said…..I would consider Beltran if a trade that makes sense for Swisher comes along…..if they could trade Swisher for something that helps the team and then sign Beltran to a short contract…..I do think that’s a net gain though.
I just have wonder, where was Beltran during the Mets Epic September Collapse?
You cant spell destiny without the NY. Bring on the Japersian Cashman!!
Beltran was in the same tier defensively as Swisher 5 years ago.
FTFY.
And beforethat you doto it …..don’t quote me one year UZRs to show that Swisher is much better defensively than Beltran…..
blake – I didn’t, I quoted 3 years of UZR to show that Beltran is not even in the same league as Swisher defensively anymore.
How about everyone bakes the cake and eat it to. We will keep Swisher for lefties and use Beltran for Righties with Igawa money.
Doesn’t Beltran being hurt 2 of the 3 years kinda defeat the whole purpose of your 3 year UZR sample?
Igawa’s not gonna be happy when Randy Levine tells him about the $20MM ‘departure tax’.
The risk is that he stays and runs for mayor in Scranton.
Beltran has been better against lefties than Swisher has.
Theo Epstein called Sandberg on Wednesday and told him he will not be considered for the managerial vacancy with the team this time around, sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney.
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Uhh whats wrong with this picture? Should I screen my calls if fear of Theo calling me to let me know I will not be patrolling centerfield for the Cubbies come spring?
LGY – Only if his injury history if not part of you “wanting” him. If you want Beltran from 5 years ago (like most here seem to think he still is) you can’t have him, he doesn’t exist anymore.
Why can’t we have Beltran from last year?
ID,
As LGY mentions…..that’s really inconclusive. Have you watched Beltran play? The other day you thought he played 40 games last year. Im not saying he’s what he was when he was a CFer…..but Swisher is not significantly better defensively than Beltran if he is at all. Rf at YS would be no problem for him.
We need to form our team for the playoffs, not 162
Getting rid of Swisher and minimizing the need for Tex or ARod to produce accomplishes that by surrounding them with better offensive talent.
Well, you don’t win in the 162, you don’t even get to the playoffs.
LGY – You can, and you can have a worse fielder while you are at it.
I would be incredibly surprised if Beltran can stay healthy.
And Beltran is going to require a multi-year contract.
I just don’t see it.
Wanted Beltran when they could have had him years ago. Don’t really want to go there now.
I highly doubt they sign Beltran but they should see what they can get for Swish on the trade market.
How about this? Damon/Andruw platoon in RF
Jim Bowdens biggest snub in GG was Gardy.
” Silver Slugger Awards announced tonight ”
Let me guess : Adrian Gonzalez, P.E.D.roia, and Illsbury will win again tonight ?
I realize Swisher’s album is for charity but I think I’d rather just give at the office.