Those Twins are hot. Can you imagine yet another year where the defending champ doesn't even make the playoffs?
Of course it is, especially in the AL. That's why they hide him there. All he needs to do is catch a ball or block it with his huge body. He could never play in the national league, he can't throw and watching him field a bunt is a joke. First baseman are the worst defensive players in the game, and AL first baseman are the worst of the worst, most of them should be full time DH's (not just Giambi). When I say he is amongst the worst in the league I mean it... and I put most of the AL 1B's in the same boat with him. These guys are football players for the most part.
Ramirez was ML ready, he was just being blocked by Renteria then sent to Florida for Beckett. Sanchez was a prospect still but he was the best pitching prospect in the organization outside of Lester. Henry doesn't begin to compare at this point.
Well then I can go on and on about how NL pitching is subpar to AL pitching. If you are going to discuss the differences between leagues, it becomes an argument neither side can win. They are two totally different entities. The game is played totally differently by each league. What it really comes down to is preference at that point. Some people like the NL style of play. I personally like AL style. Again, it's just preference.
We gave up 3 good prospects in the deal. Once again we depleted an already suffering system. Maybe you don't feel like it compares, but we do feel differently. I can understand where you are coming from. Everyone feels like the Yankees take advantage, and in reality, they do. However, that is what Steinbrenner demands. Spend the money, lose the youth, just win this year. That's the attitude. Of course Yankee fans see nothing wrong with it. It is meant to work in our favor.
If you were to argue that ptiching in the AL is more difficult it's one thing, but to suggest it's better is where the debate is. The fact is fielding is more difficult in the NL... few teams in the AL play small ball. Of players who have played over 50 games at first base this year Giambi has lowest fielding % of any firstbaseman in MLB.... second lowest range factor... lowest zone rating... and worst in errors per games played. How bout those stats? :wink:
Fair enough. I still want Giambi in at first every game. As 10Penny10 has pointed out, he is a vastly better hitter when he plays first in the game. He plays more than adequately defensively, and his offensive prowess when playing first more than makes up for any miscues he may possibly make. A good stat would be how many runs does he produce, compared to how many he costs. I won't even try to do the research, but I am willing to bet it's a number in favor of Giambi.
Yup. RH Fielding % .988 Giambi .983 Howard RF 9.46 Giambi 8.93 Howard ZR .842 Giambi ZR .694 Howard GP 119 E's 13 Giambi GP 55 E's 7
