tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post1624097668583656277..comments2023-11-03T09:36:40.604-04:00Comments on Top Shelf: Warning: Baseball AheadHeather B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-58409078098635574562009-06-04T21:52:04.295-04:002009-06-04T21:52:04.295-04:00About everything! Ever!About everything! Ever!Heather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-26261569678639789982009-06-04T21:51:53.330-04:002009-06-04T21:51:53.330-04:00I went back to read some more and a lot of people ...I went back to read some more and a lot of people are actually talking about McCutchen being an upgrade over McClouth defensively. Just FYI. Some ESPN guy who I've forgotten said Pittsburgh got quite a haul for an overrated "Gold Glover." So ha! I'm right! :PHeather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-56230452010083315952009-06-04T21:20:48.782-04:002009-06-04T21:20:48.782-04:00Peter, 16 losing seasons, my friend. I might have ...Peter, 16 losing seasons, my friend. I might have to make you fall on the sword on this one :)<br /><br />Lee, you're just mad because now the Mets have to fight with the Braves too :P<br /><br />If Natey finishes with 30 HRs and 115 RBI, I'll shake your hand and tell you you're right. (Okay, I'll shake your hand.) He could stay on that pace but he could drop off. He could play better in the second half, he could play worse.<br /><br />Many Pittsburgh bloggers seem to feel his defensive strength is overrated - his range is lacking, he gets a poor jump on balls etc. I can't really comment since I'm in blackout zone and only see the Pirates when they play the Mets but I do think it's interesting that people who see him regularly aren't overly impressed.<br /><br />The argument that he's never played with much talent around him is a valid one. That said, I'm not nearly as disappointed as I was this morning. I can't even really say why. I'm just not. If McClouth was going to be the difference between the playoffs and going home early then maybe I would be but the difference between .500 and .450? Pffft. Whatevs.Heather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-57786296495846327882009-06-04T20:37:26.364-04:002009-06-04T20:37:26.364-04:00I touched on this in my email but I'll say it ...I touched on this in my email but I'll say it here too. I don't buy it. <br /><br />1. McLouth is on pace for 30 homeruns and 115 RBI. Only five players in the NL did that last year: Ryan Howard, Carlos Delgado, Albert Pujols, Adrain Gonzalez, David Wright<br /><br />2. McLouth could end up with even better numbers than that because he hasn't even played that well yet.<br /><br />3. That's a better season than Jason Bay ever had with the Pirates.<br /><br />4. McLouth is second in the NL in assists and has a 1.000 fielding percentage. <br /><br />5. All around McLouth could EASILY have a better season this year than Bay ever had and when Bay was freed from Pittsburgh he turned into a player on pace for 49 home runs and 164 RBI. McLouth could make a similar jump when he actually has a good lineup. I find it hard to believe that letting McCutchen and McLouth play together won't at least increase McLouth's pace to 35 HR and 120 RBI, that's David Wright numbers, except lower batting average but better defense.Lee Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-41283380366948332482009-06-04T20:08:16.540-04:002009-06-04T20:08:16.540-04:00Heather, the Pirates being good would totally suck...Heather, the Pirates being good would totally suck! That would make tickets to PNC Park a difficult task...booo.:)peter-usrtnoreply@blogger.com