Official Prince Fielder Thread ( Rumors, News, ETC )

[dabynsky]

Tallest midget argument. Yes it's a step to the playlets because of the ultra weak NL central. It's still tons away from being competitive in the playoffs

While being better certainly helps one win in the playoffs, it certainly isn't required to win. The goal has to be make the playoffs as often as possible because that is the only way to maximize your chances to win a World Series. You can build a team that is capable of making the playoffs this season in a weak division and not hurt your ability to build a team that is legitimately one of the best in baseball in a few seasons.

 

[Rice Cube]

While being better certainly helps one win in the playoffs, it certainly isn't required to win. The goal has to be make the playoffs as often as possible because that is the only way to maximize your chances to win a World Series. You can build a team that is capable of making the playoffs this season in a weak division and not hurt your ability to build a team that is legitimately one of the best in baseball in a few seasons.

I can agree with this. If they can sneak in, especially with a second wild card (ugh), then anything can happen. What they seem to be planning is a "sneak in" strategy, where it'd be great if they got there, but perfectly okay if they didn't because that isn't the priority of the present plan (whatever that is).

 

[brett05]

While being better certainly helps one win in the playoffs, it certainly isn't required to win. The goal has to be make the playoffs as often as possible because that is the only way to maximize your chances to win a World Series. You can build a team that is capable of making the playoffs this season in a weak division and not hurt your ability to build a team that is legitimately one of the best in baseball in a few seasons.

Not sure if that is true at all. Look at the Braves. There all the time only one title. Marlins there twice with two titles I believe

 

[dabynsky]

Not sure if that is true at all. Look at the Braves. There all the time only one title. Marlins there twice with two titles I believe

THe Braves actually prove my point that being good doesn't guarantee success. The Braves were a dominant team for over a decade and only managed to win a single title. The point is that to give yourself the best chance of winning a world series you need to make it to the playoffs as often as possible.

The Marlins, while certainly not a bad team, in 2003 where clearly not the best team either. Playoffs are determined by who is playing the best at a 3-4 week stretch which even bad teams are capable of playing well during.

 

[brett05]

While anyone can play consistent for 3-4 weeks and almost every team does in a given season you can't play yahtzee with it. You need a team that will be good 3-4 weeks repetitively in a given season. That maximizes your WS potential

It factors out teams that make playoffs by winning weak divisions

 

[Rice Cube]

While anyone can play consistent for 3-4 weeks and almost every team does in a given season you can't play yahtzee with it. You need a team that will be good 3-4 weeks repetitively in a given season. That maximizes your WS potential

It factors out teams that make playoffs by winning weak divisions

Even the best teams have bad 3-4 week stretches. That's kind of the point.

 

[dabynsky]

While anyone can play consistent for 3-4 weeks and almost every team does in a given season you can't play yahtzee with it. You need a team that will be good 3-4 weeks repetitively in a given season. That maximizes your WS potential

It factors out teams that make playoffs by winning weak divisions

No one is arguing that being better hurts your chances to win a championship. The point is that the best team doesn't always win, and if you give yourself enough chances eventually you will get lucky and win it.

 

[X]

Tallest midget argument. Yes it's a step to the playlets because of the ultra weak NL central. It's still tons away from being competitive in the playoffs

Just like the Giants should've been last year.

I see your point, but really, you just gotta be invited to the dance to go home w/ the prom queen. A couple of hot starters and hot bats could win you a WS...right St. Louis?

 

[brett05]

Even the best teams have bad 3-4 week stretches. That's kind of the point.

Right a good team having a bad 3-4 weeks is as coMmon as a bad team having a good 3-4 week stretch and that's the point. Gotta change the mind set of "what will it take to win the division to what will it take to win a pennant"

 

[brett05]

... if you give yourself enough chances eventually you will get lucky and win it.

Hows that worked out for the Cubs?

 

[brett05]

Just like the Giants should've been last year.

I see your point, but really, you just gotta be invited to the dance to go home w/ the prom queen. A couple of hot starters and hot bats could win you a WS...right St. Louis?

The problem is the Cubs are a long way from being the 2011 Cards

 

[X]

The problem is the Cubs are a long way from being the 2011 Cards

maybe, maybe not.

Point remains the same -- gotta get invited to the dance to take home the pretty girl. I don't care what the level of competition is to get there...gotta get in the playoffs (repeatedly helps) to make yourself THINK you're the better team.

 

[dabynsky]

Hows that worked out for the Cubs?

Since they have made it to the playoffs 6 times in my lifetime, I would say that kind of proves my point about not given yourself a shot.

 

[dabynsky]

The problem is the Cubs are a long way from being the 2011 Cards

No one is arguing that this team is going to be a "legitimate" playoff contender next season. The point remains though that you don't have to be to make the playoffs, and once there anything can happen.

Now should the Cubs be banking on that? Of course not, and the front office doesn't appear to be doing that at all. They are making a lot of low risk moves right now that have the potential to make this team much better than it was last year. No one is printing the World Series tickets yet, but it is possible that the Cubs with a few moves here and some bounces (Braun 50 game suspension and Pujols/Fielder leaving the division is a nice start though) could make it to the postseason.

 

[dabynsky]

Right a good team having a bad 3-4 weeks is as coMmon as a bad team having a good 3-4 week stretch and that's the point. Gotta change the mind set of "what will it take to win the division to what will it take to win a pennant"

And who says that is the mindset of the current FO. They've talked at length about parallel goals of being competitive now and building a long term contender in the future. Those are not two mutual exclusive goals if handled correctly.

 

[brett05]

Since they have made it to the playoffs 6 times in my lifetime, I would say that kind of proves my point about not given yourself a shot.

They had 6 shots. How many teams had that? How many had less and won

 

[brett05]

And who says that is the mindset of the current FO. They've talked at length about parallel goals of being competitive now and building a long term contender in the future. Those are not two mutual exclusive goals if handled correctly.

Agreed but the 2012 Cubs are leaning more toward the 2011 Astros than the 2011 Cards. Anything can happen though

 

[dabynsky]

They had 6 shots. How many teams had that? How many had less and won

What is your point then? Do you think the best team always win in the postseason?

 

[dabynsky]

Agreed but the 2012 Cubs are leaning more toward the 2011 Astros than the 2011 Cards. Anything can happen though

That is the one thing we can agree on and been the whole point of what I've said.

 

[brett05]

That is the one thing we can agree on and been the whole point of what I've said.

It's a given though and never ever needs to be said