He's Hackin'

[itjclarke]

I find high SO, HR dependent offense is unberable to watch. It was tough enough in the peak steroid era years, but this (the guys' numbers you cite) could be worse because there are fewer HRs across the board. Seeing the 200K SO (batting) eclipsed not once, but 6 times in the last 6 years seems a sign of things to come.

I have a hunch (and very much hope it happens) that a savvy GM will re-create the '80s Cards' model and stack his lineup with speedsters who make a lot of contact, and one to two mashers. The stolen base, especially since it's shunned by Moneyballer, I think will be had for a relative bargain going forward. I don't think Moneyballers have yet quantified the effect a speedy runner can have on a pitcher (distracted), a catcher (calling more fastballs), and a defense (holding him on, or cheating toward the bags). I used to hate those Cards, but would now love more than anything to see how a lineup like that could perform in today's game.