Domeboys wrote: An observation from Keith Costas, Bob's son:

"Colby will make $4.7M in 2012. His OPS+ of 76 since joining TOR ranks 97th of 102 AL batters...or just between Juan Pierre and Brendan Ryan."

Last year Colby was second on his team in Runs, RBIs and Total Bases, trailing only Edwin Encarnacion, the DH.  He trailed only Encarnacion and Bautista in homers.  So I guess it all depends on what stats you want to empnasize.  He'll be on a more talented team this year.

Domeboys wrote: An observation from Keith Costas, Bob's son:

"Colby will make $4.7M in 2012. His OPS+ of 76 since joining TOR ranks 97th of 102 AL batters...or just between Juan Pierre and Brendan Ryan."

This just confirms what a ridiculous statistic OPS+ is.

blingboy wrote:

Domeboys wrote: An observation from Keith Costas, Bob's son:

"Colby will make $4.7M in 2012. His OPS+ of 76 since joining TOR ranks 97th of 102 AL batters...or just between Juan Pierre and Brendan Ryan."

Last year Colby was second on his team in Runs, RBIs and Total Bases, trailing only Edwin Encarnacion, the DH.  He trailed only Encarnacion and Bautista in homers.  So I guess it all depends on what stats you want to empnasize.  He'll be on a more talented team this year.

Runs and RBIs are stats that are not totally within the individual player's control.  Yes, you have to get on base to be able to score a run and you have to make contact with other runners on base to get rbi's.  But whether you get the opportunity to either score or drive one in depends on others. 

Being second on the team in a category may be great and may be nothing.  Someone was second on the best team in baseball last year and someone was second on the Astros as well.

cardinalnationhouston wrote:

Domeboys wrote: An observation from Keith Costas, Bob's son:

"Colby will make $4.7M in 2012. His OPS+ of 76 since joining TOR ranks 97th of 102 AL batters...or just between Juan Pierre and Brendan Ryan."

This just confirms what a ridiculous statistic OPS+ is.

Why? Do you think he's one of the better offensive producers during that time with his .213/.273/.384 slash line?

cardinalnationhouston wrote:

Domeboys wrote: An observation from Keith Costas, Bob's son:

"Colby will make $4.7M in 2012. His OPS+ of 76 since joining TOR ranks 97th of 102 AL batters...or just between Juan Pierre and Brendan Ryan."

This just confirms what a ridiculous statistic OPS+ is.

Why exactly?

Domeboys wrote:

DTFlush234 wrote:

blingboy wrote:

SoonerinNC wrote: Brian I'm sure you will see Mike Shildt sometime during spring training. It would be interesting to hear his take on the possibility of Oscar as a potential major league center fielder.

I saw about 30-40% of Springfield's games on the net last year and Shildt was using him in center field almost exclusively late in the season. To my untrained eye he really improved his defense as the season went on.

Also I think he has more speed than most observers give him credit for and maybe more speed than Jay. He was beating out base infield rollers for base hits and taking the extra base more as the season went on.

It will be interesting to see how much CF Taveras plays in Memphis.

Given Chambers will be playing all around the outfield and CF is his primary position will be interesting to see how much time Taveras gets in CF.

Pham may be on that club as well and he is a better CF than either of them.

Justin Christian and Jamie Romak are two minor league free agents that will be in Memphis.

I bet Chambers begins the year on the MLB roster.

I don't really want Shane Robinson back this year.  Why add Wigginton if you're going to have Robinson back?

For the record, I think there is no way you don't put Taveras in CF 4 out of every 5 games.

PadsFS wrote:

Justin Christian and Jamie Romak are two minor league free agents that will be in Memphis.

I bet Chambers begins the year on the MLB roster.

I don't really want Shane Robinson back this year.  Why add Wigginton if you're going to have Robinson back?

Since the discussion is CF, that excludes Romak. Christian has played there, though has been more of a corner OF over time.

In 2012, Chambers was clearly behind Robinson in the pecking order. Unless he comes on in the spring, the Cards may not be inclined to risk losing Robinson. Wigginton can't replace either as the back up centerfielder so his role is a bit different.

If the Cards are thinking Taveras in CF in St. Louis eventually (even if he starts out in RF), he could get the reps there in Memphis no matter who else is on the roster.

blingboy wrote: If the Cards are thinking Taveras in CF in St. Louis eventually (even if he starts out in RF), he could get the reps there in Memphis no matter who else is on the roster.

I am not sure about that.  If Pham is 100%, he could be in CF in Memphis before mid-season.  He has the potential to be one of the best CFs in the game.  He is a borderline 5 tool player.

It would be great if Pham could elbow his way into the top group of prospects. No reason pitchers should have the only logjam.

blingboy wrote: It would be great if Pham could elbow his way into the top group of prospects. No reason pitchers should have the only logjam.

I agree. If only Pham can stay healthy and perform his way back into the top group of prospects he has more talent in his little finger than Ramsey has in his whole body.

cardinalnationhouston wrote:

Domeboys wrote: An observation from Keith Costas, Bob's son:

"Colby will make $4.7M in 2012. His OPS+ of 76 since joining TOR ranks 97th of 102 AL batters...or just between Juan Pierre and Brendan Ryan."

This just confirms what a ridiculous statistic OPS+ is.

It is park adjusted. Helps evaluate offensive production adjusting the ballpark factor. Can be one of the more reliable statistics used pending on which specific player wanting to evaluate.