That was exactly my position, and like you I'd rather put the ball in play and take my chances. If that same guy is hitting .250 avg and .300 OBP, but with high SLG, HR, and RBI-then I'm still going to be critical of the K's.
Kemp's strikeouts weren't that important as far as him being mentioned as one of the best players in the league...the personal standpoint. but from the team standpoint...striking out is a lack of execution, a lack of pressure being put on the defense to make a play, and strikeouts leave guys stranded in scoring position. advancing the runners and all that " small ball " stuff are the things that make fans hate the Cardinals...because they do all those little things and win. but instead of wanting LAD to mimmick them, a lot of fans wanna brush it off as " luck "
still doesn't make him ideal in the 3-spot. healthy Kemp is the same Kemp that many of us wonder WTF he's thinking at the plate at times. he's really, really good when healthy and we all appreciate his talent, but whoever acts like he's a flawless hitter is using blinders.
what does Ethier have to do with Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez? wager with me right now with the qualification being that everybody's healthy...i'll bet that Hanley or AGon will be in the 3-spot at the start of next year and you can go with Kemp
^ you can do better than that cop-out of a response. fact are facts, regardless of what you didn't hear in 2011
I wasn't talking about Ethier, I was talking about Kemp in the 3 hole. He struck out just as much in 2011 but no one complained because his OBP and SLG were both high. That's not a valid wager because of Adrians lack of speed and you don't know who is hitting second. Whether the 2 hitter is lefty or righty might be the determining factor on who hits 3rd and because of Adrians glue shoes he doesn't play as well in the 3 hole. Given everyone is healthy, I'd say a 3-4-5 of Hanley/Kemp/Gonzales is very possible, much as it was at the close of 2012.
Say what?? I just told you the facts, he struck out at very nearly the same rate in 2011 and everyone wanted to suck his nutsack.:drool: His batting average and OBP suddenly drop and it's "OMG, he strikes out TOO MUCH!":bitching: His strikeout rate did not change that much between the two years, it was his slugging and average/walks that changed much more. I get that you're saying he sucks in the 3 hole, but it is NOT because of strike outs, it's because he isn't hitting the ball very well when he does make contact.:doh:
True, but the results are still there. Just because it's more rare to see A-Gon look like an idiot at the plate than Kemp, it doesn't make him a better candidate.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com notes that the Rangers have also talked to Dodgers about Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford in addition to Matt Kemp. It has been said that one of the Dodgers' surplus outfielders might be made available this offseason. __
Yeah, I know. I hope we can't find a good trade for Ethier/Kemp so that we can trade Carl for whatever someone wants to offer. Washing machine, Double Bubble, etc.
