09-26-2024, 03:48 PM
You know, Butch, it's not a team that seems to have a lot of edge/fire, whether that was intended in its makeup or not. Swanson has been known to be a clubhouse leader/hard working guy. Nico is intelligent and seems fairly reserved. Belli, even when he was an MVP, has carried more of a chill/stoner label. Two of our best in Shota and Seiya fit the stereotypes often associated with Japanese players of being very respectful of others and the game. Shota brings energy and joy, but he's certainly not edgy. Seiya has actually been told, according to Boog and JD, that he's not getting calls from umpires because he won't complain. Yes, PCA has some swagger for sure. And I don't know if he'll be good enough to stay, but you see some of that swag and edge from Alcantara.
Now, contrast this group with the 2016 group and you do see Rizzo who had edge, certainly Baez with tons of swagger and energy as well in the years that followed. I'd put Schwarber in that category. Eventually that specific team had the top flame throwing closer, tons of edge there. Arrieta had an edge to him. Lester would shout at umpires and stare down hitters. ...But Bryant, as good as he was for a time, was always closer to Nico or maybe Belli in terms of edge. Russel, on the field, displayed none of the truly negative edge he was apparently carrying around. Dex was pretty chill, and Zobrist was the model of a good clubhouse guy. Hendricks too.
Anyway, all the stream of consciousness above is leading to two thoughts...
1. Counsell might not be a great fit for this current group if in fact it is lacking in swagger/edge/fire, whatever you want to call it. If we agree that the 2016 team and that core had more edge, someone calm and steady (though unique and quirky) like Maddon made a lot of sense as a counter balance for that youth and vigor and swag. Council brings no apparent edge to a team lacking it, he's not naturally going to blow up an ump for Seiya to get a future call, or shakeup a complacent team with his force of personality following a loss. He is though a good counter, perhaps, for younger guys like PCA and Alcantara, so maybe as the team gets more of those guys up, he becomes a better fit.
2. Rok, I think you're ultimately right that edge or not, a true star bat or front line stud starter, no matter the personality, would make a world of difference. As good as he is, Judge doesn't seem to have that edge in his personality, but add him to the team and we'd be set. Same for Soto who totally does have it. Or 2016 Byrant who doesn't. And so on. We have a lot of good players, not sure we have any great players, and we need a few.
Now, contrast this group with the 2016 group and you do see Rizzo who had edge, certainly Baez with tons of swagger and energy as well in the years that followed. I'd put Schwarber in that category. Eventually that specific team had the top flame throwing closer, tons of edge there. Arrieta had an edge to him. Lester would shout at umpires and stare down hitters. ...But Bryant, as good as he was for a time, was always closer to Nico or maybe Belli in terms of edge. Russel, on the field, displayed none of the truly negative edge he was apparently carrying around. Dex was pretty chill, and Zobrist was the model of a good clubhouse guy. Hendricks too.
Anyway, all the stream of consciousness above is leading to two thoughts...
1. Counsell might not be a great fit for this current group if in fact it is lacking in swagger/edge/fire, whatever you want to call it. If we agree that the 2016 team and that core had more edge, someone calm and steady (though unique and quirky) like Maddon made a lot of sense as a counter balance for that youth and vigor and swag. Council brings no apparent edge to a team lacking it, he's not naturally going to blow up an ump for Seiya to get a future call, or shakeup a complacent team with his force of personality following a loss. He is though a good counter, perhaps, for younger guys like PCA and Alcantara, so maybe as the team gets more of those guys up, he becomes a better fit.
2. Rok, I think you're ultimately right that edge or not, a true star bat or front line stud starter, no matter the personality, would make a world of difference. As good as he is, Judge doesn't seem to have that edge in his personality, but add him to the team and we'd be set. Same for Soto who totally does have it. Or 2016 Byrant who doesn't. And so on. We have a lot of good players, not sure we have any great players, and we need a few.