03-28-2010, 12:04 AM
Yeah, straw, I think your point is almost inarguable. In fact Bill James has said for years that there are probably 50-60 guys in the minors who are easily as good as the 24th and 25th men on MLB rosters.
Some of this is pretty obvious; I mean, Strasburg is in the minors. Ryan Howard played in the minors a couple extra years (when he was <i>crushing</i> MiLB pitching), because Jim Thome was blocking him on the Phils.
Wade Boggs was a minor leaguer for about 6 years (!)
Throw in the fact that middle relievers have <i>massive</i> fluctuations in effectiveness from year-to-year, and you can see why some teams think it's crazy to pay big money for middle relief.
Some of this is pretty obvious; I mean, Strasburg is in the minors. Ryan Howard played in the minors a couple extra years (when he was <i>crushing</i> MiLB pitching), because Jim Thome was blocking him on the Phils.
Wade Boggs was a minor leaguer for about 6 years (!)
Throw in the fact that middle relievers have <i>massive</i> fluctuations in effectiveness from year-to-year, and you can see why some teams think it's crazy to pay big money for middle relief.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance