2016 MLB Postseason Thread

[Steak Snabler]

I don't think so. In 2012 he put up MVP numbers that compared well at every position -- second in OPS, third in SLG, first in OPS+.

His first-half splits the last two seasons approximate those numbers. Then there is a major tailspin. The last two seasons, he has an HR every 25 PAs in the first half and an HR every 66 PAs in the second half. That's on the heels of a 2014 postseason that he didn't get even one XBH in 77 PAs.

He also was 35th in the league and fourth on his own team in PAs this season. You kind of need your best hitter in the lineup.

Johnny Bench kept catching beyond age 30, but even he took 30-40 games off a year. I don't think the Giants can afford that from Posey.

I wonder why the Giants haven't tried Posey at third. He was a originally a shortstop in college, so you'd think he could handle it reflexes-wise.

 

[steveu]

I would suspect Posey will move positions, ala Joe Mauer. Not necessarily for health reasons, but to play in more games at a less stressful position.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Steak, that has always been my thought too -- especially since they just signed Belt to a six-year contract and they have an open spot at third -- but Bochy has said in the past that he sees Posey as a first baseman. Apparently they think the years of catching have taken away too much mobility on bunts and slow rollers.

Here's a story from 2014. Bruce Bochy on Buster Posey moving to first base — eventual SF Giants talking point

Notably, though, neither of the catchers discussed as The Future is with the team anymore. Third base makes the most sense to kick around because the position is open right now. But if trading Belt could help them upgrade the bullpen and an outfield spot, Posey at first could be part of that answer.

 

[Tarheel316]

Steak, that has always been my thought too -- especially since they just signed Belt to a six-year contract and they have an open spot at third -- but Bochy has said in the past that he sees Posey as a first baseman. Apparently they think the years of catching have taken away too much mobility on bunts and slow rollers.

Here's a story from 2014. Bruce Bochy on Buster Posey moving to first base — eventual SF Giants talking point

Notably, though, neither of the catchers discussed as The Future is with the team anymore. Third base makes the most sense to kick around because the position is open right now. But if trading Belt could help them upgrade the bullpen and an outfield spot, Posey at first could be part of that answer.

Nunez isn't a free agent until 2018. I would think he's still in the mix at third base.

 

[LongTimeListener]

They own his rights, but he isn't under contract. He is arbitration eligible. They have no commitment to him.

 

[HanSenSE]

I wonder why the Giants haven't tried Posey at third. He was a originally a shortstop in college, so you'd think he could handle it reflexes-wise.

Gillaspie and Nunez are placeholders until 2017, when Christian Arroyo, who finished the season at AA, is expected to be ready.

 

[qtlaw]

Was there last night and that implosion in the top of the 9th is as painful as I've ever experienced; now I know what its like to be a Cubs fan; 8 innings of fantastic baseball, all the reasons why you can love baseball, then splat.

Cannot remember a team that had such good starting pitching and then such a dreadful bullpen.

Even then, after going up 5-2, Moore mowing the Cubs down (2 hits, 2bb in 8 innings), did not think they could blow that.

Then, Lopez walks Rizzo, IMHO that was the key building block to the inning, I'm thinking "just get an out" and he walks him, then its Romo against a lefty which has never been very good, and Zobrist just rips it.

Even after all that, its Crawford, a gold glover, with two huge errors.

To me, the difference is Giants, with a 3 run lead, cannot even close it out with 5 pitichers, Cubs trot out Chapman with a 1 run lead and its over. Damn, if the Giants had gotten Melancon? Its over.

Go Cubs, I guess, there's a soft spot for their futility in my heart.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

Dunno if anyone else mentioned it here so I apologize in advance for the potential d_b but.... 30 years ago today was Game 5 of the ALCS.

 

[mpcincal]

Thanks for bringing up that awful memory for me.

Just to get things straight from earlier discussion, Henderson's home run actually did put the Red Sox ahead, and then the Angels tied it in the bottom of the ninth, leading to DeCinces swinging at the first pitch with the bases loaded, despite the fact that Steve Crawford (IIRC) couldn't find the strike zone that inning. Henderson then drove in the winning run later with a sacrifice fly.

Angel fans still rip Mauch for taking out Witt, but I still maintain it was a reasonable move at the time considering Rich Gedman was coming up and he'd been hitting Witt hard all day. Not his fault the very dependable up to then Gary Lucas chose that moment to hit his first batter of the year.

Yeah, yeah, 1986 was a great postseason, but 2002 was better in my humble opinion

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

2002 denied that asshole Barry Bonds a ring so you'll get no arguments from me.

 

[UPChip]

Dunno if anyone else mentioned it here so I apologize in advance for the potential d_b but.... 30 years ago today was Game 5 of the ALCS.

Two quick thoughts:

1. I'm not sure I've ever heard Al Michaels get so excited on a call. Was the o/u 10 runs?
2. Was that even that bad of a pitch? I mean, that was off the plate outside and Henderson pulled it.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

One other interesting thing about the '86 postseason. The Mets beating the Astros in the 16-inning classic was only the first game of the day. The seventh game of the ALCS followed right after that. Too bad it turned into a dud.

The story of the flight home for the Mets, as told in Jeff Pearlman's book on the team, is a crazy one.