With all the talk of how Tex is the biggest bat on the market this week as the trading dead line nears, my thoughts are the real bat to go get for a playoff run in that of good ol' Manny Ramirez. I can't say that I'm normally a Manny supporter, but the guy has played in 4 world series to Tex's 0, and has 2 rings to Tex's 0. Now you might say, well look at the teams Manny was on... ok, let's look at the numbers:
Manny Ramirez - 2008 - .304-20-68
Mark Teixeira - 2008 - .283-20-78
Manny hits a full 21 points higher, with the same HR and 10 less RBI. Manny is a career .313 hitter, while Tex is at .286 for his career. Yes I know Tex has 10 more RBI, but he has also played in 5 more games this season. Those 10 extra RBI have the Braves at 48 wins, while Manny has help guide the Red Sox to 61 wins this year. What does that say? Looks to me like Tex is the king of the empty RBI. What do I mean by empty? Down 8 in the 7th inning type RBI's. If he was getting the big hit, the Braves wouldn't be 0-million in 1 run games this year. Well what about the hitters surrounding Manny in Ortiz and Lowell? Tex is surrounded by Chipper Jones (the league's leading hitter), and Brian McCann (the leagues best hitting catcher), so there goes that argument.
Point is, if I am looking for that big bat for a playoff run in 2008 - all signs point to the #'s and experience displayed in one Manuel Aristides Onelcida Ramirez. How about you? It's October, you have a runner on 2B and 3B with 2 outs. Who do you want at the plate? The Pro
7 comments:
I think the reason Tex gets more hype on the hot stove right now is because he's far younger, is entering his prime, is far better defensively, and is a switch hitter. Plus, you'll never hear "that's just Tex being Tex."
As for your other arguments, I see your points but Tex and Manny hit in completely different lineups and those two clubs have completely different fortunes this year. Wasn't Francoeur behind Tex most of this season? And empty RBIs? Tex don't have a say in how the table is set when he steps up to the box.
If you wanna compare them, sure Manny is better, but it's just an off-base comparison to start with, IMO.
First off, thanks for the comment. Now to respond:
At the deadline, people rent players for the post season. They don't sign players to long term contracts. Thus age has nothing to do with this post. If the post were who would you rather sign to a 4-5 year deal, then the answer would obviously be Tex.
As far as the lineups, I just showed you how the protection Tex has is equal to if not better than any protection Manny has (with Ortiz being out, and yes I know Chipper is out now).
As far as the empty RBI's, look at the boxscores of close games - Tex usually goes 0-3, 1-4... but wait until there's a blowout and look at his 3-4, 2-4 games with a HR and 3 RBI. My point is he doesnt get the big hit when presented the opportunity. Manny on the other hand, more times than not gets the big hit. The comparison is based upon 2 hitters you hear in trade talks at the moment. How could that be off base? For teams looking for a big bat to rent for their playoff run - these are the 2 names that would come up. The Pro
Appreciate the comment back. I hear ya on the topical scope of your post, but right now if I'm a GM, I'm bringing in the young energetic no-string-attached guy that will complement my contending club. The Tex-to-Angels deal is the perfect example of that.
I can't imagine Manny going anywhere that he would be able to fit that description. His stats and his career are what they are, but the only team crazy enough to take him right now are the Yanks.
We can't just talk about lineups or situational stats when assessing who's the better "fit" for the buying teams out there. You have to also talk about the clubhouse they are coming into. I don't think any GM in MLB can swear he could bring Manny in his clubhouse and not have him be a distraction. Only the Yanks are crazy enough to take Manny, stats or no. He's Bonds, Jr. at this point.
Back to the "empty RBIs" -- I can't lay the 1-Run game malaise at Tex's feet. He is 28 and it's hard to expect him to carry a team with as many problems as the Braves. But we did rent his bat for the (failed) postseason run in '07, and he did his part and kicked ass. So again, if I'm a GM right now, I'm looking at that.
Tex is the lower-risk deal. He is a better player to have in your clubhouse, and the stats trade-off between the two isn't enough to overcome what a distraction Manny would be on your club.
So I understand the scope of the issue, but I was looking at more than just who is the bigger bat, I was looking at the cost-benefit analysis of having either of them on my club for a stretch run. I did an admittingly crappy job getting that point out.
Manny can definitely come in and put you over the top. But he can also tear you down. Tex won't do that.
Manny Ramirez is a waste of space....
Manny probably won't go anywhere, my only point was that IMO he is the best bat that I have heard come up in any trade talks - even better than Tex. Like I said in the original post, I am not a Manny supporter, but I cannot deny the fact that I would want him on my playoff roster in 2008, more so than Tex. I also feel for the money Tex is looking for, why should he not be considered the one to carry the load? He is not the only reason they have lost close games, but he is a big reason (with Francouer). He was brought in here to get the "big hit", which actually I can't recall any of them. His numbers were still good, thus the "empty RBI" theory. As far as risk, there's really not much risk when renting a player for the playoffs. You have 5 or 7 games to make plays and get big hits, and as far as that goes. Manny > Tex. Good talks Noba! The Pro
Yeah, I'll agree with that. I guess the mind-set I was in was if you are looking for a jolt of energy in a grueling pennant race the last 1-2 months, you don't want that walking human distraction. But no doubt over the course of a series, esp. a postseason series, Manny has the better on-the-field value there.
As much as Manny is a waste of space, you want him on your team getting clutch hits.
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