FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Secret Squirrel said 06/07, 07:19 PM
The question that is basically being asked here is would you rather have a shutdown starter or a very, very good Centerfielder....?

I would rather have Josh Hamilton...

Hamilton is hitting .322 with a .368 OBP, a .608 SLG %, 17 HRs, 3 Triples, 19 Doubles, and 22 BBs to 43 Ks.

Basically, Hamilton is doing everything that he needs to do to drive in the 68 runs that the Rangers have put on base for him...Plus, he improved on numbers that were already good last year....

Volquez is a great young pitcher, with an amazing 91 Ks and an outstanding 1.32 ERA. The problem with Volquez is that he throws WAY too many pitches, so he doesn't go deep into games. Volquez has thrown 1276 pitches this season in 75 innings pitched, or 17 per inning. With that, he's going to give you 6 innings of work. Volquez has gone seven innings THREE times this season out of 12 starts, including three starts where he hasn't gotten past the sixth inning.

Most other pitchers with 12/13 starts have at least 80 innings thrown this year, or 6 2/3 a start. That extra 2/3 per start takes strain off your bullpen and is better in the long run.

Also, Volquez is tied for 5th in walks, and that's going to bite him.....

Secret Squirrel said 06/08, 11:30 AM
First off, age really means little in baseball now with the amount of training that these guys go through...Guys are able to play well into their thirties and even forties...Yes, Volquez has got three years on Hamilton, but he's also been in the majors for two more seasons...

You know as well as I do that that is complete speculation...many people are able to turn their lives completely around and keep going in a positive direction...Look at Danny Graves...drinking problem, divorce issues, comes back now, starts at low-A ball and works his way back to AAA, where he's become the veteran influence on the Red Wings...The motivation to get to the big leagues, to work for something, can really help a guy in that situation...

A dominant pitcher needs a good team around him to lead that team to the playoffs...That would be why the Reds are 30-33...Santana had guys like Mauer, Hunter, Morneau, Radke, and Silva that were solid around him...Right now, Volquez has Harang and Phillips...Yes, that's right now, but who knows the type of talent that he'll get? Also, he's not going to get those 6-8 runs of support his entire career...

Young hitters strike out...simple as that...they get over it

Secret Squirrel said 06/08, 07:58 PM
Volquez can't add to the team like Hamilton can...Yes, Volquez can give you a game where you only need 3 runs to win, but can he give you those runs? Hamilton is able to consistently put everyone on his team in a position to win. By getting on base, he gives the guys behind him a chance to drive in a run...by driving in the guys ahead of him, he's able to put the pitcher in a spot where he's able to relax with the lead.

Volquez, on the other hand, can't really do anything except for keep the game close. He can't make the hitters on his team more comfortable with a shutout if the Reds haven't scored yet either.

Also, Hamilton gives you what he's got for nine innings every day...Volquez throws for six innings every fifth day...Hamilton is able to contribute more to the win column than Volquez can...

I think you forgot the part about him driving in 13 more runs than anyone else in the majors, being tied for third in hits, and 4th in total extra base hits...and that Volquez is 6th in walks issued...

Hamilton has been on the DL for 30 days total w/ a sprained right wrist and stomach flu.

Hamilton's everyday production is more valuable to the team than the 6 innings every 5 days...