Aaron Miles: Yahoo's Reality = BCB's Perception
by ambrosiadreams on Aug 13, 2009 7:18 PM CDT
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PrintSo while I was stuck at work today I was watching the game on Yahoo! since Gameday wasn't working for me. Notice Aaron Miles' season average as he strolled to the plate for his at bat in the 7th. Good job, Yahoo!, you're not too far off on this one. :) Forgive the quality, it was taken with my blackberry, and I wanted to share as it gave me a little reprieve from my Cubs-induced headache. To repeat the hundreds of fanposts before mine, and in my best Eric Hanna voice, GET RID OF THIS GUY ALREADY JIM!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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I think this is a plot.
Yahoo says his average is .000. However, the boxscore, even after he made an out today, says it’s .191. Maybe this is being done to make the reality seem good.
It’s not working.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm 100% positive it's .189
When he came up I remember looking at it on the scoreboard and talking about it.
Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.
it's sad that 9 pitchers
have more RBI’s than him. All with fewer at bats too, might I add. Yep, i’m going to go ahead and nominate Aaron Miles for a future installment of “cubs can of worms”
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Aug 13, 2009 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions
it would be much sadder
if it was 9 of OUR pitchers.
It's not about money. It's about winning and getting over the hump. We've had the appetizer now, but we left the main course on the table.
-rod beck
by laidbackliam on Aug 14, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I vote gone
Stevens looks to be our second baseman for many weeks ahead. Is Stevens under contract with the Cubs next year?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
I think he means Baker...
who is eligible for arbitration after this year, I believe.
You can't win in the postseason unless you can manufacture runs. - Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan
Baker has been great
If this team ever makes a run at the Cards, I have a good feeling he’ll be a major part of it.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 14, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes I meant Baker
not sure who Stevens is??
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Oh hello, comfortable straw man.
Seriously? This again? The team just lost 7 of 8 … Miles had nothing to do with any of those losses. Please just get off it and complain about something that’s actually relevant to how the team is performing.
by Orval Overall on Aug 14, 2009 10:13 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
On the whole, you're right
However, if you recall Tuesday night’s loss (in extra innings), Miles pinch “hit” in the 10th inning and weakly grounded out on the first pitch he saw. Having a bench player capable of hitting the ball out of the infield bat in that spot (rather than Miles) would have given the Cubs a better chance to win.
by Jody Jody Davis on Aug 14, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Ditto for our starting leftfielder
Who likewise is very fond of the first pitch swinging, weak ground ball to the third baseman for an easy put out. He’s done that what must be a dozen times this month alone, yet doesn’t change his approach to, you know, take pitches until he gets one in the hitting zone.
I’m not defending Miles. But as I said before, complaining about him right now is a little like complaining about the triangle player in the orchestra. It may be easy and it always makes people feel better to have a strawman, but he ain’t anywhere close to the top of the list of problems on this team.
by Orval Overall on Aug 14, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually, our starting LF is more fond of striking out than grounding out
I agree with your general argument. In terms of investments, paying $18 million for a player with an 0.7 WARP is off the charts bad. You said Miles had nothing to do with any of these losses, and I was just pointing out a specific situation where the manager could have put anyone at the plate (to pinch hit for the pitcher) and he chose Miles. I suppose that reflects poorly on Lou’s managerial wisdom, but having a better option for him to pick in that spot would make him look a lot smarter.
by Jody Jody Davis on Aug 14, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Miles isn't the problem.
But having an automatic out in the lineup and weak defense at a vital position isn’t helping matters.
Let's be honest - Aaron Miles' fate is sealed.
He is doomed to go down as the position-player punching bag of the ‘09 season. I’m guess Heilman will win the award on the pitching staff.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
Good thing Miles (and Heilman) are caucasian
I wouldn’t want anyone accusing Cubs fans of being racists.
by Jody Jody Davis on Aug 14, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
I ain't touchin' that one.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
TWSS
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 14, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Please.
Just because your attempt over the weekend was horrible.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 17, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
thank goodness some here have Miles to blame all of the Cubs' troubles this year on
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill
by lookingdeadred on Aug 14, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
What's the Cubs record....
with Miles on 24 man roster….
vs. without….(like when he’s on the DL)….?
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
Cubs are 10 over .500 with Miles on the DL
by Jody Jody Davis on Aug 14, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
So they MUST be under .500
with him “on the roster”….
Where are all the stat guys????
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
I'd love to see FCLAN
of Cubs roster vs. wins and losses……and see if Mr. Miles being on/off makes the biggest difference….
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
"It's so simple, it's unbelievable," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you score runs, you win."
I think any stat guy who says thats a linear cause and effect
ought to have the title revoked. Previous threads have been all over this. At the time Miles was on the roster, D-Lee was hitting in the low .200s with no power. When MIles was on the DL, Lee went on a tear and was one of the best hitters in all of baseball. You think Miles’ roster status is the link between those two?
by Orval Overall on Aug 14, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions
The Cubs' record with Miles on the DL is a coincidence
However, Miles’s current WARP is -1.1, so by that metric he has cost the Cubs one win versus a replacement-level player (to say nothing of replacing him with a player who is above replacement level).
by Jody Jody Davis on Aug 14, 2009 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions
or a rock with his picture taped to it.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 14, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions
In spring training
They could put a cactus out there. A cactus might actually stop a ball. And would be taller
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
miles
2 strikes against miles. strike one-not having a repeat of last season. and STRIKE 3. replacing the hugely popular derosa. pretty bad when a cub fan dislikes its own.
good post
it sums a lot of the irrationality of the Miles bashing here
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill
by lookingdeadred on Aug 15, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
right
because bashing a player with a lower SLG% thana pitcher is irrational
the cubs lineup needs moar LIND and HALLIDAY
by jesus christos on Aug 16, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I swear to God
if there is a stat that somehow proves Miles doesn’t suck, I’m am going to find every stat guy I know and beat them with their slide rules and abacuses (abaci?)
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
His career stats prove he doesn't suck
so if you can’t find any, you must not be looking very hard.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Aug 17, 2009 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions
His career stats prove only...
… that he didn’t suck before this year.
His 2009 stats would disagree with that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
one bad season
does not mean a player sucks, if so then a lot of really good players suck.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Aug 17, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions
True enough, but...
… Miles’ numbers are SO far off his career norms that you could indeed say, he sucks. This year, at least.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well, I'm not a big fan of using the word "suck"...
…to describe any player – including Aaron Miles. But his career stats are hardly impressive. The man has never had an OPS+ over 100 in any season in which he’s gotten a meaningful number of ABs. He is a below league average hitter by that measure and a below league average second baseman (the only position he has more than 1,000 innings experience) per UZR.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
His BA is above average
The point is Aaron Miles, until this season, has been a pretty good ballplayer.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Aug 17, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions
If your definition of a "pretty good ballplayer"
is someone who has no power (.357 career SLG), no speed (26 career SB), doesn’t draw many walks (130 career BB in over 2,200 AB), and doesn’t play very good defense, then I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.
by Jody Jody Davis on Aug 17, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I have to come out of the woodwork
and get in on this one. Miles IS a good ballplayer. He just fell in quicksand somehow there in Chicago. I can’t explain it.
I’m not going to say he’s a GREAT player but while he was here in St Louis he was a good ballplayer, anything BUT an automatic out and was a spark plug most of the time. He came through more often than not…at least it sure seemed that way.
The Cardinals let him go once but thought enough of him to get him back, and he didn’t make them sorry.
He did his part to help the Cardinals be successful.
Stats don’t always tell the whole story…especially if you only present the stats that support your case.
“no power (.357 career SLG)”
so what? there are LOTS of GOOD ballplayers that don’t have power numbers.
David Eckstein (sp) comes to mind right off. He was only an MVP.
“no speed (26 career SB)’
again, so what? are there any GOOD ballplayers that have 26 or less stolen bases-career? Of course here are!
“(130 career BB in over 2,200 AB)’
He’s not in there to walk…
He puts the ball in play!…he moves the runner along, excellent guy to have at the plate for a hit and run. that’s why he doesn’t walk much.
he will excel more when used intelligently…put in the right spot to do the things that he does well. he’s not expected to steal bases but he can in the right circumstances.
“doesn’t play very good defense” (you didn’t post a stat for this)
I didn’t see a whole lot wrong with his defense. He’s not a gold glover but you don’t have to pull him out late in the game for defensive purposes either.
he’s adequate.
He’s having a pretty bad year to be sure, but there has to be some kind of reason. He sure played well for us and I was sorry to lose him. I expected him to help your Cubs sting us.
There is no doubt in my mind that he is underachieving in Chicago, for whatever reason, but I wouldn’t say he’s not a good ballplayer.
"I wouldn't be a part of any club that would have me as a member" : Groucho Marx
by Dave Pendleton on Aug 17, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know who you are describing...
… but it’s not the Aaron Miles who is on the Cubs this year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
yea, I know.
I really don’t know what happened to him. he just did a nice job for us and I know he’s a better player than what he’s doing for you guys.
Maybe he’s just not happy. I hope he’s not the kind of guy that would lay down.
"I wouldn't be a part of any club that would have me as a member" : Groucho Marx
by Dave Pendleton on Aug 18, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, he is having a bad year
but it doesn’t explain the irrationality of many here towards Miles. It’s not as if he is why the Cubs are underperforming. Also, it’s not like he has not been a productive player prior to this year, a point many here ignore. It’s not as if Hendry acquired a lousy player, he acquired a pretty good player who is having his worst ever year. Unfortunate, but not predictable.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Aug 17, 2009 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Again, I would dispute the descriptive phrase "pretty good"...
…but of course Miles shouldn’t be blamed for the team’s frustrating lack of consistency this season. He is simply a punching bag at this point.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
Which is unfortunate (that he is a punching bag).
Because there are a handful of posters (I’m not including you in this, daver) that feel the need to come charging to the defense of players when they are “personally attacked”.
Apparently, that’s only the good players – and criticizing them as players constitutes personal attacks, yet all the hatred and venom against Miles is fair game.
He’s terrible. I get it. We all get it. I suspect he gets it. He’s also a human being, and this has really gotten beyond ridiculous. I highly doubt he reads BCB, but good lord, can’t we discuss something other than how bad Aaron Miles is 20X/day?
Again, I’m not directing this at Dave; it just happened to be the spot I picked to post.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 17, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
IMHO some of those players that are SO DEFENDED
If they are sucking should not get a free pass. but that is a whole different discussion.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 17, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
And as far as this goes, it’s become a parody of The Late Show in the mid-1990’s:
Can only think of 9 for a Top 10 list? Throw in Joey Buttafuocco!
Nothing going on in a BCB thread? Rip on Aaron Miles!
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 17, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
who is talking about a free pass?
Miles is having an awful year, I certainly am not denying that. I do have a problem with people who have said or implied that the guy has always been a bum, which categorically false. There is a big difference between having a bad year and being a lousy player. Miles is having a bad year, but he is not a lousy player as his career attests.
That will not prevent many here from using him as a scapegoat for the team’s problems this year, as scapegoating is not about thinking logically.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Aug 18, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Miles has not been "awful" during his career
But if you take out last year’s career year and this year’s career worst year, his career WARP is 1.0. He is the embodiment of a replacement-level player, and his presence on the roster (for 2 years and $5 million) is emblematic of how the Cubs operate under Jim Hendry. Instead of going with a guy already in the organization like Blanco or Scales for the major league minimum salary, they sign a replacement-level player in his 30’s coming off a career year to a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract.
I think a lot of the anger directed at Miles, including mine, is really directed at Hendry.
by Jody Jody Davis on Aug 18, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Wait, what was strike two?
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
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