Bhaakon
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Registered: 10-2006
Posts: 3591
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The Spring thing is kind of freaky, though. It's one thing to get mediocre production for 18M a season, it's quite another to get sub-replacement level production (and, on this team, the replacement level for starting pitching could be pretty high).
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3/16/2008, 12:48 am
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Tranq
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Registered: 10-2006
Location: Having drinks with your mom
Posts: 1062
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What really bugs me is that this is the second spring in a row(at least) that he's been "changing things" with his delivery. What gives...this guy won a Cy Young award with his "old" delivery....what the hell is wrong with that one? Where is all this direction toward changing his mechanics coming from? The first half of last season was mostly a waste before he came around a bit. Bet it's gonna be more of the same I fear, terrible ST, spend half the season reorganizing his head before he actually puts 2 good starts together. Simply put, I don't understand. Did he start trying to tweak his mechanics in Oakland? Or just when he got here?
I have to say, so far, this spring has suprised me on just about every count. The defense has been atrocious as far as I can tell, that suprises me. The starting pitching has been far worse than I expected. That suprises me. If you look at the stat lines for what the likely starting line-up is and "kids" likely to make the team, thier offense is looking pretty respectable, for lacking a respectable power bat or three. That MORE than suprises me. And lastly, I'm really digging our bullpen talent pool, assuming Kline gets released. We could have the making of a wicked bullpen on our hands, and deep into Fresno. The only thing that suprises me about that is that it's how I've been feeling for a while now and I'm starting to see evidence of validity. Yay
Zito shall provide sufficient !@#$ material.
Edit; I'm hoping he doesn't, don't get me wrong. Id rather he prove us all wrong and collect his second Cy Young award.
Edit, edit; Followed closely in the voting by Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum
Last edited by Tranq, 3/16/2008, 1:42 am
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3/16/2008, 1:30 am
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FATALFART
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Registered: 11-2006
Posts: 1681
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zitos lack of strikeouts pretty much mean hes not making hitters miss anymore. we all know hes lost velocity, during his cy young year in oakland he had a high 80s and low 90s fastball. right now he has a 84-88 mph fastball on the good days. but his lack of velocity isnt his biggest problem, his lack of control is putting him behind the 8 ball and he doesnt have the stuff to pitch behind in the count like a cain.
im extremely worried about this guy, we have 6 more years of this crap if he cant turn it around.
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3/16/2008, 2:56 am
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MarcoPolo666
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Registered: 07-2007
Posts: 7515
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I had heard from A's fans that the last few years in Oakland Zito was a worry every time he pitched - because nobody knew "which" Zito would be there : the one with command of his curve, or the one who didn't. If Zito has his curve going, he pitches well. If he doesn't, once batters figure it out, they just sit on his fastball and knock him around.
Zito's problems aren't a new thing, they've been worsening for several years now. The Zito of 2001-2003 was a much better pitcher than the Zito of 2004-2007. His 2007 performance was the worst of the past 4 years, but it wasn't THAT much worse than 2006 or 2004.
Last edited by MarcoPolo666, 3/16/2008, 11:35 am
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3/16/2008, 11:33 am
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