WasWatching.com

I haven't paid to get the access to the same statistical comparisons, but I would need a little perspective on what a significant difference is with these metrics. I mean, Smoltz is better in all but one category, but is a 0.20 difference in ERA mean something, or nothing? I do know that the 10 run difference in RSAA means that over an entire career, Smoltz has given his teams one more win than Pettitte, which I guess isn't that much. In fact, if you account for the fact that Smoltz has pitched about half a season (100 IP) more than Pettitte, and so if the RSAA is a raw number, and you gave Pettitte another 100 innings, they could be equal?

In a related (and free!) search, Pettitte's similarity rating from baseball-reference.com shows that the pitcher most similar to Pettitte at age 34 is... Mike Mussina. Lefty Gomez and Warrren Spahn are the Hall of Famers in the top 10, while Kevin Brown and Doc Gooden also make appearances.

This being said, Pettitte has put up some pretty average years (1999) and some pretty solid years (2005). I wouldn't put him in the hall, but he deserves recognition somewhere for a solid career. That is, unless he had a little chemical help via his pal Roger...

You think Pettitte is contemplating taking some time off because of Smoltz' experience and will come back at a later point?

I'm naive, but is that meant to be tongue in cheek? If not, it sounds to me you're bordering on "who shot Kennedy" territory. There's not always an ulterior motive to someone's actions or lack of action.

FWIW, a .17 difference in ERA, in the chart, means that Pettitte's ERA, compared to the league, was just 1/6th of a run higher, over 9 innings, than Smoltz was compared to the league. It means they are very close in terms of their ERA compared to the league average.

AS far as the RSAA difference, when you do RSAA/IP, it's even closer.

~~You think Pettitte is contemplating taking some time off because of Smoltz' experience and will come back at a later point? I'm naive, but is that meant to be tongue in cheek? If not, it sounds to me you're bordering on "who shot Kennedy" territory. There's not always an ulterior motive to someone's actions or lack of action.~~

Pure speculation on my part. Shame on me, I guess.

It may not be a bad idea to take a year off, Steve. Say Andy gets his elbow cleaned out and has what ever else he needs done at the same time. Then let everything heal up and you'll get another 3-4 years, possibly at $10 mil per year.

Steve,

No reason to be ashamed of your speculation.

I don't always agree with your thoughts but the reason I keep reading is your passion. I think you spend more time pondering Yankee-related issues more than anyone, including people whose real life job it is to do so.

Hey Steve, If the Yanks need a right-handed 1B then why don't they go after Mike Sweeney? They can use him as DH, and use Andy Phillips for the late innings. Sweeney and Giambi can alternate fielding duties. I know Sweeney is DL prone, but it would also strengthen our bench.

~~~I think you spend more time pondering Yankee-related issues more than anyone, including people whose real life job it is to do so.~~~

Crap! Now I know who "RICH" is! You're my wife! She says those *exact* words to me at least 3 times a month. LOL.

Garcia - this is funny. Last year, to the day, Cashman said: "What we need for this team is to be more flexible. We don't need another station-to-station guy that's power only (and) can't run."

See: http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2005/12/cashman_no_need.html

So, gotta pass on Sweeney - 'tho he's a really nice guy too.

Steve - I don't know of too many first basemen, backup or starter, who wouldn't qualify as a station-to-station guy. We are talking about a first basemen, right?

True. But, Sweeney is really big and slow - even for a 1B/DH type.

If Sweeney and Giambi were in a foot race, would anyone win?

Would anyone finish?

That is, unless he had a little chemical help via his pal Roger...
------

This is why the media needs to show just a little responsibility. That report was shot down by the DA on the case immediately, and Grimsley came out to say that "never in a million years" did he think that Andy or Roger would ever do steroids.

But Andy will have to hear this for the rest of his career. Way to go, media. And you wonder why everyone hates you and no one trusts you.

But Andy will have to hear this for the rest of his career. Way to go, media. And you wonder why everyone hates you and no one trusts you.
=========
Don't blame the media, blame the sheep that refuses to think on their own.

As for Pettitte taking a year off, he wouldn't be the first to do so. May as well

Don't blame the media, blame the sheep that refuses to think on their own.
----------

That paper reported something they knew to be shaky at best -- just to create buzz for themselves. That's unethical.

You can't guarantee that a retraction is going to reach everyone the original false story did. Which is why it's better to assure something is true before you print it.

This whole steroids scandal was nothing more than a modern-day witch-hunt. Has there really been any discussion about steroids outside of talking points and rhetoric?

With that story, the media was catering to their public. Such is the state of affairs today, unfortunately.

~~~I think you spend more time pondering Yankee-related issues more than anyone, including people whose real life job it is to do so.~~~
====================

Unfortunately, instead of worrying about discussing a contract for Lilly, whether or not any of you think we should've gotten him, B-Cash was busy "tossing the football in his room."
It is a shame that the Red Sox have a GM who grew up a Sox fan and has a passion for what he does while we have a GM who worries about saving money that isnt his and would've loved to be the GM of the Red Sox in order to win their first WS in 80+ years.