The Stark Truth

[cjonesfan921]

Jayson Stark was on Mike and Mike today promoting his new book, which is "The Stark Truth". Talks about overrated/underrated players. He picked guys like Nolan Ryan overrated, Craig Nettles, and Andruw Jones. But he has stats to back it up. Especially about Andruw because I paid special attention to that. Andruw's put outs have gone down about 100 per season. Also a ESPN.com, which has something to do with a ball being in your "zone", Andruw came in last, last season in terms of percentage he turned those into outs. That's incredible. I wonder if Andruw still gets the big bucks in FA.

[mjb2124]

Re: The Stark Truth

Also a ESPN.com, which has something to do with a ball being in your "zone", Andruw came in last, last season in terms of percentage he turned those into outs.

Zone Rating. It's defined as the percentage of balls fielded by a player in his typical defensive "zone," as measured by STATS, Inc.

I find ZR and RF (range factor) to be 2 of the better fielding stats.

[tonybologna]

Re: The Stark Truth

Jayson Stark was on Mike and Mike today promoting his new book, which is "The Stark Truth". Talks about overrated/underrated players. He picked guys like Nolan Ryan overrated, Craig Nettles, and Andruw Jones. But he has stats to back it up. Especially about Andruw because I paid special attention to that. Andruw's put outs have gone down about 100 per season. Also a ESPN.com, which has something to do with a ball being in your "zone", Andruw came in last, last season in terms of percentage he turned those into outs. That's incredible. I wonder if Andruw still gets the big bucks in FA.

I don't put that much stock into this from Stark. I respect his work but just not a big deal to me. As for the Andruw situation, this will not have anything to do with his huge contract he's gonna get. He certainly doesn't get as many OF assists as in the past but many things factor into that. He still can cover CF better than anyone else in MLB right now. He has a knack for balls that no other OF can perform. He's not the fastest CF in the game but his instincts alone make up for speed. IMO, he's one of the best defensive CF's to ever play the game. He will get probably a $15-$20 million/year contract with whatever team he signs with & I hope it's the Braves but not looking good right now. Thanks!

[Fiddy]

Re: The Stark Truth

i like how he said Greenie was an overrated talk show host lol..

[CheesyPoofs58]

Re: The Stark Truth

I don't put that much stock into this from Stark. I respect his work but just not a big deal to me. As for the Andruw situation, this will not have anything to do with his huge contract he's gonna get. He certainly doesn't get as many OF assists as in the past but many things factor into that. He still can cover CF better than anyone else in MLB right now. He has a knack for balls that no other OF can perform. He's not the fastest CF in the game but his instincts alone make up for speed. IMO, he's one of the best defensive CF's to ever play the game. He will get probably a $15-$20 million/year contract with whatever team he signs with & I hope it's the Braves but not looking good right now. Thanks!

You don't think it's looking decent for the Braves? Andruw is playing atrociously this year. There is no way he's going to sign that big offseason deal and get out of Atlanta if he doesn't get his act together. He'll be signing a deal in the same ballpark as he is going right now. .212 batting average, 6 hrs, 30 rbi's.

He should not be getting anywhere near $20m a year. But this is major league baseball, so who knows.

[tonybologna]

Re: The Stark Truth

You don't think it's looking decent for the Braves? Andruw is playing atrociously this year. There is no way he's going to sign that big offseason deal and get out of Atlanta if he doesn't get his act together. He'll be signing a deal in the same ballpark as he is going right now. .212 batting average, 6 hrs, 30 rbi's.

He should not be getting anywhere near $20m a year. But this is major league baseball, so who knows.

Like I previously stated in the "Braves Team Discussion" thread, Andruw will have his numbers by the time the season comes to a close. He struggles at this time nearly every single year guys! Now, I admit this year it seems to be worse because of the K's & less contact but I still say calm down because he'll get it going some time in the near future. I don't care if he does continue to struggle until years end, this will not make that much of an impact on his contract salary that is coming to him.

His defensive skills alone is worthy of the money that's going to be paid to him. I agree that he needs to get things going but I feel that he certainly will. Even if not, then I still see some team if not the Braves will pay him a hefty salary contract. He's only 30 years of age due to turning pro at 19 so he has plenty more years left to play & one year of play continuing like right now should not hurt his contract options. I'm sure there will be a many teams lining up to get Andruw's services. Thanks!

[RandyMoss84]

Re: The Stark Truth

I don't put that much stock into this from Stark. I respect his work but just not a big deal to me. As for the Andruw situation, this will not have anything to do with his huge contract he's gonna get. He certainly doesn't get as many OF assists as in the past but many things factor into that. He still can cover CF better than anyone else in MLB right now. He has a knack for balls that no other OF can perform. He's not the fastest CF in the game but his instincts alone make up for speed. IMO, he's one of the best defensive CF's to ever play the game. He will get probably a $15-$20 million/year contract with whatever team he signs with & I hope it's the Braves but not looking good right now. Thanks!

T HUNTER

[SPTO]

Re: The Stark Truth

Nolan Ryan overrated....I guess Stark mainly used his losses and playoff disappointments as his reasoning for this.

Anywho is it just me or is everyone from ESPN coming out with a book? Tim Kurkijian has one out now as well and Rob Neyer has a new book coming soon IIRC.

[ZM Punk]

Re: The Stark Truth

T HUNTER

Exactly

Andruw Jones isn't even the best defensive CF in his free agent class. Let alone all of baseball.

[SPTO]

Re: The Stark Truth

Exactly

Andruw Jones isn't even the best defensive CF in his free agent class. Let alone all of baseball.

I may be biased but I think Vernon Wells (if was a FA) would be the best defensive CF ahead of Torii Hunter. I don't have the zone rating and all that in front of me. Anyone care to compare Jones, Hunter and Wells?

[Scottdau]

Re: The Stark Truth

Nolan Ryan overrated....I guess Stark mainly used his losses and playoff disappointments as his reasoning for this.

Anywho is it just me or is everyone from ESPN coming out with a book? Tim Kurkijian has one out now as well and Rob Neyer has a new book coming soon IIRC.

Yeah I laugh at that one, he had 5000 strikeouts and gesh how many no hitters? I think it was 7. Yeah he is really overrated. Nolan was the man and was just nasty to face.

[ZM Punk]

Re: The Stark Truth

I may be biased but I think Vernon Wells (if was a FA) would be the best defensive CF ahead of Torii Hunter. I don't have the zone rating and all that in front of me. Anyone care to compare Jones, Hunter and Wells?

I wasn't saying that Hunter was the best defensive center fielder in baseball. I was just making the comparison between Hunter and Jones, because they are both free agents at the end of the season.

I really haven't seen much of Vernon in Center so I really couldn't compare the three honestly.

[Scottdau]

Re: The Stark Truth

I may be biased but I think Vernon Wells (if was a FA) would be the best defensive CF ahead of Torii Hunter. I don't have the zone rating and all that in front of me. Anyone care to compare Jones, Hunter and Wells?

Come on now, yes Vernon is very good, but I still think Hunter is better.

[Psyblast]

Re: The Stark Truth

Anywho is it just me or is everyone from ESPN coming out with a book? Tim Kurkijian has one out now as well and Rob Neyer has a new book coming soon IIRC.

Yeah, I noticed that too...probably because I just finished Buster Olney's book. Hm.

[Brandon13]

Re: The Stark Truth

Exactly

Andruw Jones isn't even the best defensive CF in his free agent class. Let alone all of baseball.

I would give Hunter the edge now because Druw just doesn't have the speed he used to. But in Andruw's prime, there may not have been anyone better than him, ever.