I just reread the Zimmermann thread. Your "positivity" included you disliking the no trade clause and saying he was a luxury that we couldn't afford. While I will say you said he was good value, you also said you prefer Sanchez over Zimmermann.
I sometimes like your contributions to the boards but it seems your reliance on metrics makes your contributions appear negative. I don't mean to single you out because you aren't the only person I feel is negative on here. If we only had one view on here(+ or -), it would be a very boring board.
Everyone here would like the Detroit sports teams to do well and no one is happy with a mediocre to losing season. World Series banners are the goal. We have spent like World Series contenders but the results aren't there.
In my opinion, prior to the Zimmermann signing, the Tigers were well above their ability to sustain their payroll without adding more payroll. Acquiring Zimmermann, who is a really good pitcher, just compounds the problem when the inevitable happens. Hypothetically, they could have signed a Trout or Harper for $25-30 Mil a year and I wouldn't be happy with it. It isn't anything against those players, it is about the bubble that is about to burst, especially when Mr. I is no more or possibly sometime next year.
After the Zimmermann and Upton signings, I came across the news article concerning Detriot's media contract expiring after 2017 season. Their viewership had been declining since leading MLB in 2013. Without a good viewer rating, they are going to have a hard time negotiating premium money in their next contract. They need to try and stay competitive until that deal is made, hoping to maintain and/or increase viewership. I understand what they are doing (spending money, to possible get more money), but I don't like it. I also believe the dismantling will occur next year or at 2017 season end, hence why Upton had a 2-year opt out and J.D. Martinez was only extended for 2 years.
Everyone posts on a message board for some reason. Some take pleasure in belittling others and mock other posters. Personally, I have studied baseball statistics for over 40 years. That aren't many, if any, in my personal life that would appreciate my work in that area and about the Tigers. This is a venue for me to express that and I genuinely don't worry when others mock it. It is when they assault my character that is disturbing. They aren't my statistics, they are the players. I just post them and some take offense, mostly because it disparages a player they like.
Statistics are about historical performance. It doesn't predict future anomalies/outliers. There is a reason Sanchez went from being a good pitcher to now. It isn't like he had just one good year and is being compared to that (i.e. Alex Avila). Occasionally, a player like 2000 Darin Erstad has a fluke season and then expectations are that he is that player. Yet, his 3 years away before that season and his 3 years away after that season are virtually the same statistically. Yet, there were Tiger fans chomping at the bit to acquire him after the 2006 season. But Erstad is just an example. Statistics are not be all end all in player evaluations, but it does a better job then the "eye test". The "eye test" brought us Mike Pelfrey.
