Why The 2009 Rays Failed to Reach the Playoffs: The Defenders

http://tangotiger.net/scout/index4.php?teamid=139&team=Tampa%20Bay%20Rays

I know Brignac has SSS at the MLB level, can we derive anything from a look at MVB, his contract/cost and age compared to Brignac.

The Rays can’t afford to be stuck holding the bag on declining aging players (I think we all know that, just re-stating the obvious). No one is suggesting to go nuts and trade everyone. But if I had any say in the discussion, I’d be fielding and making calls as often as possible to gauge interest on some guys. You obviously dont move a Longo, but with MVB, Pena, etc you never know when you might get a great offer that could replace their production.

Very angry

i dont think comparing an established player to another established player is fair to simply say “oh this one or two stats make this person better” lets disregard all the other things that normal people would use in arguing the worth of a player.

i dont know what to tell you? i enjoy this site and if you have a problem with me disagreeing with you then go ahead and find a reason to kick me off. i give you props this site is well informed and you know your stuff. i wasnt trying to take a shot at you, or a low blow. im just telling you that i think.

Because of the variety of the words in the English language, reading comprehension is paramount. It is critically important that you are absolutely clear with the words that you use when posting. There is a considerable, substantial difference between a statement of opinion and a statement of fact:

I don’t like Grant Balfour. I think he walks too many people to be an effective reliever.

This is a matter of opinion. You’re free to have an opinion on this site. Nobody here will take any real offense to what you say, as long as you put some logic behind your point of view. That being said, people are free to disagree with you. You need to be prepared to defend your opinion. How does the number of walks Grant Balfour gives up inversely affect his ability to pitch? How does it hurt the team? If nothing else, do you just hate relievers that walk people? That’s fine. Approaching defense to your opinion in any one of these ways is perfectly acceptable.

On the other hand:

Grant Balfour sucks, his ERA is nearly 5.

This is not a matter of opinion, this is you presenting your opinion as a statement of fact, and using a broken statistical metric as your ‘evidence.’ You have not approached this statement in any significant way as to invite any legitimate exchange. You’re going to get flamed, and either I’m going to ban you because you interpreted someone’s sarcasm as a personal attack and responded with one of your own, or you’re going to be so disruptive on the site that I’ll have no choice.

Phrases like “I think”, “my eyes tell me”, “in my opinion” or any variety of the sort, go so far here. If it’s your opinion, make it known that it’s an opinion. Presenting your opinion as fact is pretentious. More then likely, you have zero right to be pretentious, and it’s a pretty good way to find yourself being shown the door.