Around Baseball 2015 Edition

[yeezus]

If we didn't hear a million times from writers, broadcasters, and posters how much more fun this team is, then it wouldn't be such a big joke

It certainly was for many earlier in the year. I definitely found that to be the case over last year's team, especially when you consider the pitching fell off a cliff vs. last year. The offense was more fun until recently, and for a lot of people.

[yeezus]

Where I disagree with you is in finding great enjoyment watching the Braves even in recent weeks. We just have a difference of opinion there. C'est tout.

should say "*especially in recent weeks," after trades and injuries. this current team is not much different to watch vs. last year's (especially if you factor in expectations last year vs. this year). but earlier in the year? yeah, i enjoyed it more than last year's disappointing and frustrating up-and-down squad.

[sturg33]

It certainly was for many earlier in the year. I definitely found that to be the case over last year's team, especially when you consider the pitching fell off a cliff vs. last year. The offense was more fun until recently, and for a lot of people.

Last year's team wasn't fun because it wasn't good. This year's team is worse

[thethe]

Last year's team wasn't fun because it wasn't good. This year's team is worse

It was after the injuries and trades for sure.

[Julio3000]

It was after the injuries and trades for sure.

The last time the 2015 Braves were above .500 was June 1. That was before the injuries and trades.

The latest date that last year's team was above .500 was September 14.

I'll repeat: if you have an aesthetic preference for this year's team, that's fine. Just cop to the fact that it's a subjective matter.

[gilesfan]

It was after the injuries and trades for sure.

Please don't claim this team was anything other than bad. It didn't take trades and injuries.

[yeezus]

The last time the 2015 Braves were above .500 was June 1. That was before the injuries and trades.

The latest date that last year's team was above .500 was September 14.

I'll repeat: if you have an aesthetic preference for this year's team, that's fine. Just cop to the fact that it's a subjective matter.

I think our point is that it's subjective, and plenty of people enjoyed the earlier team this year to last year's.

Also, we were worse earlier this year because of our pitching, not hitting.

[Dalyn]

The last time the 2015 Braves were above .500 was June 1. That was before the injuries and trades.

The latest date that last year's team was above .500 was September 14.

I'll repeat: if you have an aesthetic preference for this year's team, that's fine. Just cop to the fact that it's a subjective matter.

And we were still only four games out of a Wild Card spot at that point. Before Fredi's typical September, we were right there at a game or so behind.

[sturg33]

I think our point is that it's subjective, and plenty of people enjoyed the earlier team this year to last year's.

Also, we were worse earlier this year because of our pitching, not hitting.

What's really different now than we were in April/May?

Freeman is hurt - that's about it.

[yeezus]

What's really different now than we were in April/May?

Freeman is hurt - that's about it.

I mean, the team has undergone some big changes throughout the year.

[sturg33]

I mean, the team has undergone some big changes throughout the year.

What is different from the beginning of the year til now?

[Julio3000]

I think our point is that it's subjective, and plenty of people enjoyed the earlier team this year to last year's.

Also, we were worse earlier this year because of our pitching, not hitting.

Well, some people's point has been that it's better, not simply more enjoyable, and that is not only subject to debate, but demonstrably false.

[yeezus]

Well, some people's point has been that it's better, not simply more enjoyable, and that is not only subject to debate, but demonstrably false.

Our offense was better for a good while until injuries and trades. Our pitching was also much better last year. But I think many people said the offense wasn't as painful to watch as last year's, and that's subjective, and I agree. Currently? Things have changed. But for all the expectations we had last year, the offense pooped the bed.

[sturg33]

I'm still trying to figure out what is so different.

We have lost KJ... if you're telling me that Kelly Johnson is the difference between a "fun team to watch" vs a "not fun to watch", then I'll tend to think you're insane

[Julio3000]

Our offense was better for a good while until injuries and trades. Our pitching was also much better last year. But I think many people said the offense wasn't as painful to watch as last year's, and that's subjective, and I agree. Currently? Things have changed. But for all the expectations we had last year, the offense pooped the bed.

Sure, expectations play a huge part. I find this team on the whole less painful to watch, precisely because of expectations.

The thing, and this is the single biggest point of contention that I've had for weeks now, is that the offense was not appreciably better for very long at all. People were comparing a few weeks of data with last season's year-end results.

Once you're talking about a reasonable sample, this offense has not been good this year… at all. Ever. FF's absence has made it worse, sure, but it was not good beforehand.

If you are going to argue the injuries and trades narrative, please point to the date that the offense started to "get" bad.

[thewupk]

I think our point is that it's subjective, and plenty of people enjoyed the earlier team this year to last year's.

Also, we were worse earlier this year because of our pitching, not hitting.

And I beleive many have a what have you done for me lately mindset regarding last years team. They don't remember much from when the team was good and only recall the tank job at the end of the year. Last years team became not fun when the collapsed started. Anybody saying otherwise is using revisionist history.

[yeezus]

And I beleive many have a what have you done for me lately mindset regarding last years team. They don't remember much from when the team was good and only recall the tank job at the end of the year. Last years team became not fun when the collapsed started. Anybody saying otherwise is using revisionist history.

They became significantly less fun after their 17-7 start. After that, they were 62-76.
And yes, the offense was insanely frustrating to watch. Our pitching was much better last year. The offense this year was right around the same, production-wise, to last year, without all the shutouts and Ks.

[sturg33]

I'm still trying to figure out what is so different.

We have lost KJ... if you're telling me that Kelly Johnson is the difference between a "fun team to watch" vs a "not fun to watch", then I'll tend to think you're insane

^

[yeezus]

I'm still trying to figure out what is so different.

We have lost KJ... if you're telling me that Kelly Johnson is the difference between a "fun team to watch" vs a "not fun to watch", then I'll tend to think you're insane

oh, really? that's the only difference?
Freeman hurt
Simmons hurt
KJ gone
Wood gone
Grilli gone
Johnson gone
Eury Perez, Daniel Castro and Adonis Garcia now playing frequently.
So yeah, for a while there when this offense was as good or better than last year's minus the Ks and shutouts, it wasn't as painful. And, as I've said I think twice now, the expectation factor is huge: last year was a big letdown.

[yeezus]

^

If you look at our team and say we "only lost KJ" I'm really not sure what to tell you.