Cano has the higher WAR over the last 4 years (they have both been consistent MVP performers). He didn't manage to grow what Pujols had gotten 2 years earlier.
Simply because he plays better defense at a position that he won't be an elite defender at for the life of the contract. Also, Seattle is paying him more for what he does at the plate, not his defense... and will be hoping he still hits well when his defense predictably tails off (even though he's never hit as well as Cabrera). Also, Pujols was a better hitter than Cano... hence the bigger deal. I don't fault teams who are in a position to win now to go for it... takes a lot more mis-management/incompetence for all of them to end up in the same position as the Astros did (high payroll, no farm system, limited financial resources from owner/TV).
Anyone notice that the SF Giants spent a little time with Barry Bonds and now they're hitting taters at an incredible clip? :grin: They're currently 3rd in the majors after finishing next to last in 2013. Their lineup isn't really much different, and Pablo Sandoval hasn't even had a hot start.
Tanaka is just filthy. Back to back 10 K's. Living up to that contract so far. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Masahiro Tanaka (8 K's today) joins Stephen Strasburg as the only pitchers in the last 100 years with 8+K in each of first 3 MLB starts</p>— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/statuses/456509977826320386">April 16, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/M1n69Z9K3dQ/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Giancarlo Stanton: walk-off grand slam. Mercy.</p>— Eye on Baseball (@EyeOnBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/EyeOnBaseball/statuses/457343199259152384">April 19, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Carlos Gomez hits a triple, and Gerrit Cole isn't too thrilled with him flipping his bat. <iframe src='http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=32232541&topic_id=6479266&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>
Meh, I doubt most people know the answer to that, but I bet everyone can agree that Giancarlo Stanton is pretty dang good.
SO SO SO Dumb by Cole. I can't even begin to understand all the unwritten rule enthusiasts that try to pin blame on Gomez for this. The only blame Gomez gets for this imo is for actually deciding to engage with Cole and respond to him. Other than that Gomez barely flipped his bat down. Even if he flipped his bat, how the heck is that so egregious an offense that Cole decides to turn all "McCann" on Gomez? If Gomez stopped in the box to admire/wait to see how far the ball went then I might try to understand. WTF does the unwritten rule crowd want Gomez to do? Take the time to place his bat down politely? C'mon. Hate that crap. Just play ball and if the player flips a bat or admires his hit then if the pitcher gets him out at the next at bat, the pitcher can pump his fists or whatever form of joy the pitcher would like to show. C'mon Baseball!
Yeah, not sure how Cole is the dumb one when Gomez couldn't handle a few words and caused his team to not have his services for 6 more innings, even though they ended up winning.
Lol so you basically just said Gomez causing his team not to have his services for 6 more innings didn't impact his teams ability to win the game. Amirite? Both players were dumb but the whole thing is idiotic to me. The guy barely flipped his bat yet the pitcher wanted to go talk to him about that and about taking his time on the bases. Unwritten rule nonsense crap.
I'm guessing the Brewers would prefer to have him in their lineup for a full 9 innings, regardless of the fact that they ended up winning the game in extra innings yesterday. Not to mention, he's almost certainly facing a suspension.
