'Jason Varitek Shift'

[MLBKING]

Outfielders Take Knee, Infielders Move Up In New 'Jason Varitek Shift' April 28, 2009

BOSTON?As the 2009 baseball season progresses, major-league managers are defending against Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek by employing what they call the "Varitek Shift," a defensive maneuver in which infielders move up past the pitcher's mound and outfielders take a knee and relax. "It's very effective," Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters. "If Jason makes contact with the ball, which is rare in itself, he usually hits slow dribblers that catch infielders by surprise because of how weak they're hit. So, by moving the infielders up, and having the pitcher rush home plate after the pitch has been thrown, [Varitek] has virtually no chance of reaching base. If runners are on when he comes up, we may have the outfielders cover first, second, and third to ensure a double or triple play." Gardenhire added that it doesn't matter if the switch-hitting Varitek bats right- or left-handed, as the shift is foolproof.

 

[Corley1011]

That guy is a complete tool... Varitek is hitting pretty good to me this year...

Here's an idea... When the Twins can compete with the Sox then he can open his mouth... But until then, keep being mediocre...

 

[Mags]

Here's an idea... When the Twins can compete with the Sox then he can open his mouth... But until then, keep being mediocre...

Not that I'm a Twins fan by any means, but...

When the Twins have the same payroll as the Red Sox, not only would the Twins beat the Red Sox, but they would likely kick their butt.....

MLB - the only sport with no salary cap, and no hope for half the teams in the league, year in, and year out.

Now THAT is a joke :0corn

Can you imagine the NFL with no salary cap? Heck, every team would be just like the Bengals, with the exception of the NY Giants, NY Jets, and NE Patriots.

I wonder why fans accept baseballs' absurdity and why this would never fly in football??

 

[sonyman]

:mj07:

 

[Corley1011]

Don't make excuses... The Rays had a lower salary than alot of teams last year and look what they did

 

[Mags]

Don't make excuses... The Rays had a lower salary than alot of teams last year and look what they did

Wow. So you can pick one team out that had an incredible season. So What?

That's like you saying, since Obama is President, that is clear evidence that there is NO racial discrimination in the US anymore.

And if you believe that too, well, I've got an AZ bridge to sell you.....

The bottom line is: Teams like the NYY, BOS, NYM, etc - due largely to their large payrolls, have a much higher likelihood of getting to the playoffs year and and year out. They can sign the DICE K's and Sabathia's and give themselves a chance. If they make a mistake (Carl Pavano anyone?), it doesn't hurt them.

Teams like KC, Pitt, Milw, Minnesota, et al doesn't have the same luxury - they can afford no payroll mistakes - and with a lot of luck, they MAY make the playoffs.

Using the Rays as an example ignores the fact that year in, year out, small market teams have a very little chance of making the playoffs.

What's the NYY and BOS odds of making the playoffs in any given year with their payroll? THEY ARE FAVORED TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS EACH AND EVERY YEAR, as compared to other teams.

When has KC, Pitt, Milw, Minn EVER been favored to make the playoffs when the year started? I'm talking just once here - not every year like BOS and NYY.

 

[MyAddidas]

That guy is a complete tool... Varitek is hitting pretty good to me this year...

Here's an idea... When the Twins can compete with the Sox then he can open his mouth... But until then, keep being mediocre...

You really believe Gardenhire would say this? No way this is real.

 

[Mags]

You really believe Gardenhire would say this? No way this is real.

I'm sure he didn't...

It probably was one of the stories in "The Onion" - a satirical newspaper...

 

[Corley1011]

It looked kinda weird to me that he would call out Varitek, a guy who never opens his mouth, like that. Yeah the Rays had an incredible run... The Yankees, who have an ungodly amount of $$$$, haven't won the WS this decade... I see your point but what Im saying is money can buy alot but it isn't everything...

 

[MLBKING]

I'm sure he didn't...

It probably was one of the stories in "The Onion" - a satirical newspaper...

Correct

 

[Mags]

It looked kinda weird to me that he would call out Varitek, a guy who never opens his mouth, like that. Yeah the Rays had an incredible run... The Yankees, who have an ungodly amount of $$$$, haven't won the WS this decade... I see your point but what Im saying is money can buy alot but it isn't everything...

People get way too caught up on who wins the WS - saying "the Yanks haven't won the WS"...

What the money buys you is getting into the playoffs - which gives you a chance at the World Series.

If you don't have $$$$ for payroll, your chances at making the playoffs is slim - although it does happen on occasion.

But Boston and NY fans never have to worry about making the playoffs - they are there almost every year.

Once you get to the playoffs, then, just like football, anything can happen. The playoffs are not anthing like the regular season - 2 hot SP can carry you in the playoffs - but in the regular season you need 5 starters - it is a totally different world.

Ask the Cubs - probably the best NL team last year - but got run out in the 1st round.

Payroll buys you into the playoffs - and then it is a crapshoot.

But Pitt, KC, Milw can't buy their way in ever - although Milw did buy its way in last year with CC - but they can't afford to do that every year (oh, yea, and the Mets collapsing sure helped too).. :00hour

 

[Corley1011]

Yeah... Those teams need ppl to come watch their games...

 

[LordofBalls]

agree w/you mags...

knew the statement had to be a farce... but it shows people can stimulate argument w/little effort lol

hope everyone wins today!! and the rest o' the season!!!

LoB

 

[Mags]

Yeah... Those teams need ppl to come watch their games...

I think it has a lot less to do with attendance figures (although it does play a part), but more to do with the TV contracts.

The NFL has it right - all TV revenues are shared equally. That is what the MLB needs to go to.

Let's face it - the Yanks and Red Sox's record wouldn't be so good if they only played each other each game - they NEED the KC's and Minn's of the league to beat up on.

 

[Corley1011]

Well I wouldn't throw the twins in there with KC... But I see your point... There will always be someone who sucks every year that builds up the W column for teams

 

[MLBKING]

Well I wouldn't throw the twins in there with KC... But I see your point... There will always be someone who sucks every year that builds up the W column for teams

:thefinger



Just kidding :142smilie KC does suck pretty much every year but I stick with them. Will this be the year they win the division? :0corn I think so

 

[Corley1011]

Hahaha I wasn't bashing them... They have a TON of good young talent

 

[MLBKING]

Hahaha I wasn't bashing them... They have a TON of good young talent

As long as they don't trade them off. KC could have really done some damage years ago with the likes of Carlos Beltran, Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, Raul Ibanez, and a healthy Mike Sweeney. They get good young talent but then they can't afford to keep them once they start producing. :sadwave:

 

[Corley1011]

They also have outstanding starting pitching... Hold on to them

 

[Mags]

As long as they don't trade them off. KC could have really done some damage years ago with the likes of Carlos Beltran, Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, Raul Ibanez, and a healthy Mike Sweeney. They get good young talent but then they can't afford to keep them once they start producing. :sadwave:

THERE IS MY POINT IN A NUTSHELL - THEY ARE (like most small markets) JUST A NYY, BOS and NYM FARM TEAM......

Once the young players get good, they are gone. Just like the Brewers will say to Prince Fielder in a couple of years....