TWIB Feature: Eric Hinske

rarefind · Post #1 » by **rarefind** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 2:15 am

Anyone else see it?

Feature on how Hinske has played in 3 straight world series and what an asset he is to the Braves. He has batted .247, .226, and .252 respectively. He has played on four different teams being the Yankees, Rays, Pirates and now the Braves. I mean really TWIB producers? Eric Hinske?

It almost seemed like a parody. Chipper Jones saying Eric plays a key role, his world series experience is invaluable (so on and so forth). Heyward speaking of Eric's desire to play in four straight WS and what that means and Bobby Cox speaking on how great Hinske is.

I am still somewhat laughing now.

At a boy Eric, you have parlayed not being able to stick with a team into a blessing.

DonYon · Post #2 » by **DonYon** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 2:58 am

what's wrong with giving role players some spotlight? guys like eric hinske may not offer production, but they work hard at their profession and i personally like the fact that they're getting some props for their unseen efforts.

Hoopstarr · Post #3 » by **Hoopstarr** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:15 am

It's just a "human story" that people need to make themselves feel good about baseball, which is fine with me, but I wish they'd cover actually good stories and not a guy who has 5 career playoff PAs and lucked into being a part of 3 WS teams.

Randle McMurphy · Post #4 » by **Randle McMurphy** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 4:19 am

Eric Hinske is a quality bench player who has contributed 3.4 WAR over the last 3 years for little cost.

I'd be glad to have him back as a Jay next season. Why knock him?

Post #5 » by **Geddy** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 4:41 am

Randle McMurphy wrote:Eric Hinske is a quality bench player who has contributed 3.4 WAR over the last 3 years for little cost.

I'd be glad to have him back as a Jay next season. Why knock him?

because we still remember that thread about his tattoo

rarefind · Post #6 » by **rarefind** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:13 am

justification is not the story on TWIB, i mean i'm down for anyone getting recognition. that includes the guy who is a utility player who contributes off the bench.

but not for a second do i believe that hinske was a reason why nyy, tampa and boston got to the world series. he is part of a ridiculous "who would've thunk it" but was not a contributing factor to any of this.

if eric hinske was the productive piece that his deceiving WAR would suggest, one of these teams would have ultimately decided to give him a better deal than the 1 million dollars he is making this season with the braves.

4 teams (pirates included) would not let this guy walk if he actually had value. surely eric hinske is a winner, but in my opinion this has more to do with good fortune rather than ability.

Randle McMurphy · Post #7 » by **Randle McMurphy** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:40 am

I didn't see the story and I don't think he had much to do with those WS appearances either.

But there's nothing deceiving about his WAR. He's an above-average hitting bench player and the Braves got a bargain last offseason.

hyper316 · Post #8 » by **hyper316** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 7:31 am

i feel the OP's tone, i also was kinda upset that hinske didn't pan out as well for the jays at the end of his stay here. i felt he could have done more after an outstanding rookie campaign. oh well, gotta let it go

Post #9 » by **Schad** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:04 pm

rarefind wrote:if eric hinske was the productive piece that his deceiving WAR would suggest, one of these teams would have ultimately decided to give him a better deal than the 1 million dollars he is making this season with the braves.

If you think that his WAR is deceiving, it's because you don't understand WAR...he has been a very productive utility hitter from 2008-2010, no matter how you measure it. Below average for a starter as a corner OF, but certainly above-average as a bench guy.

4 teams (pirates included) would not let this guy walk if he actually had value. surely eric hinske is a winner, but in my opinion this has more to do with good fortune rather than ability.

The Sox him go because he had an off year in 2007. The Rays let him go because they brought in a big-name DH in Pat Burrell (who Hinske outperformed). The Pirates didn't let him go; they traded him to the Yankees for a couple low-minors fliers, because there was demand for his services and it's always wise as a small-market team to recycle expendable pieces. And the Yankees let him go because they signed a better version in Marcus Thames.

That's just the life of a backup: you go where there's a roster hole, and because there is considerable depth league-wide at 1B/OF/DH, Hinske becomes a nomad.