9 Responses for "Why Is He Still Here?"

1. loran16 August 31st, 2008 at 12:04 am 1

   First of all, as im sure you know, quoting a win-loss record in general is a bad thing, but for a RELIEVER is stupid.

   Yes Heilman has pitched his worst ever in this year. I’m not denying this point. Yet there are clear indications on why heilman is worth keeping around, and why he is likely to at least somewhat turn it around this year, and definitely by next year.

   Heilman’s FIP (A fielding independant stat) is 4.28 this year. What this means is that his era should ACTUALLY be only 4.28 this year, not over 5.

   This is way up from usual (His last 3 years he had FIPs of 2.89, 3.29, 3.85). But at the same time, his decline hasn’t been as large as you think it is, there’s a lot of bad luck coming heilman’s way too, which over hte long run evens out.

   Meanwhile, through pitchfx, we can see some rather mechanical issues that should be hammered out, but can be over the offseason.

   Now this has nothing to do with tonight’s blowup. But Heilman’s stats show that he is likely to turn it around, at least by next year, and that his problems this year are less bad than they look.

   THATS why heilman’s still here.

2. Rob Harding August 31st, 2008 at 12:13 am 2

   what really gets me about heilman is the walks. he walks guys, than allows 1 hit, and bam, 2 runs score.

   throw the damn ball over the plate

   signed

   Rob (who cant wait for Al Reyes, Bobby Parnell and Ricardo Rincon to get here).

3. Rob Harding August 31st, 2008 at 12:14 am 3

   loran, even the 3 inning performance against Philly, he got away with murder. he was walking the tightrope every freaking inning, its not like he set them down 9 in a row.

4. loran16 August 31st, 2008 at 12:16 am 4

   No question bout it rob. Walks are the majority of the reason why his FIP is a whole 1 point higher than his average in the past has been. But that’s something that can be worked on and improved in the offseason. And even with the walks, heilman shouldnt’ be anywhere near this bad this season, bad luck has magnified the impact of these walks.

5. loran16 August 31st, 2008 at 12:17 am 5

   Rob, like im saying. Heilman has had his worst year, and its not all bad luck. But if you take away the luck, he’s not awful, and some of the pitchfx stuff i try to show you shows mechanical and confidence issues that look fixable.

   So he’s worth holding on to for at least another year.

6. Gary Grund August 31st, 2008 at 12:33 am 6

   “Now this has nothing to do with tonight’s blowup. But Heilman’s stats show that he is likely to turn it around, at least by next year, and that his problems this year are less bad than they look.”

   At least by next year? I don’t give a damn about next year.

   I don’t want him anymore. He’s a liability in this bullpen.

7. loran16 August 31st, 2008 at 12:38 am 7

   Gary, being shortsighted is stupid. The “by next year” bit is simply language that means that in the long run, heilman is bound to improve a good deal. Now, the long run could be the next month. Or it could be as long as all next year. But he’s certainly worth carrying over some random AAA dude from our system.

   I want Reyes here soon myself as well, and hope the 40 man can give us some relief from heilman. But wanting him off this team is emotional irrational and even dare-i-say stupid in the face of reason.

8. Rob Harding August 31st, 2008 at 1:02 am 8

   if Heilman would just trust his stuff maybe he’d get a few outs from time to time.

9. Robby O'Daniel August 31st, 2008 at 3:04 am 9

   As FSN Florida pointed out constantly, Aaron Heilman had a 0-0 record with a 0.00 ERA against the Marlins in 7 games, going into this game.

   So that’s why he was used in this game, anyway.