Comments on: All-Star Jams http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Wed, 22 May 2013 02:03:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Peoples Hernandez http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49800 Peoples Hernandez Fri, 01 Jul 2005 13:31:02 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49800 <p><b><a name="17" rel="nofollow"></a>17.</b>  talking of sheffield's arm ignores that he's the worst (no, I've watched film, honestly) RF in the league in running backwards on any ball- his feet enter quicksand the moment anything is hit above his head, making plenty of outs into doubles. plus, seemingly incompetent as he is in the OF, manny is leading the AL in assists- justify it as you will (and there are plenty of ways to think of it), it's a fact. ramirez, who's been on a tear as of late, will be the better player by season's end. vaudeville villain gary sheffield (gotta love how the mustache suits him) gets a spot on my bench.</p> <p> (I'm not even going to justify the matsui pick with a response.) </p> 17.  talking of sheffield’s arm ignores that he’s the worst (no, I’ve watched film, honestly) RF in the league in running backwards on any ball- his feet enter quicksand the moment anything is hit above his head, making plenty of outs into doubles. plus, seemingly incompetent as he is in the OF, manny is leading the AL in assists- justify it as you will (and there are plenty of ways to think of it), it’s a fact. ramirez, who’s been on a tear as of late, will be the better player by season’s end. vaudeville villain gary sheffield (gotta love how the mustache suits him) gets a spot on my bench.

(I’m not even going to justify the matsui pick with a response.)

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49799 Cliff Corcoran Fri, 01 Jul 2005 10:56:15 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49799 <p><b><a name="16" rel="nofollow"></a>16.</b>  Hernandez is a worthy candidate, but he's on the DL. If you don't like Lo Duca (and you're point about his durability is a good one), then it's back to Piazza. </p> 16.  Hernandez is a worthy candidate, but he’s on the DL. If you don’t like Lo Duca (and you’re point about his durability is a good one), then it’s back to Piazza.

]]> By: Jeff P http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49798 Jeff P Fri, 01 Jul 2005 02:30:48 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49798 <p><b><a name="15" rel="nofollow"></a>15.</b>  VORP measures only offensive contributions, whereas WARP takes defense into account. In general, (VORP + FRAR)/10 = WARP, but that's not at all precise, and tends to give a slightly higher WARP than the player actually has.</p> <p> Also, am I the only guy that has a problem with Lo Duca? In my opinion, a guy who can only play 80 games a season behind the plate before falling apart doesn't deserve to start in the midsummer classic, no matter how good his first half is. I support Ramon Hernandez, who has significantly more power than Lo Duca, and has a VORPr less than .02 lower than Lo Duca's. </p> <p> P.S. Bill Hall isn't getting votes at short partially because he has to be written in. I didn't think about him until my brother pointed him out. </p> 15.  VORP measures only offensive contributions, whereas WARP takes defense into account. In general, (VORP + FRAR)/10 = WARP, but that’s not at all precise, and tends to give a slightly higher WARP than the player actually has.

Also, am I the only guy that has a problem with Lo Duca? In my opinion, a guy who can only play 80 games a season behind the plate before falling apart doesn’t deserve to start in the midsummer classic, no matter how good his first half is. I support Ramon Hernandez, who has significantly more power than Lo Duca, and has a VORPr less than .02 lower than Lo Duca’s.

P.S. Bill Hall isn’t getting votes at short partially because he has to be written in. I didn’t think about him until my brother pointed him out.

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49797 Cliff Corcoran Thu, 30 Jun 2005 20:58:29 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49797 <p><b><a name="14" rel="nofollow"></a>14.</b>  Eckstein's Rate is 93. So yeah, poor, but not Felipe Lopez bad. Miguel Tejada's at 94, by the way. </p> 14.  Eckstein’s Rate is 93. So yeah, poor, but not Felipe Lopez bad. Miguel Tejada’s at 94, by the way.

]]> By: Vishal http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49796 Vishal Thu, 30 Jun 2005 20:14:11 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49796 <p><b><a name="13" rel="nofollow"></a>13.</b>  not a word about eckstein's defense? what's it been like this year, out of curiosity? he has notoriously poor range. </p> 13.  not a word about eckstein’s defense? what’s it been like this year, out of curiosity? he has notoriously poor range.

]]> By: Oliver http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49795 Oliver Thu, 30 Jun 2005 18:34:02 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49795 <p><b><a name="12" rel="nofollow"></a>12.</b>  The WARP I looked up at BP was listed under offensive stats, so I took that to be hitting/baserunning only, that could be wrong but the BP listing is confusing if so. The VORP on the other hand I took to have defense in it as well (pitchers were on the list).</p> <p> Damon's higher OBP means their GPA is just about a wash, .290 for HM to .289 for JD. Interesting that the EQA gives a bigger split in favor of Matsui, I assume it's again park effects. </p> 12.  The WARP I looked up at BP was listed under offensive stats, so I took that to be hitting/baserunning only, that could be wrong but the BP listing is confusing if so. The VORP on the other hand I took to have defense in it as well (pitchers were on the list).

Damon’s higher OBP means their GPA is just about a wash, .290 for HM to .289 for JD. Interesting that the EQA gives a bigger split in favor of Matsui, I assume it’s again park effects.

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49794 Cliff Corcoran Thu, 30 Jun 2005 18:05:41 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49794 <p><b><a name="11" rel="nofollow"></a>11.</b>  Oh, and WARP and VORP are basically the same thing, but use different formulas as they were devised by different BP writers. WARP is measured in wins, VORP is measured in runs. In a vague kind of way 10 VORP = 1 WARP or thereabouts, but don't quote me on that last part. The other catch is that both interperate replacement level differently, but I'm not sure on the details of how they differ. </p> 11.  Oh, and WARP and VORP are basically the same thing, but use different formulas as they were devised by different BP writers. WARP is measured in wins, VORP is measured in runs. In a vague kind of way 10 VORP = 1 WARP or thereabouts, but don’t quote me on that last part. The other catch is that both interperate replacement level differently, but I’m not sure on the details of how they differ.

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49793 Cliff Corcoran Thu, 30 Jun 2005 18:00:15 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49793 <p><b><a name="10" rel="nofollow"></a>10.</b>  EQA is updated daily on the player cards on Baseball Prospectus. GPA = [(1.8 * OBP) + SLG]/4, do the math yourself (I do). VORP is a cumulative stat, the others are rate stats. I prefer to use rate stats whenever playing time is roughly equivalent, it corrects for variations in plate appearances due to injury, placement in the batting order, and strength of line-up (which results in more at-bats because the team bats around more often). </p> 10.  EQA is updated daily on the player cards on Baseball Prospectus. GPA = [(1.8 * OBP) + SLG]/4, do the math yourself (I do). VORP is a cumulative stat, the others are rate stats. I prefer to use rate stats whenever playing time is roughly equivalent, it corrects for variations in plate appearances due to injury, placement in the batting order, and strength of line-up (which results in more at-bats because the team bats around more often).

]]> By: Oliver http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49792 Oliver Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:29:37 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49792 <p><b><a name="9" rel="nofollow"></a>9.</b>  Sheffield crushes Manny at VORP, by the way. I think at this point I'd go Vlad-Damon-Sheffield. </p> 9.  Sheffield crushes Manny at VORP, by the way. I think at this point I’d go Vlad-Damon-Sheffield.

]]> By: rsmith51 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49791 rsmith51 Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:28:00 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49791 <p><b><a name="8" rel="nofollow"></a>8.</b>  Cliff,</p> <p> Is there an updated EQA and/or GPA list online? </p> 8.  Cliff,

Is there an updated EQA and/or GPA list online?

]]> By: Oliver http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49790 Oliver Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:25:39 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49790 <p><b><a name="7" rel="nofollow"></a>7.</b>  I looked a little deeper for VORP (which should encompass all aspects of the game) and found them closer than I expected: it's pretty much a wash, 27.5 for Damon and 27.4 for Matsui, so presumably Johnny's defense just makes up for those 9 points of EQA. But by your criteria, I'd still pick Damon, since he's a full-time CF :) </p> 7.  I looked a little deeper for VORP (which should encompass all aspects of the game) and found them closer than I expected: it’s pretty much a wash, 27.5 for Damon and 27.4 for Matsui, so presumably Johnny’s defense just makes up for those 9 points of EQA. But by your criteria, I’d still pick Damon, since he’s a full-time CF :)

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49789 Cliff Corcoran Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:18:14 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49789 <p><b><a name="6" rel="nofollow"></a>6.</b>  The monster thing was a pun, but it was by comparing his .310 EQA to Damon's .301 and then considering the ability of each to carry a team. When Matsui's hot he can't be pitched to. </p> 6.  The monster thing was a pun, but it was by comparing his .310 EQA to Damon’s .301 and then considering the ability of each to carry a team. When Matsui’s hot he can’t be pitched to.

]]> By: Oliver http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49788 Oliver Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:16:33 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49788 <p><b><a name="5" rel="nofollow"></a>5.</b>  Fair enough if you think that EQA is a better measure than OPS and tips the balance in favor of Sheffield, but I still don't see Matsui's monster bat being far above Damon. If we're looking at advanced batting metrics, how about WARP: from the BP pages I see WARP1 of 3.5 for Damon and 3.6 for Matsui. </p> 5.  Fair enough if you think that EQA is a better measure than OPS and tips the balance in favor of Sheffield, but I still don’t see Matsui’s monster bat being far above Damon. If we’re looking at advanced batting metrics, how about WARP: from the BP pages I see WARP1 of 3.5 for Damon and 3.6 for Matsui.

]]> By: debris http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49787 debris Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:03:02 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49787 <p><b><a name="4" rel="nofollow"></a>4.</b>  By what bizarre stretch of the imagination can you possbily pick Hideki Matsui and his "monster" .866 ops over Johnny Damon, who by the way is now leading Ichiro by over 100,000 votes. </p> 4.  By what bizarre stretch of the imagination can you possbily pick Hideki Matsui and his “monster” .866 ops over Johnny Damon, who by the way is now leading Ichiro by over 100,000 votes.

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49786 Cliff Corcoran Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:02:01 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49786 <p><b><a name="3" rel="nofollow"></a>3.</b>  OPS is an overrated stat. I much prefer GPA (which weighs OBP appropriately) as a shorthand and Baseball Prospectus's far more complex EQA, which adjusts for everything (park, league etc.) and accounts for all aspects of a player's offense (steals etc.). EQA often results in a number very similar to GPA, which only increases my fondness for the latter. </p> 3.  OPS is an overrated stat. I much prefer GPA (which weighs OBP appropriately) as a shorthand and Baseball Prospectus’s far more complex EQA, which adjusts for everything (park, league etc.) and accounts for all aspects of a player’s offense (steals etc.). EQA often results in a number very similar to GPA, which only increases my fondness for the latter.

]]> By: Athos http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49785 Athos Thu, 30 Jun 2005 16:38:10 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49785 <p><b><a name="2" rel="nofollow"></a>2.</b>  Although a total Yanks fan, I'd have to pick Damon over Matsui too... I think that Sheffield has a slight edge over Ramirez defensively (that beautiful arm) </p> 2.  Although a total Yanks fan, I’d have to pick Damon over Matsui too… I think that Sheffield has a slight edge over Ramirez defensively (that beautiful arm)

]]> By: Oliver http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49784 Oliver Thu, 30 Jun 2005 16:24:36 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/06/30/all-star-jams/#comment-49784 <p><b><a name="1" rel="nofollow"></a>1.</b>  Nice list, but about those AL OFers... you say you want a real CF, then pick Matsui? How many games has he started there? Meanwhile I'm not sure how you can say he's "flat out-hitting" Damon when their OBP/SLG/OPS are .372/.493/.866 for Matsui's "monster bat" and .383/.463/.846 for Damon... I don't think 20 points in OPS comes close to closing the gap in defense. Damon's not hitting home runs but he's doing everything else.</p> <p> Sheffield vs. Ramirez could really go either way, I think, but you don't mention Manny's leading in OPS .909 to .898; meanwhile, while Ramirez's defense is hardly stellar, he was last time I checked leading the league in outfield assists, while Sheffield is not exactly a defensive star himself. I guess you think park effects gives the nod to Sheffield. I can't fault going with either of those guys; but I just can't see Matsui over Damon. </p> 1.  Nice list, but about those AL OFers… you say you want a real CF, then pick Matsui? How many games has he started there? Meanwhile I’m not sure how you can say he’s “flat out-hitting” Damon when their OBP/SLG/OPS are .372/.493/.866 for Matsui’s “monster bat” and .383/.463/.846 for Damon… I don’t think 20 points in OPS comes close to closing the gap in defense. Damon’s not hitting home runs but he’s doing everything else.

Sheffield vs. Ramirez could really go either way, I think, but you don’t mention Manny’s leading in OPS .909 to .898; meanwhile, while Ramirez’s defense is hardly stellar, he was last time I checked leading the league in outfield assists, while Sheffield is not exactly a defensive star himself. I guess you think park effects gives the nod to Sheffield. I can’t fault going with either of those guys; but I just can’t see Matsui over Damon.

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