2012 Baseball Season Discussion Thread

[E.H. Munro]

Originally Posted by FSH

I get where you are coming from with the OBP and OPS. But the one stat you need to win the dam game isnt a worthless stat lets just stop saying that nonsense

Well, runs are an excellent measurement. But what RBIs are meant to measure is a hitter's productivity with runners on base. And there are just much better ways to do that. If we're strictly measuring a hitter's ability to produce runs then runs produced is always better than RBIs. Anyway, like I said, I view WAR as being marginally better than basketball efficiency formulae because most of it comes from real measurables, but the defensive metrics do get it into real trouble.

[ChrisWoj]

The thing about RBI is that it simply is not a predictive stat. EVERY player has major season to season fluctuations in RBI totals based on the personnel in front of them. Miguel Cabrera is a great example actually. He's gone like 127-105-126-105-130 so far over these past five years. His OPS+ hasn't varied much. He's been great the whole time. He hasn't regressed drastically those two years of 105. But there is simply not a lot of predictive value in RBI. That said - yes, it matters. If you can look back and see that a guy has had 100+ over a long string of years like Cabrera - you know he's good and you can expect him to continue to be good. But if he suddenly finds himself behind three .299 OBP guys the next year? That number could plummet. RBI is valuable in looking back, but you can't rely on the numbers to tell you the full picture.

My favorite way to look at the numbers, for purely hitters, is to bring SB in with a player's OPS. Slugging uses total bases, so add one to the TB for every SB and remove one for every CS. Cabrera bumps to a 1.016. Trout is obviously helped more by this, bumping to a 1.026. Which keeps him up with Cabrera in the MVP race in my eyes. The reason I can't put as much stock into the value of Trout's defense in the battle is because, simply put, what Cabrera has done this year as a teammate was huge. He lost a ton of weight to move across the diamond to a position he hadn't been at in YEARS to accommodate an imported free agent first baseman. Was he the most graceful 3B in the league? Hell no. Not much range either. But he's fundamentally sound (5 guys with more errors, tied with 4 others - he's far from the worst in the league out there), and when he gets to something he makes the play - making up for his sloth in getting to the ball at times with a demonstrably great arm from out there. He could have sulked or pouted or anything. Could have demanded Fielder DH allowing him to stay in his comfort zone at 1B. But for his team he moved across the diamond.

If Detroit makes the playoffs - Miguel Cabrera is undoubtedly the most valuable player in the league to his team.

I am willing to concede if the Angels make the playoffs. And I'll consider it if they don't and have more wins than Detroit. But if Detroit gets in? Cabrera has to be the one that did the most for his team, period. Right?

[El Shaqtus]

As a Cardinal fan, I wonder how much money Matheny had on the Cubs today. Salas in a save situation?

[Standard]

I get why people argue for their favorite player for MVP.. I do.. but I am too pissed to give reasons why Cabrera should win the MVP when the Tigers are going to miss the playoffs with a freaking trillion dollar payroll.. I want the Tigers in the playoffs.. the hell with a MVP award

[ATLien]

A few interesting notes about the season Craig Kimbrel's been having:

Strikeouts: 105 in 57 1/3 IP, the best strikeout ratio ever (16.5/9 IP)
Opponent AVG.: .128, the lowest against any pitcher since 1900
Opponent OPS: .368, the lowest against any pitcher in the expansion era
WHIP: 0.68, best by any National League reliever since 1900
Percentage of hitters struck out: 49.5 pct., best in live-ball era
Strikeout-to-hit ratio: 105 whiffs, 25 hits (4.2), best of all time

[FSH]

Ichiro 11 for 15 last 4 games.

327 4hr 22rbi 11sb with the Yankees since the trade

[Prince]

If the season ended today, Miggy would have the triple crown. Crazy.

[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by FSH

Ichiro 11 for 15 last 4 games.

327 4hr 22rbi 11sb with the Yankees since the trade

Only 2 for his last 5. SLUMP!

Actually - 1 of 5 today, so 3 for his last 10 after a ridiculous 9 for 10 stretch. He stole a base as well. Helps tremendously having weapons all around him, he's probably seen more hit-able pitches since coming over than he had in a year and a half.

[Cris]

You're welcome Detroit.

[ChrisWoj]

No, no - here, you can have that back. We don't want it.

[Dornado]

[E.H. Munro]

With his home run last night Adrian Gonzalez finally surpassed Jose "Slugger" Iglesias in home runs post-Punto trade. Is he not adjusting well to the pressure of playing in front of a home crowd?

[Cris]

Originally Posted by ChrisWoj

No, no - here, you can have that back. We don't want it.

You'll take it and like it.

On a side note, Go Rangers! Ugh, I want to throw up.

[ATLien]

Atlanta clinches the WC with a Freddie Freeman walk-off HR against the AAA Florida Marlins team. Nice.

[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by Cris

You'll take it and like it.

On a side note, Go Rangers! Ugh, I want to throw up.

Okay okay, we'll take it. But if it gets too hot to hold we're giving it right back!