The Rays Have Nine Above Average Positional Players
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
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PrintThe method is pretty simple for determining whether a player is above or below league average. Take his Replacement runs on his FanGraphs page and subtract it from his Runs Above Replacement column. If the difference is greater than zero, then the player is indeed above average, if the difference is in the negative, then the player is below average. Here's how the Rays current positional players stack up:
| Name | Pos | Replacement | RAR | RAA | Above Average? |
| Ben Zobrist | 2B/OF | 14.7 | 63.5 | 48.8 | Yes |
| Evan Longoria | 3B | 16.9 | 52.9 | 36 | Yes |
| Carl Crawford | OF | 17.9 | 48 | 30.1 | Yes |
| Jason Bartlett | SS | 13.6 | 42 | 28.4 | Yes |
| Gabe Gross | OF | 8.8 | 17.2 | 8.4 | Yes |
| Carlos Pena | 1B | 17 | 22.9 | 5.9 | Yes |
| B.J. Upton | OF | 17 | 21.6 | 4.6 | Yes |
| Gabe Kapler | OF | 5.9 | 8.5 | 2.6 | Yes |
| Gregg Zaun | C | 1 | 3.1 | 2.1 | Yes |
| Willy Aybar | 2B/DH | 8 | 5.2 | -2.8 | No |
| Pat Burrell | DH | 11.4 | 1.8 | -9.6 | No |
| Dioner Navarro | C | 11.1 | -1.2 | -12.3 | No |
Quick thoughts:
- Ben Zobrist is the team MVP. He's a full win better than Evan Longoria to this date and that's staggering.
- Evan Longoria is ridiculously talented at baseball and holy crap name your children after Andrew Friedman.
- Notice how Gabe Gross has a lower RAR than Carlos Pena and B.J. Upton but a higher "RAA"? That's because he plays less, which is shown in the Replacement column. Gross is good.
- Gabe Kapler is good.
- I was hesitant to include Gregg Zaun because the sample size is ridiculously small, but I knew people would ask where he ranks if I didn't.
- Pat Burrell has been poor.
- Dioner Navarro has been homeless.
Also, before someone makes a comment that reflects on zero understanding about how Replacement Runs are figured, read this.
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Kapler and Gross above average...oh someone mad
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by Tommy Rancel on Aug 24, 2009 12:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
We all know Bartlett is the team MVP anyway so there's no debate
I read it on tbo.com
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by Tommy Rancel on Aug 24, 2009 12:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Idiots
Bartlett’s defense, though, remains his most valuable quality.
Look at the 2000 AL ROY voting and try not to laugh.
Are you more willing to accept that this is the true Zo or the true Beej?
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I don't think Zo i sthe best player in baseball.
Which is how he’s rated so far this year, but I think he is very good now. No way this is the real Beej. So I choose option C, niether.
You can't duck a loaded question, rglass44~!!1
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by PlayOnWords on Aug 24, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know what Zobrist's true power is.
But I think his true OBP skill is in the .370+ range.
And no, this isn’t the real B.J., there’s no reason to believe he’s this bad.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
The only hope for BJ Upton
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by PlayOnWords on Aug 24, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Is there any similar metric or comparison that could be done for pitchers (starting or relief)?
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I'd have to run the numbers on average pitchers in the starting and replacement level capacity.
Generally speaking though, SP above 2 wins for the entire year are above average.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Defense
A very poor performance in a SSS
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by FreeZorilla on Aug 24, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Lots of time at DH/1B + poor defense elsewhere, as Free stated.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
where is Burrel when related to other DHs in this argument
I’m assuming he ranks poorly, but because of the defensive hit you take for not playing, I think it might be better to compare him to other DHs.
This may be a dumb question
but how did they figure that a replacement level player is 20 runs below average.
Bring Your Z-Game!
It's not a dumb question.
I think this thread holds your answer though
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/this_month_in_replacement_level_talk/
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Neither Kapler nor Gross would look nearly as good if they were playing full time
Fortunately, the manager knows how to use them in their correct roles, for the most part. Gross is probably above average either way, but I doubt Kapler would end up being above average if he wasn’t being ‘protected’ from his weaknesses.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
You are not realistic
You pretty much average out the Yankee and Red Sock at each position andassume that is the MLB average,
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Not at all Zo--but i simply can't buy a below 700 OPS everyday player as above average
I know all those RA RAA and whatever esle there is may say one thing, but our RF and CF needs some big time improvement
Below Average Bat, not player
RF is not below .700 anyways, once again lumping it in with Upton
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On a complete OT note
why in the hell is it Red Sox and White Sox and not Socks? Why are we not the Rayz? (cue Seinfeld jokes)
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CFers i'd rather have this year
Ellsbury, Jones, Granderson, Sizemore, Hunter, Gutierrez and Wells
Shall i give you a CFer with a worse OPS than BJ?
maybe the guy in MIN?
AMERICAN.
LEAGUE.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
Give us CFer with UZR better than B.J.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Gutz
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
And Nyjer I believe.
I know there’s a few, but that’s not my point really.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I know Nyjer's SS is small, but the difference in UZR between the two was staggering the last time I checked.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
Nyjer is looking like a stud
I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.
by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 24, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
First DRB post during anal intercourse?
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
You don't follow NL? So you're a fan of the Rays but not a fan of Baseball?
What a shame, you’re missing out.
Quoting Bonnie Tyler lyrics is not a good way to make an argument.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
I wanted Swisher.
But I’m pretty thrilled with Joyce too.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Put B.J. in Fenway and he'll hit 50 doubles.
And Wells? Seriously? With that contract?
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Ellsbury hasn't even been that good defensively this year.
Jones is a platoon player.
Sizemore hasn’t had a great year.
Wells goes without saying.
So, uhh, good christ.
Adam Jones is nice.
And so is Gutierrez, although he’s not exactly an offensive king either, he’s fantastic with the leather.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
i feel the CFers i listed would help this team more than BJ has this year
and 50 doubles at Fenway?
Do they allow 5 strikes per AB there?
They let kids play there.
See: Pedroia.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Do they allow 5 strikes per AB there?
That’s a LOL.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
ESPN still has Joey Gathright on the Cubs
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5990
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
ESPN has him on Eckerd College.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
Wait; how the hell can he not academically qualify at UF but can for Eckerd?
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
Callate, chico.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
This doesn't answer the question.
Also, on the internet, it’s “STFU”.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
Why the hell would he choose not to go to JC, even if he does qualify?
I thought the plan was have a standout healthy year, then try to get drafted higher.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
There is no plan with that one
Boras has no real vested interest and daddy is holding the reins a little tight. If I were him I’d be trying to get an education as well so that I’m not changing tires at Costco someday.
I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.
by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 24, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
What about long term (3+ years)
based on offensive and defensive production, cost, and who controls that cost?
I’m honestly curious. What if Beej were 100 points higher in every category but played defense like Pat Burrell (I’m assuming a negative UZR from years past and if not, use another guy instead of PtB) and cost us runs/rins in taht category. Doesn’t the end result that he’s a plus in WAR make him more valuable than a great hitting poor fielding replacement?
www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer
The good news is arb hearers are stuck in the Tim McCarver world of baseball.
So Mike Dillon (B.J.’s agent) going to arb is going to have to counteract the BA/HR/RBI argument.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Wells
Now that is funny. Kudos to you sir.
I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.
by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 24, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
wells as in vernon wells?
jones as in andruw jones?
and why do you want gutierrez if you don’t believe in defense.
Why Hunter if hes old and can’t play the field anymore? This is stupid
I'm not sure why this is hard to understand.
You agree that Carl Crawford is a better player than Adam Dunn, correct?
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
While i've said this many times and i am quite supportive of advanced stats
you can make your case every time by using one or the other. There are plenty to choose from
I'm pretty sure most of the intelligent baseball fans turn to WAR nowadays as the end all of statistics.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
You definitely know baseball stats
I am new to your blog and find the stats interesting, they seem to point that for the money we have good players. I would agree, which is obvious because everyone knows our payroll is low and we are still having an enviable year by most standards. However, relying so heavily on stats for a players worth to a team can be misleading. Would you agree? It also seems that some on this blog rely on some stats much more than others. Take BJ for example. According to the above stats he looks good, but his old fashioned batting average isn’t. It seems like some cherry picking is going on. Please enlighten me.
I brought the popcorn if someone else can handle the response
www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer
He seems okay.
At least he didn’t charge in with WHAT ARE THEYS ERAS AND WHIPS AT?
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
I know, but it looks like RJ's about to bludgeon him to death with terse responses anyway.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
Must be a dry day.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
I completely forgot about RJ's personality being drier then the Sahara.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
Not that kind of dry.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
I didn't write the stat guide for no reason.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Whenever I read anything you write, I just copy the text into word and have microsoft SAM read it to me. It makes me think I'm listening to the real thing.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
VISUAL CONFIRMATION.
“The square root of fun is the exact trajectory of Matt Garza’s curveball!”
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
by PlayOnWords on Aug 24, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Winner winner
I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.
by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 24, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Jesus.
birthdays (13+, please)
Why so old?
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
No temptations.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
I certainly wasn't knocking him
since he was asking for guidance and explanation, not defaming advanced stats. Plus, I might be the worst rep to explain these, so I’d rather pull a TO and grab my popcorn than bring down DRB with a mindless diatribe on stats that I don’t fuly understand without some help
www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer
Ok ok
So there are obviously better metrics than batting average, and not to continue to pick on Upton, but he is having a very disappointing season at the plate. Wouldn’t all of you agree to that?? Yet some of the stats you show look like he has been a very valuable hitter this year. Something is not adding up. I also think that the number of strikeouts is a big problem. It seems that is a subject that is strangely controversial.
The stats show that BJ's defense is superb.
And that his contribution with the glove outweighs his guttertrash offensive year.
Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.
So there are obviously better metrics than batting average, and not to continue to pick on Upton, but he is having a very disappointing season at the plate. Wouldn’t all of you agree to that??
Yes. His performance at the plate is below what I expected from him this year by a considerable amount.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
Strikeouts aren't significantly less valuable than other outs
But yes, he’s been a disappointment at the plate this year. I don’t think anyone would argue that.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Sac Bunt, Sac Fly
A grounder to the right side to move a guy to third. Would the game yesterday have had the same outcome if the 15 strikeouts were 15 fly balls, or grounders, I don’t think so.
The Mets lead the league in terms of in play%.
Striking out a ton != bad offense because it means either you:
1. Walk a lot.
2. Hit home runs a lot.
3. Suck.
We know 3 isn’t true about the Rays.
You can talk about sac bunting, but that’s just about the worse thing you can do in most situations.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
His wRAA is like -9.
His fielding and position pull him above average.
by R.J. Anderson on Aug 24, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
His plate performance is not what any of us, him or Maddon wants or expects
but when he transforms into some cleverly named Transformer that I cant think of in the outfield, his total worth (O and D factored in) is very nice
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Batting average gives almost no part of the picture, simply hits per AB, that tells us nothing
Give me wOBA/tRA as the jumping off point and then babip/k:9/BB:9/gb/fb/etc… as reasons why a guy might not be where he should be.
I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.
by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 24, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
You can use your eyes to back up your opinion, but you should at least make sure that stats don't prove your eyes completely wrong.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
McCarver'd
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Seriously, this is how I've rolled since about day 4.
I don’t know why people think I’ve got l33t saber skills. Most of my obvservations are based on what I see.
I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.
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