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Regarding Dan Wheeler and Jason Bartlett

Sternfan brought this up in the thread below and I may as well address it because not much else is going on:

imho, it seems that Wheeler and Barty are this blogs whipping boys--why i don't know and i may be wrong

by sternfan1

Let's focus on these two in particular.

Dan Wheeler is a useful reliever. When the Rays acquired him, he was in the midst of a horrendous season with Houston. Actually, he wasn't at all. You see, Wheeler had posted FIP of 3.28 and 3.24 through his first two seasons with the Astros. In 2007, he held a 3.98 FIP, which was worse than usual, but not egregiously so. Houston traded him because he held a 5.07 ERA with them and appeared broken. Trading Ty Wigginton for him was a swap of blasé veterans, with Wheeler looked upon as a more long-term clog in the system. He came to St. Pete and quickly posted a near-six ERA while posting a 4.04 FIP.

Then he signed what constitutes a slightly below market value extension for a middle reliever. He's pitched worse than before (4.49 and 4.48 FIP) and like most non-elite relievers, has annoying tendencies. Somehow he's held a BABIP of .202 and .203 the last two years despite having BABIP far exceeding that throughout his relieving career and as such has held high strand rates. Oh, and he gives up starting pitcher amounts of homers per fly balls.

Wheeler's niche is as a middle reliever who only faces right-handed batters in high-leveraged situations. That's fine. That's useful. The bullpen is better for having Dan Wheeler than not having Dan Wheeler. The problem is, this team is so use to efficiency that spending market value for an average reliever is A) odd and B) mostly foolish when you can get 90% of the production for 50% of the cost.

Bartlett is more obvious. I've written about this in the past, but before the local media swooned over his charming smile and grittiness, the evil saber blogger was the one priming for a defensive orientated shortstop. Bartlett was that and helped the 2008 Rays win. He helped the 2009 Rays win. He'll help the 2010 Rays win. He wasn't and won't be the main reason they win during any given season. Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton, and James Shields were eons more valuable in 2008 and yet the local media made Bartlett from loveable undervalued asset into a laughable caricature of David Eckstein.

His 2009 offensive performance provides the helium to his stock once more. Bartlett's BABIP was .368, only once has he posted a BABIP within .015 points of that (which was 2006 in 372 plate appearances) and he actually hit a career high number of fly balls last season. Here's the thing. Fly balls are great for more home runs and horrible for maintaining high batting averages. Something like 85% of fly balls turn into outs.  

The LD%+.120 trick doesn't work and the far more accurate predictive formula developed by in part by someone in the Rays' front office had Bartlett closer to a .330 BABIP in 2009. Well, if he can maintain a 26% line drive rate ... well, yeah, and exactly one player has maintain a 24%+ line drive rate since the data has been tracked. That player is Michael Young who has a career liner rate just under 25%. He's topped a .360 BABIP for an entire season exactly once.  

Nobody dislikes the players. Some people dislike the circumstances around them; which in this case is salary and hype. Neither of which is the player's fault.

Although Bartlett could stand to smile less. That's Pena's bit.

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Rec'd

That about sums it up. I’ll add that the calls to explore trading Bartlett were based off selling him high, not that he’s not valuable. If someone was willing to give up a compensation package based around Barty’s 09 production, I’d be in favor of it. That probably did not occur, and I’m happy to have him at 4 mill.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Feb 2, 2010 11:41 AM EST reply actions  

I did not renew

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 11:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I did not renew my season tix because AF didn't deal Barty for Posey.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 11:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

At $4 million, Bartlett is still a value in 2010

They’re basically asking him to be a 1 WAR which should come easily. Like you said the trade talk comes from getting value.

Bartlett will likely get a raise next season in arb 3 in the $6~8 million range. At that point I rather have Brignac and his 400k salary, the left over savings in cash from trading Barlett and the players we would get in return for him than actually having Bartlett himself.

www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 2, 2010 11:52 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Very well done and i appreciate the personal attention--i'll mention it to Stu

As for Bartlett getting the media love, it isn’t like he’s out there asking for it, and in the case of the Rays, they get so little attention, who cares if it’s misguided?

by sternfan1 on Feb 2, 2010 11:43 AM EST reply actions  

By this logic.

You were fine with LaMar getting all the credit during the playoffs. Since misguided media coverage beats no or (God forbid) accurate media coverage.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 2, 2010 11:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Have ions become a unit of comparable measurement?

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 11:48 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

DRB Keeper League Thread.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 12:11 PM EST up reply actions  

did not renew my season tix because AF didn't deal Barty for Posey.

I guess I don’t understand. I can only think of a few reasons in this world not to renew my tickets. 1. Moving out of town 2. Financially can not aford 3. Health concerns for either my wife or myself 4. I LOST MY MIND. DUHhh, any other reason and I would be bitting off my nose.

by CharlieRay on Feb 2, 2010 12:14 PM EST reply actions  

My White Oden makes it difficult to perform even the most basic of tasks.

I only buy plastic condiment jars after the incident when I was making a sandwich and then Gossip Girl came on. My foot bled for days.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh, I think White Oden will exceed your expectations, sweetie.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

And it IS rape.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 12:53 PM EST up reply actions  

There's another team that plays in town that has shown a consistent commitment to winning and signing the best players.

It worked out pretty well for them. TWENTY SEVEN TIMES. So, yeah, I think I’ll spend my money where it’ll be looked after. Not on scrub NL East relievers and backup catchers from Cleveland. CLEVELAND.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Now that I can undrestand GO RAYS

by CharlieRay on Feb 2, 2010 12:20 PM EST reply actions  

We need you to use the reply link on your posts so that we can keep comments organized.

I miss George Steinbrenner. He was the man responsible for keeping the Yankees competitive.

by kericr on Feb 2, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions  

So ESPN had their first fantasy mock draft, and I've got 4 of the top 20 players on one team. In a 14 team keeper league.

1 1 Roberts Albert Pujols, 1B, STL
2 2 Mass Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA
3 3 Grey Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY
4 4 Berry Matt Kemp, OF, LAD
5 5 Cockcroft Ryan Braun, OF, MIL
6 6 Quintong Chase Utley, 2B, PHI
7 7 Ravitz Carl Crawford, OF, TB
8 8 Harris Miguel Cabrera, 1B, DET
9 9 Becquey Prince Fielder, 1B, MIL
10 10 Karabell David Wright, 3B, NYM
1 11 Karabell Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY
2 12 Becquey Justin Upton, OF, ARI
3 13 Harris Tim Lincecum, SP, SF
4 14 Ravitz Joe Mauer, C, DH, MIN
5 15 Quintong Evan Longoria, 3B, TB
6 16 Cockcroft Roy Halladay, SP, PHI
7 17 Berry Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL
8 18 Grey Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI
9 19 Mass Matt Holliday, OF, STL
10 20 Roberts Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS

I’ve got Hanley, Kemp, Justin, and Evan. I can’t believe they don’t have Adrian Gonzalez in the top 20. I have him, too.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 12:57 PM EST reply actions  

Your mother loves to hear me recite my lineup while dat booty go fap.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 1:01 PM EST up reply actions  

#1

Females Attracted to Suttree

  1. - Minotaurs

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 1:10 PM EST up reply actions  

4 team league?

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Feb 2, 2010 1:15 PM EST up reply actions  

14

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Nah, that league is competitive as hell.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 1:25 PM EST up reply actions  

My three keepers are Felix, Scherzer, and Velociraptor Jesus. Traded for Scherz prior to the AL move. So I'm not sure what to do with him.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

You guys keep a lot, we only do 5 keepers and I'm really at a loss who to keep out of

Teix, Longo, J-Up, Grady, Yunel, B Phillips, Kendry, Zobot, Greinke, Haren, Lincecum, Billingsley, Carpenter

Obviously some of those are better keepers than others, but I’m leaning towards Teix, Longo, Upton/Grady, Lincecum, & Haren/Greinke. I know I’m forgetting a couple of hitters, but ESPN is locked up while they set up the new season.

I'm a writer.

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Feb 2, 2010 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

We do 10.

I would go with Upton and Grienke, if I were you.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Feb 2, 2010 1:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Definitely Upton and I’d consider Carp too

by ShawnTSA on Feb 2, 2010 8:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Part of the media love came from his insane risp avg

Which isn’t entirely undeserved, as his BA and obp jump by about 20 points each with runners in scoring position for his career (which is a sufficient sample size)

by benderbrodriguez on Feb 2, 2010 3:27 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Sample size is 562 PA or the same size as his 2009, even so:

*BABIPs differ by .014

*K rates nearly identical 13.5% vs. 13.1%

*If you count his SF and SH as AB, it brings his BA down to .294 which is .007 above his career norn

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Feb 2, 2010 3:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Also the W-L record with and without him.

Funny how that disappeared when B.J. had the best W-L record of all regulars and they went back to using OPS to determine the MVP.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 2, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions  

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