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11/19 - My Bad, Tito is Awesome

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Terry Francona Hopes Red Sox Re-Sign Jason Bay - NESN.com

Of course. He's a player's manager, and he wants to support the guy who he thinks will be signed, right? I mean, he's one of those guys that believes heart and sportsmanship wins games...

Coaches Tim Bogar, DeMarlo Hale to Step Up Following Departure of Brad Mills - Terry Francona - NESN.com

Wow, he explains why "team chemistry" is a load of bull. Maybe I was wrong about Tito...

Our Manager is a Closet Stat Geek? - Yawkey Way Academy

Tito needs to talk about stuff like this more often - I was totally wrong when I said Tito was loyal to a fault. My bad. I really hope we get to see the saberfriendly Tito in action a lot more this season, so that we'll at least know what the thought process is if there's a controversial decision.

VORP v RARP - Inside the Book

Since ESPN has decided that VORP can be grasped by our feeble minds, you might as well find out how it compares to Baseball Prospectus's OTHER value stat.

What John Henry Can Learn From Belichick’s 4th and 2 - Fire Brand of the American League

Still, despite the loss, the second-guessing, and the media advocating for everything short of an all-out lynching of BIll Belichick, John Henry should use this occasion as an opportunity to learn something from Robert Kraft.

Since there's a couple Pats fans on here, this link will probably mean more to y'all.

After the jump, a look at the pay scale for the 2009 free agents, "modern" Moneyball, and some recognition for some of the most important Sox of the decade.

Star-divide

How much did the 2009 free agents sign for, per win?

Apparently 1 year deals ain't such a bad idea.

Defense and the Modern Moneyball - Yawkey Way Academy

Boston's Shortstop of the Future is Right Under Our Noses - NESN.com

Yay, the MSM has finally take a liking to Je- wait, what? Iglesias? How is he any sort of secret at this point?

Chone Figgins Could Add Explosive Dimension to Boston's Offensive Strategy - NESN.com

If you're going to make the argument, I'd recommend not using steals as your #1 support - it's been proven that they aren't nearly as valuable as most people think.

Jason Varitek Needs to Knuckle Down, Catch Tim Wakefield - NESN.com

Jason Varitek has come up with clutch hits and incredible defensive plays, he's called a record four no-hitters and he has maintained order in a clubhouse with personalities like Manny Ramirez and Carl Everett. However, if Varitek wants to make the most of his next -- and potentially, his final -- season of Boston baseball, then the captain is going to have learn how to catch the knuckleball.

Okay, not only is this factually wrong (he caught Wake when he first joined the Sox), it's also dumb. The argument of getting Vic rest should be used for Tek catching either Dice or Beckett, the two who "need" him.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade LF: Manny Ramirez - Fire Brand of the American League

What, you were expecting Bay or something? Oh, wait, Hermida's going to be our LF next season, so he'd obviously be a better choice.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade RP1: Mike Timlin - Fire Brand of the American League

Still have the urge to blindfold myself at the mention of his name, but that's not important.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade RP3: Alan Embree - Fire Brand of the American League

Closed out the 2004 ALCS, then proceeded to spiral into relative oblivion.

Comments, links, and general discussion to keep the irritable among us happy with new material would all be greatly appreciated.

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Comments

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Of course Tito is "saber friendly"

He has Theo above him. While I don’t think Theo knew about all this stuff in 2004 when he became the manager, there is no doubt that is has learned it over the years and it has been pushed into his brain. He’s a smart guy.

by Randy Booth on Nov 19, 2009 9:25 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I'd like to see
If you’re going to make the argument, I’d recommend not using steals as your #1 support – it’s been proven that they aren’t nearly as valuable as most people think.

I’d like to see that proof, because as much as I love sabremetric stats, I don’t think there is a very effective way to quantify the stress that a base-stealer puts on a pitcher. For example, having someone like Ellsbury on base causes pitchers to make bad pitches much more often than someone like Ortiz

by wolf9309 on Nov 19, 2009 11:59 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

not that I think Figgins is what we want

I think he’s pretty close to the opposite of what we want in LF. Of course this was from NESN.com who, the other day, had an article discussing why Jermaine Dye would be a good solution for our LF.

I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or throw up a little.

by wolf9309 on Nov 19, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

NESN has had an article up with every day with free agents being listed as good for the Sox

Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!

by gizmosandy on Nov 19, 2009 8:15 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

But intangibles!

Intangibles! This is one thing that wOBA and such are missing is mental effects of one person on base vs. another. Ellsbury on first is much more valuable than Martinez on first- the pitcher is more likely to focus on Ellsbury and give Pedroia balls and bad pitches. Stats can only take average cumulative effects so they can’t accurately judge mental effects of one player on vs. another- is there a stat that rates possibility of creating a run with one batter vs another? Not that I’ve seen.

by wolf9309 on Nov 20, 2009 9:19 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

If I understand what you're asking for...

wOBA : runs created :: batting average : runs or RBIs (not a great comparison, but you get the point).

And the “intangible” effects, by definition, WON’T HAVE ANY EFFECT UPON PRODUCTION. What you may think is an “intangible” probably can be quantified (with the proper technology and analysis); for instance, baserunners draw attention by being good runners, right? And you CAN put a number on a player’s skill on the basepaths, and not just some steals percentage. While that will tell you how stupid it is for a player to be stealing at all (they’d better be at least around 70% for it to be worth it), you have to consider the other parts.
The best stat is probably Baseball Prospectus’s EqBRR, which tells how many runs above or below average a player was on the basepaths, by adding their production from advancement on grounders, fly balls, hits, steals, etc.

@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 20, 2009 6:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

i just cant figure out how

fans of a team who came back from 0-3 in 04, and all the other amazing comebacks, can’t believe in “intangibles”
now i get the importance of stats and the advanced sabermetrics, but to say EVERYTHING can be quantified by stats?

some things in baseball, and in life, can’t fully be measured and expressed through numbers. after witnissing the 04 WS how can you deny this?
after millars walk? roberts’s steal? papi’s walkoffs? these were all inherently “fluky”
how about the lift that teamates get from a clutch performance (bloody sock)? or momentum swinging into a teams favour (game 7)

by j-ace on Nov 23, 2009 2:03 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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