Sabermetrician

For a final research project in an English class (15+ pages), I've decided to write a paper on Sabermetrics. I figure it's a good topic for me, because I'd like to know more than I already do but I also think it'd be a good paper for college creditentals (so to speak) based on my future major (Sport Management), and in general it might be a good paper for any baseball fan to read. That said, I'm looking for some good information that I can read to prepare myself for writing this paper. I've found a couple of nice web resources: www-math.bgsu.edu/~albert/papers/saber.html http://www.baseball1.com/bb-data/grabin ... festo.html But neither of these sites goes into the detail that I want to, explaining the different Sabermetric statistics and then detailing why they're a good stat to evaluate a player on. Does anyone have some good web links, or possible books to read that could explain a lot in detail about Sabermetrics. I'd prefer to stick to the internet, but I know there's probably a lot of good books out there so I'll take suggestions on that also. By the way, has anyone ever read "The Hidden Game of Baseball"? I started that but couldn't finish because it was overdue and I had already renewed it once...but it was a great book and it started by talking about why normal stats can be skewed (for example, RBI isn't a good stat because it's situation dependant). I think that'd be a great way to start my research paper and lead into why we need sabermetrics and what they're used for.

I think Detroit would be interested in an offensive upgrade at 3B, and it would not surprise me if they targeted a SS and moved Guillen to 3rd. That said, is there any SS out there that makes SS/Guillen a sure bet to be better than Guillen/Inge?

Would make the lineup that I wanted almost a reality (Castillo, Bradley, Lee, Ramirez, Giles, Garciaparra, Murton, Barrett), and we get a solid starter on top of that. Lowe's contract isn't good, but he'd be a starter who could give us what Clement brought. Another note on the contract is that in addition to all the money we have to spend this offseason, we also lose Maddux and $9 million after this year. Do these two trades and sign Giles and we're a bullpen away from where I'd want us to be heading into next season.

You're thinking of Brandon Phillips, who they acquired in the Colon trade along with Sizemore and Lee (looking back a great trade for them). Walker might be intriguing to them if they're looking for a one year guy, because Phillips will be ready to go in 2007 if he isn't already in 2006. I like Brad Snyder a lot -- someone already mentioned his name. But, I still don't want to trade Walker unless we can also trade for someone like Castillo. If we're trading T-Walk, I'd offer him to the Dodgers for Bradley, then trade for Castillo and sign Giles (Castillo, Bradley, Lee, Ramirez, Giles, Garciaparra, Murton, Barrett).

I always interpreted a balk and a dead ball...no pitch. Usually the balk is called before the pitch is delievered, but even if the pitch is thrown, the pitch doesn't count, and nothing changes. I didn't see the game but from my knowledge these umps messed up according to the description of the game that was given.

Speaking of McClendon, the Detroit Sports Report says he might be hired as a bullpen coach. Also, according to Danny Knobler, who writes for the Grand Rapids Press/Mlive.com: That was posted by Knobler on the MLive.com Tigers forum.

That should've been me.

By my count: Boston NY Yankees NY Mets Baltimore Washington Atlanta Texas St. Louis LA Angels Chi Cubs Have not released their schedules yet. Or did I just miss one, and if so, what's the link?

Press conference at 5:30 today to announce the apparent hiring of Leyland.

My original essay was: Which was 175, so I cut that down to 100 and it became: I hope it got it in on time. I pushed submit at 12:00 ET according to my computer clock, and the deadline was 11:59. However, I didn't get any message that said the contest was over, so I think I'll be okay. If anyone entered, did you get a confirmation email or anything like that?

RF: Sign Giles CF: Either Jason Michaels by trade or Randy Winn by trade/free agency LF: Murton 3B: Ramirez SS: Ideally Nomar at a low cost with incentives, otherwise Furcal or Cedeno 2B: First option is Castillo, otherwise just keep Walker; I don't think Giles will be dealt. 1B: Lee C: Barrett

Dusty and because it's a necessity to get any lefty in our rotation...right?

Does anyone know every team's schedules that have been released so far?

Me

Anyone know? I tried to find when the 2005 schedule came out to get a general approximation, but I couldn't find that either.

Are you serious? You think a "good hitter" can hit the ball exactly where they want (i.e., hitting the ball in the hole left by the SS covering 2nd)? If that were true, wouldn't said hitter hit the ball into a hole in every AB (b/t SS & 3rd, SS & 2B, or 1B & 2B)? If you go with an outside pitch and hit it off the end of the bat, does it not go to right field (as a righty)? That's what I mean. Batters can adjust to where a defense is playing and find the holes by the way they swing. No one can always do it, of course, but Inge doesn't just go up to the plate looking for something to swing at and hope that it gets through the infield. Players who have no plate discipline and go up there hacking are "lucky." Inge goes with the pitch and finds holes and that's what makes him a good hitter.

Jacque Jones is exactly the type of hitter the Cubs would have interest in. Low batting average, low OBP, strikes out a lot, yet has 20+ HR power. I remember the Cubs trying to get him last offseason. They better not make him a target this year if they're serious about a playoff run next year.

Here's the problem with BABIP: People assume that once you make contact, you have no control over where the ball goes. Wrong. Good hitters know how and where to hit the ball, they study how the infield and outfield is playing and adjust to that as a hitter. Example: Maybe a steal is on and the shortstop goes to cover second. The hitter recognizes that and hits a ground ball exactly to where the shortstop was playing and it goes through for a single. A .340 OBP followed by a .337 OBP this year isn't luck, because he's obviously doing something right. Not that any of this matters though, because Inge won't be going anywhere this offseason anyway. I'm sure the Tigers want a bigger power threat at 3B, but there's no one that fits that bill in free agency.

2 good offensive seasons back to back is luck? He wasn't hitting as a catcher because it wore him down to much...ever since he started playing different positions aside of catcher (CF, LF, and mainly 3B) he's been a good offensive player.

Where do I sign? I could definitely live with this heading into next season...though I would rather fill the bullpen with several quality guys instead of one, dominant guy. I don't live Neifi on the bench but I'm a realist, and in all likelihood he'll be brought back.

We actually got something in return?

As a Little League umpire, I've made that call before. It's hard to resist laughter when you know you're right and the team's coach is chewing you out about it. I showed him who's boss after he dropped the f-bomb on me (Yup, I ejected him)...

People are going to compare a possible Giles signing to Alou and I don't buy into it. The difference is that prior to Alou becoming a Cub he had played over 150 games 2 times in his career in 8 seasons. He had also played under 130 in 3 of those seasons. Giles has played in 150 games 4 of the past 5 seasons and he is well on his way to that mark again. He has had an OBP of .400 or better 7 of the last 8 seasons including a .422 mark this year. That to me symbolizes one of the best hitters in baseball, the home runs are just an added bonus but those will increase outside of San Diego. I have no problem paying Giles 11/12/12, I'd even push for a team option on a 4th year with a $2 million buyout. Giles has also played center field throughout his career (though not a whole lot), that to me is an added plus...I guess I could use the phrase "killing two birds with one stone." I'll be posting my Cubs Offseason Plan later tonight, and Giles will definitely be a part of it.

There would be so many teams interested in Walker, because they'd essentially be trading for him for next season also. He's a good value and they wouldn't find a better one on the free agent market. Cubs are stupid.