SB Nation User Blog: dbeach13

A Rant on LH Splits, Rotoworld, and Ibanez

dbeach13 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:54:48 -0000

here is what rotoworld said about the ibanez signing...

Phillies signed outfielder Raul Ibanez, who had been with the Mariners, to a a three-year, $31.5 million contract.

Ibanez at $31.5 million wouldn't have been completely unreasonable for a team with a hole at first base or DH that needed a left-handed bat for the middle of the order. The Phillies, though, hardly fit that description. Say what you will about Pat Burrell's streakiness, but the numbers were usually there in the end and the team did just win a World Series with him batting behind Ryan Howard. Now the Phillies have gone and replaced him with someone older, just as expensive and at least as poor defensively. Plus, Ibanez is left-handed, which will give managers plenty of easy calls in how to approach the middle of the lineup any time after the fifth inning. If new GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is just going to sign the guys he likes, regardless of how they fit in with his team, then playing into October won't become a habit for the Phillies.

Now I usually agree with rotoworld's analysis - and I agree with the defense and age thing and I honestly don't like the signing that much.

However, like I mentioned to Julie before, I don't understand the problem with the left handed thing. First off, there is no reason Manuel has to has to put Utley, Howard, Ibanez in the 345 slots. There have been analyzes done that have shown that lineup order does not have a significant impact on total run scores. You can throw Werth, Rollins, Victorino (or even feliz) in between any of those three guys..and you're fine. Honestly you could bat Utley 1st, and it's quite possible the team scores more runs (highest OBP). Lineup order is just something that baseball geeks like to argue about for fun, but it's really pretty fruitless.

-Another point...Ibanez hit .305, with a .869 OPS against left handing pitching last year, while over his whole career he drops his OPS by 100 points when hitting lefties. The rotoworld blurb and other articles from the "experts" would make you think that utley, howard, and ibanez suddenly become automatic outs against lefties. You would also think from the blurb that there was a limit to the # of bullpen changes a team can make.

Finally - they are going to remove ibanez for a defensive replacement like they did for burrell. So even if for some reason they really believe that lefties (like Ibanez) can't hit LOGGYs nonsense, then they can put in a pitch-hitter in the 8th. However it's doubtful that pitch hitter will be able to hit a lefty as well as Ibanez (who should have a .750-.800 OPS against them next year).

Honestly if Ibanez was the same person - but right handed, I would project the Phils to score a few more runs (though not enough to project an extra win). To make a statement like this: "If new GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is just going to sign the guys he likes, regardless of how they fit in with his team, then playing into October won't become a habit for the Phillies.", over a few potiential lost runs is just foolish. When a GM starts making decisions based on insignificant factors like what side he fits from is when lose their jobs and become sports writers.

-end rant

If someone could point to me some statistical analysis that shows that lineup order or that having a larger amount of LH hitters signficantly matters it would be appreciated.

Why do we hate the Giants?

dbeach13 — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 08:54:52 -0000

I am a proud student of Penn State University. Smack between the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh there is a huge rivalry between the likes of Steelers and Eagles Fans. After watching the Steelers great performance I was dismayed to see so many Pennsylvanians disappointed. It is a good bet that almost every Penn State student has at least one friend who is a Steelers fan. Instead of being happy for their Steelers friends, over half of the campus seemed depressed not to be able to rub a loss in their faces. The way the Steelers fans did the previous year.

Why all this hate between friends? Is it because they are stupid uncultured football fans? Or are they stuck in a not so carefree east coast state of mind?

I don't think either is the case. I have seen a similar situation here on AN with the A's/Giants rivalry. I never lived in the Bay Area, and I know there have been a few good interleague series and a memorable championship. But has there been anything really in particular to facilitate this hatred? Does it all really just stem from being able to mock your neighbor/friend?

In my opinion, there is way too much hatred in sports. If the "home team" is our favorite team, shouldn't the other home team be at least respected?

Poll

What are your feelings towards the Giants?

I'll root for them on occasion

46 votes

One of my favorite teams

28 votes

Hate the team and their fans

101 votes

General dislike

70 votes

Indifferent

27 votes

272 votes | Poll has closed

Stat head or Seamhead?

dbeach13 — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 16:50:36 -0000

Hello AN, this is my first diary so don't be too harsh. However, any suggestions or critiques you have for me would be much appreciated.

I saw a thread on another baseball forum (www.cardsclubhouse.com) and thought it would be interesting to discuss here.

Today when you mention the Oakland A's you think of two things...Billy Beane and Statistics. Mostly thanks to Moneyball.

So I was wondering what effect this has had on Oakland Fans. Are most A's fans now stat (sabermetics) freaks like myself, or do many hate the sight of numbers (like most general sports fans)?

I believe like many of you that both factors should be taken into account, but I think this poll will be better if you have to make a choice.

A few questions I have for each group...

Statheads... Were you a fan before the Beane Era? Before Moneyball? What is your opinion on the DePo firing? And finally what are your thoughts of many 'experts' opinions of sabermetric type theories don't work in the playoffs? It seems like Beane thinks the playoffs are just a crapshoot, but the experts disagree.

Seamheads...Besides the above questions, Does Beane/Moneyball annoy you? And who would be your ideal GM?

Poll

What are you?

A "Stathead"

79 votes

A "Seamhead"

22 votes

101 votes | Poll has closed