Comments on: And we’ll know Zduriencik from his off-season

By: BillP

BillP — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:48:02 +0000

So I forgot about this for two days after I posted it. Guess I started some good discussion.

First, defensive metrics aren’t nearly as “rough” as they were just a couple years ago. They’re still not perfect, but they’re a lot better.
Second, yes, “the runs Ibanez costs [the Mariners] because he doesn’t get to balls” are exactly what the metrics are designed to show you.

Drei, on +/- (my personal fave, mostly because it’s compiled by guys watching every play of every game, so the usual “you don’t watch him play” retort really doesn’t apply at all), Lopez came in at 0, or exactly average, after being +9 and +4 the two previous years. Betancourt, meanwhile, has gone -3, -10, -19 the past three years.

Ichiro was at -9 in center this year after +4 in ‘07 and +6 in limited action in ‘06. Looks like an excellent RF who’s a bit stretched in CF, though his true level might be around average (but almost certain to start slipping soon if it’s not already).

By: BBOneFive

BBOneFive — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:39:19 +0000

I would actually kinda prefer that they don’t sign Fields and just take the extra pick in next year’s draft. Fields would be a nice addition to the bullpen, but bullpen help just shouldn’t be this team’s priority at this point.

By: The Ancient Mariner

The Ancient Mariner — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:08:14 +0000

I’m betting he gives Blengino Fontaine’s job.

By: jimmylauderdale

jimmylauderdale — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:33:17 +0000

And he has just let Fontaine go… Maybe Fields won’t be signing…

By: Jeff Nye

Jeff Nye — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:08:46 +0000

Wow, awesome news on him bringing Blengino over.

By: gwangung

gwangung — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:35:36 +0000

Nothing but good on the Blengino hire.

By: SeasonTix

SeasonTix — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:32:41 +0000

Here's an article about Blengino: Meet SABR Member Tony Blengino

By: DMac2

DMac2 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:16:33 +0000

Blengino, 44, just finished his third season as assistant scouting director in Milwaukee under Zduriencik. A former certified public accountant, Blengino is a member of the Society of American Baseball Research and has a strong background in statistical analysis.

Maybe there’s hope.

By: kirby3putt

kirby3putt — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:29:51 +0000

Stone talks about Z hiring some Brewer assistants here

By: Mike Snow

Mike Snow — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:42:15 +0000

They’re basically the same hitter – Lopez has a tad more power, Betancourt is a bit faster.

My argument would be that Lopez has more room for growth (both in terms of age and skillset). That makes me more willing to write off his awful 2007 and accept his 2008 as real development with the potential for more. Betancourt, on the other hand, I think we agree that he is what he is and will never be anything else.

Aside from that, I’ll grant the offensive difference isn’t huge. But that’s why I would consider a choice that pure statistical projection probably doesn’t favor.