Thread: Casilla's defense

Watching Casilla get regular play this week, I wonder what the Twins plan for him.

Should they continue to give him regular time when Plouffe returns?

His one outstanding measure this year is UZR. Can his defense carry his bat? The new frontier in baseball understanding is defense impact on wins. I hope the Twins are pioneers I this area. Maybe defense means very little and batting is everything. Maybe not.

I suggest the Twins start him regularly at 2B the rest of the way. Let's see if he can maintain his UZR.

Trade Carroll for anything. Push his 3.75 to pitching.

I dont believe anyone in the Twins organization understands what a UZR is...........

I was making the same argument, that his defense warranted his place in the lineup, earlier this year, back when he was hitting around .240. He's fallen off at the plate, though, the past month or so, and it's harder to make that argument now. With the acquisition of Escobar and with Nishioka starting to shape up in Rochester, I would be very surprised if he is offered arbitration after the season is over.

I agree fully on Carroll.

Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

I dont believe anyone in the Twins organization understands what a UZR is...........

I consider that a net positive for the Twins organization.

At best, UZR can provide some information about who was a good defender 2-3 years after it happened.

Originally Posted by jorgenswest

Trade Carroll for anything. Push his 3.75 to pitching.

Easier said than done. If they can do it Fantastique! Money well saved and hopefully allocated to acquiring an upside player.

I don't buy UZR either, but I do see a guy who makes a lot of fine plays. I've said on other threads that the Twins should play Casilla. I also said yesterday before the game that Casilla would probably be riding the pine when Valencia was recalled and he had earned that demotion. When everybody else is hitting, Casilla's poor offense isn't so noticeable, but the numbers don't lie--he just hasn't hit enough this year.

I am a huge believer of UZR. Hate judging defensive players by errors as official scoring is horrendous league wide.
Also hate listening to announcers continually saying a guy is an excellent defender when the numbers tell a different story. Some unfortunately judge a guy by the great highlight type plays also....doesnt show the plays he should have made that wasnt ruled an error.
UZR may not be perfect, but its better than goin on reputation/other numbers available

You say his UZR is outstanding, we'll, what is it exactly?

Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

I am a huge believer of UZR. Hate judging defensive players by errors as official scoring is horrendous league wide.
Also hate listening to announcers continually saying a guy is an excellent defender when the numbers tell a different story. Some unfortunately judge a guy by the great highlight type plays also....doesnt show the plays he should have made that wasnt ruled an error.
UZR may not be perfect, but its better than goin on reputation/other numbers available

I'm pretty sure no one takes errors/fielding percentage seriously. And who cares what an announcer says?

Based on the interview that Ryan did with SABR a couple of weeks ago, I would guess they look at UZR and runs saved and all the other statistical measurements currently available, but don't value them nearly as high as scouting reports. And they shouldn't.

Originally Posted by drjim

I'm pretty sure no one takes errors/fielding percentage seriously.

You mean other than the vast majority of baseball fans that don't know any better?


Or are you referring to front office people?

Originally Posted by snepp

You mean other than the vast majority of baseball fans that don't know any better?


Or are you referring to front office people?

Anyone that takes analyzing defense seriously.

Since Liriano has been traded, is Casilla the only Spanish speaking player left on the 25 man?

drjim
So if you are a fan, how do YOU anyalyze defense if you dont count errors, UZR, fielding percentage............curious

Originally Posted by nokomismod

Since Liriano has been traded, is Casilla the only Spanish speaking player left on the 25 man?

Sam Deduno & Luis Perdomo Id guess
of course, Drew Butera cause there is nothing Drew cannot do

Too bad Drew can't hit as well as he can pitch, he could work his "latino whisperer" magic on Casilla

On a rebuilding team there is zero room for a guy like Casilla, I'd prefer they trade him for anything at this point as I can't see them offering him a contract heading into next season.

Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave

On a rebuilding team there is zero room for a guy like Casilla, I'd prefer they trade him for anything at this point as I can't see them offering him a contract heading into next season.

WHOA WHOA WHOA...I thought the Twins were gonna be right in the thick of the postseason hunt next season?

Originally Posted by DPJ

WHOA WHOA WHOA...I thought the Twins were gonna be right in the thick of the postseason hunt next season?

The Twins are rebuilding, that doens't mean they still can't put together a club capable of competeing if things break right in 2013. I never said they were going to be in the thick of anything, just that in this division if they can address the SP issues successfully through trades and FA they could have a shot as long as things break right (Gibson and Hendriks would need to step up, Mauer/Morneau/Willingham healthy etc).

They are a .500 team since May,they aren't nearly as far away as the chicken littles of this board are claiming.

Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave

They are a .500 team since May,they aren't nearly as far away as the chicken littles of this board are claiming.

Gotta love cherry-picking numbers.

I hear the Twins are a 1.000 team since Friday. Why aren't we buying?