Handbook Preview: Matthew Trueblood on Shunning The Shift

Here's a taste:

Shifting is not a universal good; it must be implemented thoughtfully and effectively. Still, the high-level evidence suggests the Twins were better when they deployed shifts more often.

In August, only the Pirates allowed a higher BABIP than did the Twins. In September, only the Tigers and Cubs did. In analysis of individual pitchers, BABIP is often treated as an indicator of luck, but at the team level, it speaks to the quality of the defense. Minnesota’s was, down the stretch, one of the worst in baseball.

Not only does Trueblood breakdown the impacts of decreasing the frequency of the shift, he breaks down the impact and the variation behind each individual starting pitcher. And since this is an offseason-focused publication, he looks at the free agent starting pitchers they Twins might acquire and their history (and in some cases, criticism) of using the shift.

It’s all done so you can come up with your own offseason blueprint and see how it compares to that of the Twins brain trust. Secure your digital copy now, and you'll get it before it's officially available to the public (ETA is around the conclusion of the World Series). You can name your price but the minimum for preorders is $10. You can only get it early if you preorder, so grab yours now!