RedBull34

Of course. It's an idea and probably a bad one, but it's a talking point.

Would it kill to put Mauer in LF, I really think he could handle it, and it would solve a lot of issues with the Twins roster. I give him a decent shot of being pretty good at it too. Obviously only if he could actually do it well.

That was a mistake, and not targeted at you. I should have made that more clear and have since deleted it. As for the rest, I guess that's why the MLB changes rulings on the field that are incorrect (you know they have done this) both after the game (more for errors) and during the game (the whole second player situation). I'm not saying they aren't up for interpretation themselves, but isn't that what makes RBI's a flawed stat is that it is so subjective to both good and bad circumstances? I am a believer that errors are under-attributed but once they are recorded, it has become fact. It might not really be fact. (like the whole O.J. situation above. It's a fact he wasn't guilty, but he probably was.) But once ruled as an RBI, in essence it really is because unless the MLB changes it after the game, it is recorded in the statbook as a fact. I've never seen a person question wrc+ because maybe there are some misattributed stats swaying it. People just accept that as normal circumstance. A most perfect example of what I'm saying is Armando Galaragga's "perfect" game. He threw it. The Ump admitted it was. The MLB didn't change their mind. Therefore in fact it isn't a perfect game...Even though it was. BTW I edit an immense amount, sort of like drafts a paper..

Most importantly WAR can be determined using different formula's therefore it is not a FACT but an OPINION. One which should be regarded with a measure of respect (although WAR is by far and away my least favorite advanced stat as people use it, FIP I find more useful). A fact is fairly useless without interpretation, which exactly what advanced stats are. They are what people should really be paying attention to. IMO people have been looking at advanced stats like they are facts, which the Baltimore O's have frequently proved they aren't. They are interpretations. However there can be disagreements on interpretations, hence my whole argument.

The Rule (a) The official scorer shall credit the batter with a run batted in for every run that scores: (1) unaided by an error and as part of a play begun by the batter's safe hit (including the batter's home run), sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out or fielder's choice, unless Rule 10.04 applies; (2) by reason of the batter becoming a runner with the bases full (because of a base on balls, an award of first base for being touched by a pitched ball or for interference or obstruction); or (3) when, before two are out, an error is made on a play on which a runner from third base ordinarily would score. The official scorer shall not credit a run batted in (1) when the batter grounds into a force double play or a reverse-force double play; or (2) when a fielder is charged with an error because the fielder muffs a throw at first base that would have completed a force double play. © The official scorer's judgment must determine whether a run batted in shall be credited for a run that scores when a fielder holds the ball or throws to a wrong base. Ordinarily, if the runner keeps going, the official scorer should credit a run batted in; if the runner stops and takes off again when the runner notices the misplay, the official scorer should credit the run as scored on a fielder's choice. TL;DR When you find it in the rulebook how to define WAR, then you would be correct. As to then there is a clear definition as to what MUST constitute an RBI or a HR. FIP, WAR, xFIP are all more useful then an RBI. That does not make them a fact. That has all I've been arguing. You seem to be on a bend to make it sound as if I hate advanced stats.

That's a strawman argument and I won't respond to it.

The official scorer and the umpires interpret the rules and apply them. If a grevious error has been made the MLB has been known to correct them. Or the Replay. Just like a judge at a court case many things can be up for interpretation. Somebody has to make the call. Here is a metaphor for what you are arguing vs. what I am arguing. You are arguing that all the evidence says that O.J. Simpson killed Nicole Simpson, and I would not disagree. I am arguing that he was found not guilty. That is a fact. That there was human interpretation is irrelevant. He may have done it or not, but he was found not guilty. The scorer ruled it an RBI, therefore it is.

You might be able to swing it for players with high upside/low floor's like Lewis Thorpe or Eddie Rosario. Not just one but multiple guys. Not that I think it would happen. But I agree, low upside/MLB serviceable-but-not-important pieces won't work.

An RBI is an RBI. That a fielder made a questionable play is irrelevant to an RBI being scored an RBI. That the ump made a bad call on the pitch before is irrelevant to it being an RBI. No way is it debatable that Miguel Cabrera had 139 RBI's in 2012. Otherwise we are in the "nothing is true" territory. As noted, theories can be more useful but that doesn't make them fact.

Please read the last line of my post. I'm not saying that we should only use stats that are facts. I'm arguing that other stats can be useful. But that they are not facts. And an RBI is an RBI. If you get a hit and somebody scores without an error, it's an RBI. That's a fact. How useful that is is debatable though. A stat based on theory like FIP can be more useful then a stat based on fact, like RBI's. This is not always the case, but it can be.

Michael Brantley is exactly the guy I wouldn't want. He would cost way to much, and has only one year of track service at this pace. This could just be a Brady Anderson year.

I would think about trading Escobar before trading Dozier, because then at least it would bring Santana back to SS. I realize Escobar would not yield as much, but he would be a hell of a utility guy for a playoff team.

Yea, depending on Sano, I would take a hard look at Plouffe in LF, or Rosario or Hicks. I would go in-house in other words.

Unproven Nick Franklin just headlined a deal for Price. A "decent" starter would never cut it for Dozier. I realize that there were other pieces involved but Dozier is more valuable than anybody that was involved in that deal. In other words, unless the Cubs offer Russell & C.J. Edwards (or any team with a similar deal), I pass.

You rang?

He is still cost controlled and a fan favorite. It's not going to happen. Plus I would have to find another Twin with amazing hair for my pic, and i'm not liking Arcia's...

Since the only margin there is called strikes and balls that a player looks at, I think the margin is very small. And since all players deal with the same umpires, that margin is incredibly small. What the impact of fielding is on an actual player's value is not even close to being determined, the margin in WAR is much larger. Also I'm not debating that it isn't useful, but that it is not a fact.

I would disagree because Out of Zone swing percentage is simply times swung/oppurtunities to swing. In no way is it debatable how many times Dozier swung at balls and how many times he didn't. What if I were to argue that the formula would more accurately be represented by a 12HR variable? Whole #'s across the board seem really unlikely to be the "true" impact of these events anyways. This is likewise with WAR. The balance of fielding vs. hitting vs. running is not a settled debate, that's why there are different measures of WAR out there, because it isn't fact. Don't get me wrong, I like FIP, but since the impact of fielders and wind and so many other variables are not completely understood, it is not fact, it is theory.

I agree with Arcia that he should try and play his game, but on the other hand both should try and take a 2 strike approach when they have 2 strikes on them! Make the pitch be there, choke up, shorten the swing, and get some contact! Arcia only has 3 HR's with two strikes on him, so this isn't when he is seeing the ball. He needs to work the pitcher and when he gets two strikes on him, work on putting it in play. If he cuts down his K% rate by 5-10 percent he will see a corresponding rise in BA and OBP. However, he should be just taking a normal approach in neutral and hitter's counts.

The questions marks mean prospects will have to come up and fill those roles. Arcia will be in RF, Vargas at DH, Nolasco will have a rotation spot, Meyer might have one as well next year. Hopefully May gets going and earns one. I wouldn't really bother on a 3B for any longer then a one year contract. Same with LF (or CF). I don't think I would sign any pitchers this off-season because it's time for the Twins to see what they have. Nolasco, Hughes, Meyer, May, Gibson.

Levi Michael didn't Homer, he singled to lead off.

You want to exclude Buxton? He's still a top 3 prospect in all of baseball!

If Mauer is rehabbing, why isn't he playing?

Does Vargas pretty much say no Pinto?

Good call, I missed that.