Who is really the best baseball team in the majors? I honestly don't know but I try to figure that out by using basic and advanced statistics. I live for talking about baseball, it's my biggest drive in my life and I will jump on the opportunity to talk baseball with anyone, even with people who I don't really like. For me, Baseball is a piece of art that sits in my mind all day, ready to be painted on at any point of the day.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Beltre Signs with the Texas Rangers

Alright, I know I said that he was going to sign with the Anaheim Angels, but clearly I was wrong. I mean, everyone thought that.

Adrian Beltre signed a 5-year, $80 million contract with the division rival Texas Rangers. There was a lot of talk of him going to the Rangers for a while but no one thought that they would actually sign him and move long-time Ranger, Michael Young to DH. But they did. The Athletics were thought to get him for a while until they pulled out and the Angels had been the favorite to grab him through out the whole off-season.

This signing is really great for the Rangers defense in the infield as Beltre will settle in with defensive wizard, shortstop Elvis Andrus.

Now, before I continue, I would like to say that I am not a big fan of UZR/150 (or UZR overall). I think that the stat is bias but it is a stat that I use a lot anyways for defense.

Beltre's UZR/150 since 2009 is 33.9 and even though Andrus's UZR/150 dropped a crazy amount this year, it was just barely above average. In 2009, Andrus's UZR/150 was a great 13.5 2010: .3.

There is much more I can say about Beltre because I have already written about him. If you have not read that specific post on Beltre, click here

Also, if anyone knows any defensive stats that you use a lot, feel free to tell me.

(Statistics in courtesy of: fangraphs.com)
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    it also should be noted that this is a good deal for the red sox, as they will now take the ranger's 26th pick overall in addition to a compensation pick late in the first round.

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  2. Mike MoritzJanuary 5, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    yes, thats a great point, I forgot to mention that but that is definitely something to keep in mind

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  3. Suge KnightJanuary 5, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Thank you Mikey Mor! UZR is a very iffy stat.

    The fluctuations are laughable and I think there are some serious sample size issues involved as well.

    DRS on Fangraphs looks like a decent stat...It stands for 'Defensive Runs Saved'

    http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/Fielding-Bible-FAQ.asp

    However I would just keep it old skool and trust your eye, scout style.

    I don't need highly questionable (and undoubtedly whimsical) defensive stats to know that mah man Franklin Gutierrez is a truly sensational defensive player, regardless of position.

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