DER or Defensive Efficiency Ratio is the measure of how many batted balls turned into outs not including HR. The formula is (BFP- H – K – BB – HBP – E)/(BFP –HR – K – BB – HBP). A good DER is usually .700 (1- .300(indicative of .300 BA).
Now for the Rankings
As mentioned on the chat board honorable mention goes to Las Vegas, NY Hokies, Cleveland, Cincy, Little Rock & Seattle who just missed the Top 10 but did finish in the top half of the league.
10) Anaheim Mighty Sake Bombs
Der- .699
Record- 70-92
Plus/Minus- 14/20
Errors- 79
GB/FB- 28th
Lots of Flyballs here. But unlike a couple of other teams on this list, (San Diego & San Francisco) this ball park isn’t quite the best park for such a flyball staff. As I stated in the message board, this defense was an average defense that got a little lucky. I forsee a move down this list as opposed to a move up.
9) Dover Derelicts
Der- .699
Record- 94-68
Plus/minus- 13/23
Errors- 71
GB/FB Rank- 19th
Like Anaheim this was really just an average Defense that didn’t commit many errors. In fact between all 1b & C only 3 errors and 6 passed balls were committed. The 1B had below Average A/9. The 2B,corner OF, 3B were all average to slightly below average defenders. In CF we had one very good in Calvin Hammond & one Very Bad in Wayne Moore . Of the 23 minus plays by Dover Moore had 11 of them. The SS had nice range which is along with the C/1b along with Hammond in CF is why they placed in the top 10.
8) Charlotte Sluggers
Der- .701
Record- 82-80
Plus/Minus- 12/8
Errors- 84
GB/FB rank- 29th
Just as .300 indicates a solid hitter (at least it used too) .700 for Der (1-.300) equals a solid defense. I like Charlottes Season 2 defense. The 1b committed zero errors, though the A/9 is down (more on this later). Catchers passed balls were low. Nice Range at SS & CF when Juan Silva was in CF, not so much with Sammy Guzman there. Guzman was awesome when he played LF. Hector Romero @ 2b (Yay!!!). Stan DiSarcina @ 2b ?. Hernandez was solid at 3B. This was a good defense folks, could have ranked higher.
A trend is starting to develop for lower than nomal PB for catchers & lower A/9 for 1B. Limited Data so far but a trend that is worth tracking. Lots of Flyballs here for this OF.
7) New Orleans Ragin Cajuns
Der- .701
Record- 102-60
Plus/Minus- 24/11
Errors- 44 (1st place)
GB/FB- 18th
Always great to inherit a 102 win team with a good defense as a division mate.
This infield defense is stellar. The best I have seen so far and I have a hard time imaging much better. Not one but two solid defending SS in Alberto Telemaco & Johnny Pickett Outstanding defense at 3b with Dion Harris. 2b very solid with 5/0 plus minus score. Another low A/9 & PB/9 rate for 1b & C respectively. Very few errors by any defender but zero from C & only 2 from 1B. The reason they aren’t on top of the list? There was some bad. Except for PT SS Pickett in CF & Bradley in LF the OF was a mess. I have a feeling that if the OF was a tad better the Rajun Cajuns would be closer to the top of this list.
6) Buffalo Ridge Runners
Der- .702
Record- 98-64
Plus/Minus- 33/9
Errors- 58 (#5)
GB/FB- 2nd
. I could end this essay there I think. Yank had 17 plus /one minus for defensive plays along with outstanding range. Just think if there had been more flyballs here, the plus plays could have been over 20. Need good range in CF because the LF/RF cant defend for squat. Bailey is a top notch 3b. 2b is solid although glove a little low. With Ramon Chang we have our first passable A/9 rate ( I can quit bitching about that till the next team). 6 passed balls in 1400+ innings? Come on. I know we are the Thurman Munson world but does every C get to have PB/9 rates like Thurman. Posada was solid with 7/0 plus minus with solid glove but he is 34 & the rf is going down. Take away Yank/Posada and the plus/minus is 9/8. A good defense but maybe I would flip/flop them with New Orleans. In closing………………….
Go Yank!!!!!
5) San Diego Admirals
Der- .706
Record- 65-97
Plus/Minus- 18/15
Errors- 78
GB/FB- 24th
Good Defense at 2B/SS & especially at CF. Nice platoon in CF. CF/LF combo were 12/1 in plus/minus plays. RF wasn’t very good at all, 3b was below average. Good Defense up the middle and not so good everywhere else was the theme here. The C/1b defense question continues with only 6 pb and very low A/9 rate for 1b. The ballpark here skews the DER somewhat. I didn’t adjust the Der by ballparks but if so I thinks this solid up the middle defense deserves them a top 10 spot but I would move New Orleans, Buffalo & possibly Charlotte ahead of this squad.
4) San Francisco Gothams
Der- .707
Record- 111-51 (not too shabby)
Plus/Minus 16/22
Errors- 66
GB/FB ranking- 31st
With this many flyballs you better have 2 things, A) a ball park to handle it. With HR factors of -3, -3 (check). B) OF range to chase them down, surprisingly this wasn’t the case. The trio of Lorenzo Benavente , Albert Chavez, & Chris Murray were not very good defensively. Rodriguez @ SS decent glove not much range to speak of. Gordon & Wengert excelled @ 3B. At 2B Breen was below Average.1b caught the ball very well, Catchers excelled in PB.
This team won with great hitting, & great pitchers who didn’t walk anybody. They didn’t win with defense. I suspect this Der to drop next season. Like San Diego the Park kept more balls in play that in terms of Der put them a little higher than other teams with Neutral parks. The fact that San Fran & San Diego were in the same Divison along with the Dodgers and Dodger Stadium helped matters also. I suspect if I adjusted these Ders based on ballpark effects the Gothams & possibly the admirals drop from the list with Las Vegas, Cincy or the Hokies jumping in the top 10.
Saying all that, Damn was this team good everywhere else.
3) Syracuse Athletics/Scranton A's
Der- .717
Record- 92-70
Plus/Minus- 28/14
Errors- 48 (2nd)
GB/FB- 22nd
I was kind of surprised at the Syracuse Athletics lack of range. The OF range was dismal. The Infield range was just average. I was expecting more from the 3rd ranked Der. What I found out about this team as evidenced by their Error rate, they excel in glove, arm accuracy and strength. They simply caught every ball that came their way. I prefer the rangier team but this one was certainly was very efficient with what they had to work with. There was no ballpark effect here as Syracuse played in a neutral stadium. Overall though I would move New Orleans & Buffalo ahead of them.
2) Toronto Mighty Moose
Der- .719
Record- 80-82
Plus/Minus- 19/20
Errors- 69
GB/FB- 9th
Stellar IF defense. Strong Accurate Armed SS(although at 32 lost some range for season 3). Juan Baez at 2b has SS ratings, may have been the best defensive 2B in the league, was 6/1 on plus/minus. Good Defense at the Infield Corners. Low Errors at First, Nice Range @ 3b. Low A/9 rate and low passed balls again(arghh!!).
Outfielders on this team defensively are nothing to get excited about. With such average defenders in the OF with a Stellar Infield Defense with High DER rating, I had a feeling this was a GB dominated Staff, so after checking I was right they ranked 9tth in the league. A good defense to fit the ball park & pitching staff.
1) Iowa Blackshirt Huskers
Der- .722
Record- 80-82
Plus/Minus- 19/12
Errors- 54 (3rd)
GB/FB- 7th
As those bums from Mexico City say here is Numero Uno Senor. Good Defense here. Lots of GB was perfect for this Defense. Buzz Dorsey @ SS was top notch. Harry Rios @ 3B also top of the league defender. Ramiro Furcal & Rafael Guerrero made an outstanding 2B combo both with range capable of SS although Furcals glove is a little low. The Corner Outfielders on this team were very good. The problem here is that one of the Corner OF was playing CF. Overall a Solid Defense for park & pitcher/type.
In Summary for the teams ranked I really like in no particular order New Orleans, Iowa City, Buffalo, Toronto, & Charlotte. They all deserve the ranking they got or should be higher. Teams that would drop are Scranton, San Fran, San Diego, Dover & Anaheim.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Top 10 Biggest Free Agent Signings
Here is a list of the ten most lucrative contracts signed during the free agent period. I have only included players who are moving to a new team - those who are returning to their old team were not included. The values listed include the total money over the entire life of the contract.
10. 1B Marino Renteria ($15.2 M/4 years) - Los Angeles Longballers
Los Angeles was a team that made a huge free agent splash this season. We will see their name pop up again before the end of this report. Renteria was limited to just over 200 ABs with KC last year, but figures to play a larger role for the Longballers, especially against left-handed pitching.
9. SP Gary Scott ($16.5 M/3 years) - Mexico City Diablos Rojos
Mexico City brings in new ownership, and apparently the new ownership isn't afraid to go the free agent route to improve their team. Scott should anchor the Red Devil rotation, as he posted a 3.91 ERA last season in 198 innings pitched. Scott turns 35 this season, which may prove to be a concern by the end of the contract.
8. RP Tony Xaio ($16.5 M/3 years) - Little Rock Snappers
Little Rock is coming off of a playoff appearance, and don't seem to have any large holes this season. Xaio, however, wiil add depth to their pitching staff. He lacks the stamina you usually want in a starter, although he has started in the past. Last season Xaio, in 128 IP posted a 3.66 ERA and struck out 106 batters.
7. RP Harold Summers ($16.8 M/3 years) - Indianapolis Wildcats
The Wildcats were looking for help at the back end of their bullpen, and they found it in Harold Summers. Possibly the best reliever in this free agent class, Summers saved 46 games with a 3.71 ERA last season for St. Louis.
6. SP Geoffery Corcoran ($16.8 M/3 years) - Los Angeles Longballers
With this signing, the Longballers are hoping to strengthen their pitching staff, although to do so, he'll need to be more effective than he was in Season 2 with Cleveland (93 IP, 4.84 ERA).
5. RP Marv Rivers ($17.2 M/4 years) - Detroit Hawks
Detroit is under new ownership, and right out of the gate, they are rolling the dice with this move. Rivers is unproven at the major league level, where he will be expected to close out games for the Hawks. He converted 18 of 22 opportunities last season in Triple-A, but if he can't produce at the big-league level, Detroit will be on the hook for a lot of money.
4. C Pete Stairs ($23.2 M/4 years) - Scranton Athletics
Scranton is another team who made a big splash during the free agent period, and anything less than a World Series Championship this season will be a disappointment. Stairs will help their cause, who may have been the best free agent signing this season. At only 27 years old, Stairs still has some great years ahead of him. He posts a career .418 on-base percentage and has hit at least 20 home runs and driven in at least 100 runs in each of the past two seasons.
3. 1B Wiki Cruz ($28 M/4 years) - Scranton Athletics
This is another player that Scranton will be able to stick in the middle of their order and expect to produce. Last year he was good for a .310 average with 39 home runs and 124 RBI, and The A's will expect at least that this season.
2. SP Ernest Lincoln ($32 M/5 years) - Pittsburgh Bad Little Doggies
This was the biggest contract dealt to a starting pitcher this season. Lincoln, only 27 years old, should be an effective starter for years to come. Last season with Buffalo, he posted a 4.10 ERA in 193.1 innings pitched. Pittsburgh will hope for that kind of production, if not better.
1. 2B Lon Moran ($33.2 M/4 years) - Los Angeles Longballers
The biggest contract this season goes out to Moran, who is expected to provide a spark at the top of the Longballers' lineup. Last season he batted .292 with 112 runs scored and 62 stolen bases. The Longballs hope that these big contracts will translate into wins, which they were severely lacking last season.
10. 1B Marino Renteria ($15.2 M/4 years) - Los Angeles Longballers
Los Angeles was a team that made a huge free agent splash this season. We will see their name pop up again before the end of this report. Renteria was limited to just over 200 ABs with KC last year, but figures to play a larger role for the Longballers, especially against left-handed pitching.
9. SP Gary Scott ($16.5 M/3 years) - Mexico City Diablos Rojos
Mexico City brings in new ownership, and apparently the new ownership isn't afraid to go the free agent route to improve their team. Scott should anchor the Red Devil rotation, as he posted a 3.91 ERA last season in 198 innings pitched. Scott turns 35 this season, which may prove to be a concern by the end of the contract.
8. RP Tony Xaio ($16.5 M/3 years) - Little Rock Snappers
Little Rock is coming off of a playoff appearance, and don't seem to have any large holes this season. Xaio, however, wiil add depth to their pitching staff. He lacks the stamina you usually want in a starter, although he has started in the past. Last season Xaio, in 128 IP posted a 3.66 ERA and struck out 106 batters.
7. RP Harold Summers ($16.8 M/3 years) - Indianapolis Wildcats
The Wildcats were looking for help at the back end of their bullpen, and they found it in Harold Summers. Possibly the best reliever in this free agent class, Summers saved 46 games with a 3.71 ERA last season for St. Louis.
6. SP Geoffery Corcoran ($16.8 M/3 years) - Los Angeles Longballers
With this signing, the Longballers are hoping to strengthen their pitching staff, although to do so, he'll need to be more effective than he was in Season 2 with Cleveland (93 IP, 4.84 ERA).
5. RP Marv Rivers ($17.2 M/4 years) - Detroit Hawks
Detroit is under new ownership, and right out of the gate, they are rolling the dice with this move. Rivers is unproven at the major league level, where he will be expected to close out games for the Hawks. He converted 18 of 22 opportunities last season in Triple-A, but if he can't produce at the big-league level, Detroit will be on the hook for a lot of money.
4. C Pete Stairs ($23.2 M/4 years) - Scranton Athletics
Scranton is another team who made a big splash during the free agent period, and anything less than a World Series Championship this season will be a disappointment. Stairs will help their cause, who may have been the best free agent signing this season. At only 27 years old, Stairs still has some great years ahead of him. He posts a career .418 on-base percentage and has hit at least 20 home runs and driven in at least 100 runs in each of the past two seasons.
3. 1B Wiki Cruz ($28 M/4 years) - Scranton Athletics
This is another player that Scranton will be able to stick in the middle of their order and expect to produce. Last year he was good for a .310 average with 39 home runs and 124 RBI, and The A's will expect at least that this season.
2. SP Ernest Lincoln ($32 M/5 years) - Pittsburgh Bad Little Doggies
This was the biggest contract dealt to a starting pitcher this season. Lincoln, only 27 years old, should be an effective starter for years to come. Last season with Buffalo, he posted a 4.10 ERA in 193.1 innings pitched. Pittsburgh will hope for that kind of production, if not better.
1. 2B Lon Moran ($33.2 M/4 years) - Los Angeles Longballers
The biggest contract this season goes out to Moran, who is expected to provide a spark at the top of the Longballers' lineup. Last season he batted .292 with 112 runs scored and 62 stolen bases. The Longballs hope that these big contracts will translate into wins, which they were severely lacking last season.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Gothams Win Again!
The San Francisco Gothams have established their dynasty...barely. After losing two games at home to start the World Series, San Francisco climbed back to even the series with an exciting 10-inning 7-6 victory with a solo homerun by Joe Gordon. However, the New York Hokies were ready to assert themselves as more than just underdogs with a stellar outing by Albert Sardinha who went 6.2 innings allowing only one run for a Game Five victory. This led to a crucial Game 6 ninth inning one-out single that scored Albert Chavez who had just stolen second base. The climatic Game 7 displayed a full team effort by the Gothams highlighted by a Gordon solo shot and 6.1 innings and 6 strikeouts by Sterling Darwin. Dale Glass finished the ninth with his fourth save of the post-season, finishing with a 1.80 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.
The regular season and the playoffs went as predicted in the National League minus the sudden drop off of the New York Highlanders. St. Louis, Little Rock and San Francisco all clinched their second consecutive division titles while first-season wildcards Dover and Buffalo battled for first place in the NL East, separated by only 4 games. Significant teams who stepped up their level of competition from the year prior were Austin, Toronto, Arizona, and Iowa City. All four teams are looking to continue their good fortune into the third season. The post-season in the National League also saw an absence of upsets for the second straight year. Only two series resulted in upsets but the seed deferential for both was only a difference of one.
The American League saw the emergence of the Madison Mud Holes whose "win-now" attitude transformed the AL North into a season-long war. The flurry of trades and moves made throughout this season including the acquisition of Jason Van Hatten will change the AL for years to come. Notable declines are the franchises of Syracuse and Anaheim who won 118 and 98 games respectively last season but only 92 and 70 this year. This bodes well for Indianapolis and Charlotte who are nudging closer and closer to a division title. This is also exciting news for the Las Vegas Viagras who not only won the most games in the AL this season but have a winning record for every single minor league team including a AAA championship. This season also featured four division winners who played better on the road then at home. This "road-warrior" mentality carried over into the post-season where the away team won 11 out of 19 times. Only one favorite won a series in the entire AL post-season.
All of this culminated in the second showing of a New York-San Francisco World Series which became a ratings hit. As fans begin to gravitate toward these two teams, the other organizations are scrambling to maintain their fan base, create promotional opportunities and excitement while providing competitive teams. Good luck and we'll see you next year!
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