08-07-2009, 12:39 AM
<!--quoteo(post=56212:date=Aug 6 2009, 10:31 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Aug 6 2009, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56211:date=Aug 6 2009, 11:18 PM:name=cubbieblue)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cubbieblue @ Aug 6 2009, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Based on the beginning of the article I don't think he was trying to imply the Cubs suck. He is a die hard Cubs fan. He was more talking about why the Cubs aren't running away with the division the way everyone thought they were. The Cardinals have what, $40 million less in salary and they are keeping up? There is your wasted $40 million. Although Soriano and Bradley are going to improve their WAR a lot of the next 2 months I believe.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So according to that theory, by fielding a team with a few more unproven minor leaguers instead of the overpriced players you mentioned, we'd be running away with the division, or at minimum have 2 more wins? Forget the fact that not all of the sunk costs that your buddy mentioned take up roster spots and don't factor into W/L, but I think that's partly what people are finding difficult to take seriously from that article.
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It's just the WAR numbers. He nor I came up with them, he just grouped that group of players together in that section I quoted. Yes, the ones that aren't taking up roster spots don't affect the W/L record, but they do prevent the Cubs from having the payroll flexibility to adding other players. And yes, assuming his data is right, the Cubs would have 2 more wins if the above players were replaced by "replacement players." Again, they aren't his numbers. If you don't understand wOBA, UZR, FIR, WAR, RAR, etc. then you might want to read up on those if you want to understand these numbers (although I think FIR sucks, but that is just my opinion).
So according to that theory, by fielding a team with a few more unproven minor leaguers instead of the overpriced players you mentioned, we'd be running away with the division, or at minimum have 2 more wins? Forget the fact that not all of the sunk costs that your buddy mentioned take up roster spots and don't factor into W/L, but I think that's partly what people are finding difficult to take seriously from that article.
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It's just the WAR numbers. He nor I came up with them, he just grouped that group of players together in that section I quoted. Yes, the ones that aren't taking up roster spots don't affect the W/L record, but they do prevent the Cubs from having the payroll flexibility to adding other players. And yes, assuming his data is right, the Cubs would have 2 more wins if the above players were replaced by "replacement players." Again, they aren't his numbers. If you don't understand wOBA, UZR, FIR, WAR, RAR, etc. then you might want to read up on those if you want to understand these numbers (although I think FIR sucks, but that is just my opinion).