JNichols42887

The Marlins have--for now--decided not to trade A.J. Burnett. They had a return in mind when they started dealing him, some combination of prospects in return and contracts taken, that they have not been able to match up. The return is pretty well known, so the right offer could heat this back up in a hurry. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=4249

Luis Castillo is the best 2B in baseball. Alfonso Soriano can't hit the ball away from Texas. Next. Huh?? Not according to any objectively measurable statistic, he's not.? Taking into account offense only (fair, since you're argument centers on Soriano vs. Castillo on offense), Castillo doesn't rank well in VORP (Value over replacement player).? That stat, developed by Baseball Prospectus, measures the number of runs contributed beyond what a replacement-level player at the same position would contribute if given the same percentage of team plate appearances. Here are the VORP rankings for 2Bs in 2005: 1) Brian Roberts (VORP 54.3 -meaning Roberts is 54% than the average 2B) 2) Chase Utley (35.9) 3) Jeff Kent (35.6) 4) Marcus Giles (28.1) 5) SORIANO (27.7) 6) Craig Biggio (25.5) 7) Craig Counsell (20.1) 8) Luis Castillo (18.6) By the way, ranking 8th is an improvement for Luis.? Last year, he ranked 11th (although he also was 8th in the majors in 2003, and was 7th in the majors in 2002). More importantly, however, are the following numbers... 40.7 39.0 33.5 18.6 These correspond to Castillo's VORPs from 2002-2005.? Note the steady decline.? That's what concerns me. But to state that Castillo's the best 2B in baseball?? C'mon. 867215[/snapback] VORP's good in determining the overall ability of a hitter. But for our team, Castillo is much more effective. Castillo bats in front of two sluggers, so he needs to get on base a lot, especially since Pierre is struggling. He does that perfectly. His OBP is 98 points higher than Soriano's even when including Soriano's inflated numbers. And of course, you're ignoring Soriano's home/road splits. As has already been mentioned, he is a totally different hitter on the road. His OPS is 1.052 at home and .652 on the road. Don't you think that makes his VORP a little misleading? Also, since you are familiar with BP, look at the EQA's of the respective players. Soriano's is .288, and Castillo's is .296. Who's the better hitter now? And lastly, your point about Castillo declining is correct until you bring up 2005. Of course it's less than 2004! It's only half a season. Stretch it out for the whole year, and it's probably aroind 35 or 36, higher than 2004, and not a steady decline. I will leave you with this excerpt about Soriano from the BP 2005 book: "Probably the single most overrated player in baseball. Yes, it's interesting and exciting that he can hit a pitch two feet down and in over the fence. But what the hell is he doing swinging at it in the first place? Most of the time, he flails at that pitch and misses it, in yet another mini three-act play that has Soriano loping back to the bench. He hit .244/.291/.444 on the road. Defensively, no metric pegs him as a good defensive second baseman, and one advance scout describes him as 'beyond redemption' with the glove. Why, exactly, do people think this guy is anything remotely resembling a star? Are we that starved for excitement?"

Who's out there? Griffey? I don't think Dunn's available (I read the Reds are asking for way too much).

Luis Castillo is much better than Soriano. Soriano away from hitter-friendly Texas: .230 avg, .270 OBP, .382 SLG, .652 OPS, 42 SO, 8 BB Castillo, who plays in a pitcher's park that hurts his stats: .321 avg, .415 OBP, .397 SLG, .812 OPS, 19 SO, 43 BB Don't even mention defense. Soriano makes a terrible second baseman. But he also makes a terrible outfielder, third baseman, shortstop, first baseman, and catcher, because he can't hit.

But why so early?? Why not wait until the trading deadline and see if we can get more?? If this is just a salary dump and we're tanking this season.... 862552[/snapback] Because in two weeks it might be too late. 862556[/snapback] Why? The offers will only get better.

But why so early? Why not wait until the trading deadline and see if we can get more? If this is just a salary dump and we're tanking this season....

Don't forget that less experience means less wear and tear on his arm. He's in better shape than most kids his age.

I just think that nobody likes playing for the Marlins and everyone is a better player when they leave. It makes me mad. I won't forgive Lee for the same reason. 860789[/snapback] There's this guy...his name is Carl Pavano...

If the Yankees are willing to take on the rest of leiter's contract and pay a nice chunk of Pavano's contract for Burnett, the Marlins would do that trade in a second. To say Pavano was a fluke last year was one of the worst comments I have ever heard and you obvisouly didnt watch the fish in 2003 and you should be ban forever from this board. 857286[/snapback] That was a joke, right?

Don't the Reds need pitching?

Dunn is by far the best option.

Home runs continue to be the most overrated offensive stat in baseball. When you're losing every fifth day guaranteed, one of your aces can't keep himself healthy, and the guy you counted on to be the 3rd biggest producer on the team can't hit over the Mendoza line - that's why you don't win. 847829[/snapback] The best offensive teams in baseball are the best home run hitting teams in baseball.

Washington doesn't hit any homeruns. Look what's happened to them :plain 847787[/snapback] Washington has the worst offense in baseball.

Is it Clemens' fault the Astros have one of the worst offenses in baseball?

Is it Clemens' fault the Astros have one of the worst offenses in baseball?