Tiger337

That kind of explains the difference between b-ref and fangraphs pitching WAR. b-ref focuses on past performannce while fangraphs is morte predictive. Both philosophies have their uses. But what if fielding performance does in fact change because a player loses a step? Then we don't know if the change is due to performance or variability. It has been shown that fielding performance peaks earlier than hitting.

Yes, that is a problem. I don't think it's a good mainstream stat. To your other point, I don't think defensive ability necessarily changes so much year to year, but it's very possible that the small sample performance that we see does vary a lot. Defenders are much like relievers in that they don't have a large sample size of difficult plays over a season.

I hope they go with DRS so WAR will be more consistent across b-ref and fangraphs. Statcast might be better - I have kind of assumed that it is - but I don't think it has been proven. I don't know if WAR ever should have been mainstreamed, but since it already is happening, it should be more consistent. Those who want to dive deeper can plug in any numbers they want and make their own WAR.

Defensive statistics are less reliable than hitting stats in general, but I trust DRS more than most defensive measures. I like that is continually updated and transparent. I usually look at statcast and DRS, but it takes a long time for defensive numbers to stabilize. I don't think even a full season is enough.

Never take Shelton's bait.

Skenes is the second best pitcher in baseball and he's got 4 more years until free agency. I don't know if any pitcher with that much value and team control has ever been traded before, so we don't know how much he's worth. I don't think it's ridiculous for the Pirates to expect multiple bluechip prospects in return for him. Regardless of his value though, I would not want the Tigers to do that. I'd rather they keep their best position prospects rather than roll the dice on one big pitching prize. I think there is little chance of the Pirates trading him anyway.

If you compare them by OWAR which takes hitting and position into account, then Greene has the lead 2.8 to 2.1. So, the big difference is fielding. B-Ref uses the DRS statistic: Rodriguez 12 runs better than average (roughly 1.2 WAR) and Greene -2 runs worse than average. That is a huge difference. Is Rodriguez really that much better defensively this year? Looking at the statcast numbers, Rodriguez is 9 outs better than average and Greene is average (0). Fangraphs has Greene with 3.0 overall WAR and Rodriguez 2.4. FanGraphs has used UZR for WAR in the past, but they are not showing any data for 2025. So, I am not sure what they are doing this year - either they are still using UZR and they are just not showing us or they are using a different stat now.

It's due to defense. Julio is a center fielder, so WAR gives him more positional value. He also has a much higher DRS (which is what b-ref uses for the defensive component) than Greene this year.

When I search my name in google or perplexity, a picture of Bobby Grich shows up. I can guess the connection (a Hall lof Fame discusiion somewhere involving Lou Whitaker), but I hated Bobby Grich so it's annoying.

Things tend to work well when there is always someone there to bail you out.

That's a good thing for those that dislike Republicans.

In general, I think he has good marketing instincts. As long as somebody else handles all the details. he knows how to pitch it.

Someone who knows excatly what he's doing at all times would qualify as a genius of some sort.

He had a couple of pretty good years, but he was so overrated. Everybody just loved his nickname. I love your hitter WAR > pitcher WAR factoid though!

Weather forecasts have become a LOT more accurate in the last decade or too. The kind of forecasting ability we had 20 years ago does not even compare to what we have today. I don't know how to convince the masses of that point.