team UZR ratings for the last year and a half

I'm not sure if it is all Tony's fault, but our defense is not very good lately. I think this could partially be attributed to Tony's constant positional shuffling. Since muscle memory is a part of the game, I think it would help the defense if they were not moved around to different positions as much.

In defense of Tony, he is great about preparing the players for the game and getting them to try hard. And more importantly, his teams over the past few seasons have performed above their Pythagorean projections.... and you cannot deny his success. I just think he may be getting a little megalomaniacal with his constant need to tinker and make up new lineups, and is far too dogmatic with his adhering to matchups.

...not sure about the methodology that was used to write this article btw, my biggest concern being what if the team's last season of UZR ratings were from last year's players... did the author actually tally the individual players? Plus, I am highly suspicious of any article that has Detroit as far and away the best defensive team.

over 2 years ago Cards Fan in Chitown 5 comments 0 recs |

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I’m not surprised to see Detroit at the top of the list. They deliberately set out to improve defense, adding Laird at catcher, Everett at shortstop, and Inge at third. Guillen is on the DL, and that alone helps the defense.

Nor am I surprised that Pittsburgh is at the top of the list-their infielders have good health this year and are playing better defense because of it. Their outfielders can go get the ball too.

When you watch the Cardinals, you can see with your own eyes that they are not real solid defensively. Moving everyone around and installing them in a position that is not their best sure doesn’t help IMO.

Oh, and not to nit pick or anything, but those ratings are based on this years first half of the season.

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Jul 1, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

oh

I thought it said on the article that it was a year and a half (weird wording)

4B - beer baseball bands blog
DeRosa>MB

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 1, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

the most ridiculous part

is that the Brewers are waaaay better than us at D this season. that’s a travesty in my mind ;)

4B - beer baseball bands blog
DeRosa>MB

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 1, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

CFiC -- those are CHANGES in defense.

so, the Rays are still better than most of the other teams in the league. but their defense is worse than it was last year.

the cards’ numbers are not a shock. in fact, if you take the decrease from kennedy having a career year to skippy being dan uggla with a limp on the field, the difference between the two probably more than accounts for that margin between the 08 and 09 teams. other defensive declines — at 3b, for instance — are probably made up for by improvements in center field. given that we had such great seasons from izturis and kennedy last year and lost them both, i’m pretty happy that we’re not worse off.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on Jul 1, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions