Braves to acquire Brandon Phillips

[Hawk]

That price tag is quite, quite low. If it doesn't work out for any reason, they can just release him and not bat an eyelash.

Meanwhile Utley receives $2MM plus incentives.

[sturg33]

255. That is how any hitters get to say they are starting on a given day. Phillips offensive production is better than half of those guys.

No it's not... see post above yours

[thethe]

no, that's only compared to hitters that qualified for the batting title by plate appearances.

relative to the entire league in 2016 (omitting guys with tiny sample sizes I will go to 200 PA's as a benchmark) He was 218th out of 353 (and 32nd out of 47 2b with 200 PA's)


he's pretty much not a good hitter anymore.


but look, he cost nothing and might post a 1-1.5 fWAR season, and that has value.

Isn't wRC+ the relative performance of all of baseball?

[thewupk]

Isn't wRC+ the relative performance of all of baseball?

It is. And he's been below average in that department for years now. What is it that you are not getting? He's hasn't been average or close to it. Just accept it.

[thethe]

It is. And he's been below average in that department for years now. What is it that you are not getting? He's hasn't been average or close to it. Just accept it.

Below League average when weighted against aggregate statistical output in a given season. Below Average in comparison to the number of players in the league even starters then I disagree.

[bravos4evr]

255. That is how any hitters get to say they are starting on a given day. Phillips offensive production is better than half of those guys.

not really, because not all players start every time, and injuries...etc matter too. In any given season around 350 or so players will get 200 or more plate appearances. last year BP only out hit 135 of them. That means 215 out hit him. Most starting players who accumulate 500+ plate appearances(the minimum I would say required to be considered a regular starting player) need to either hit around average and generate value through their defense and baserunning, or with their bat or with a combo of the 3.

for example: in 2016 there were a grand total of only 146 players who got 500 plate appearances or more, of those 146 "regular starters" BP was ranked 122nd. If you add in the scrub bench guys, and callups and "glove first" guys who get starts or appearances over the season he goes up a bit. But as a regular starting player he is below avg.

[thewupk]

Below League average when weighted against aggregate statistical output in a given season. Below Average in comparison to the number of players in the league even starters then I disagree.

Then you are wrong. Of the 142 starters that played enough to qualify for a batting title Phillips was 122nd. That's not average. Lower the at bat requirements and he is still not average.

[thethe]

thethe, you don't have to bend over backwards to defend every move. Just call it what is is,

a bad offensive player who was also bad on defense last year, but at least has the chance to be good there... Is that an upgrade over what we had? Probably not, but there is at least a little upside potential with defense

I'm not even trying to defend the move. I'm talking about a conclusion drawn from a statistical analysis.

[thethe]

not really, because not all players start every time, and injuries...etc matter too. In any given season around 350 or so players will get 200 or more plate appearances. last year BP only out hit 135 of them. That means 215 out hit him. Most starting players who accumulate 500+ plate appearances(the minimum I would say required to be considered a regular starting player) need to either hit around average and generate value through their defense and baserunning, or with their bat or with a combo of the 3.

for example: in 2016 there were a grand total of only 146 players who got 500 plate appearances or more, of those 146 "regular starters" BP was ranked 122nd. If you add in the scrub bench guys, and callups and "glove first" guys who get starts or appearances over the season he goes up a bit. But as a regular starting player he is below avg.

But there are a finite amount of starting hitting spots. Phillips produced at the midpoint.

[thethe]

Then you are wrong. Of the 142 starters that played enough to qualify for a batting title Phillips was 122nd. That's not average. Lower the at bat requirements and he is still not average.

But why should PAs matter? Of course it cant be 5 PA but This isn't an aggregate statistic.

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

So if a guy hits just as well or slightly better on away games as he did in Cincinnati, should we hold the fact that he played in Cincinnati against him? Cause Phillips hit slightly better in away games.

Also, since half of us are on the change of scenery bandwagon, I would say Phillips has a shot to try harder in a place where he actually wants to be.

[thewupk]

So if a guy hits just as well or slightly better on away games as he did in Cincinnati, should we hold the fact that he played in Cincinnati against him? Cause Phillips hit slightly better in away games.

Cincy is a good hitting park so his overall results would be worse, yes.

[thewupk]

But why should PAs matter? Of course it cant be 5 PA but This isn't an aggregate statistic.

What are you trying to say? At any point when you compare to Phillips to other hitters in the league he is below average.

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

So I guess I'll predict a 95 wRC+ this year from just being in a different ballpark and having the same results. :P

(I know that's not how it works)

[zbhargrove]

Jace had a 95 WRC+ compared to Phillips 92. Seems one is higher than the other. Arguing over either is silly.

Less playing time... not sure if that would hurt Jace or help him.

[thethe]

What are you trying to say? At any point when you compare to Phillips to other hitters in the league he is below average.

If you put the offensive performance of every player in the league individually then he isn't below average. Trout and his 364725283 wRC+ should not impact the NUMBER of players that Phillips is better than.

[zbhargrove]

Cincy is a good hitting park so his overall results would be worse, yes.

Good hitting park for homers.... he's not really a homer hitter anymore. Plus our new stadium may not be too shabby either...

[thewupk]

Less playing time... not sure if that would hurt Jace or help him.

Doubt it really matters. Both aren't good hitters.

[Hawk]

Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
Braves will be paying only $1M of Phillips salary

Even better.

[thewupk]

If you put the offensive performance of every player in the league individually then he isn't below average. Trout and his 364725283 wRC+ should not impact the NUMBER of players that Phillips is better than.

So by 'every player in the league' then where do you want to make that cut off. Virtually every player that had an at bat in 2016? That's silly. And yes Trout and his awesome WRC+ should count just as Erik Aybar's numbers should count.