This is an example of why I think WAR is a VERY unreliable stat.
First of all, first base is a position where nobody really cares about defense. let's get that out of the way. Guys are there for their offense. if two first basemen have similar offensive stats, then they had similar seasons. period. Yet, look at this:
2005 Carlos Delgado 160 OPS+ 4.6 Offensive WAR.
2007 Albert Pujols 157 OPS+ 5.4 Offensive WAR.
The two seasons are comparable, if not identical. In fact, Delgado actually had a HIGHER OPS+ than Pujols, so you can make a case that he had the better season. What amazes me is that, somehow, Delgado ends up with 2.5 WAR for the season, and Pujols ends up with 8.5 (!!!)
That's right, somehow, after defense is added, at a position where nobody cares about defense, Delgado ends up a mediocre player, while Albert ends up the best player in the league.
Is there enough first base defense in the world to turn a player from an average player to the best in the league? Apparently so.
First of all, first base is a position where nobody really cares about defense. let's get that out of the way. Guys are there for their offense. if two first basemen have similar offensive stats, then they had similar seasons. period. Yet, look at this:
2005 Carlos Delgado 160 OPS+ 4.6 Offensive WAR.
2007 Albert Pujols 157 OPS+ 5.4 Offensive WAR.
The two seasons are comparable, if not identical. In fact, Delgado actually had a HIGHER OPS+ than Pujols, so you can make a case that he had the better season. What amazes me is that, somehow, Delgado ends up with 2.5 WAR for the season, and Pujols ends up with 8.5 (!!!)
That's right, somehow, after defense is added, at a position where nobody cares about defense, Delgado ends up a mediocre player, while Albert ends up the best player in the league.
Is there enough first base defense in the world to turn a player from an average player to the best in the league? Apparently so.
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