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Anyone have an easy way of figuring the Sox's record without Tek for
say the last three years?
Tek says hitting is 25% of his game. IF Tek's pitch-calling is worth
say, 5 games, a year...then I think you do have to give him a three
year contract at a reasonable price.
Baseball-Reference Game Logs
In 2008, Boston is 76-55 overall. They are 58-39 in games started by Varitek.
In 2007, 96-66 overall, 73-48 with Varitek starting.
2006, 86-76 overall, 58-36 with 'Tek starting.
258-197 overall, .567 winning percentage
With 'Tek starting, 189-123, .606 winning percentage.
69-74 with non-Varitek starters catching, .483 winning percentage.
This does not isolate the '"pitch calling" effect he has though, as Varitek's bat is significantly better than the guys catching when he doesn't - namely Mirabelli and Kevin Cash in the years in question.
The question of resigning him really depends entirely on who would replace him. The free agent pickings are slim this year, and there's nobody really enticing in their minor league system, so he's probably worth resigning, although that depends on his price tag. If he's asking for $3-5 million per year, I'd do it. Anything higher than that is stretching it.
Yeah, but he's not Manny Ramirez. I can't imagine the difference between the Sox being a mediocre team below .500 and being right up there with the Rays and Angels winning percentage is:...the bat of Jason Varitek.Quote:
Originally Posted by HoustonGM
What's the SABR/and or Bill James line on 'pitch calling'? If I've read about it, I don't remember. DO they feel it's insignificant?
It's the difference between Varitek's bat and whoever is catching instead. Throughout Varitek's career, he's been a MUCH better hitter than whoever his backup generally is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pavelb1
Another thing to note is that Varitek rarely, if ever, catches Tim Wakefield's games, and Wakefield is generally a league-average pitcher. The pitchers that Varitek catches are often better pitchers than the pitchers the backups catch, and that's by design. That also skews the numbers.
Pretty much - there's no significant difference in pitcher performance based on the catcher.Quote:
What's the SABR/and or Bill James line on 'pitch calling'? If I've read about it, I don't remember. DO they feel it's insignificant?
Field General or Backstop?
And the follow up, Aim For The Head: Simulating Catcher's ERA