Francisco Rodriguez

[gRYFYN1]

a few articles on Francisco Rodriguez not-for-MVP and his position in general.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/r...4320-saves-one

gammons says K-Rod for MVP?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...5&sportCat=mlb

Kerri says don't believe the Hype.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...e=caple/080805

Caple says don't believe in closers

Basically Francisco Rodriguez isn't really doing anything great, the Angels are and he's just lucking into the position.

If rodriquez was converting at the rate of the following closer

Joe Nathan (94%) hes have 46 saves
Mariano Rivera (100%) 49 saves
The average closer (89%) 43 save
Todd F'n Jones (86%) 42saves

[ohms_law]

In a lot of ways their right. Still, that hardly makes F-Rod less of a player. He's basically performing at his "average" lever this year compared to the last couple of seasons, which is to say that he's dominating.

[HoustonGM]

Yeah, he's one of the top relievers, but the talk of MVP and Cy Young is just ridiculous, because he ISN'T the best closer in the game, let alone the best player or pitcher. But, he's going to get considerable votes for both awards, and might even win the Cy Young or even the MVP, and that's a damn shame, and it shows the utter and complete lack of understanding of the sportswriters.

[ohms_law]

because he ISN'T the best closer in the game, let alone the best player or pitcher.

What about Most Valuable? As in Most Valuable Player?

[HoustonGM]

What about Most Valuable? As in Most Valuable Player?

When I, personally, say "best", value is what I'm referring to.

[dickay]

I hate the argument that MVP should solely for hitters and not pitchers. Cy Young award is for pitchers and the hitters have awards as well...silver slugger I believe. MLB has done a poor job marketing it however so the perception is that the MVP award is for the batters when w/o question a pitcher can be a teams most valuable player.

[HoustonGM]

I hate the argument that MVP should solely for hitters and not pitchers. Cy Young award is for pitchers and the hitters have awards as well...silver slugger I believe. MLB has done a poor job marketing it however so the perception is that the MVP award is for the batters when w/o question a pitcher can be a teams most valuable player.

I agree completely.

[gRYFYN1]

Even still lookng at lot of his number hes having a worse season than his others.

His FIP, xFIP, K/9, BB/9, LD%, GB%, WHIP and HR/F all the worst of his career.

[ohms_law]

When I, personally, say "best", value is what I'm referring to.

...OK. How do you figure that Francisco Rodriguez has been a less valuable closer then, well, anyone this year?

[HoustonGM]

Even still lookng at lot of his number hes having a worse season than his others.

His FIP, xFIP, K/9, BB/9, LD%, GB%, WHIP and HR/F all the worst of his career.

Yep. He does have more value than others, as he is pitching in more high-leverage situations, and that counts.

Using a statistic like WXRL (Expected Wins Added Above Replacement) from BP, which accounts for the situations a pitcher pitches in, K-Rod is in 3rd this year behind Joe Nathan and Brad Lidge.

[chuckwillard]

Just to throw it out there...

Rodriguez is not even the best pitcher on his team. He gets the most play, but I think Lackey and possibly Saunders are performing better. I don't discount closers, but I think a great starter provides more value than an equally great closer.

[ohms_law]

True. I also have to admit that I'm playing Devils Advocate here more than anything else. I'm sure I could come up with something to make a good case for Rodriguez, but my heart just isn't really in it. I'm just really happy to have him on the team (and I hope the Halos re-sign him), regardless of any gaudy numbers he puts up. It's just neat and fun, to me.

[dickay]

Just to throw it out there...

Rodriguez is not even the best pitcher on his team. He gets the most play, but I think Lackey and possibly Saunders are performing better. I don't discount closers, but I think a great starter provides more value than an equally great closer.

I agree starters are far more valuable than closers. I'd take K-Rod over Lackey and Saunders any day though...but i'd convert him. The guy is a beast and has like 4 plus-pitches.