posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 2:20 AM by Jim

Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

I took a little longer than usual to pick up this year's Bill James Handbook for a couple reasons.

For one, I subscribe to Bill James Online in order to get the baserunning and Fielding Bible numbers as they happen. (it's worth $3 a month).  Add that in with Fangraphs publishing the BJH projections a couple weeks ago, and it isn't as pressing of a matter.

So some of you may have already beat me to it, but in case you have yet to pick it up -- and I highly recommend you do, as this is my third year of buying it -- here are some things about the Sox I've gleaned from this year's version:

Offense:
  • They manufactured the fewest runs in American League.with 129; the Twins led with 213.
  • Jim Thome is the second-worst bad-ball hitter in the AL; Nick Swisher was sixth.
  • Carlos Quentin had the best OPS against both fastballs (1.101) and curves (1.063).
  • Only Vladimir Guerrero and Delmon Young swung more often at first pitches than Alexei Ramirez.
Pitching:
  • White Sox pitching allowed the second-highest total of unearned runs (71).
  • Mark Buehrle led the league in quality starts with 24, and gained 0.6 m.p.h. on his fastball.
  • John Danks allowed the lowest OPS off his fastball (.605).
  • Bobby Jenks only had one "tough" save (enters with tying/winning run(s) on base).
Defense:
Baserunning:
  • Alexei Ramirez had the worst stolen base percentage in the AL for anybody who attempted at least 20 steals.
  • Brian Anderson ranked as the Sox's best baserunner, going first-to-third in three of five chances, and a perfect 5-for-5 on second to home.
  • Orlando Cabrera, who scored +38 last year, was merely +2 in this department in 2008.
Miscellaneous:
  • U.S. Cellular Field tied with Camden Yards as the best home run park.
  • Ozzie Guillen had his quickest hook ever, with his starters throwing just 14 "long" outings.  His previous low: 33.
  • He also called for the fewest sac bunts in his career (101; previous low: 123) and pinch hitters (75, down from 100).
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Briefly:

Comments

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 5:39 AM by bobleeswagger
One more reason I didn't like Cabrera. For a "crafty veteran" his base running sure sucked.

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 7:04 AM by Dr. Lingerie
"White Sox pitching allowed the second-highest total of unearned runs (71)."

But...but...Hawk said...

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:40 AM by knoxfire30
some really telling numbers there, how in the world did we win the division?? haha

Dye has been horrible in right for a while, I still have no idea why the sox have never moved him to left and Quentin to right, Dye throws well but thats about it in right, his legs would also benefit from a move to left.

Pretty awesome that CQ crushes both fastballs and curveballs, very impressive.

Could the dropoff from 38 to 2 for Ocab be at all related to cox being a horrible third base coach??

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:15 PM by Jim Margalus
Quentin wasn't a good enough left fielder to make me think he would be good in right. I thought Swisher was going to be the solution there. Alas.

I don't think Cabrera paid much attention to Cox, because he ran through a few stop signs. He made five outs on the basepaths, and was doubled off three times. Last year, he didn't make a single out.

But that's interesting. I haven't given much thought to the job Cox did at third. Off the top of my gut, I'd probably say that he did a better job managing the slow guys than Cora/Shines, but played it safe with the faster fellows. Maybe that'll be tonight's post.

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:29 PM by knoxfire30
I thought cox was flat out bad, I would love to see a breakdown of it. Really havent had a good third base coach since Cora in 05, every time he sent someone a relay would get bobbled or a catcher would drop a ball, etc etc. So yea he was lucky but sometimes thats better then being good.

I think Quentin is an example of a guy who could play a better rf, then lf, and he certainly cant be worse then Dye.

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 3:54 PM by winningugly
Cox was more conservative with the "fast" guys, eh?

Who dat? Someone has become "fast"? Did I sleep through a recent trade? :)

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 3:56 PM by Jim Margalus
FastER. Like a turtle is faster than a snail.

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 4:56 PM by winningugly
ER. Got it. Makes all the difference. Like a Father.

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:27 PM by dudeman
When deciding between TCQ and Dye in right, a main point of mine is that Dye figures to get only worse.

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:34 PM by soxexile
Can anybody fill me in on OCabrera's status with the Sox? Specifically, have they offered him arbitration? I have no expectation that he's coming back, but don't they have to make an arbitration offer in order to get the draft picks when he signs elsewhere?

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:35 PM by Jim Margalus
They haven't offered him arbitration, and they don't have to until Dec. 1. If a team signs him before the deadline, then the Sox get draft picks whether they've offered him draft picks or not.

The only way they wouldn't get draft picks is if they declined to offer him arbitration, and then another team signed him.

# re: Notes from the Bill James Handbook 2009

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:04 PM by Jim Margalus
And you're right that Quentin would probably be better -- I just don't think he's a good solution long-term. He's not above-average in any facet except throwing, but even then, he had some issues hitting the cutoff man.

He's not a bad left fielder, along the lines of bad left fielders like Carlos Lee. Just merely adequate.