After finishing second in the National League Most Valuable Player award last season, Machado had given the Padres a February 16 deadline to finalize an extension. Before the deadline, the Padres did offer Machado a five-year extension worth $105 million that would be added to the end of his current ten-year deal.

Still, with the deadline passing and no deal, Machado has elected to explore his options in free agency at the end of the season. The timing of this is no surprise, as the Padres are kicking off Spring Training. Often, players like to use Spring Training as an opportunity to work out deals before the season starts.

Machado makes a compelling case for an extension with a resume that includes six All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, and a Platinum Glove. With the recent addition of Xander Bogaerts and the mega contract the New York Yankees gave Aaron Judge, Padres General Manager and President of Baseball Operations, AJ Preller, is going to have to work his magic to keep this team together that also includes superstars Juan Soto, Fernando Tatís Jr.

In his time with the Padres, Machado has compiled a slash line of .280/.352/.504/.855 in 2199 plate appearances. With appearing in over 150 games in the last three seasons and all 60 games in 2020, Machado has proven that he is very durable, even at age 30.

Main Image Credit

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 18: Manny Machado, #13 of the San Diego Padres, flies out during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the National League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 18, 2022, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

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With a championship resume like Brown’s, it is no surprise. That Astros owner Jim Crane worked out a deal to lure Brown away from the Braves. Well, winning the 2022 World Series always helps!

Regarded as one of the top executives in baseball, Brown understands what it takes to build a winning franchise. Dana Brown will ensure that the winning continues for seasons to come. He got his start with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an area scout. He then spent eight seasons with the Pirates before moving on to the Washington Nationals as their Director of Scouting.

Dana Brown’s History

In nine seasons (2001-09) with the Nationals, Brown is credited with finding All-Stars Stephen Strasburg, Ian Desmond, and Mr. National himself, Ryan Zimmerman. Brown would move on from the Nationals to become the special assistant to the general manager. After that, he worked for the Toronto Blue Jays (2010-18) for another nine seasons. During his time with the Blue Jays. Brown helped guide the Blue Jays to their first American League East division title in 2015. It was their first postseason birth since 1993. The Blue Jays would also make a Wild Card appearance in 2016.

In 2018, Brown joined the Atlanta Braves as Vice President of Scouting. From there, Brown is credited with finding Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II. Both of them finished in the Top Two in the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year. Harris II won Rookie of the Year. Brown also had his hand in the trade that brought Matt Olson to the Braves.

With a success record like Brown’s and a lineup like the one the Astros have. His skills make this a match made in heaven. Astros fans should be excited about the hire of Brown. As he will continue to bring that championship success going into 2023 and beyond.

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Ryne Stanek 2022 Profile

Ryne Stanek – This 6 ft 4 Right-handed flame thrower doesn’t just throw 100 plus fastballs, this former Arkansas Razorback came to Houston from Tampa Bay and had been converted to a Relief pitcher a few seasons into his MLB career. He has clearly embraced the role of an MLB relief pitcher.

Most of his appearances were high-leverage situations, inheriting runners on a regular basis and neutralizing the threats often doing so without allowing a run in that inning.

His ERA was 1.15 with a 3.02 FIP. He had 59 appearances in the regular season, 54.2 innings pitched, 62 K, and 1.23 WHIP. With a 2-1 record, with 17 holds, and 1 save. Only gave up 8 runs 7 Earned in those 54.2 innings.

His Best Year thus far…

Since 2018 it is the fewest runs, he has given up in a single season. What made him so effective? He ranked in the Top 10 percent of MLB with a fastball with an avg speed of 98.3, whiffs, and missing barrels. Most hitters simply had a hard time keeping up with his pitches. He also had quite a handle on two other pitches he uses the most outside of his fastball, the split-finger and slider proved to be weapons that tended to neutralize hitters.

At one point in the season, he went on a scoreless inning streak that lasted for 27 scoreless innings. With Ryne Stanek’s 2022 success, Brett Chancey of Dirt Diamond Sports Network had a chance to interview Ryne Stanek and asked him about his recent signing and the upcoming 2023 MLB season.

Ryne Stanek just signed a one-year deal avoiding arbitration. In my many conversations with him over the 2022 season, I have always enjoyed our conversations. I wanted to get his thoughts on how the process went for him. He was willing to answer a few questions.

Interview with Ryne Stanek

Brett: This will be your seventh season in the majors and third with the Astros. After signing your one-year deal and avoiding arbitration was the process mutual on both sides?

Ryne Stanek: “Yeah, for sure I would say it was mutual on both sides. It wasn’t too much back-and-forth or animosity towards either side. So it worked out pretty well.”

Brett: What has it been about Houston that keeps Ryne Stanek wanting to come back for more? (Of course outside of the World Series runs)

“Honestly, the CITY has been great, the FANS and the organization have treated me well. So it’s a hard place not to like.”

Ryne Stanek on why he WANTED to return to HOUSTON.

Brett: How have you grown as a Relief pitcher in your career with the Houston Astros?

Ryne Stanek: “I feel like I’ve grown as a reliever by just becoming more committed to what I do conviction-wise. Believing in my stuff, believing in what I’m trying to accomplish. I also have confidence that it’s going to work and trust that. Once that process is over, either with a good or bad result. I have found the ability to flush it, come back again, and stay committed to the same plan.

Brett: Going into 2023 what is your top priority as you prepare for the season?

Ryne Stanek: “Honestly, I feel like going into 2023 my top priority is the same as I usually approach any season. Taking care of my body, making sure I’m healthy and feeling good so I can continue in whatever role I’m called to do.”

Brett: Does it make the 2023 season less stressful when you know you have all your key pitchers back on the roster?

Ryne Stanek: “I don’t know about less stressful because each year comes with new stressors. But having the same group that performed at such a high level last year, makes you feel good about the season. Just having so many guys that can be trusted to do so many different things definitely is a positive.

Ryne thank you for answering my questions, again we look forward to seeing you and the team go after another World Series in 2023.

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UZR, which stands for Ultimate Zone Rating, is a statistic used in baseball to measure a player’s defensive ability. It is used to assign a numerical value to a player’s defensive performance based on how many runs they are estimated to have saved or given up compared to the average player at their position, but it does have some stark differences from Defensive Runs Saved (DRS).

UZR is calculated using a combination of play-by-play data, pitch tracking data, and other information to estimate the number of runs that a player has saved or given up due to their defensive abilities…or lack thereof. The statistic considers several factors such as range, arm strength, and positioning. It also takes into account the specific context of each play, such as the type of pitch thrown, the count, and if the hitter is batting lefty or righty.

One important aspect of UZR calculation is assigning run value to plays. A UZR calculation assigns a run value to each ball put in play based on where it is hit, whether it is a line drive or a fly ball and whether it is hit with a man on base. These values are used to estimate the number of runs that the player saved or gave up relative to an average player at their position, which is the main difference between DRS and UZR.

UZR also uses a multi-year regression analysis on the player. It analyzes a large sample of plays over multiple seasons to determine the defensive performance of the player relative to others at their position. It also adjusts for park effects and league averages in order to produce a more accurate measurement.

It is important to note that UZR is an estimating statistic, it’s not meant to provide a precise measurement of a player’s defensive abilities, and like all statistics, it has its limitations. It is also important to use UZR in conjunction with other defensive metrics, like DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) and Good Fielding Plays/Misplays (GFP/GPM) to get a more comprehensive picture of a player’s defensive abilities.

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Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is a statistic used in baseball to evaluate the overall value of a player, both offensively and defensively, compared to a “replacement level” player. The statistic aims to sum up a player’s contributions to their team’s overall performance in one number, making it a useful tool for comparing players across different positions and teams.

WAR is calculated by combining several different statistics, including offensive and defensive metrics, base running, and positional adjustments. The statistic is based on the concept of replacement level, which is the level of performance that an average player from the minor leagues or bench could reasonably be expected to provide. A player with a higher WAR is considered more valuable to their team than a player with a lower WAR – the higher the WAR, the harder to “replace”.

Offensively, WAR uses traditional statistics such as batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, but also includes more advanced metrics like on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) and Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+). These statistics are used to calculate a player’s runs created, which represents how many runs a player generates for their team.

Defensively, WAR uses statistics such as Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) to measure a player’s defensive abilities. A positional adjustment is also made to account for the relative difficulty of playing different positions. For example, playing shortstop is generally considered more difficult than playing first base, so a shortstop will receive a higher defensive value than a first baseman.

A “base running” component is also included, which measures a player’s ability to take an extra base, steal a base, or avoid being tagged out on a ball in play

Once the offensive, defensive, and base running components have been calculated, they are combined and compared to a “replacement level” player to determine the player’s overall value in terms of wins above replacement. This number is presented in terms of wins and can be positive or negative.

It’s important to note that different analytics websites and organizations may use slightly different formulas and weighting of statistics to calculate WAR, so the exact calculation may vary but you typically find them to be within a slim margin. Additionally, WAR is a statistic that relies on a number of assumptions and estimates, and it should be considered in conjunction with other statistics and scouting reports to get a complete picture of a player’s performance and value to their team.

In conclusion, Wins Above Replacement is a statistic that aims to provide a comprehensive measure of a player’s overall value to their team, both offensively and defensively. WAR takes into account a wide range of statistics, including traditional and advanced metrics, a positional adjustment, and base running abilities, making it a valuable tool for evaluating and comparing players across different positions and teams.

The post A Casual Fan’s Guide To WAR appeared first on Dirt Diamond Sports Network.

Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) is a statistic that measures the number of runs a player saves or gives up through their defensive play. DRS is designed to evaluate the overall defensive abilities of a player and can be used to compare players across different positions on the field – but ideally, it is used to compare players at the same position.

The statistic was first introduced in the early 2000’s by baseball statistician John Dewan and has since become a popular tool for evaluating defensive performance. DRS takes into account a wide range of defensive metrics, including range, arm strength, and fielding percentage, and combines them into a single number. This allows for a more complete and accurate assessment of a player’s defensive abilities.

Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) is calculated by analyzing video footage of each play and assigning a “runs saved” or “runs given up” value to each one. This value is based on the number of runs that a player is deemed to have saved or given up through their defensive actions on a particular play. The calculation takes into account a wide range of factors such as range, arm strength, and fielding percentage.

To calculate DRS, each individual play on the field is evaluated based on the likelihood of it being converted into an out or a hit by the average player at that position. Then, the runs that a player saved or gave up relative to the league average, is computed. These values are accumulated for the entire season, giving the player a final DRS total.

The statistic is calculated by third-party providers, such as the baseball statistics website Fangraphs, using a combination of video and computer analysis. They use a combination of tracking data, data from cameras, and a team of analysts that watch each play and grade it. The statistic is not an official statistic tracked by Major League Baseball, specifically.

It’s important to keep in mind that DRS is a subjective statistic as it relies on the judgment of analysts grading the play and it might not capture all the nuances of defense, such as positioning or shifts. However, when used in conjunction with other statistics and scouting reports, DRS can provide a useful perspective on a player’s defensive abilities and how they compare to other players at the same position.

The statistic is popular among analysts and scouts who use it to identify the best defensive players in the league, and it’s also used in contract negotiations, awards, and all-star teams, coaches and managers might use it to make line-ups or in-game decisions. Now, it’s not without criticism, as one might argue that the stat is based on subjectivity and video judgment calls…and it doesn’t take into account shifts or the fielder’s positioning.

Overall, Defensive Runs Saved is a valuable tool for evaluating the defensive abilities of players at their respective position, but it should be used in conjunction with other metrics and scouting reports in order to get a more complete picture of a player’s abilities.

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Whether you are a fan of the Astros, maybe you consider them a villainous lot, or perhaps you simply respect what they have accomplished, every team’s front office is trying to figure out how to #LevelUp and eclipse them. The brain trust in Houston has a certain ideal method of putting successful teams together even before Dusty Baker arrived, a model of how they do things.

Some orgs dip their lines into the spend-happy waters of acquiring established names on the frenzied free agent market. Others fully utilize their managers to implement the tracking and data that eventually mold prospects into fungible cogs. Frankly, there are more ways than one to tap into building a championship-caliber clubhouse, and that has never been clearer than looking at last year’s World Series champions.

ASTROS (57.4 WAR, 2nd among 12 teams)

Homegrown: 15 (35.2 WAR)
• Draft: 8 (19 WAR)
• International: 7 (16.2 WAR)
Free agents: 2 (2.7 WAR)
Trades: 9 (19.5 WAR)

The best team in the American League, HOU leads all postseason clubs in homegrown and international, both in terms of the number of players and WAR. A review of the last six seasons proves these combinations. Their miners in the scouting department struck gold in finding international bargains, spotlighted by former league MVP, Jose Altuve ($15,000), Framber Valdez ($10,000), Cristian Javier ($10,000), and Luis Garcia ($20,000). While others are expanding payrolls, the Astros are able to build around a team and cost-controlled core.

The 2015 MLB Amateur Draft garnered early-round strikes in comeback player Alex Bregman and first-time All-Star Gold Glove outfielder Kyle Tucker. More recently, 3rd round phenom shortstop and eventual Fall Classic MVP, Jeremy Peña made many in HTown forget losing Carlos Correa. Yet, what competitor could ignore the key trades for Ryan Pressley, Yordan Alvarez, and Justin Verlander?

Even though the assignment is clear, catching up alone will not be enough if the Astros themselves have improved. What is on tap for the 2023 version, you ask? More of the same, of course!

Bereft of an active general manager after the departure of James Click, former Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, and Senior Director of Baseball Strategy Bill Firkus said the team’s #1 target was 1B, Jose Abreu. There are some real team-player elements in the Astros mold, and when asked if his new role is diminished in 2023, re-signed veteran free agent Michael Brantley said he is humbled by any assignment given.

Instead of opting for the shiniest new raw tools on the open market, Houston has quietly remained the most homespun baseball team. They accomplished this with the smallest draft budgets, and no Top 10 pick for seven seasons. Ready to hit the ground running after contributions in his first taste of the majors and then the playoffs, Hunter Brown will replace the most recent A.L. Cy Young winner. Big shoes to fill, he has shown no signs of relinquishing a starter role. Several others are looking for an opening to add to their resume – Yainer Diaz, Korey Lee, and David Hensley.

The post How to Construct a Team Like the Recent Astros appeared first on Dirt Diamond Sports Network.

WILL THE ATLANTA BRAVES WIN THE EAST?

The Braves are much better, with a bright future that stretches into 2028, the Mets have signed key free agent veterans, the Phillies have bulked up, and the Marlins will clearly have one of the better bullpens. The only team not in this race….The Washington Nationals.

STARTING PITCHING: Dub’s and K’s for Days

Braves – The Braves Have a strong starting 4, with the 5th starting pitcher more than likely to be decided in Spring Training. The Final 5th spot will be secured by Mike Soroka, Ian Anderson or Bryce Elder. Mike Sokora has the upper hand if he is healthy according to Jake Matroianni of the Locked on Braves podcast.

The New York Mets are the crowned Kings of the East. The Braves will have something to say about that. I am sure with this pitching staff the Braves will be in the mix as they were last season. Max Fried Headlines a great starting pitching staff. If you notice the Top 4 are all slateted to record a 2.4 wAR or higher. The most striking numbers are the low walk rates to go with very solid K’s per 9.

To compete with the aging Mets rotation I think Spender Strider simply needs to replicate what he did last year. Another point of emphasis will be if Kyle Wright and Max Fried. If they could get thier K/9 into the 9.5 to 11.0. This Range that would more than likely be a recipe for success. Mike Soroka back in 2019 he threw 174.2 IP. If he can remain healthy and at least reach 130-140 the Braves might be looking at the BEST starting 5. The Braves have age on thier side, but health is a concern or the 5th starter.

The Hitters: Hot-lanta Crush

The Braves offense if very good, powerful, and they have speed. The new rules will surely send the Braves running from base to base. Clearly making them a threat even when a single squeeks through the infield. In 2023, the Braves ranked 1st in Home Runs (243) and 2nd in wOBA .330. Other key metrics had them 4th in Wrc+ 111, 4th in Stolen Bases 87, 5th in OBP .317.

They will miss Dansby Swanson at the plate in 2023. Hehit 25 HR and 96 RBI in 2022, as well produced a 6.4 WAR. The Braves did add Sean Murphy, who should add both a strong bat and defender. Also they will have the first full season with Ronald Acuna Jr. in the last couple seasons. Austin Riley is a power bat that can hit the long ball with the second highest WAR offensively. The others like Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, and Vaughn Grissom will be a tough lineup to handle.

The Bullpen

The Braves Bullpen in 2022 was very good. They ranked 2nd overall and for the last two seasons, either ahead or behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. They had the 3rd highest K/Per9 10.17. Ranked 1st in saves, they were also ranked in the Top 10 for 7th lowest BABIP .276. The Braves had the 2nd highest WAR (tied with Houston) 7.6,. To top it off they had an 8% HR/FB which was good enough for 4th lowest.

Kenley Jansen had a resurgnet year on the mound. He has appearded to re-discovered the edge he once had as a Los Angeles Dodger. He recorded 41 saves in 2023, a total he last achieved in 2017. They had 8 relief pitchers log at least a 10.25 K/9 or higher in 2022. Thier Top 5 strikeout leaders recorded between 59-94 K’s on the season. They brought most everyone back and just like their starters the relief pitchers appear to be a strength as well.

Braves, My Way Too Early Pick to Win the National League

When you put everything together, Brian Snitker the skipper of this N.L. East beast is poised to come out on top despite thier division rivals beefing up thier pitching and offense. The Braves are my pick to win the N.L. East and make it back to thier 2nd World Series in 3 seasons. What the Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has done with locking up this team is enxt level genius. The Braves know these men will be there to battle the next 5 years. They have masterfully put together one of the smartest lineups in all of baseball. Althought he National League is a guanltant. I think they are one of the Top 3 teams to make it to the Fall Classic in 2023.

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