American League Best Offensive Weapon

[sq764]

I was thinking about who is the best all-around offensive weapon in the AL right now and am torn between 2 choices.. (And I am sure people will think I am partial to one of them..)

Vladimir Guerrero - .347, 20 HR, 71 RBIs

Manny Ramirez - .340, 22 HR, 65 RBIs

Beyond David Ortiz, I don’t see anyone even in the same ballpark as these 2 right now..

[Valuist]

According to Bill James' theory, OPS is the most significant offensive stat (on base plus slugging %). Using that criteria, here's the leaders:

1. Ramirez 1.085
2. Thomas .997
3. Guerrero .995
4. Mora .989
5. I-Rod .971

The National League has far bigger numbers. Bonds' is off the charts.

1. Bonds 1.400
2. Helton 1.095
3. Thome 1.083
4. Rolen 1.037
5. Drew 1.023

9 National Leaguers over 1.000.

[sq764]

And Bobby Abreu is at 1.010 and may not even make the All-Star game.. What a joke.

[cj]

I'd put Hank Blalock of Texas with Ortiz, but not with the others.

[Valuist]

Agree on Abreu. I'm a Cub fan but I realize Abreu is more deserving than Moises Alou. And Barry Larkin??? Pleeeeeze.

[sq764]

Christ, for that matter Thome had to be hand selected.. He was behind SEAN CASEY!! Are you freaking kidding me??

[Valuist]

Its hard to believe if you look at recent years numbers, but Casey is having a big year; .352 BA 1.008 OPS, on pace for 30 HRs. He doesn't have Thome's power but its not like Larkin being on the team or the year the fans selected something like 6 or 7 Mariner starters including Mike Cameron. That was ridiculous.

[sq764]

What's surprising to me is not that Pujols is starting over Thome, but rather the margin Thome lost to him in votes. Thome is having the best year for a First Baseman in the NL..

[cj]

For the most part, the All Star game is a popularity contest. Its been that way for a long time, and will continue to be that way as long as fans elect the team.

What a sham it is that this game "counts."

[Valuist]

I agree it shouldn't count. But its the only All-Star game worth watching. The Pro Bowl is a total joke; nobody wanting to get hurt and the NBA is a sham w/all the players standing around on defense watching the others score.

[sq764]

What's going to be fun is to watch the homerun derby this year in that tiny field..

Right handers should be drooling at that short porch.

[Valuist]

Re: Pujols, that town is baseball crazy. If a Cardinal is having a solid year, those fans will do everything possible to vote him in. I guess they almost have to be baseball crazy. Ever watch racing from Fairmount?

[sq764]

It must be crazy there.. Rolen is just having an insane year there this year.. Yet when he was in Philadelphia, he basically got kicked out of town and was the biggest damn crybaby you could find.

(I am thinking St Louis is a little more accomodating than we are here :-)