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It’s not that dWAR has to confirm pre-existing beliefs. Like most stats in baseball, it’s just difficult when comparing players whose careers started so far apart. The baseline for a lot advanced metrics on both sides of the ball is the league average. In this case, people are taking numbers compared to league average center fielders from the 70s and 80s and comparing them to numbers based on center fielders from the 2010s. It’s actually a big deal. MLB has gone through periods where defense was valued differently by varying managers and GMs, which is why players like Tony Armas and Alfonso Soriano have played CF. Lynn did have some stellar defensive contemporaries, like (the tail end of the career of) Paul Blair, Rick Manning, Andre Dawson and Cesar Geronimo. But also a lot of Chet Lemon/Gorman Thomas types who would be corner OFs today, but played CF because they could hit and played for teams that valued the offense. Bradley has a lot of stellar defensive contemporaries as well, because the focus on defensive metrics has created a league with more players playing CF who might have been relegated to reserve duty in the 1980s, like Kiermaier and Pillar...

It’s very obvious. Especially since the Sox are so far over the threshold for payment. If the Sox had a payroll of $170mill, you’d have a better argument. But this scenario is obvious even to us on a message board. Don’t you think MLB accountants who know the luxury tax code inside out would easily be just as suspicious

The Sox could do it, but Pedroia would still have to count towards the luxury tax. And that wouldn’t be a ridiculous outcome for that situation, like it was when the NBA decided the late Reggie Lewis still counted against the league salary cap...

And the Sox sweep came in the next series between the two teams...

Heyward was also 26. Porcello would have been had the Sox not extended him. Probably one or two more I can’t think of off the top of my head...

Especially not with the offensive struggles on the Sox bench...

But what we didn’t know at the time and that is NOT speculation is that the Sox prioritized a backup 1b over the bullpen. And considering the one reliever the Sox did add is the worst one, maybe it means they should have...

But isn’t your stance typically that you have to spend money to get quality players? If fans think this is representative, maybe the Sox should sign Robbie Grossman over Mookie Betts when the time comes...

To be fair, it was unknown at the time signing Pearce would supplant replacing bullpen help. Although earlier in this thread I appear to be concerned about that, as well as bidding an early goodbye to Swihart...

I agree and have said so multiple times. But there has always been that continue that thinks he can be rehired as a coach/instruct/mascot for the same money and circumvent the CBA, despite the CBA specifically prohibiting this...

They might DFA him or just leave him on IL. Bottom line is he is going to count towards the CBA. And unless he voluntarily retires, there is no way around it...

And yet being 26 is a big deal for a free agent. Being 26 with an MVP under your belt is even bigger. As excited as Sox fans get about Chavis, Harper was NL MVP at a younger age than the Sox rookie was for his debut. Find a player who reached free agency by age 26 with 6 years of service time who didn’t cash in enormously. The reason the Sox gave Porcello a huge extension was that he was going to reach free agency at age 26 and they knew if he did, he would be unaffordable...

Unless he voluntarily retires, he’s under contract and counts against the luxury tax. He’s not going to give up $20mill so the Sox can give it to someone else. MLB contracts benefit the players in cases like this. He probably also refuses to give up and thinks he can still play, regardless of his knee. And all these “buy him out” or “ make him a coach and pay him the same” suggestions are all violations of the CBA. So unless Pedroia is willing to walk away from $20mill, he’s going to be a member of this team with a lot of IL time. Worst case is he gets released and becomes the newest non-roster Sandoval...

To see the Blazers get eliminated?

Pedroia isn’t going anywhere. He may not play a single game in 2020, but he will most definitely be a member of the Red Sox..,

Even Moreland might not be back. I expect a big focus on retaining Martinez and/or Betts next off-season and Moreland simply might not fit the budget...

But bear in mind those ratings are compared to league averages. Lynn played in the days of the fleet-footed leadoff-hitting centerfielder, and what those ratings tell you is he wasn’t as good compared to Mickey Rivers or Rick Manning or Paul Blair or Billy North as Bradley is compared to his contemporaries...

He’s been better than expected, but there could be an upheaval in the infield for 2020 that leaves his position to be determined. And apparently, in the case of Chavis, that includes the possibility of outfield. In fact, I wouldn’t rule out outfield for him in 2019...

Smith? Weber?

It’s more the frustration about what JBJ has become lately...

For someone who thinks advanced metrics are ruining the game, what do you think Begas oddsmakers use? They go waaaay beyond anything Fangraphs offers. These guys aren’t some mafioso Vinnie “the Squid” Calamari. Those odds are made by people like MIT alum and Nerd Extraordinaie Jeff Sagarin...

You do realize you’re validating the comparison, right?

His last season was an OPS of .519, which is about 100 points up on Bradley and NOT under .500...

Of course I’m counting partial seasons. That’s all Buford ever played...

Poor man’s Darren Lewis? Poor man’s Juan Lagares? Poor man’s Craig Gentry? Your choice...