Interview with Jin Wong, Director of Baseball
Administration for the Royals (Part 2)

post from Royals Review on 20 November 2011 11:01:07 PM. © Royals Review

Part 1 of the Interview with Jin Wong

How many employees are devoted to the Royals statistical department?

I have 2 guys I manage, Mike Groopman and John Williams. Both very, very bright guys; very, very good guys in terms of baseball statistical analysis. They would be our stat think tank. We three have basically brainstormed many days and many nights about statistics and our own proprietary things and have come up with some metrics that we believe give a lot of insight into players.

What are the main stats the Royals use for evaluating pitching?

I think you need to look at everything. For me, FIPS is pretty good. I like strike rates, walk rates, strikeout to walk ratio. Home run rates. I like WHIP a lot as a quick and dirty. I understand that it is defensive dependent, but that along with what we have internally .... sort of meld those to get a complete picture of what a pitcher is.

For hitting?

We have a internal system, similar to the pitching system, that we rely heavily on, probably more so than the one for pitchers. I used to be, and still am, a big OPS guy. Isolated on base. Isolated slug. Run created, even though that is an older metric. It is a quick and dirty [metric] for me. If the strikeout rates are way high, it is an indicator of potential issues.

Has this changed since you first started working for the Royals?

Yes, I would definitely say so. I look at more statistics now than I ever did. We constantly talk about the value of certain statistics and whether or not we need to place more weight on this or that certain statistic. I think right now I am very happy with the blend of whats available to everybody and whats available internally and how we combine them into an analysis.

What possible changes with the new collective bargaining agreement do you see having the largest effect on the Royals?

It is hard to tell. A lot of rumors, innuendos out there about what is going to be in the CBA. There is certainly some draft reform that will be interesting to see. There is the possibility of us losing a pick this year for a Bruce Chen's type-B free agency. That would affect us most in the short term; if we were to offer Bruce arbitration. We have to wait and see what comes out of the wash here. Everyone is hopeful that it will happen pretty soon.

I think there is a question about type A compensation. It certainly cuts both ways. If type A compensation goes away, we would be in better position to sign those players. Quite frankly, we don't want to give up a pick to sign a player because we need to draft smartly and develop our own players internally. But it cuts the other way. If you have a lot of type A guys, you don't get those picks. It's a give and take.

Why are mutual options given to players?

I am not sure why guys are fixated on it. Mutual options are certainly a way to give the player a little more control over his situation. For example, say you are a player we are trying to sign. You only want to sign for one year. We want an option. To meet in the middle, we say, "Why don't we make it a mutual option". You control a little bit of your own destiny as you have the escape hatch for a subsequent year. We also have control over it as well.

Let's say we exercise your option. That shows we have interest in retaining you. If you declined that side of the option, it is an easier dialog to keep going, to get something done. Additionally, there may be some money to throw in the buyout to make the guarantee total higher. That is the reasoning behind a mutual option. It is to give you more control over your own destiny and give the club some control.

What is the real story behind the Ramon Ramirez trade to Colorado for Jorge de la Rosa or Valerio de los Santos?

If I remember correctly, since it was quite a while ago, it was 2 separate trades, but it was cash considerations that completed the Ramon Ramirez trade.

The Royals had a Pitch FX system installed in the AA affiliate in NW Arkansas. What type of information has the Royals got from that data?

We are still in the early stages of analyzing the data. We have only had it for a year. It is only available when the team is at home, so it is not a whole season of data for all the players. The good thing is that we get data for the opposing team coming in. It is a very limited amount of data. Maybe one or two starts for a guy coming in from another organization. We do share with all the other organizations that have minor league Pitch FX systems. Pitch FX is basically the back bone of our proprietary pitching analysis system we have created.

Is there any plans to expand the Pitch FX systems to other minor league affiliates?

We are talking about it. We budgeted for it this year. We have to sit down and see if the benefits out weigh the costs. I would to put one in AAA or even at high A.

What is the one piece of useless information do you know about Dayton Moore that the public does not?

I don't know if there is any useless information. Dayton is a great guy to work for. He is a very warm individual. He has a great sense of humor. And he loves his sweater vest.

What do you enjoy doing that is non-baseball related?

I have a six-week old boy that I love spending time with. My wife, my boy and I live in the suburbs here of Kansas City. Our lives revolve around baseball. It is a lifestyle we have chosen. There is a lot of benefits to it. Also, it keeps us away from our families for a long time. It is certainly part of the deal. We like to hang out at home and spend time with the kid. We are home bodies. We don't do anything crazy.

One a lighter side, when, not if, Hollywood makes a movie on the Royals, who will play you?

Let's cross that bridge when we get there.

I would like to thank Jin for his time and hopefully we will have more interviews with the Royals staff in the future.

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http://www.royalsreview.com/2011/11/20/2573754/interview-with-jin-wong-director-o
f-baseball-administration-for-the

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The Orioles, the Market and Rebuilding...

post from Oriole Post - Baltimore Orioles Analysis & News; The World of Baseball and Beyond on 20 November 2011 09:01:16 PM. © Oriole Post - Baltimore Orioles Analysis & News; The World of Baseball and Beyond

As we are now into the off-season, the question on everyone?s mind is ? how will the Orioles rebuild their organization from the ground up?

Now, Dan Duquette is at the helm of the Orioles and he?s got quite the monumental task of restoring them back to prominence.

In a few interviews that Duquette has given in the past week or so with the local media, it looks like he will focus on building the team up via draft picks, trades; in addition to trying to find players who could be serviceable, while not breaking the bank.

That means that there will not be a C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle, Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder in the orange and black for 2012 ? unless a big surprise or miracle happens.

It looks like the Orioles will not be big players in free agency and going to build from the ground up ? again.

It?s not a bad plan to follow; however, the formula for one reason or another, has not worked at all for the organization.

As a fan, I would like to see a player or two signed that I can go the ballpark and say, ?damn, with this guy, he can be an impact player andange a ballgame?.

Not that the current crop of Orioles can?t do the job; however, there?s not an impact bat or arm on the squad heading into 2012 that can be a game-changer.

Right now, the Orioles needed another starting pitcher or two, possibly a corner infielder, a bullpen arm or two, maybe a second baseman and a backup catcher (not so important right now).

I know that many of us fans are really tired of seeing the team lose more often than win.

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Phils acquire INF Wigginton from Rockies (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 20 November 2011 08:58:34 PM. © MLB News Blog

The Phillies have acquired utilityman Ty Wigginton and cash from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Wigginton batted .242 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs in 130 games last season. He played third base, first base, left field and right field. The deal was announced Sunday night.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/11/21/phils-acquire-inf-wigginton-from-rockies-ap
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Twitter / @Rockies: #Rockies have traded Ty Wi
...

post from Purple Row on 20 November 2011 08:01:45 PM. © Purple Row

Twitter / @Rockies: #Rockies have traded Ty Wi ...

OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED

TY WIGGINTON HAS BEEN TRADED TO THE PHILLIES FOR CASH OR A PTBNL

Read The Full Article:
http://www.purplerow.com/2011/11/20/2576522/twitter-rockies-rockies-have-traded-t
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Yankees Trade Rumors: the Braves want Eduardo
Nunez

post from Bronx Baseball Daily » Bronx Baseball Daily, a New York Yankees blog on 20 November 2011 07:29:23 PM. © Bronx Baseball Daily » Bronx Baseball Daily, a New York Yankees blog

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http://bronxbaseballdaily.com/2011/11/yankees-trade-rumors-the-braves-want-eduard
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Is the Growing National Media Attention Good or
Bad

post from Marlin Maniac on 20 November 2011 07:20:48 PM. © Marlin Maniac

Since the Washington Nationals recorded the last out of the Florida Marlins season, change has been in the air. Long gone are the Florida Marlins. Gone is Sun Life Stadium and the dreadful baseball environment. In steps the Miami Marlins. Debuting a new stadium, coach, and uniforms, there is plenty of change to be excited for. With the organization making it clear that they will pursue top free agents, the national media has caught on to the buzz. It seems like everyday you log onto the internet, there is something new the Marlins are trying to do. As we all know, [...]

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http://marlinmaniac.com/2011/11/20/is-the-growing-national-media-attention-good-o
r-bad/

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THE UNTHINKABLE A Pictoral Essay!!!!

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 20 November 2011 05:00:00 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

THE UNTHINKABLE – A Pictoral Essay!!!!

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http://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/the-unthinkable-a-pictoral-essay/

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New York Yankees Hot Stove: Why Yu Do Not Belong
In The Bronx

The rumor mill is buzzing about the New York Yankees growing interest in signing Japan?s latest pitching phenom named Yu Darvish. My guess, or hope is that the truth behind these rumors is more media than Yankee driven; and here are four reasons why: 1)[...]

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The Bud Selig hate. It burns.

I've not seen any writing on the Astros AL move that really captures what I think (read FEEL) about things. So here's an attempt. First of all, not that it matters one lick, but I strongly suggest as a part of your Astros healing process, you shout into the abyss by sending Bud Selig a piece of your mind:

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner
Address: 245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
City: New York, State: NY Zip Code: 10167
Phone: 212-931-7800
Fax: 212-949-5654

His 3:00 minute video press conference after the move was announced was enraging. He did not come close to even acknowledging how sickening the process was to Houston fans. Not one lick of apology. NOTHING.

"The greatest thing this sport has going for it is its history and tradition." ENRAGING.

No apology. No even basic recognition of how bad Astros fans got hosed in this. He goes on and on about how Drayton McLane left a great legacy and left the team better than he found it. Yeah, we got a stadium, but that was partly Bud Adams' doing. McLane sold a weak team and made it weaker by switching it to the AL. Just an infuriating video.

Overall here's my thoughts on the move:

The Purchase Price Reduction. I actually don't mind the purchase price reduction as much as some. Selig's demand that the Astros move to the AL certainly hurt the value of the franchise. Jim Crane has to try to create a winner out a terrible team with huge debt burden, an angry or indifferent fanbase, during a recession. Good luck with that, guy. I would contend even with the discount he overpaid.

There's Nothing the Astros Can Do to Make this Good Short Term. The move to the AL creates a huge sense of loss to me. (for reasons stated below). Price discounts at the ballpark doesn't make this better for me. Uni changes don't make this better to me. I can't fathom anything in the entire planet that Crane could do to make this good.

His press conference was a bunch of big fat, no hope, depressing real talk. Yeah, it was truthful, and likely all they can do, but it doesn't make me particularly enthusiastic about the near future of the team, or supporting a league that intentionally kicked the fourth most populous US city in the teeth. They say that winning will fix everything but good luck with that any time in the near future. Crane already had a difficult road without the AL move. Bud Selig handed him an anchor...encased in concrete.

I want some HCSA smiting. What could make me feel any better at all? If the Harris County Sports Authority enforced the terms of the lease against MLB saying that only an NL team can play in the stadium. Back in the day, I actually helped in the fan efforts to get people to vote for the stadium. Met Drayton McLane at the party for staff and volunteers. He had lost his voice talking so much.

Houston voted for a stadium to keep Astros baseball in Houston. Astros baseball is National League baseball. Don't think this will happen, but I'd like the Sports Authority to smite MLB with the language of the lease. I would like them to demand that MLB oblige by the terms of the contract, and keep National League baseball in Houston. If a judge would not enforce specific performance for that, I would like Harris County to receive huge money damages to compensate local fans for having to watch teams we don't give a * about play the history-gutted, turned into an expansion team Astros.

Why I Loathe the Move to the AL. Yeah, I knew this AL move was going to be forced on Astros fans. And even so, when it was made official, I was surprised how sad and angry it made me.

There is exactly nothing I like about it. Hate the move. Hate the process that led to the move. It's like MLB is doing everything they possibly can to try to get me to hate baseball. Or at least not care about it any more.

You name any number of NL teams, and I have Astros memories both good and bad about them. I am wildly indifferent to the AL. I really don't have strong feelings about the Yankees or Red Sox other than thinking that the MLB model of competition creates a big, fat, nearly unwatchable joke. The Astros don't have the Bagwell, Biggio, Berkmans on the team. They no longer play winning baseball, and I have no reasons to believe that they will be playing a winning form of baseball any time soon during our debt service, budget cutting rebuilding, switch to AL style of baseball .I don't have to tell you how HARD it's been being an Astros fan, much less paying to see this product.

All the Astros fans have in 2011 is their 50 years of history. And Bud Selig took that away too. If you were systematically trying to figure a way to cripple a franchise for a long time, you'd have a harder time figuring out a plan more effective than the caretaker Astros transitioned into the extortioned AL sale.

People will argue that eventually if you play in the AL long enough, and winning happens, you will care about new rivalries. Yes, perhaps some day I will loathe the Mariners as much as I loathe the Cardinals. But it took me a lifetime to grow my rooting interests. It would involve rooting for a better team that isn't a doormat. It would involve years of relevant baseball play. Sadly, I don't think I will live long enough to develop my AL hate.

Can't say I much like the late night west coast move or that I will have Rangers games shoved down my throat.(People pretending to be longtime Rangers fans bragging about their team. Oh joy).

There may be some folks who are fine with the AL move and the process that sacrificed the near term viability of the Astros for the "greater good." I can't be that person. And anyone who lectures me about how awesome this is going to be makes me want to punch them in the face.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2011/11/20/2575555/the-bud-selig-hate-it-burns

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Manager Wanted: Little or No Experience Wanted

I am disappointed I missed the ad in all the major newspapers and baseball trade papers. It must have read something like this: The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox have a position open for team manager at the major league level. No experience necessary at any level. First come, first served as the [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2011/11/20/manager-wanted-experience-wanted/

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