And just for the record, it’s RBIs, not RBI. Whenever you pluralize an acronym, you add an “s” at the end. You don’t rewrite the acronym.

Currently, there are two approaches to estimate total value of all contributions of players. They use slightly different metrics (especially for defense and for pitchers). Again, they are two estimates. Neither is perfect. Each is far better than using traditional statistics in isolation or in combination.

When a person considers a group of traditional stats, they use their own personal and inconsistent algorithm (that they generally are completely unaware of) to view the totality of information and ascribe value. For example, if you saw two player stat lines, you would look them over and decide which player you thought was better (i.e. more valuable). People can’t do that consistently across all stat lines….all WAR estimates are, are formalized linear combinations that ascribe values to player outcomes. The values for outcomes are based on the effect those outcomes have on scoring or preventing runs, and are standardized to a level called “replacement”, which is a calibration based on how that type of player typically performs when called up from the minors.

All WAR estimates are, is a formalized version of what everyone already does in their head, it is just far more consistent and based on far more information than anyone has at their disposal.

It’s gotta be McCutchen. No one else on the Pirates is even close to performing at his level: Stark had a great column writeup about this this week.

Soriano earned his reputation as a poor defender at 2B, but he’s rated well in most defensive metrics since moving to LF.

Still, there are a lot of great candidates at this point, Votto, Cutch, Ruiz, Braun, Wright, all have good cases at the mid-point. There is no “hands down”, “no doubt about it”, “easy”, or “clear” choice at this point.

Yes, there are better statistical estimates of offensive production than of defensive production, but the defensive metrics currently used “see” far more than you do and are far better estimates of defense than “seeing a player every day” (especially because most fans see only 1 of the 30 defenders everyday and generally have little basis for comparison).

Ignoring the best available information, which is imperfect but far far better than the fan eyeball t est, in lieu of personal opinion is called willful ignorance.

McCutchen is a better player than Cargo (he of the .750 OPS away from Coors field). And Justin Upton is far more valuable than Span. Not that it matters, since the real plans start at E.