January 26th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 When debating the pros and cons of MLB players, fans will often refer to statistics with acronyms like BA, OBP, OPS, RBI, ERA, WHIP, and others – including WAR – which is Wins Above Replacement.
WAR is not really a stat, it is a calculation that attempts to quantify each player’s value by using a number of playing stats (different stats for position players and pitchers) expressed in wins compared to a fictional minor league class AAAA player. For those who want to dig deeper into the methodology, FanGraphs glossary has a detailed explanation of its calculation (which varies slightly from that used by Baseball-Reference).
FanGraphs points out that WAR is not so precise that you can reliably conclude that a certain player with a WAR a few tenths of a point higher than another player is the better player. It is best used as a range within which players may be characterized as: Scrubs – players with a WAR between 0 and 1; Role players between 1 and 2; Solid Starters 2 to 3; Good Players 3 to 4; All Stars 4 to 5; Super Stars 5 to 6; and, 6+ are MVP candidates.
Dodgers offensive WAR leaders in 2018 were: Max Muncy (5.2), Justin Turner (4.2), Cody Bellinger and Yasmani Grandal (3.6), Kiké Hernandez (3.3), Chris Taylor (3.1), and Manny Machado (2.4 in 66 games). Pitchers were led by Clayton Kershaw (3.6), Walker Buehler (3.3 in 137 IP), Kenta Maeda and Alex Wood (2.6), Ross Stripling (2.3), and Hyun-Jin Ryu (2.0 in 82 IP). Yasiel Puig (1.8) and Matt Kemp (1.6) fell into the FanGraphs’ “Role Player” category.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
For the 2018 season, FanGraphs determined the expected winning percentage of replacement players to be just below 30%; hypothetically, a team composed entirely of replacement players would win around 48 games. Side note, the Orioles won 47 games last season. In 2018 Dodgers’ players achieved a total WAR of 53.5 (33 offense and 20.5 pitching); i.e., a total of 53 wins above replacement.
The Dodgers WAR has been reduced with the departures of several players, notably Puig, Kemp, Wood, and Machado with a combined total of 12. All else being equal, the Dodgers have replaced 9.7 of the 12 with the acquisitions of A.J. Pollock (2.5), Joe Kelly (.7), and the return of Corey Seager (6.5 average WAR 2016-17).
But as we all know, baseball games are won (and lost) on the playing field, not on the stat pages. However, by every indication, the 2019 Dodgers are ready for WAR.
Bombs Away!
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I hate the diatribe against the FO and Ownership. They’re doing exactly what they said they would do from the start. Everyone else in the media and blogs just doesn’t remember.The “financial flexibility” they want to maintain is going to be extremely useful when they negotiate extensions with seager, Bellinger, buehler, etc. They’re building a f*cking dynasty, and most everybody (LA fans included) lacks the long term vision that the team is applying. They aren’t trying to win 1 world series, but several. The best way to make the most revenue is to win the most games, especially the last game of the season.
Excellent point that does not need an expletive for emphasis. I remember very well when Kasten told everyone the team’s strategy, including the immediate short term efforts to make the Dodgers competitive and the longer term vision to rebuild the farm system from which it would continue to field competitive teams every season.
My only concern is that we become the Braves of the 90’s where we win 10 divisions and only one championship. But I do believe that the front office is doing the right thing and we are still the favorites to get back to the world series.
BTW we can always add a big bat in July if we don’t add before spring training.
Go Dodgers
No doubt I want the Dodgers to win the WS multiple times, but I am also very pleased to root for a team that is considered a WS competitor every season.