MLB Bullets Is On Life Support

Faster than a speeding Bullets

• Craig Calcaterra has been mocking the "baseball is dying" punditry all season, but now he has published a carefully-crafted argument knocking down most of the predictions of baseball's slow death. The essay is long, heavy on facts and analysis and would serve as a position paper or a closing argument in court. (Calcaterra used to be a lawyer, and it shows in the way he crafts his argument.) It's not likely to change many minds on the subject because I've long since given up on the idea that people are willing to change their minds these days, no matter how much evidence is presented. But if you still hold out hope that there are people with open minds on this subject, it's a must read.
• Speaking of long and detailed arguments, Jeff Passan takes his whacks at Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in its current form. I think most people agree with Passan that there are some problems with the current formulation of WAR and how it weights defense, especially that of corner outfielders. And Passan is not arguing that we shouldn't include defense, just that we haven't figured out how to properly do it.
• Dave Cameron offers his response to Passan in defense of WAR. Or at least pointing out the problems with what Passan is suggesting. It's a high-minded argument for people who want to understand what goes into these numbers.
• Rob Neyer says that while Passan has a point about the limitations of WAR, but he asks if there is anything better out there?
• Jeff Sullivan notes that the strike zone is still dropping and that's leading to higher strikeout numbers and lower offense.
• As he predicted last time, Jayson Stark notes that MLB has issued a clarification of Rule 7.13 (the home plate collision rule) in time for the postseason. Essentially, umpires are not supposed to call safe runners unless the catcher has "hindered or impeded" the path of the runner.
• Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis is a fan of the new rules changes.
• Joe Delessio looks at the rules changes in the Atlantic League designed to speed up the game. So far, they seem to be working.
• You are no doubt aware of what's going on in the NFL in this matter, but MLB and the MLBPA are planning to meet this offseason to hammer out a policy dealing with domestic violence.
• So on to the actual games. Right now, you'd have a hard time arguing with someone who claims that the Angels are the best team in baseball. Richard Justice says that the Halos are a lot more than just their big names.
• Anthony Castrovince says the Angels are going to count on their bullpen to get them through the playoffs.
• The Athletics have now fallen eight games behind the Angels. Ted Keith documents how Oakland is limping to the finish line.
• Phil Rogers thinks that the A's are going to snap out of their freefall and make the Wild Card game.
• Grant Brisbee lists the five mistakes the Athletics have made in the second half of this season. The biggest one is "not having better luck."
• David Schoenfield explains what happens if the AL Wild Card race ends in a four-team tie. He didn't include "Al Yellon does his happy dance."
• Christina Kahrl notes that the Tigers ability to deal with their problems and adapt during the season make them a dangerous team in October.
• Jon Paul Morosi says that if the Tigers pass the Royals in the standings, it's not going to be because the Royals aren't "ready."
• The Orioles are winning with defense, writes Dayn Perry.
• One team that seems doomed at the moment is the Brewers. Charles P. Pierce offers his impressions of a team in complete collapse.
• Ken Rosenthal wonders if Braves GM Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez are in danger of losing their jobs?
• The Marlins are still a longshot to make the playoffs, but they have gotten themselves to within 3.5 games of a playoff spot, in large part because of Giancarlo Stanton. Mike Bauman thinks Stanton deserves the MVP no matter where the Marlins finish in the standings.
• The Marlins are still going to make a serious effort to sign Stanton to a long-term deal.
• Former 20-Game winner Dave Stewart has to decide whether he wants to be considered for the Diamondbacks GM job. Some say he's the favorite if he wants the job, because of his long-time association with Tony LaRussa.
• Yasiel Puig (PUIG!) is actually in the news for something actually related to a game. Puig's power slump is starting to concern people. Such as the Dodgers and their fans.
• Joseph Werner asks what the future holds for Xander Bradley and Jackie Bradley Jr.
• Wily Mo Peña wants to return to MLB. He's been in Japan the past three seasons.
• Ryan Zimmerman is taking batting practice.
• David Wright is done for the year.
• Don't expect the Mets to make a big free agent signing this offseason.
• Riley McDaniel has two more installments of his fundamentals of scouting series: Part 1 and Part 2 about scouting hitting. Part two has a bit on Javier Baez and Daniel Vogelbach.
• Eno Sarris looks at the possibility of corner outfielders regularly switching positions in-game based on scouting reports of hitters.
• Neil Weinberg explains why Ben Zobrist's versatility makes him so valuable and tries to knock down what he calls "The Zobrist fallacy."
• A new study indicates that around 1750 fans at major league games are injured each year by foul balls.
• Rob Neyer thinks eventually baseball will have to do more to protect fans.
• Which North American athlete flew the most miles in his career? Which baseball player did?
• Did anyone think this was a good idea? Has anyone bought one?
• And if Dodgers didn't have enough to worry about with Puig slumping, this three-error play could very well be the worst defensive play in the history of the game. Or at least in the era that we have video. Of course, as Clayton Kershaw said, "You can laugh about it now because we won."
• And finally, Cirque du Soleil delivered what Rodger Sherman called a "terrifying" first pitch before the Cubs/Blue Jays game on Monday. It definitely is if you have coulrophobia.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.