Total Value Estimates - Through 12 August 2008

I've updated the total value estimates for 2008 players. You can read about all the methods in this series of posts.

Features:

• Total value estimates for every MLB position player, based on hitting (RAR; Runs Above Replacement level based on linear weights), fielding (Fielding), and their position (PosAdj). Units are runs produced above a replacement player.
  
• Fielding measures are based on the average runs saved according to zone rating (ZR) and revised zone rating (RZR).
• Pitchers are listed according to RAR (base runs saved above replacement) and FIP-Runs (a defense-independent pitching stat estimating runs saved above repalcement).
• League differences are taken into account. So are park differences.
  
• Closers get a leverage-based bonus in value (though it's pretty rough).

Click here to access the spreadsheet

Note: I've heard occasional reports of people getting server errors trying to access this spreadsheet. If you do, please let me know, because I haven't been able to replicate it and want to know how widespread the issue is.

A huge thanks to Joel Luckhaupt, who used his visual basic wizardly to automate the population of my makeshift spreadsheets. Thanks also to the Hardball Times, who supplied most of the data.


Current MVP Leaders:
American League

Last	First	Lg	Team	Pos	PA	OPS	R/G	RAR	Fielding	PosAdj	TtlValue
Sizemore	Grady	AL	CLE	CF	537	0.901	7.5	50.3	9.8	2.7	62.8
Rodriguez	Alex	AL	NYA	3B	430	0.998	8.5	48.9	-1.2	0.6	48.3
Roberts	Brian	AL	BAL	2B	527	0.855	6.8	41.1	3.6	0.7	45.4
Hamilton	Josh H	AL	TEX	CF	529	0.923	6.8	42.1	-1.9	0.5	40.7
Longoria	Evan	AL	TB	3B	435	0.885	6.6	32.7	6.1	0.7	39.5
Markakis	Nick	AL	BAL	RF	527	0.898	7.2	44.5	-0.8	-4.3	39.4
Kinsler	Ian M	AL	TEX	2B	561	0.890	6.8	44.1	-7.1	0.7	37.8
Granderson	Curtis	AL	DET	CF	431	0.859	6.6	32.3	2.6	2.3	37.2
Youkilis	Kevin E	AL	BOS	1B	471	0.948	7.1	39.8	2.3	-5.0	37.1
Pedroia	Dustin L	AL	BOS	2B	540	0.821	5.7	29.5	5.7	0.7	35.9

Sizemore continues to run away with it. Lots of PA's hitting leadoff, the best R/G of anyone not named A-Rod, and outstanding fielding performance at a premium position. If the gap remains this big by the end of the season, I don't see how he can't be the hands-down choice for MVP--even on a losing ballclub.

National League

Last	First	Lg	Team	Pos	PA	OPS	R/G	RAR	Fielding	PosAdj	TtlValue
Pujols	Albert	NL	STL	1B	471	1.066	9.9	60.1	13.3	-5.5	67.9
Jones	Chipper	NL	ATL	3B	394	1.066	10.1	51.1	12.8	0.5	64.4
Utley	Chase	NL	PHI	2B	520	0.944	7.2	43.5	19.1	0.6	63.2
Berkman	Lance	NL	HOU	1B	497	1.035	9.2	58.9	9.9	-6.0	62.8
Holliday	Matt T	NL	COL	LF	467	1.027	8.7	49.7	7.0	-3.8	52.8
Ramirez	Hanley	NL	FLA	SS	541	0.913	7.6	48.5	-0.4	4.2	52.3
Beltran	Carlos	NL	NYN	CF	518	0.835	6.3	32.3	10.7	2.8	45.9
Wright	David A	NL	NYN	3B	544	0.909	7.2	43.9	1.1	0.7	45.7
McCann	Brian M	NL	ATL	C	423	0.942	7.5	37.0	0.0	6.0	43.0
Braun	Ryan J	NL	MIL	LF	498	0.926	6.8	38.4	6.1	-4.1	40.4

This is the first update I can remember where Chipper Jones isn't at the top of the list. Two lost weeks hurt him.

Current Cy Young Leaders
American League

Last	First	Lg	Team	IP	ERA	FIP	OPSa	BsR/G	RAR	FIPRAR
Halladay	Roy	AL	TOR	182.0	2.72	2.92	0.623	3.06	58.9	54.6
Lee	Cliff	AL	CLE	161.7	2.45	2.51	0.612	2.97	54.0	55.8
Duchscherer	Justin	AL	OAK	132.7	2.51	3.62	0.579	2.78	47.0	29.5
Danks	John W	AL	CHA	144.3	3.18	3.10	0.650	3.33	42.4	40.4
Santana	Ervin R	AL	LAA	156.3	3.45	3.40	0.644	3.54	42.1	38.6
Guthrie	Jeremy	AL	BAL	163.0	3.26	4.13	0.662	3.68	41.4	26.9
Saunders	Joe	AL	LAA	152.7	3.07	4.50	0.666	3.60	40.2	19.0
Lester	Jon T	AL	BOS	153.3	3.23	3.66	0.693	3.69	38.8	33.4
Wakefield	Tim	AL	BOS	147.0	3.67	4.79	0.668	3.60	38.6	13.5
Beckett	Josh	AL	BOS	147.0	3.92	3.30	0.691	3.73	36.6	37.9

Roy Holliday is a machine. I still don't believe in Cliff Lee.


National League

Last	First	Lg	Team	IP	ERA	FIP	OPSa	BsR/G	RAR	FIPRAR
Webb	Brandon	NL	ARI	169.0	2.88	2.88	0.609	2.86	53.9	47.0
Haren	Dan	NL	ARI	159.0	3.00	2.79	0.612	2.89	50.2	45.9
Dempster	Ryan	NL	CHN	157.3	2.92	3.46	0.607	3.04	47.1	33.7
Hamels	Cole	NL	PHI	173.7	3.32	3.59	0.653	3.38	45.4	34.7
Lincecum	Tim	NL	SF	162.0	2.67	2.80	0.628	3.22	45.3	46.7
Sheets	Ben	NL	MIL	155.3	2.95	3.13	0.672	3.58	37.3	38.9
Cook	Aaron	NL	COL	172.0	3.87	3.75	0.732	3.80	37.1	31.3
Hudson	Tim	NL	ATL	142.0	3.17	3.79	0.657	3.45	36.2	25.2
Zambrano	Carlos	NL	CHN	151.0	3.22	3.90	0.674	3.61	35.7	24.9
Santana	Johan	NL	NYN	168.0	2.89	3.93	0.674	3.83	35.5	27.2

It's a shame to see Volquez fall off this list, but I like that the Reds are giving him a bit more rest of late. Where would the D-backs be this year without that Dan Haren trade?