Flubarp: The Statistic That Explains Everything

Ah, Sabermetrics.

OK. I get it. The standard statistics aren't up to snuff. The definition of a "quality start" may be to lax. People can't get RBIs if there is nobody on base ahead of them. Players are only going to get so many quality at bats if there's no one good hitting behind them.

But the extent that Sabermetrics have gone to have completely blown my mind. Let me just copy and paste some of the more popular measures into this blog:

Late-inning pressure situations (LIPS)
PECOTA (Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm)
Pythagorean expectation

and the ever popular

WAR

People go crazy for the WAR. People are treating WAR like FLUBARP.

Here's how you calculate WAR (via saberlibrary.com):

Offensive players - Take wRAA and UZR (which, if you remember, are both in runs format) and add them together. Add in a positional adjustment, since some positions are tougher to play than others. And then convert the numbers so that they're based not league average, but on replacement level (which again, is the value a team would lose if they had to replace that player with a minor leaguer or someone from the waiver wire). Convert the run value you have to wins (10 runs = 1 win) and voila, finished!

Pitchers - Where offensive WAR used wRAA and UZR, pitching WAR uses FIP. Based on how many innings a pitcher threw, FIP is turned into runs form, converted to represent value above replacement level, and is then converted from runs to wins.

Holy crap.

I once saw Neifi Perez lead the Cubs to an extra inning victory over The Cardinals by hitting a grand slam. In terms of whether I believe in the importance of Sabermetrics, that's like walking in on your Dad playing Santa Claus on the night before Christmas. That's like walking in on Neifi Perez playing Santa Claus.