I know some of you that read the site are really into baseball and the saberblahblah that the new wave folks use. I don't really have a problem with it...I read Moneyball, it was entertaining. In fact I really loved reading about Chad Bradford in the book and now enjoying him blowing leads for the O's bullpen. I guess my only question would be, who really cares that much about baseball?

Anywho, ESPN has decided to come up with it's own rating system for MLB Players, and needless to say....it's pretty flawed. Let's examine shall we...

The ESPN Player Ratings give a rating ranging from 0-100 to all players based on points players accumulate off their current standings in the major leagues in numerous statistical categories and metrics. Consideration is given for a player's defensive position and his team's winning percentage.

The different categories are weighted individually, and there is a mix of counting stats and average stats. Playing time and innings pitched are important factors. A perfect rating is a score of 100.

Not every player earns a score. Batters who have not appeared in at least half of their team's games or pitchers who do not excel in any of the designated measurements will not be rated. Typically, 475-500 players earn points to qualify for the ratings.

Players receive points for their major league rankings in the following disciplines:

• Batters: Batting bases accumulated, runs produced, OBP, BA, HRs, hits, runs, RBIs, net steals, difficulty of defensive position, and team win percentage.

• Starting pitchers: ERA compared to league average weighted by IP, wins weighted by win percentage, defensive independent bases allowed per IP (limiting HR, BB and HBP), strikeouts, opponents' BA, and innings pitched.

• Relievers: Wins and saves with a stiff penalty for blown saves, ERA compared to league average weighted by IP, K-BB ratio, opponents' BA, and preventing inherited runners from scoring.

Hmm, okay....the weird thing is that they make this out to show you the best baseball player. They are only using stats from this year, which completely takes the word "Best" out of the equation. Unless you are saying best player this year.

The other interesting thing are the results. James Shields is ranked as the third best pitcher....if you were starting a team in what Round would you pick Shields? The 12th??? Also, Manny Ramirez is ranked 95th...and defense isn't included....and it has Adam Dunn in the All-Star Game while he's batting .250 and leading the league in strikeouts again....and the system favors better teams over worse ones...and only 3 catchers are rated in the top 100...and there are 30 2nd Basemen rated higher than Chase Utley....

....and...and....and...

What Are The ESPN Player Rankings? (ESPN)
ESPN Player Ratings (ESPN)