I was going to make a snarky comment about Joey Devine getting a second place vote, but then I saw he had a 0.59 ERA in about 40 innings. I had no idea. That's not worth a second place vote, but that's quite a season.

I was going to make a snarky comment about Joey Devine getting a second place vote, but then I saw he had a 0.59 ERA in about 40 innings. I had no idea. That's not worth a second place vote, but that's quite a season.

Me, too, and I'm an A's fan! Devine had a hell of a season.

Hard to imagine anyone quibbling with this one.

Hard to imagine anyone quibbling with this one.

give us time, we'll think of sumthin

That DeVine voter probably was the same dude who put Brad Ziegler 3rd on his Longoria-DeVine-Ziegler ticket.

And ranking D above Z shows he valued 0.59 ERA in 46 innings more than 1.06 ERA in 60 innings. And six wins to three? My goodness, you can't argue with the facts.

Hard to imagine anyone quibbling with this one.

I have Mike Aviles leading AL rookies in WAR...

Hard to imagine anyone quibbling with this one.

I don't think Aviles shoulda won, but I thought he was a clear #2. I don't see how Ellsbury is better than him, Ziegler, Galarraga or even Joba.

Good voting! They were all actually rookies.

And ranking D above Z shows he valued 0.59 ERA in 46 innings more than 1.06 ERA in 60 innings. And six wins to three? My goodness, you can't argue with the facts.

Devine also gave up more unearned runs (4) than earned runs (3).

And ranking D above Z shows he valued 0.59 ERA in 46 innings more than 1.06 ERA in 60 innings.

I don't see a problem there at all. The difference is 14 innings of 2.57 ERA ball. Which is nice, but pretty inconsequential.

I don't see a problem there at all. The difference is 14 innings of 2.57 ERA ball. Which is nice, but pretty inconsequential.

And each guy only got one vote, so we're just goofing even taking about them anyway. Devine looks like the A's next closer, though, if Street is part of today's trade as rumored.

You don't think Ziegler will get another shot at the closer's role, Shooty, or will he be put back in a setup/middle role?

Man, former Braves prospects Kyle Davies and Joey Devine were both decent this year. Given the outlook for Atlanta's '09 rotation, they would come in handy.

Ya know, I agree a 0.59 in 40 IP isn't worth a 2nd place ROY vote, but believe me, if a closer had tossed a 0.59 ERA in 40 IP and garnered 34 saves for a division-winning club, he WOULD be getting some MVP action!

Indeed, Aviles deserved the award.

Aviles: 122 OPS+ = 2.7 batting wins above average per 162. Played 84% of his time in the field at SS, 13% at 2B, and 3% at 3B, a mix which comes out to positional value above replacement of 2.5 wins/162. So that's a "raw" WARP of 5.2 per 162, so 3.3 in 102 G. He was apparently an outstanding baserunner per BP, with 4.5 runs above average. He was also a terrific fielder per Plus/Minus, at 10 runs above average, and 5 runs above average according to Dial, so call that a further +8, and you've got 4.55 WARP in 102 G. My god--that's 7.2 WARP per 162, which is MVP-caliber performance in many, many seasons. I had no idea he was THAT good. His season is a great unsung story of the year. Who knew???

Longoria: 125 OPS+ = 3 batting wins above average per 162, plus 1.8 wins/162 for playing 3B, is 4.8 WARP/162, so 3.6 in 122 G. 0.4 baserunning runs above average, 8 fielding runs above average per Plus/Minus, 2 fielding runs above average per Dial, so 6 fielding runs above average, and you're at 4.25 WARP.

My ticket went Aviles-Longoria-Galarraga for the AL; Soto-Votto-Jurrjens for the NL. Too bad my ticket only has value in Me Dollars.

I don't think Aviles shoulda won, but I thought he was a clear #2. I don't see how Ellsbury is better than him, Ziegler, Galarraga or even Joba.

I wouldn't worry about it. Judging by the NL vote, he'll get another chance next year.

You don't think Ziegler will get another shot at the closer's role, Shooty, or will he be put back in a setup/middle role?

Ziegler is really good for multiple innings, so they'll probably keep him in the set-up/relief ace role with Devine to get the saves.