Anyone for a little math? Let's calculate some WAR (Wins Above Replacement) using two handy posts from The Book Blog.
Mark Ellis
Offense: using a simple .1/.2/.3/.4 2005-2008 weighting system, Ellis' offense comes out almost exactly league average
Defense: +15. He's amazing
Offense + Defense wins/162: ~1.5
Positional Adjustment: +0.25
Replacement Level Adjustment: +2
Playing Time: Let's say 75%
Mark Ellis WAR: 2.79 (2.5-3)
Mark Ellis contract: $11m/2 - $16.5m/3
Manny Ramirez
Offense: +45
Defense: -20. He's terrible
Offense + Defense wins/162: ~2.3
Position Adjustment: -0.75
Replacement Level Adjustment: ~+2
Playing Time: Let's say 85%
Manny Ramirez WAR: 3.06 (2.75-3.25)
Manny Ramirez contract: Speculation is that he's already been offered $50m/2yr - $75m/3yr; seeking more
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Not that I expect the Mariners to be involved, but this is going to be a fascinating offseason to watch. The teams that get it will be chasing after guys like Orlando Hudson and Rafael Furcal. The teams that don't get it will be chasing after guys like Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, and Manny Ramirez. Billy Beane already pulled off the bargain of the decade, and you better believe he knows exactly what he paid for. But who's going to follow his lead? More than any other that comes to mind, this offseason should make it abundantly clear which teams have a shot at the pot and which teams are playing a joker in their flush.
I can't help but think that this'll be a bad winter to be a Mets fan.