WAR is not a single stat, but rather the amalgamation of a series of defensive and offensive statistics.

His position is included in the WAR number, right?

Using that awesome xBABIP calculator from Hardball Times, his xBABIP is 0.318. His real BABIP is 0.352. This hot streak is based on a huge helping of luck.

On the plus side, his walk rate is up by almost 5% from last year, and his strikeouts are down by more than 2%. Of course, no one’s expecting him to be a 6.6 WAR player, but if he continues to put up sparkling CF defense (he’d be best in the league in UZR if he qualified), he’s still a solid player, even assuming a heavy regression in his bat.

The A’s need to start showing some consistency from season to season. A starting OF of Harrison/Davis/Sweeney projects to be a decent starting OF for seasons to come. I really don’t see any other options in house at the moment. I really don’t care if Cust comes back next season, but if he does I don’t expect him to see ANY OF time. If Buck can actually get his shit head together I see him as a logical 4th OF. Unless Rajai significantly regresses next season i see no need to replace him unless a sweeter than sweet deal pops up in the offseason. I don’t think Wolff is going to be willing to spend the $$ on a power hitting corner OF.

and leading off. Actually he should be leading off now — and for the past month. He’s still young enough to be a speedy basestealer and defender for at least a few more years, as long as he stays healthy.

If he doesn’t work out then they’ll get rid of him — simple as that.

I enjoyed the stats and the fangraphs data, as well as the comps to what other CFs have done.

I see absolutely no chance that he’s not the opening CF in ‘10. Beane has practically said as much, with a comment a few months ago to the effect that "he’s here to stay." This team is gonna be trotting out as many $400K guys as it can – that’s why I anticipate that Ryan Sweeney and Cliff Pennington will continue to have starting jobs, even though they are clearly not starting-caliber for first-division teams. They are what the A’s will be next year – a group of starters on a second-division team.

It also plays to Rajai’s favor that he’s very exciting to watch, an excellent story, a terrific person, and an outstanding African-American influence on a team that will have Chris Carter and Jemile Weeks up on the big club within a few years.

If Rajai is a super-elite fielder, and costs nothing then he starts without question.
It is just icing on the cake that he is a nice guy and speedy on the bases.

He is quickly becoming my favourite A. If I get his autograph today I think I’ll JIMP.

a month earlier . My feelings about him haven’t changed much, although he’s improved somewhat in the bunting and fielding department. As a 4th outfielder, i definitely see him in the teams plans, but as a 29 year old peaking w/ arby coming up? Not sure I would invest that type of money for a half season hot streak….

…..when Rajai is about to start costing some serious coin.
He should easily and obviously be starting CF from now until then.
I really wouldn’t mind if we buy his arb. years cheaply, because after them he’ll be 33, and unfortunately he’ll probably be DO NOT WANT. :-(

if he sucked because he wasn’t given a decent chance to play, or was he not given a chance to play because he sucked.

It is clear that now, the first time he has been able to feel secure in his job and play many games in a row, he is playing well. I think it is fantastic having such a dynamic player playing every day, and as far as a losing team goes, entertainment is about all you can get. He provides.

coach a·ble \ˈkō-chə-bəl\ adj.

3. Sports open to receive training or direction from instructors for athletic teams. Willing to learn.

Crosby strutted around for years, flaunting vet cred he never earned…. Raj seems to take the opposite tack. As obstinate and intransigently committed to swinging through the slider away, for example, as Croz has been, so has Raj proven over the course of this season (IMO) that he can change. The player I referred to in a thoughts-rant as the worst player in MLB has proven to me that that was about as unfair and as superficial a characterization as could have been made, so much so it almost feels shameful, like I said something so wrong that you guys should think very seriously about whether I have any cred myself on these matters. But like someone said above, half (I think Nico said 50%….+ 45%) of AN had this guy on the slow boat to Nationalsville 2 months ago and that’s why it’s Mr. B running the team and not we.

Davis appeals to me when I get realistic as in the mix for a 4th outfielder spot on a good team, as well as the obvious pinch-runner & OF defensive replacement roles. I guess he is a dude where you have to get him enough PAs or his game goes to crap, so it’s tough to sign him for a big payday knowing he is a 4th OF optimally on a contending/elite team & has a delicate ABs-needed-over-the-course-of-a-season-not-to-suck-balls quotient. Get after an anagram for that one, Geeky Stat Worshippers of Athletica.

But like I said his learning curve seems to have some spike, unlike Croz, who drove his Lamborghini off a cliff going around his learning curve a long time ago, it seems… so Raj could have an accelerated trajectory if he keeps being proactive about being the best possible baseball player he can be.

Yes!