Outman To Sacramento, Gio Gonzalez To Arizona (For The All-Star Game)

Average – 3.1, Median 2.8, out of 149 Players (5 per team). These players averaged 613 PA

2009: 154 Players, Avg 613 PA, Avg 3.2 WAR, Median 3.0
2008: 147 Players, Avg 618 PA, Avg 3.1 WAR, Median 3.0
2007: 162 Players, Avg 615 PA, Avg 3.1 WAR, Median 2.8
2006: 160 Players, Avg 617 PA, Avg 3.0 WAR, Median 3.0

As you pointed out, DeJesus averages about 3.2 WAR per 650 AB, which puts him very close to the average of full time players, who average around 615 PA.

You’re right in that all teams don’t have a “starting” caliber player at every position, so in that sense, DeJesus is an above average player.

The problem I see with the A’s strategy of seeking out 3 WAR players with little upside on the FA and late arb markets is that inevitably some will disappoint as they reach their post-peak age, and some will get hurt, but few will outperform, leaving them with fairly large contracts (given their budget) on some unproductive players.

I guess one of these years, none will get hurt or disappoint and the team will win the 90-94 games that they’re aiming for with the “9 Hatteberg” strategy. It just means they can’t have any injuries or any underperformers.

2010: Average WAR – 22.6 (2.7 per position for 8.47 starting positions), Median 24.6 (2.9)

2009: Average 22.3 (2.6 per position), Median 21.1 (2.5 per position)
2008: Average 22.2 (2.6), Median 20.2 (2.4)
2007: Average 21.9 (2.6), Median 20.7 (2.4)
2006: Average: 21.9 (2.6), Median 21.9 (2.6)

So if DeJesus managed his 3.2 WAR he’d be a slightly above average player for all batter positions including DH. The average DH actually gets about 1-2 WAR per year, and the median is closer to 1 WAR, so for players who play both ways, DeJesus is very slightly above average.

This would be no problem at all if he were Scott Sizemore making the minimum at the cost of David Purcey. The problem is that he’s making $6M/year, meaning a team on the A’s budget can’t afford to have him fail.

DeJesus projects around 2 WAR by both ZiPS and PECOTA, so although he has been a slightly above average player, he isn’t any more. The team is now paying a slightly below average player $6M. The best they can do now is to platoon him with Conor Jackson and be paying $9M for average production.