Frankly Frank, You’re Wrong.

It’s no secret I have serious doubts about Frank Wren’s decision making abilities when it comes to acquiring players. On Sunday he let everyone know how he views one of the games’ key elements; defense, specifically errors. In an interview yesterday with Dave O’Brien (read the full blog post here) the Braves GM said, “At the end of the day, I don’t think errors contribute a great deal to losses.” (emphasis mine)  He goes on to imply that double plays often fix everything and that although the Braves made 126 errors last year (tied with the Cubs for 27th worst in the league) they made the playoffs anyway. Thus he reasons, errors aren’t as important as everyone thinks they are. He says too (paraphrasing here) all errors aren’t created equal and that while one error may be disastrous others are meaningless.

At first glance that appears to be true. If the game’s a blow out errors probably aren’t all that bad. Except that errors are likely the reason the game is a blowout in the first place. Individual mistakes while not appearing immediately damaging, often start a sequence of events that’s difficult or impossible to overcome. Like a pebble tossed into a pond, the ripple caused by the error always touches things you don’t see. If you check the box scores you’ll generally find that the teams making the most errors and therefore giving away more bases – in the game lose. Even if you overcome the error that day if an affect future games. So, with all due respect Mr. Wren, you are wrong. Errors do significantly contribute to loses.

• Errors give the opposition an extra out. Good teams use extra outs to create extra runs to beat you; remember the playoffs?
• Errors turn over lineups. Ideally a pitcher faces as few hitters as possible. They try not to allow the big guns in the opposing lineup to the plate any more often than necessary.  An error means defeats that purpose. Instead of  facing the 7th or 8th place hitter in the 9th inning you may be facing the top of the order.
• Errors put the defense at a disadvantage. Defense is configured differently with men on base. The first baseman has to hold the runner opening up a hole on the right side. The middle infield has to play  for the DP reducing their range. Pitch selection may change based on the ability of the catcher to stop a pitch into the dirt or try to keep a fast runner from advancing.
• Errors stress pitching staffs. Every error makes the pitcher throw more pitches – perhaps higher stress pitches. It may remove or limit his use of an out pitch; say a slider in the dirt. If the error occurs with runners on or results in a run it may force a manager to the bullpen early than he would ordinary want. Even if the double play Mr. Wren incorrectly assumes erases all the damage happens and the inning ends without a run scoring, forcing more pitches from your starter or using that bullpen early changes the game and the way the manager uses his relief staff. With a 4 man bench (3 if you consider that the backup catcher is rarely used except in emergencies) using the bullpen may not only mean an extra pitcher used but also take away 1/3 of the managers by forcing him to pinch hit just because the he doesn’t want the reliever going to the plate. This means the manager has one less bat and/or defensive replacement available for substitution or injury replacement.

I do understand that there are tradeoffs when signing a player; that a team is made up of players with a mix of talents. The choice comes down to whether a player regularly provides more offense than he gives up on defense. Dan Uggla is that kind of player. The GM is correct however that a team that commits a lot of errors can sometimes overcome them by scoring more runs. That doesn’t make the errors insignificant, it simply hides them. It’s like painting over an ugly stain on the wall. Eventually it shows through and once again looks ugly. I’m reminded again of 2010 playoffs, I wonder why? Even with the addition of Dan Uggla’s formidable bat, the Braves are not capable of regularly overcoming errors with a run explosion.

Historically the best fielding teams are usually winners. Last year the Reds , Padres, Giants and Phillies were tops in the NL in fielding. If that list looks familiar it’s because they were all in the playoff race and all but the Padres were in the playoffs. We got there riding an unprecedented run of late inning comebacks and outstanding late season pitching from Hanson, Hudson and Lowe that covered up the stain of our fielding flubs.

Limiting errors makes pitching more effective – particularly ground ball pitchers like Hudson and Lowe – and increases the value of  every run your team scores by making it harder for the opposition to score too. It eases pressure on pitchers allowing them to pitch to contact instead of trying to strike batters out fearing their defense will let them down. When hitters know the defense will hold on to runs they score they are more likely to stay within themselves instead of trying to be a hero because they are always trying to catch up. Did I say it usually it puts you smack dab in the middle of a pennant race too? I did? Okay; sorry.

In baseball more than any other sport taking care of the little things means you don’t have as many big things to worry about. Teams that are the most successful over the course of a season are those with better in individual fundamentals. Fortunately for us the new skipper knows reducing errors is important. He’s said the Braves will be taking 15 minutes of infield before batting practice at every home game.  He saw what errors did to this team last year and is working to keep it from happening this year.  He knows -as most of us do – that when it comes to the importance of errors Mr. Wren, you’re wrong.