I'll try to make this as simple as possible.  I am thinking about two catchers.  All in all, about the same, except for SLG.  Same price, AVG,OBP.... etc.  Here is the difference.  Catcher A has 17 more HR's on average.  Catcher B gives up 60 less SB on average.  Is 17 HRs worth 60 SB's?  Which one would you go with?

need more info. total SB isn't very meaningful without knowing CS too.

If catcher A has a terrible year at the plate, he could be a double loser. That said, catcher B will stay much closer to his CS numbers. If your team is in a HR friendly park I would gamble on catcher A, his RBI's will out weigh his steals allowed, unfriendly HR park catcher B is my pick. So I guess it depends on what the overall makeup of your team is.

Using runs created, the margin values for an average team (i.e. neutral contex)

HR = 1.62 runs
SB = 0.161 runs
CS = -0.391 runs

17HR * 1.62 RC/ HR = 27 RC
60 SB * .161 RC/SB = 10 RC

Of course in SB/CS RC are earned (or lost) on defense while HR RC are earned on offense.  So in order to figure this properly both players would have to have the same number of PA and both would bat in the same (or similar) line-up spot.  I am also assuming that the 17HR and 60 SB are according to performance history and this is an $80M OL team (or equivilent).
 
Assuming the above, the decreased defense on average would be easily worth it.  But let's face it, you don't build a team to beat an average team, you build a team to beat a variety of specialists ( the HR team, the dead-ball team, or the speed team).  And if happen to face an Astrodome/Speed Team in the playoffs, the marginal difference between an A arm and and A+ arm will kill you more than that HR bat could compensate.

Still that being written, the difference in value, 20 runs (I'm guessing the guy with the worse arm actually get more CS) or close to two wins, is too great to ignore.  I'd go with the HR hitter (catcher B), especially since Ithink the difference in arms is only A+ to A++ (or perhaps A to A+).

Some great stuff everyone.  My gut says go with the arm, but this breakdown is tempting me to go with the bat.  Still have to think it over some more.

Who are the 2 catchers?

Posted by epolice183 on 6/16/2011 1:32:00 AM (view original):
Who are the 2 catchers?

Does it really matter?  Half the fun on the site for me is finding players.  I came up with a close decision and needed some more data.  Some great users were able to offer up some excellent analytical data.  Once again it comes to pros and cons.  Variable success vs more consistent results.  Regular season success vs playoff success.  The decision comes down to different opinions.  The question I really wanted to know was how does 17 HR's compare to 60 SB's and it was answered very soundly with data to back it up.  What you do with that data is up to everyone's choice.  

go with your gut, and let us know how he does - good luck ( cause you know how wis messes with your mind )

draft the HR guy and draft Shawn Wooten for a backup :)

Just because catcher hit 17 more HRs in real life than catcher B, that doesn't mean he'll hit 17 more than B in the sim.  If it's a modern day player, normalization will supress his HRs.  I would check both players' performance histories to see what to expect before I make any judgements.

Posted by dahsdebater on 6/16/2011 3:24:00 AM (view original):
I'd rather draft a platoon with one guy who has a better bat and one guy who has a studly arm so I can matchup with anybody in the playoffs...  Just sayin'.

Except that the price structure makes platoon good-arm catchers overpriced