I need your opinion here. Which is a better deal? Player (A) or player (B) ?

Question

Player (A)
Daisuke Matsuzaka a.ka. ( Dice-K )
Salary - $6,333,333 / 101 million overall
Record 12-8 Era - 3.75 K's - 142 Walks - 50 Whip 1.27
Key wins:
Seattle 8-7
New York 11-4
New York 7-6
Atlanta 13-3
Detroit 7-1
Cleveland 1-0

Player (B)
Chien-Ming Wang
Salary - $489,500
Record 12-5 Era - 3.61 K's - 61 Walks - 33 Whip 1.24
Key wins:
Seattle 8-1 ( Few outs from tossing a no hitter )
Boston 6-2
Boston 9-5
New York Mets 8-2
Arizona 4-1
LA Angels 12-0

According to Red Sox fans Diceless-K was supposed to be this pitching "GOD" at the start of the season. He turns out to be the above average joe with a few k's. Welcome to the real world.

Wang was called fluke after winning 19 games last year. Obviously he's no damn fluke.

Regardless of the money Wang can hold his own against the big dawgs too.

If Diceless-K was on the Yankees, Sox fans would be calling him a bust.

You Sox fans are so damn predictable.

Are you telling me that hype and K's make Diceless-K a better pitcher than Wang? That's not going to cut it folks when Wang's numbers are better across the board minus k's.

Answer 1

CM Wang's info looks slightly more attractive, especially with the salary info.

Answer 2

Wang is the better bargain, but I still believe Dice K is the better pitcher using the numbers.

If you dig a little deeper and look at DIPS (which accounts for the randomness of ground balls becoming hits), Dice K has a better independent ERA - 3.74 to Wang's 3.86. Matsuzaka also gets far more strikeouts, which are obviously of value because not allowing a batter to hit the ball is the best thing a pitcher can accomplish.

Wang is a better value for the money, but players shouldn't have the amount of their contracts used as any kind of measuring stick.

Answer 3

The Red Sox and Yankees always overpay on players. Sometimes it's ok but do the Yankees really want Igawa anymore? Out of those two players I'd chose Wang. Ground ball pitchers are fun to watch.

Answer 4

I'm a Red Sox fan, and Dice-K has had a lot of great starts, some average starts, and some bad ones. Wang is more consistent in giving average starts, but I think Dice-K will get better the longer he's in the MLB....well, I hope he does

Answer 5

Depends on if you count the marketing aspect. I agree with you based on performance I would take Wang, however based on logic I would take Dice-K. He hasn't pitched like 1995 Hideo Nomo but he does keep the ball out of play more than Wang.

You also gave final scores. This doesn't mean all of those runs were given up by the starter. Your basis is flawed. Include stats like what the league is hitting against Wang which is .264 versus Dice-K which is .244!

And also look at post all-star where Wang has an ERA of 4.62 and a WHIP of 1.42 with the league hitting .294 against him. While Dice-K has an ERA of 3.33 and WHIP of 1.44 with the league hitting .250.

Yes, dollar value, there is no comparison but you said better deal and Dice-K generates a lot more revenue than Wang. People go to see Dice-K and he has the Japanese following which generates more revenue. The Sox will make back everything they spent on Dice-K plus more. You obviously don't see the big picture. You also failed to realize the fact that Dice-K keeps the ball out of play with Ks and that's very important especially with runners on base.

Answer 6

Obviously Wang is.But dont think that hes not going to be making $12 million soon.Dice k puts people in seats and Wang just quietly just goes about his business.Is being a strikeout pitcher as opposed to a groundball pitcher worth $6 million?Umm no.

Answer 7

If you bring salary into it, you may get Wang favoured, but then you loose 8x more arguments when you compare the rest of your team.

Miguel Cabrera or Alex Rodriguez
Jose Reyes vs. Derek Jeter
Jason Giambi vs David Ortiz.

There are always low priced guys that outperform or near perform high priced guys. The Yankees at least have 2 on their team that qualify as low price and performing (the other being Cano)

Answer 8

Chien Ming Wang is a better value but both pitchers are good. Daisuke gets more strikeouts but Wang has better control. They are both good pitchers but Wang is a little better value.

Answer 9

I'd say the Red Sox probably wish they had a Wang?

Answer 10

Obviously for the money Wang is a much better bargain.