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--What do I think about the Ms mediocre defensive stats?--
It tasks me. It tasks me, and I shall have it. I shall chase the truth round the moons of Nibia and round the Antares maelstrom and round perdition's flames before I give up! :)
In all honesty, it is a bit puzzling. The defense is certainly better than 2008, (26th to 15th in the majors). Currently ranked 7th in AL by bbref.
My first observation would be to note that the Ms seem to be confusing in a number of ways on the runs allowed side of things.
6th in Ks, 12th in BB, 3rd in HRs allowed. This shouldn't be good enough to rank #2 in hits allowed without a top 3 defense should it? But they do. The Ms rank #2 in hits allowed. The #1 item I look at for defense is always hits allowed. I then try to take into account Ks and HRs, (backward of every other sabrmetrician on the planet, but I'm a lefty, I'm used to doing things backwards).
Average pitching line allowed in the AL compared to the Ms:
League: .265/.336/.423/.758 - .298
Seattle : .253/.326/.385/.711 - .290
If I had to guess, (and I do), I'd say that Seattle is simply beating EVERY aspect of the run suppression formula by just enough, where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The ranking in walks is a little deceptive, as there is a big glut of teams with nearly identical walk totals in the middle of the league. Seattle could easily go from 12th to 6th with a couple of good weeks.
Aside from that, there is one MAJOR thing I am aware of that makes me blink when I see it. The stat line by catcher:
Rob Johnson: 2.31-K/BB; .241/.306/.335/.640 - .285 BABIP
Kenji Johjima: 1.57-K/BB; .259/.345/.440/.785 - .287 BABIP
The previous years problems with BABIP seem to have been fixed with Johjima, who used to run BABIPs 100 points higher than his backups. But the cost seems to be that instead of making the fielders much worse, he makes the pitchers much worse.
The 18 point difference in average is almost exclusively from extra HRs, (which explains the extra 105 points of slugging - OUCH!). But, the drop in Ks, coupled with the spike in walks is a trifecta of TTO death. Johjima behind the plate is doing a fair job of turning YuBet into Adam Dunn.
I hate to say it - but while others are fretting over the team's offensive woes, my greatest angst moment of the past week was reading that Johjima's rehab appears to be ahead of schedule. Would that I could swap Clement's rehab with Joh's.
But, the REAL thing I take away from this is ... imagine what the team could do in run prevention if they do manage to take that next step forward in DER.
I honestly believe this is a 95-97 OPS+ team, if Beltre and Lopez are hitting -- without changing anything else. I also believe that with the bodies available, if the club can get some health gains on the pitching side ... well, they could potentially push their current 117 ERA+, (and remember that IS adjusted for the park), past 120 toward the 125 arena. (The 2001 team had a 118 ERA+, for those who have forgotten).
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I know you're a spiritual dude, Doc. Well, I believe that one of, (if not THE) most important thing a person can do to be blessed is to express gratitude. I believe blessing flows forth directly in response to gratitude. I am greatful to be witnessing one of the most impressive pitching/defense combos of the 21st century, (and remember, I'm a Braves fan - I do have some experience in this realm). I just wish a few more people would start seeing what I'm seeing.