This week, we’ll be counting down the top Tribe plays of the 2011 season, as determined by Win Probability Added (check out the FanGraphs Saber Library entry for a full explanation). Next on the countdown: Travis Hafner‘s RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, July 25.

This was one of the best games of the season, and many fans probably remember it for another play: Jason Kipnis‘ walk-off hit. But while Kipnis’ clutch performance was more obviously dramatic, Hafner’s great piece of hitting was even more important to the Tribe’s victory. (more…)

They didn’t deserve to win, but two Tribe players deserved to at least be in consideration for second- or third-place votes. The higher-profile of the two is Jason Kipnis. The 24-year-old hit .272/.333/.507 (good for a 135 wRC+) with 7 homers, 19 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 1.0 rWAR (0.8 fWAR) in just 36 games while playing a position from which most teams don’t get much in the way of offensive production.

I don’t think of the Rookie of the Year in the same way I do the other major awards; I weigh how well a rookie plays much more heavily than how much he plays, and the only AL gumshoe who unambiguously played better and more than Kipnis was Brett Lawrie (who, inexplicably, didn’t get named on a single ballot either). But I’m not too torn up about Kipnis being snubbed—great as it would be if everyone thought like I did, I realize my preference in that respect is completely subjective, and given that the BBWAA voters seem to disagree it wasn’t a surprise that he didn’t get any votes.

But there’s another Tribe rookie whose absence from the balloting is far more difficult to rationalize: Vinnie Pestano. (more…)