FanGraphs WAR or Baseball Reference WAR?

[Jordan Tuwiner]

Which do you prefer and why?

I originally had this conversation with Lance on Twitter (@burndowntheyard) but wanted some input here.

I use fWAR more often but I think both are good for different things. I still can't decide whether I think ERA or FIP is better for pitching WAR.

[ofahn]

Would consider doing a podcast explaining how WAR is derived and how it's used to evaluate a player?

[OriolesRedskins28]

I still can't decide whether I think ERA or FIP is better for pitching WAR.

They should take the average of each pitcher's ERA and FIP so both are incorporated.

I prefer fangraphs simply because I like their site more (much more in depth stats). I do wish fangraphs used Defensive Runs Saved (plus/minus) to calculate the fielding aspect of WAR rather than UZR though.

Getting off topic has anyone checked the fangraphs numbers on Mike Trout? His season was absurd! 10.0 WAR! 12 "BaseRunning Runs" which is unheard of and he had 23 Defensive Runs Saved in center field! Unbelievable... I know Cabrera won the triple crown but sheesh Mike Trout had one incredible season and he did it as a rookie.

[A_K]

For pitchers I prefer Fangraphs. For batters I prefer BRef, because of the defensive component. Mixing and matching however introduces an apples-orange problem, however, because they set different baselines for what constitutes a replacement-level player. So, forced to choose, I'll take Fangraphs.