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HibachiDG · 02-25-2009, 12:46 PM

We've discussed this a bit in other threads, so I figured why not start one up with the discussion as a focus.

Basically, this question was posed on MLB Tonight on MLB Network last night. Calculator being the more statistically oriented approach with straw hat being the scout's approach.

This is definitely painting with broad strokes, and I feel like the best way to build a team is a bit of both, but, if you had to choose one, which way do you go?

Here are the teams from last year's playoffs and what I think would be their main approach...

Phillies - Scouts
Dodgers - Scouts
Cubs - Calculator
Brewers - Calculator

Rays - Scouts
Red Sox- Calculator
Angels - Calculator
White Sox - Scouts

The Phillies and Rays got to the World Series based mainly on taking players with a lot of tools and a lot of upside. The Angels move further and further to calculator based. The Red Sox were the best example of a team combining traditional scouting with sabrmetrics, but in dealing Manny for Jason Bay, they basically closed the door on that.

02-25-2009, 12:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
HibachiDG Sports Virtuoso Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 4,256	Straw hat or calculator? We've discussed this a bit in other threads, so I figured why not start one up with the discussion as a focus. Basically, this question was posed on MLB Tonight on MLB Network last night. Calculator being the more statistically oriented approach with straw hat being the scout's approach. This is definitely painting with broad strokes, and I feel like the best way to build a team is a bit of both, but, if you had to choose one, which way do you go? Here are the teams from last year's playoffs and what I think would be their main approach... Phillies - Scouts Dodgers - Scouts Cubs - Calculator Brewers - Calculator Rays - Scouts Red Sox- Calculator Angels - Calculator White Sox - Scouts The Phillies and Rays got to the World Series based mainly on taking players with a lot of tools and a lot of upside. The Angels move further and further to calculator based. The Red Sox were the best example of a team combining traditional scouting with sabrmetrics, but in dealing Manny for Jason Bay, they basically closed the door on that.