ettin

No I was just responding to what I perceived your comment to read, that you haven't been impressed with Minasian at the helm, so far. I was just saying that he is likely operating in the win now environment where he would normally draft a certain type of player that he prefers, not what this win now mode is demanding him to pick, over, possibly, a more preferred draft pick. That was all.

I think we should temper this opinion against the likely fact that Perry has been told to try and win now, which would skew what might be a normal, preferred strategy from Minasian. If that is his mandate it will force him to make "uncharacteristic" decisions in support of that.

So, I am glad to hear someone saying we should always reevaluate data based on one or more modern principles to ensure that the assumptions and calculations put into an original analysis remains true. For me it should be something like this for early batting orders: 1) One-hole should be a high on-base player, preferably .350 OBP or higher, whether it is through high contact and/or walk rate. 2) Two-hole should be your best pure all-around hitter, with above average contact, power, batting eye, and does not have a high K rate. 3) Three-hole should be a higher power type, preferably with good on-base ability and contact if possible. A high strikeout rate is okay here, because of the cleanup spot. 4) Cleanup hitter should have great run-producing capability with power and solid contact ability. The reasons in my mind are because a) teams that score first in a game statistically have a much higher chance of winning the game and b) by having at least one person on-base ahead of the 3-spot and cleanup, you give both of those positions the opportunity to drive runs in, particularly in the 1st inning. All it takes is one of those first two hitters to get on-base and you have enough outs to get to the cleanup spot to give your best power hitters and run producers the opportunity to drive in runs. I think it is still very relevant, because by placing them in those positions you are also giving them more at-bat's over an entire season, which should, hypothetically and statistically, give your team a better chance to score more runs overall during the season. To be honest I haven't looked at research on this subject in a couple of years, but I think it still holds true. Would love to be proven wrong. I do agree with you that 30 years ago, they were putting speedsters in the leadoff spot, but as it has been shown stealing bases is not as popular as it once was, because in order to have an effective impact on run production, you need fast guys that can successfully steal bases at a 75% success rate or higher. Those guys don't exist as much anymore, although the base enlargement thing may slide that statistical bar more to the left toward 70% for example (just spit-balling on the last number). The first two positions should have good on-base guys, I agree. By the way, if your team has the luxury of putting a high on-base guy like Judge in the 3-hole, more power to you (or them or whomever). The Angels don't in my opinion. It really should probably have been a Schanuel/Rendon, 1-2 combo of some sort, then Ward, then Trout, to start the season. I say this with a little bit of hindsight to how the season has started, because Ward has about a .328 OBP at the moment, which is lower than average because he is not walking as much as he normally does. At this point I'd reverse Ward and Trout, though. That 5-hole hitter should also be some type of run producer as well to help drive in additional runs if the inning gets off to a good start.

I should clarify that I should have used the word "statistically" instead of "traditionally". It has statistically been proven to be a poor run-producing spot in the order. You normally want to place a good power hitting, higher-strikeout player in that spot with the ability to take a walk when able, ideally.

The 3-spot is not traditionally a great run producing spot in the order. Surprised they don't have Trout hitting in the 2-hole or at cleanup. I think they'd be better off putting Ward in the 3-hole and Trout in cleanup.

A great CF defender with a great baserunning stride!

Hmm... it is "CatJam" to me, lol. Thanks for adding it though, you will now see it exclusively on any posts I mark, it is the perfect response to everything really.

@Chuck we are still missing one very important reaction: CatJam

That kind of performance leaves you Wantzing more.

This in particular. Rendon already had a predisposition to injury during his time with the Nationals. The pivot by Arte from wanting a frontline starter to locking in on Rendon to play 3B, felt more like an Arte-based "splash" decision, rather than a front office one from my perspective and I think the huge salary outlay for him was more unnecessarily needful, than insightful. Rendon at that moment in time, definitely had on-base skills and good defense to back up a star-level storyline, but I always felt that the decision was not as fact-based as it should have been. Injuries since then cloud the issue immensely, but I really think the Angels need to just focus on their farm system and not go after most of these free agency signings that overtly impact payroll long-term, we just haven't had a great track record of success the last 10 years in Major League free agency.

How is this different from any other day?

And not retroactively make a good call in a big moment.

Go fly a kite!

It's better known in the Engineering world as a Pugh chart. Some call it a Weighted Decision Matrix (WDM) or even other names, but the bottom line, as @UBstrange said is to help make more logical decisions based on weighted factors and inputs to produce a more data-driven decision versus an off-the-cuff, emotional response. The key is the weighting factors, because if those are off the decision could be skewed.

We're glad you are doing better too, Dave. If you don't have your health you don't have much. Keep plugging along Dave, I have always been a fan of your writing!

Hey don't bang on Tarpy, he is the one true A's icon.

Cheers to Brandon and Lou, may they Rest In Peace!

The Dodgers Drew the short straw.

It's just the 1st game, we'll get 'em next year!

A little creepy looking, but if the glove fits you must acquit.

It also doesn't help that Ohtani was purchased with money when he came into MLB as an international free agent, so that makes him a draft dodger, too.

It's not my fault, they are the one's that offered me a chip and a chair.

You'd be correct because the house always wins.

Are you all kidding? I am not going all-in to aid and a bet in this nonsense.

I don't know about just a one season suspension, since Pete Rose was banned for life. Now MLB is going to have to make a decision and they should do what they should have done a long time ago and reinstate Pete Rose, he has served his damn time. They need to make a serious rule like a 3-5 year ban, but this lifetime bullsh*t is a bridge too far in my opinion. There has to be some middle ground or just stick with the lifetime ban. Just be consistent, because now their backs are to the wall with Shohei potentially violating the same rule.