NationStates Jolt Archive

Moneyball, and how it turned out

Since it was crowned as the greatest draft in the history of sports, I think it is time to do a brief review of the outcomes of those drafted by Billy Beane in the “moneyball” draft of 2002.

Swisher .202/.280/.345, 9BB and 25Ks - THAT SUCKS

Blanton 0-5, ERA over 6, WHIP over 1.5, opp avg .290

McCurdy (Stockton) .236/.312 38Ks/15BBs

Fritz - I find no evidence he is even in the game still

Brown - .270 at midland

Obenchain 6.00 ERA at midland. bad

Teahen - might be the best of the bunch....but not for Oakland - SEE KC

Colamarino - he's actually tearing the cover off the ball in Midland...

It wasn't just this draft that Billy Beane had, but he's turned the team into a disaster this year. Beane is a moron. Anyone who knows just the basics about baseball realizes that it is pitching, not hitting, that wins championships. If you want to see a good example of this, lets look at the 2003 Marlins. Now they did have a few hitters like Ivan Rodriguez, but he wasn't why they won. They beat the Yankees because no one could hit a pitching rotation built of Beckett, Pavano, Dontrelle, and Burnett. That is why they won. The A's would've had a great chance to make a run for the World Series this year with a rotation of Hudson, Mulder, Zito, and Harden. I could easily put those 4 against the Marlins staff of 2003. If BB had any brains, he would've realized that and his team wouldn't be in the cellar as they are right now. Instead he broke up the big three and sent Mulder and Hudson to the Cards and Braves.

It appears there aren't many Billy Beane lovers or haters here

I agree pitching gets it done.. Speaking in real world, the Cardinals will prove that this year when they not only smoke the rest of the weak NL central, but go on to terrorize the playoffs.

In fantasy terms, I used alot of early picks on pitching last year, but found that it is much easier to research and pick up free agent fantasy pitching along the way, than hitting, so after coming in 2nd last year my team (in a keeper league) kept 3 power hitters and one starter, and then started drafting power power power as the draft went. Seems much more exciting daily to see all the homeruns, RBIs, and Runs scored than last years pitching dominated team, but that is just my opinion. (that and I was able to pick up a couple guys like Tyler Walker on the giants, which helped my pitching staff)

I agree pitching gets it done.. Speaking in real world, the Cardinals will prove that this year when they not only smoke the rest of the weak NL central, but go on to terrorize the playoffs.

In fantasy terms, I used alot of early picks on pitching last year, but found that it is much easier to research and pick up free agent fantasy pitching along the way, than hitting, so after coming in 2nd last year my team (in a keeper league) kept 3 power hitters and one starter, and then started drafting power power power as the draft went. Seems much more exciting daily to see all the homeruns, RBIs, and Runs scored than last years pitching dominated team, but that is just my opinion. (that and I was able to pick up a couple guys like Tyler Walker on the giants, which helped my pitching staff)

I agree on pitching winning. The Cards are a great team, but I wouldn't call them a pitching team. They are a balanced team with both great pitching and hitting. Since I'm a White Sox fan, the Cards have naturally become my 2nd favorite team as I love watching them beat on the Cubs. The Cards have great pitching thanks to Billy Beane's ignorance in sending you a Cy Young caliber pitcher like Mulder. YOu have great batters in Pujols, Edmunds, and Sanders. The Cards are my pick for the NL Pennant, and the Sox will win the AL pennant. I love the Cards, but I have to root for the Sox in what will be a great World Series.

As for fantasy teams, I have a ton of pitching. I drafted Smoltz, Mulder, Hudson, Harden, Contreras, and RJ. I then traded RJ 1 month into the season for Jon Garland. I think that was a great move, and I love JG anyways since I"m a Sox fan and RJ is sucking.

bump as the A's slide

Zito getting rocked the past few months