You can build a player in aggregate.
The A’s discovered they could construct effective offensive production by combining players with complementary skills rather than seeking complete players. This insight challenged the traditional scouting preference for “five-tool players” who could hit for average, hit for power, run, field, and throw.
Instead of expensive superstars, the A’s assembled a roster where different players contributed specific, undervalued skills:
Scott Hatteberg: Exceptional plate discipline and OBP despite injuries
Exceptional plate discipline and OBP despite injuries David Justice: Power and veteran clutch experience despite declining speed
Power and veteran clutch experience despite declining speed Jeremy Giambi: High OBP despite defensive limitations
High OBP despite defensive limitations Chad Bradford: Unique submarine delivery that produced results
This aggregate approach allowed Oakland to compete with teams spending three times their payroll. Rather than paying premium prices for complete players, they constructed a competitive roster through strategic combinations to produce runs and wins.
Zoom image will be displayed From here.
The playoffs are a crapshoot.
... continue reading