[Jason Moyer]

Here's my second study using all-average ratings. Nothing in this study changed except for the defensive ratings at one position on one team.

Difference between A/A and E/E at each position:

SS 10.9 Wins
2B 10.7 Wins
3B 4.8 Wins
RF 4.7 Wins
CF 4.1 Wins
LF 3.1 Wins
C 1.7 Wins
1B -0.8 Wins (yes, the team with an E rated 1B actually faired better against average competition than the team with an A rated first baseman - I'd say 1B defense is unimportant)

Here is the difference between a player who can hit twice as well as the league average vs. one who hits half as well as the league average, all other factors the same:

10.5 Wins

So, in essence, a light hitting A-rated 2B or SS with a small salary will contribute as much to your team's success as a heavy hitting E-rated 2B or SS with a large salary.

What do I take from this? Stick with A rated middle infielders and spend your money on offense elsewhere.

My ultimate compromise lineup, assuming you have to choose between offense/defense at each position and can only afford 3 good hitters (the amount each players wants for a 7 year contract is in parenthesis):

1B - good offense, E defense (4.4mil)
C - good offense, E defense (7.0mil)
LF - good offense, E defense (3.5mil)
CF - average offense, C defense (0.9mil)
RF - average offense, C defense (2.4mil)
3B - average offense, C defense (1.0mil)
2B - poor offense, A defense (0.4mil)
SS - poor offense, A defense (0.4mil)

Cost - $20mil
Wins/Season - 95.8

Not bad when you consider you have average pitching.

Jason

<small>[ 05-22-2002, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Jason Moyer ]</small>