I don’t understand separating out the OPS (on-base + slugging) into two separate categories. Why is this preferred to the current average and OPS? I like combining a traditional old-school stat like batting average, where there is a little luck and chance involved, with the OPS stat that rewards disciplined hitters with extra base hit capabilities. IMO, the current hitting categories are ideal.
I do understand updating some of the pitching categories. My preferred pitching categories are the following:
W - traditional old-school category where there is a little luck and chance involved
QS - rewards good starting pitchers that can make it deeper into games
Saves + holds - Combine the two categories to de-emphasize relievers
ERA
WHIP
K/9 - rewards quality pitchers in general either SP or relievers. I get where K/BB also does that too so don’t have strong feelings either way here.
To me BA has become like steals, it's a unique stat that probably requires a specialist who won't give you much in other categories. Obviously a few unicorns still do it all but the majority of the game is played by guys who hit about .220 in BA terms. I personally just get sick of even looking at it on a given night but it doesn't really matter.
I was going for making it more engaging for each manager in terms of thinking through the lineup construction.
HR/RBI/SLG/TB...all of these are more power related than anything and that is the common archetype today, so to varying degrees of usefulness you will have that on your roster as the majority.
Runs, Steals and OBP are a different skill set. These days BA is too. These are change ups categories to me. You have to make a decision about carrying them.
I would mix 3 power related and no more than 3 "change up" type categories no matter if they are old school or new school.
As far as pitching goes I think we need to really think about what a starting pitcher means anymore. Three guys threw more than 200 IP last year. High was 207. On average you are talking 5-6 IP per start. If we want to emphasize starters over relievers the way to do it is QS and K/9.
Wins and Holds are the same animal to me. Situationally dependent, team dependent, luck. If we want to really hone in on who drafted the most skilled pitcher add k%-BB% and there is no question. I personally don't get any aversion to stats that are not as mainstream because you don't sit there and count them yourself anyway. It isn't stratomatic, the computer will tell you how the guy did.
I'm willing to do whatever but those are my thoughts on shaking things up a bit.
BA, W and Holds are dead and dumb stats. There are alternatives that do a better job of making the roster strategy more engaging and we don't have to do any math (which is always good) so why not give a couple of them a shot?
*What we still haven't done is hear what general
problem we want to solve. Emphasize SP over bullpen? Non power over power in hitting? All of these stats are just tools for how to do that. What do people like about the experience of being a team manager and what do they want to change? Then the stats are simple.
I personally have benefited from the bullpen over Starters set up of the past couple years but would absolutely be open to switching it up to make it a different experience this year. My guys will all fucking suck anyway so what do I care?
