Laurila: Thoughts from MLB general managers on the current run-scoring environment
From SABR member David Laurila at FanGraphs on November 14, 2014:
There is no disputing that offense is down. Teams are scoring fewer runs and hitting fewer balls over fences. Strikeouts numbers have grown precipitously. Some of the reasons behind those changes are clear. Others are more speculative. The bottom line is that the offensive environment isn’t what it was as recently as a handful of years ago.
The downturn begs two questions: 1. Is this an irreversible trend (barring rule changes), or is it simply a cyclical dip? 2. How does it impact roster-building decisions?
With the GM meetings taking place in Phoenix this week – yes, the weather was pristine – I decided to ask those very questions to a cross section of the decision makers. Not surprisingly, opinions varied.
Let’s start with the first of the two questions: Trend or Cycle?
Read the full article here: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/general-managers-on-the-current-run-scoring-environment-thoughts-from-phoenix/
Originally published: November 14, 2014. Last Updated: November 14, 2014.