The Oakland Athletics became a success in the early part of the 2000s due to their MoneyBall approach. Now, with everyone valuing the same traits, that philosophy is nearing the end.
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This is especially the case in sports, where a team that discovers a winning formula is instantly copied as other teams try to make that path work for them. That happened with the Oakland Athletics, who revolutionized the game with their MoneyBall approach, taking the small market team on an impressive run of success.
Naturally, other teams paid attention. Billy Beane was the hottest name in baseball, with teams suddenly valuing players with high on base averages and prospects. Other teams began to eschew higher priced free agents, looking to find their own version of the system that worked. As time went on, and those teams found success, MoneyBall ran rampant throughout the game.
In an inevitable turn of events, larger market teams have come to value the same traits as those smaller market franchises. Teams came to value the same things, leading to the free agent logjam that came about this offseason. And now, Beane feels that his creation has reached critical mass, where the richest teams are now the smartest as well.
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It makes sense that this would come to pass. Those wealthier teams would have greater resources to spend on scouting and development, making them more likely to hit on these players. Obviously, it is not a foolproof system, as can be evidenced by the struggles that teams like the Red Sox have had in the past few years. However, those years are likely to be few and far between.
It is a matter of time before another strategy takes over the game. Tanking has become the ideal du jour, with multiple teams employing the practice in an attempt to emulate the Cubs and Astros. But is that a passing fad, or will that strategy remain, just as the Royals focus on a stellar relief corps changed how bullpens are evaluated?
Teams like the A’s, or the Rays or other smaller market teams that became known for their innovative ways, will find a new course. There will be some new plan that seems improbable, but will work. You know, like going after a player like Scott Hatteburg.
Oakland Athletics executive vice president of baseball operations, Billy Beane, says MoneyBall is at the endgame. Now, they just need to find the next winning strategy.