Great post. For example, fans often forget how valuable someone like Gross can be as simply an average player with a specific set of roles on the team. Many, unfortunately, compare him (by implication) to star right fielders on other teams and conclude he weakens the Rays by not matching their production. Surely if he can be replaced by someone better it is worth doing, but every action becomes a matter of opportunity cost. Is the cost of replacing Gross going to create a problem somewhere else? If so, then it might be wise to keep Gross and fill a weakness elsewhere rather than upgrade an already adequate player while creating or leaving a real hole somewhere else. If not (Joyce?) then of course you do make the change.

do this in fine fashion, Zo, Wily and Gross

for parroting his eloquent (and elegant) “process/outcomes” chart, and to everyone if this is just another rehash, but I am continually amazed by the front office intelligent planning and execution of its plans.

After 2007, they correctly identified 3 areas that needed upgrades and managed all 3 as efficiently as one could hope for. The big deal of Delmon helped the run prevention problem in the starting staff and defense and the accumulation of bullpen arms from which to choose helped the other weak spot in run prevention, and all at little cost. People often chalk this up to being cheap or dumpster diving, but they miss the point that every move entails opportunity cost and precludes other types of moves. Thus, being efficient is part of the success itself, not simply an end in itself, but part of the process of keeping a team in a position to make further improvements as they become necessary (Bradford?).

Now after 2008, they have again correctly identified where upgrades are needed and again have found efficient ways to address them. Because they addressed RF cheaply in both money and talent, they had enough to get what may have been the best available DH for the Rays. Had they first acquired a right fielder who was expensive (say Ordonez), they could not have done much at DH because RF would almost definitely be more expensive. Additionally, it allowed them to pay for Nelson and to retain trade chips if it becomes necessary to cash them in. And just as they accumulated lots of inexpensive talent last year to be ready to step in (Johnson for example), so they are doing the same with the bullpen this year.

The Rays have definitely been lucky that many of their acquisitions have exceeded expectations. They are bound to be unlucky at some point or make some bad decisions. There will almost certainly be high profile failures. But the process remains admirable and it is tremendously exciting to root for a team whose management you can respect whether you agree or disagree with individual decisions.