The new NL pitchers are great value.

[NZF]

OK, so using career OPS would be an even fairer way to assess the overall quality of both leagues, wouldn't it?

How? Many players cross leagues, which would skew the data immensely.

That's a question for AA and his law of averages to answer.

[DK]

OK, so using career OPS would be an even fairer way to assess the overall quality of both leagues, wouldn't it?

Of what, the league? I'm not following you exactly. Of the players? What happened in the past is, well, the past; the league is different in 2000 than it is now, and like DM said, players switch leagues constantly.

Sorry, but what you're proposing doesn't seem to make much sense.

[NZF]

Right, so what makes more sense is to say that Adam Dunn, Andruw Jones and Morgan Ensberg are better hitters than Gary Sheffield, Vlad and Tejada because they have a better OPS than them this season. Therefore the NL is a stronger league.

I've got it now.

[HOOTIE]

Why is the NL better? A top 10 in OPS really doesn't prove it. Maybe the NL is better, i think the AL is myself, but a top 10 really shows nothing.

[DK]

Of the Top 10 hitters in the majors, arguably 7-8 are from the AL and will be there for years to come.

HOOT, this was the post I was referencing. That's the only reason I chose the top ten, rather than any other number.

NZF: Exactly. As of this year (in terms of OPS), Dunn, Ensberg, and Andruw Jones have been more effective than the guys you mentioned. Please try to deny that/twist what I said.

In the future neither of us has any idea who will outperform whom. So, there's no need to be condescending about it. Although I suppose it's too late for you there.

[NZF]

An AL batting lineup

Suzuki / Damon
Tejada / Young
Sheff / Ortiz
Vlad
Manny / Matsui
A-Rod
Tex
Varitek
Soriano



A NL batting lineup

Furcal / Rollins
Beltran
Pujols
Abreu / A.Jones
Lee
Cabrera / Bay
Ramirez / Wright
Kent
Lo Duca / Barrett

The Top 10-12 hitters in each league by position (both batting lineup position and fielding position).

You only have to take a look through each of those lineups to realise that the AL is a considerably stronger and deeper league at the top level. In fact Pujols may be the only NL hitter that would be guaranteed a spot in the AL team.

That may change in the next 5 years or so but right now it's a no contest.

Using OPS this season only to determine the relative league strengths is flawed. Sure, it is useful as one small determining factor but that's all.

[BaseballFann0008]

nice read


thanks