Fangraphs: Tanking, in the MLB

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tanking-does-mlb-really-have-a-problem/

This leaves us with the Phillies, the team that really seems to be driving this ?tanking? talk. Or, perhaps more realistically, it?s the city of Philadelphia that is driving this talk, because sportswriters in that city have to cover a team that really is trying to lose on purpose. The ?76ers, the local basketball squad, are currently 6-39. They probably won?t set the record for worst mark in NBA history, but they?re going to be in the conversation, and it?s pretty clear that the Sixers are ?tanking?, in the sense that they see value in losing as many games as possible to up their odds of getting a franchise-changing talent in the draft.

Is there still a large group of Orioles fans that think that tanking is the right approach for the franchise to rebuild?

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tanking-does-mlb-really-have-a-problem/

Is there still a large group of Orioles fans that think that tanking is the right approach for the franchise to rebuild?

Depends on where the franchise is. Ideally I would rather go about it like the Rays and A's have tried to. Trade off assets as they get expensive but still have value.

The tear down method is best saved for when you don't have a viable farm system.

The tear down method is best saved for when you don't have a viable farm system.

Many reports are that the Orioles do not have one.

Many reports are that the Orioles do not have one.

But the O's also have a handful of untradeable contracts and a roster that has at least a possibility of reaching the playoffs in 2016.

Dan's moves the last couple of years have postponed any serious rebuilding effort until after he leaves.

O's also have a handful of untradeable contracts

Dan's moves the last couple of years have postponed any serious rebuilding effort until after he leaves.

Other than Hardy? Ubaldo has surplus value.

I'd say the team has stated they won't be doing that any time soon no matter what the situation. The message is that they intend to compete at the MLB level.

Other than Hardy? Ubaldo has surplus value.

I'd say the team has stated they won't be doing that any time soon no matter what the situation. The message is that they intend to compete at the MLB level.

Davis, Wieters is literally untradeable right now, O'Day has a limited no-trade clause. That's a Simpson's hand right there. Also guys who value is 3rd string catcher.

Davis, Wieters is literally untradeable right now, O'Day has a limited no-trade clause. That's a Simpson's hand right there. Also guys who value is 3rd string catcher.

I disagree. Those FAs were all decided this off-season. There was no luggage had they chosen to go the other route.

I disagree. Those FAs were all decided this off-season. There was no luggage had they chosen to go the other route.

As I said Dan's moves the last couple of years. That would include a contract signed last week.

As I said Dan's moves the last couple of years. That would include a contract signed last week.

And again, I think that the Orioles turned their collective backs on the element of the fan-base that was looking for a rebuild. Actually, long before this off-season.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tanking-does-mlb-really-have-a-problem/

Is there still a large group of Orioles fans that think that tanking is the right approach for the franchise to rebuild?

You can't "tank" in MLB effectively with how poor the success rate is even with top picks, and how long it takes them to produce on the ML level usually.

Only way it would ever make sense is a multi year (like at least 3 yrs) tank whether on purpose or not.

NBA and NFL are completely different draft animals, from success rate to time it takes to produce. Can't compare.

No reason to tank as the Orioles have shown. Even top 5 draft picks will do little to improve you're franchise.

No reason to tank as the Orioles have shown. Even top 5 draft picks will do little to improve you're franchise.

The strategy behind tanking is about more than collecting draft picks.

You can't "tank" in MLB effectively with how poor the success rate is even with top picks, and how long it takes them to produce on the ML level usually.

Only way it would ever make sense is a multi year (like at least 3 yrs) tank whether on purpose or not.

NBA and NFL are completely different draft animals, from success rate to time it takes to produce. Can't compare.

The nats were able to do this, but only because everyone knew that Strasburg and Harper we're once in a generation talents a year or so before the draft.

The nats were able to do this, but only because everyone knew that Strasburg and Harper we're once in a generation talents a year or so before the draft.

Strasburg wasn't. He's not even Sonny Grey.

Strasburg wasn't. He's not even Sonny Grey.

He was.

He got hurt.

The guy I saw before he got hurt, he was special.

Of course almost all of them get hurt.