“I think on-base percentage is an overrated stat,” Murphy said flatly. “Those guys getting on base, most of them aren’t getting them in. Give me somebody who drives them in after that. I need guys who can drive the ball.”

Wow. Not many people in today's baseball world would just come out and say it like that. This leads me to a few thoughts......

When Cito leaves after the season, will Murphy go too, and will the Jays adopt more of a Moneyball strategy that AA seems to like, or is this what we should expect for the next several years? Live and die by the (solo) home run?

I'm all for statistical analysis, and believe that OBP and Slugging are the most important offensive stats, but I think there is something between the lines the numbers don't cover. In a lineup like the Jays, where pitchers know they will go for the fences on any pitch at any time, wouldn't this lead them to be a bit more cautious and pitch differently than if they were facing a patient lineup who looked for walks? Could this free swinging approach actually lead to MORE walks, so long as the Jays don't swing at terrible pitches?

Can this approach actually work long term? (I don't believe so, but I'd like to hope....)