I do not recall the BP study he mentions, and if in fact they DID publish that "lineup that scores the most runs is ordered by OBP (greatest to least)", this would have been at odds with most other studies published and received a whole lotta discussion. So I assume the author is mistaken.

I DO believe that most studies have also shown that SLG is LESS impt in #1 hitters than the 2 thru at least 6 (if not 8 or 9) spots, so I doubt you want Wright there unless you have power at every position.

In Baseball Between the Numbers BPro did state exactly that. There was no real methodology and their end premise was similar to The Book were they concluded it really didn't matter. I think the method espoused in the later publication would put Wright in the number 2 spot, as 1, 2, and 4 were the most critical and the best overall hitter should bat 2nd. But it's still not worth a win in all likelihood.

I think the Mets ideal lineup (against RHP, based on ZiPS) would be:

LF Duda
3B Wright
2B Murphy
1B Davis
C d'Arnaud
RF Baxter
SS Tejada
CF Niewenhuis

Duda's .330 OBP is the 2nd best on projection on the team. I guess Turner would lead off against lefties.

This is the quote from BP's BBTN:

Third, and most obvious, OBP is the most important variable - more important than SLG or AVG. Given any group of nine hitters, the batting order that scores the most runs is the one ranked in order of descending OBP. Give the hitters who make the fewest outs the most chances to bat, and you'll score the most runs.

Something tells me Wright is also the Mets' best cleanup hitter, best #8 hitter and best pinch hitter.

He may also be their best pitcher. However, I believe the team would most benefit by moving him into the owner's chair.

Without looking anything up, I'll say: Baxter, Tejada, Murphy, Wright, Ike, Duda, Buck, Niewenhuis

Lord, this outfield is even worse than I thought. Are there really not even any righties to platoon with our three thoroughly mediocre lefty hitters?

Bill James, the godfather of modern baseball analysis, wrote in 1981 that getting the first batter on is the most important element needed to score in an inning.

Revolutionary thought there, good thing he attributed it to Bill James or would never have believed it.

"Write this down: If you want to score runs, don't let the first guy make an out. That doesn't help. You see, runs and outs...eh...not so much"

Lord, this outfield is even worse than I thought. Are there really not even any righties to platoon with our three thoroughly mediocre lefty hitters?

I think it's gonna be Cowgill and Brown.

Adam Rubin is reporting that the Mets will try to move Turner. If the bench is Recker, Cowgill, Brown, Hicks and Quintanilla, it will be made up of guys who spent about 75% of the time in the minors last year.

It's going to be a long ####### year.

Adam Rubin is reporting that the Mets will try to move Turner. If the bench is Recker, Cowgill, Brown, Hicks and Quintanilla, it will be made up of guys who spent about 75% of the time in the minors last year.

Doesn't Valdespin seem like a likely bench candidate? He can play all over the field and showed a bit of pop at the plate last season. Seems like a better use of a roster spot than guys like Brown or Hicks.