ESPN: How the Cardinals use sabermetrics

Mozeliak’s goal is for the coaches to tell him and the statistics department what information they want and need, rather than just feeding them information the analytics department has put together. At some point though, as more teams figure out how to use advanced statistics in a way that will trickle down to on-field decisions, will the Cardinals need to reinvent or revise the entire process to maintain an edge?

“I think so,” he said.

“Your first statement is the truest of all,” Mozeliak continued. “When you said, ‘How do you have a competitive advantage?” There may come a time when there is no place to push stats, like some of the defensive world is still improving, right? Nobody feels like they’ve got that nailed, but with the creation of f/x data there’s a chance it is going to get pretty good quickly. (FIELDf/x data tracks player positions, providing feedback for reaction times and if a play in the field was even possible). So from an organizational standpoint, we are always looking at ways that might have nothing to do with stats, but give us that advantage.”

For now, Mozeliak’s desk offers a clue into one way the Cardinals have maintained a competitive edge since he became general manager in October of 2007. There are a few black binders scattered about on his desk. There is also a copy of “The Hardball Times 2013 Annual” on top of a pile of papers. When I ask if it is alright if I mention that he reads these sabermetric books, Mozeliak smiles and with the tone of confidence only a GM with one World Series championship under his belt (and plans for more rings in the future) can have, says, “sure.”

“They are there, I use them,” Mozeliak admitted. “My geeky reading.”

Thanks to Los.