Defensive ability metrics are a more durable arbitrage edge than on-base percentage because they are harder to copy and more proprietary—reliable defensive measurement is more of an art, requires more time and energy, and yields a smaller per-player benefit, so the market will be slower to catch up.

causalpending

Speaker

Michael Lewis

Evidence Quote

the amount of time you have to spend and energy up to put in getting good defensive metrics ah is greater and the benefit to the team is smaller

Source

Michael Lewis on the Hidden Economics of Baseball and Football 1/29/2007EconTalk
Created: 6/17/2026, 12:12:19 AM

My Notes

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