What separates a good baseball team from a bad one?

Question

Besides the obvious differences in standings and statistics, what is the difference? Is it a subtle mental one that seems to benefit more players at the same time on the same team? How much does luck play a factor in baseball? Also, why are the Rays such a big improvement this year? And why are they doing better than the Yankees, despite being outspent by over $250,000,000?

Answer 1

the heart of the players, the lengths there willing to reach after being brutaly beatin the season before (rays) thats what makes a team,........ teamwork. luck plays no factor its: heart and will power

Answer 2

Everything

Answer 3

Heart, compatibility, competiveness.... and a lil bit of luck. Luck plays a factor in baseball b/c you may have a player or players who have a break out year. Also the Rays are doing good b/c they picked first the last 10 years it had to happen sometimes. The Yankees aren't as good as they should be strickly because they are overpayed, past their prime, and aren't compatible in the least bit...

Answer 4

Pitching, it is that simple.

Answer 5

There are many things.  You can spend millions of dollars building a team but if you do not have good chemistry on the team you will lose.  On the field it is doing the little fundamental things that alot  of people over look.  moving a player over with a bunt. throwing to the correct base etc.  Also if the team is young you will have players that tend to hustle more than the millions dollar prima donas.  You have to have some luck.  Also you need and ownership and general manager who is not afraid to make a trade to get a player, not a million dollar player,  to put the team over the top this year

Answer 6

50 million dollars.

Answer 7

Go back to sleep.

Answer 8

1. Pitching

2. Farm system

3. Management (moreso GM's and team owner's than the actual manager

4. Money

I put money last because a small market team can win if they have all of the other three.  The difference is they can't keep their star players because they can't afford them.

But the teams with the best front office personnel  and minor league systems (Twins, A's, Marlins) manage to stay at least competitive through trades and replenishing their minor league system.