Though few considered the Kansas City Royals a big “Moneyball” team, their ability to identify market inefficiencies were a big reason why they won two consecutive American League pennants in 2014-15. They built those teams around two undervalued assets: 1) overwhelmingly dominant relievers and 2) contact hitters on offense.
These days, however, opposing front offices rapidly catch on to any market inefficiency. While contact hitters have not become trendy in the free agent markets, dominant relievers are the new fad among playoff contenders. With Aroldis Chapman smashing Jonathan Papelbon‘s record contract (four years, $50 million) for a reliever by a gargantuan $36 million (five years, $86 million), the demand for bullpen aces is higher than ever.