RunsLeft Analysis
Long-form, data-driven looks at the decisions managers and front offices make — and what they cost.
Roberts vs. Friedman: Championship Validation and the Cost of Sustained Excellence
Back-to-back World Series champions 2024–2025 — assessing a dynasty's architecture and the accountability of its architects
Roberts and Friedman won back-to-back World Series in 2024–2025, the first repeat since the 1998–2000 Yankees. Roberts: .621 W%, the highest in AL/NL history, three rings and five pennants in ten years — three first-round exits in 2019, 20…
Boone vs. Cashman: Elite Spending, Regular-Season Success, and the Elusive Ring
A forensic analysis of the Yankees' front office and field leadership in the post-dynasty era
Aaron Boone keeps his job; Brian Cashman keeps his blueprint. Boone has produced a .619 regular-season W% and seven straight playoff appearances — and a 2–8 (.200) ALCS record across seven series. Cashman has spent $3.2B since 2009 with ze…
Counsell vs. Hoyer: Payroll Discipline and the Vision-Execution Gap in Chicago
Five years, two managers, one playoff appearance — and a first-place team in 2026
Jed Hoyer's five-year luxury-tax reset, his 2021 teardown of the 2016 championship core, and his $40M Counsell hire (the richest manager contract in MLB history) put the Cubs in first place at 20-12 in May 2026. Counsell stagnated at 83-79…
Stammen vs. Preller: Who Owns the Padres' High-Variance Legacy?
From farm-system #1 to dead last in eleven years — a data-driven accounting of the most aggressive GM in baseball
Mike Shildt produced the franchise's best W% (.565) in two years, then retired citing burnout — the fourth consecutive Preller-era manager to depart amid organizational friction. Craig Stammen, with no prior managerial experience, is now m…
Mendoza vs. Stearns: Who Bears Responsibility for the Mets' Historic Swings?
From a miracle NLCS run to the worst start in years — a data-driven verdict on the manager and the architect
Carlos Mendoza was not fired — Stearns publicly declined to scapegoat him. The data supports that restraint. Mendoza's 2024 NLCS run is the most impressive managerial achievement in this series; his 2026 struggles reflect a roster whose fa…
Cora vs. Breslow: Who Bears Responsibility for the Red Sox's Collapse?
A data-driven verdict on the manager who was fired and the CBO who built the roster
Alex Cora was fired by Craig Breslow after a 10-17 start. Cora compiled the third-best record in Red Sox history and won a World Series. Breslow built a pitching-centric roster that collapsed when five starters hit the injured list simulta…
Thomson vs. Dombrowski: Who Bears Responsibility for the Phillies' Collapse?
A data-driven verdict on the manager who was fired and the GM who pulled the trigger
When the Phillies fired Rob Thomson 28 games into the 2026 season, they fired the manager with the highest winning percentage (.568) in franchise history. The verdict, front-loaded: Thomson A–, Dombrowski B. Thomson outperformed Pythagorea…