Yes, always try to make the playoffs (a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush).

I just "won" my division in Moneyball during what I anticipated would be an off-year. It was, as I finished 74-84, but the next closest guy finished 74-88, and my team of rookies, declining veterans and temporary stopgaps went on a run that ended with a World Series loss. That earned me a free season, and it was lots of fun. There's no guarantee that your future superteam will make the playoffs, because you could have injuries or your division mates will improve even more. Always go for it while you can.

Posted by MikeT23 on 11/30/2011 6:40:00 AM (view original):
If you can win your division, win your division.   Too many worry about building that super team in the future.   If you make the playoffs as a 3-6 seed, you need to go 14-10 to win the WS.   Halfass decent teams almost always have a 14-10 run in them.

+1

Absolutely true

Edit:  Just came out of a season where I had the #1 pick, didn't expect to contend, but did play to win.  Made the playoffs as the #6 seed after leading the division for most of the season, eventually winning 88 and made the ALCS.  (Lost to a "superteam", but I've also managed to beat the superteams before...)  A 14-10 run is not out of the question and I'd go for the chance to have a shot at that any day over "planning to lose".

I guess it shows I don't know as much about this game as I thought.  When I see that pitcher, if you can get a catcher with pitch count of 90 and a decent SS, I think his ERA would be closer to 4 and he can throw 250 innings.  He might not win you a lot of playoff games but I think he could be pretty valuable with the right pieces around him.  

My 2 cents