Analytic Versus Non-Analytic Decision Makers and Their Effect on Win Percentage after In-season Player Acquisitions

This paper examines whether teams with winning records that employ analytic decision makers see a higher increase in win percentage after in-season player acquisitions versus teams that employ non-analytic decision makers. This was accomplished through analyzing the in-season player acquisition data from the MLB and NBA over the last four completed seasons through descriptive and inferential statistics. There was not a significant difference between the two groups in average win percentage after total acquisitions, trades, or signings. Using inferential tests we found no statistical significance between the type of decision maker, and the difference in win percentage after an acquisition.