NILS FAIL

Nils,

The argument is that talent is a more valuable independent attribute than is experience, not that super-elite talent maintained over a long period of time is a more valuable attribute than really good talent maintained over a respectable period of time.

This is the first of what I assume will be many NILS FAILs.

Using Rivera as your "experience" poster-boy is only marginally sensible because he has been pitching for such a long time. However, you are overlooking the rather obvious point that Rivera is one of the most talented pitchers of all-time.

Point in case, of all pitchers (in the history of baseball) with a minimum of 1000 IP, 3000 PA and 100 decisions for their career, guess who has the highest ERA+??

Rivera! With an ERA+ of 199 (!!). And just to hammer this point home, the next best ERA+ is 154.

Check. And. Mate.