Batting average does mean nothing if that is all you are measuring. Sean Casey or Adam Dunn? Casey has a very respectable career AVG. Dunn does not. Who would you rather have? I'll take Dunn. But are you taking Dunn because of his high OBP or because he has a high OBP complemented by High SLG? It is not JUST his OBP. IF Dunn had the same OBP and hit 10 hrs a year I doubt he has a job (assuming a similar avg) (Plus he would likely walk a lot less). Dunn is a very valuable player - but it is based on precisely 2 talents - taking a walk and hitting HR's and that's fine but he is mediocre at best at everything else. He's a horrible fielder and it is starting to look like he's a terrible hitter (aside from the HR's). I'd take him over C. Lee, not by as wide a margin as some here; he's just such a bad fielder and, I know it's old school, but I think a big leaguer still needs to be able to hit at least .260. Again he obviously makes up for a lot that with the walks and the HRs but that does not mean his .220 avg is not an issue. Saying avg means "nothing" is silly. Two players have the same OPS- I'll take the one with the higher avg every day of the week.