He notes that a BABIP of .256 is a bit low and thus probably unsustainable. The low home run rate (per flyball) likewise could mean he's gotten his share of luck and more. Together they explain why I see an xFIP of 4.05 on Fangraphs compared to his true ERA of 3.25. This author's projection method puts it more like 5. One can look at it as guesswork based on past experience, and it may or may not play out like that on an individual basis. Kershaw for instance has routinely kept his BABIP and HR/FB below league average (except this year, but his SO and Walk rates just happen to be better than ever so he's still doing OK). Let's hope we have another Kershaw on our hands here.
"Advocacy" and "push an agenda" had me thinking you were against Caple's remarks, but the rest of what you said leaves me unsure. A "dialog" is desirable but nobody should have a particular position on the topic already?
A few years ago I heard Terry Ryan give a broad ranging talk, and one point he made was that if professional baseball wasn't played every day, there were dozens of guys who could hit .400. An interesting POV that I think ties in to what you are suggesting.
Is it good business to sign a guy to 3 years and then trade him halfway through the first year? You might win that transaction, and then never get a shot at Phil Hughes, for example, or anybody like him, ever again.