Usually when a sports team talks about self-scouting they’re referring to how they evaluate their own talent as it relates to performance either in a series or season. What the team says to the fans through the media is often at odds with what they believe internally. That’s okay-unless the pretend to be transparent. Editor’s note: I’m not a fan of the term whether used by sports teams or politicians.

Whether it’s the fans evaluating players’ performances or the media, it’s often difficult to separate emotions from evaluations. Some people blindly dislike certain players or coaches and won’t give them a fair chance. Others overlook players’ faults because they are good guys or cooperate with the press.

The media is spending most of their energy assessing all of the trades and non-moves from the recently completed trade deadline. While front offices aren’t answering questions or holding press conferences, better general managers are assessing the performances of the guys they just traded. They have to evaluate what they got from the players when they were under their control and what they gave away to acquire the player.

Even though money is no object for the Mets owner, Steve Cohen and his advisors have to be figuring out if they won or lost on the Verlander and Scherzer signings. Were their contracts worth it? What exactly did they get for $90million+? Did he make his money back in season ticket sales? Their signings were complete failures if judged on division titles and postseason wins. Did the team receive any additional benefits from having them in the clubhouse on a daily basis?

It seems obvious to judge Lucas Giolito on his two-game performance with the Angels, but his 12 earned runs in 9 innings really has no impact on the White Sox now. However, it’s worth evaluating his career with the Sox since they got him from the Nationals for Adam Eaton. Fans have their own idea, but the team has to rate how they developed him or didn’t and if his acquisition was a net positive or negative.

Some organizations have a harder time being critical of their operations. In the long run, a failure to dig in doesn’t benefit the organization as they’ll keep making the same mistakes. It’s really embarrassing when the same guys keep making the same mistakes. Incompetency is rewarded and the fans usually hear the same b.s year after year.

It’s a fun exercise that doesn’t cost any money. In some cases, you might find yourself appreciating what certain players did.