Final answer:
Billy Beane prefers Scott Hatteberg over Carlos Pena for the 1st base position due to Hatteberg's higher on-base percentage, a key metric in Beane's sabermetric approach to assembling a competitive baseball team on a limited budget.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to a strategic decision in the sport of baseball as depicted in the book and movie Moneyball. Billy Beane, the General Manager of the Oakland Athletics, wants Scott Hatteberg to play 1st base instead of Carlos Pena because he values Hatteberg's on-base percentage (OBP). Beane's strategy, largely influenced by sabermetrics, focuses on acquiring players with a high OBP, which predicts a higher number of runs, and therefore a better chance to win games. By choosing Hatteberg over Pena, Beane is applying this principle, hoping to gain a competitive edge despite the team's limited budget.