Measuring the Angels' Depth
How is one to measure the depth of the Angels AT EVERY POSITION on the field? Without claiming any stat-expertise, I have devised this way:
First, I list the depth as the team itself has it listed on its team web site. Let's take them at their word.
Second - I list the 2007 season OPS+/ERA+ for players 31 and over. They are italicized. These numbers are most likely to drift down each season from here on out
Third - I list the career OPS+/ERA+ of the players 30 and under. For players under 27, I bold - these career averages could still go up, this player has not necessarily reached his ceiling. For players 27-30, there is no bold or italics.
In other words: Bold may not have reached their peak, Not bold can be expected to play at about the ceiling they have established, Italics will decline, with only the rate of that decline to be determined.
OPS+ is a baseline of 100 = League Average.
Starting Pitching
J. Lackey - 116
K. Escobar - 134
J. Garland - 106
J. Weaver - 137
J. Saunders - 97
E. Santana - 92
1B
C. Kotchman - 99
K. Morales - 86
R. Quinlan - 101
2B
H. Kendrick - 99
M. Izturis - 90
E. Aybar - *
C. Figgins - 99
3B
C. Figgins - 99
D. McPherson - 96
M. Izturis - 90
SS
E. Aybar - *
M. Izturis - 90
B. Wood - *
LF
G. Anderson - 114
G. Matthews - 93
R. Willits - 95
J. Rivera - 110
R. Quinlan - 101
N. Haynes - *
CF
T. Hunter - 122
G. Matthews - 93
R. Willits - 95
N. Haynes - *
RF
V. Guerrero - 147
G. Matthews - 93
R. Willits - 95
N. Haynes - *
J. Rivera - 110
DH
J. Rivera - 110
R. Willits - 95
R. Quinlan - 101
G. Anderson - 114
V. Guerrero - 147
C. Kotchman - 99
D. McPherson - 96
Bullpen
F. Rodriguez - 188
S. Shields - 118
J. Speier - 103
D. Oliver - 121
C. Bootcheck - 96
D. Moseley - 104
J. Bulger - *
R. Thompson - *
* - too few career innings/AB to be meaningful
TEN THINGS THAT JUMP OUT:
- For us to dominate, Howie and Kotch MUST produce.
- SS could be a black hole, production-wise.
- That outfield will decline because of age and the Angels are banking that it will be a slow escalator down instead of a balcony.
- Ditto the late relief.
- Good young starting pitching is the franchise life raft if things get rough, the team foundation if we are running on all cylinders.
- Is it scarier to think that we won the division because of Darren Oliver or that it was ever in doubt because of Scot Shields?
- Does the Gary Matthews Jr. signing look even stupider today than it did a year ago?
- Would life be perfect if Kendry Morales played 3B?
- We used three home-grown players and two free agents to add six of the players to this list: Kimera Bartee yielded Chone Figgins, Ramon Ortiz brought us Dustin Moseley, Orlando Cabrera brought us John Garland and Jose Guillen brought us Maicer Izturis and Juan Rivera. And Alberto Callaspo brought Jason Bulger.
- Six Free Agent Acquisitions: Kelvim, Vlad, GMJ, Torii Torii Torii, Speier, Oliver
0 recs |
31 comments
Comments
i could be mistaken
by Sorbo182 on Dec 6, 2007 2:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hands of stone
by Ty Webb on Dec 6, 2007 8:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Your comments
Weaver and Santana are keepers. Don't know if Garland will last past this year. So I'd be tempted to move Santana to the bullpen and add Saunders as a possible fifth starter or perhaps trade.
I'd keep Oliver until his arm gives out. He did a bang up job.
You didn't mention catcher. In my opinion Mathis is a 140 game catcher and Buddie is a good backup. There just isn't room for Napoli. Teams wanted Mathis for a reason. If Mathis and Napoli split the duty you might as well send Mathis down or trade him.
Here's what I come up with today with the rather meek team considering the Tigers, Yankees, Red Sox.
Figgins
Kendrick
Guerrero
Morales/Anderson - DH
Kotchman
Wood
Hunter
Rivera / GMJ
Mathis
4 OF = Guerrero; Hunter; Rivera/GMJ
4 IF = Kotchman, Kendrick, Wood, Figgins
11 Pitchers = Lackey, Escobar, Garland, Weaver, Saunders, Santana, Rodriguez, Shields, Speier, Oliver, Bootcheck
2 C = Mathis, Buddie
DH - Morales
3 bench = Anderson, Izturis, Willits
To trade: Quinlan, Napoli, Aybar
Pitching trade = 4: Saunders, Moseley, Rodriguez and Bootcheck
Don't trade Santana. Shields to closer, Speier and Oliver to set-up.
by roidrage on Dec 6, 2007 2:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I like it.....
Santana could become a dominant closer as well. I dont think Shields would handle it very good.
by acuda27 on Dec 6, 2007 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Morales, Wood , Tejada and Hilenbrand
Obviously, Morales seemed to be an emergency call up after the Hillenbrand fiasco and the DL to Kotchman.
But, I hope they're not really considering Tejada who will try and overpower the chemistry of the team with his machismo. Vlad leads by example, and Hunter is supposed to lead with his easy style. Bringing Tejada, who has clearly started his declining years into this mix may lead to another Hillenbrand, except the Angels will loose valuable players. He has not lead by example.
With the excess talent the Angels have and reading blogs about the lack of pitching in the leagues, seems like the front office should work a lot harder at getting a younger bat at third or SS in exchange for the pitching and players that the Angels should covet, but not feel rushed to join into the Tejada band wagon.
Have they seriously gone after Josh Fields? Anyway, why would the Angels push so hard to give up so much for Tejada?
by roidrage on Dec 6, 2007 5:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I love the idea of Santana in the pen
by NPCody on Dec 6, 2007 7:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Shortstop
OC OPS+ the last two years: 91, 95
Maicer OPS+ the last two years: 102, 98. And I think that will go up with increased regularity in his playing time. I don't think SS will be a problem.
by LA Seitz on Dec 6, 2007 8:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Shai-Hulud
Anyhoo, just to confirm -- excluding McPherson and Wood, is the left side of our infield currently Figgins, Aybar, and Izturis?
by Bilko 420 on Dec 6, 2007 8:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Good analysis, Rev
This looks good. Every single one of our starters should be average or above. That may not sound all that exciting, but that is how you win. Nobody is going to have an entire team full of 140 OPS+ guys. The goal is to have as many guys above average as possible and as few below average as possible. As the team currently stands, they have that. Now, let's just hope they don't do anything silly.
I echo LA Seitz's comments on SS. Izturis will be fine. And who knows - maybe Wood will prove that he's ready (if SS is even still an option for him).
The fact is: this team can and will win the division. Maybe they're a small step below the Red Sox and Tigers, but it's not worth making drastic changes just to slightly increase our chances of winning a five game series.
by Dogman on Dec 6, 2007 8:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Panther answer.
This is the gospel truth, folks.
by cardinalwraith on Dec 6, 2007 1:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Izzy
I really think that he can thrive in the #2 spot of the lineup. He's a switch-hitter, he doesn't strike out a lot, he gets on base, he can bunt, he can hit and run. But can he stay healthy?
by Ty Webb on Dec 6, 2007 8:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Izzy staying healthy is the key question
I would prefer we give Wood a shot similar to what the Red Sux gave Pedroia...tell him to relax, play defense, his spot is secure, and let his hitting fall where it may!
by K3YEROUT on Dec 6, 2007 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
by rghan on Dec 6, 2007 11:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Priorities
by ponusbaum43 on Dec 6, 2007 9:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
right on
by Ty Webb on Dec 6, 2007 3:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
voodoo would make a great closer imo
by Halofanatic on Dec 6, 2007 9:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
The Problem
by jjackflash on Dec 6, 2007 10:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hunter
by RallyMonkey5 on Dec 6, 2007 10:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Dumb question
by Carl Johnson on Dec 6, 2007 3:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Kotchman is left handed
by I am a fair weather fan so the halos better win on Dec 6, 2007 3:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
crap
by Carl Johnson on Dec 6, 2007 8:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
D-Mac
by higdog on Dec 6, 2007 6:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Budde is not gone
by 101halo on Dec 6, 2007 7:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
As long as Kotch and Kendrick
by HawaiiHaloFan35 on Dec 6, 2007 8:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Kotchman
That leaves Morneau and Mauer as the two only choices with no room for Kotchman.
I think the Twins can rebuild using his 3 star players and get at least 12 league minimum top prospects, or players making under a certain price range.
The Angels would give a lot for the catcher and 1st baseman
by roidrage on Dec 7, 2007 12:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Tejada/Bedard trade?
by hjowen on Dec 6, 2007 11:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Why would they want that?
by krush40 on Dec 6, 2007 11:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Khalil Green?
by I am a fair weather fan so the halos better win on Dec 7, 2007 8:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
There were rumors earlier that they might be
by I am a fair weather fan so the halos better win on Dec 7, 2007 5:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

by 





















