Free (sic) Agents

by UK Halo on Nov 26, 2008 1:21 PM PST Comment 41 comments

While all the speculation about Angels free agent signings has been focussed on Sabathia and Teixeira, does anyone else think Reagins might be planning a swoop for Rafael Furcal?

He would be an upgrade over the Admiral both on offence and defence, and would free up a useful trading chip in Izturis.

Also, judging by last year's Garland trade, Reagins likes to keep his negotiations out of the press, so lack of expressed interest would not mean much.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Samuel L Jackson

From Unbreakable

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Nov 26, 2008 1:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

A good version of Booby Crosby

Constantly hurt but skilled?

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Nov 26, 2008 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not quite

Furcal has actually produced before.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 27, 2008 9:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I know he has. Crosby has not.

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Nov 27, 2008 11:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

THE KIDS

THEY CALLED ME MR. GLASS.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Nov 27, 2008 9:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

no.

we have 4 players able to play shortstop. why add another?

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Nov 26, 2008 1:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

because aybar can't hit, maicer can't hit, figgins can't hit...

…they apparently won’t let rodriguez play short and because it might be easier to sign Furcal (and put Wood at third) than find a good third baseman. Also, deprive the A’s.

Not saying it’s the best move, but it wouldn’t be the worst.

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 26, 2008 2:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Furcal signing won't cost any draft picks either

which is why Oakland will get him.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 26, 2008 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

we also have Maicer Izturis

who can hit.

and Aybar was injured for a good chunk of last year (or did you miss that?)

why is everyone so intent on throwing our young guys under the bus? the more old free agents you sign now, the more you’re going to be disappointed in a couple years. it would be a stupid move.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Nov 26, 2008 3:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Izturis is fine against lefties, but Vizquelesque against righties.

Again, not saying Furcal is the answer. The answer is probably Brandon Wood, and upgrade at 3rd. But if the alternative is Izturis playing everyday, I’d rather pay for Furcal.

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 26, 2008 7:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

???

whers this can’t hit crap? S-Rod is going to be some savior? he’s at least a yr away.

by HALO_86 on Nov 26, 2008 6:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

24 next year and just torched triple-A

Not necessarily a savior, but why do you say a year away? This is about the time most guys get a job in the bigs.

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 26, 2008 7:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

this was his first time around in the bigs. he D-up good but just like Wood when he was first brought up, he didn’t look comfortable at the plate. that swing he has, something wasn’t right about it. it looked like he kept uppercutting on the swing, i’m afraid that he got away with it in @AAA but in the bigs in don’t think he has the power to get away with that. i wouldn’t want to see him trying to make an adjustment plyaing up here,i’d rather have him work on it down in SLC.

by HALO_86 on Nov 26, 2008 10:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, you might be right.

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 27, 2008 10:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Furcal

gets hurt all the time. whats the point. his offense and defense is no good on the DL

by HALO_86 on Nov 26, 2008 6:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you kidding about Izzy?

There is nobody on this team who I’d rather see up, with the game on the line.

The guy is money in clutch situations.

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Nov 26, 2008 10:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

My only concern with Izzy is his hamstrings. I think he’d be a solid starting SS if he could just stay healthy.

". . .and the young lions will lock horns!" -- Ron Fairly, from an Angels telecast

by rspencer on Nov 27, 2008 1:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

WTF

is up with our middle infielders and their epic fail hamstrings?

by Chzburger Jones on Nov 27, 2008 2:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

haha no joke

we really gotta do something about that

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Nov 27, 2008 9:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Clutch

I have to disagree with that. His career OPS is .718 overall. In clutch situations:

RISP, two outs: .711
“Late and close” situations: .690
Tie game: .730
Within one run: .739.

Given that he struggles so much against righties, he’s actually too easy to neutralize when the game is on the line. He’s great in the right role, and if there was a good left-hand hitting shortstop he could platoon with it could be great. But he’s not so great that Furcal (if healthy) wouldn’t be an upgrade.

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 27, 2008 10:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Upgrade?

$12 million a year for 4 years for a 31-yr old who just spent most of the season on the DL?

Upgrade to payroll in order to gamble on a guy who is at best going to be a role player by mid-2010…

Izzy might not be Ty Cobb with or without RISP, but Furcal is much more likely to go Steve Finley on the Angels while Aybar/Izzy/Wood/S-Rod are guaranteed at the very least to be league average at a combined one-sixth (1/6) of Furcal’s salary.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 27, 2008 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

To clarify

I’m on record saying that Brandon Wood is the best shortstop option for the Angels, no matter who the Angels have at third.

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 27, 2008 12:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

we know what Aybar and Izturis can do. i don’t see them doing nothing more offensively. there’s too much upside to Wood to not give him his shot.

by HALO_86 on Nov 27, 2008 12:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But in that sort of clutch situation - RISP - you're not looking at OPS.

Hell, you’re not even looking at OBP.

In that situation, you look at BA only. You just need a lousy single to score the runner.

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Nov 27, 2008 12:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

OK, then Batting Average

Izturis career batting average .272. Clutch situations?

RISP, two outs: .260
"Late and close" situations: .259
Tie game: .262
Within one run: .268

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 27, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So regardless of the situation

he is the same hitter. Meaning when the pitcher is battling to keep the runs off the board Izzy still is the same hitter no matter the situation. David Wright had 124 RBI’s last year while hitting .247 with 2 out RISP. By the way Wright hit .302 on the year.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 27, 2008 12:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly.

The league average in 2008 was .264. In clutch situations:
RISP, two outs: .241
“Late and close” situations: .252
Tie game: .264
Within one run: .264

So Izturis is as clutch as everybody else.

Am I missing something here? Why so intent on proving Izturis is the clutchiest hitter on the team?

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 27, 2008 8:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well above that in 2008

Not so sure what the stats above are from but the stats that show up for Izturis in 2008 are as follows
2008 RISP .319 Not Shabby
2008 RISP, two outs: .281 Still above league AVG.
2008 Late&Close .348 Ummmmm GOOD yes?
2008 Tie Game .295 Getting it done!!

In a game that is based on what have you done for me lately he has been clutch of late!!

Listing the Angels club for 2008 as far as Clutch stats I have listed there AVG. in each situation, RISP two outs, Late&Close, Tie Game….. (RISP)

Mathis .167/.125/.183 (.278)
Kotch .297/.244/.308 (.290)
HK .265/.267/.286 (.366)
Figgy .231/.279/.268 (.258)
EAybar .209/.270/.255 (.326)
GA .356/.371/.241 (.338)
Izzy .281/.348/.295 (.319)
Hunter .206/.274/.272 (.268)
Vlad .245/.350/.250 (.321)
JR .240/.300/.245 (.206)
GMJ .289/.224/.217 (.240)
Naps .233/.194/.211 (.274)
Tex .262/.352/.313 (.308)

It appears that Izzy has been hanging with the big boys ($$$) that get paid to hit the game winners. Only GA beats him in 3 of 4 categories while Kotch and Tex just edge him out in 2 of the 4. Meanwhile Izzy gets up on 6 players in all categories, while only giving up just one of the categories to 3 players.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 28, 2008 11:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

curious

how many AB do each have in these situations? i only ask because i think its unfair if the AB is too low compared to another player who has a higher AB.

by HALO_86 on Nov 28, 2008 12:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good question

Izzy had 52 games with 79 PA and 69 AB’s with RISP
2 outs, RISP had 29 games with 35 PA / 32 AB’s
Late & Close had 39 games with 52 PA / 46 AB’s
Tie Game had 61games with 96 PA / 88 AB’s

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 28, 2008 12:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But according to half the people here

BA doesn’t count as a viable stat

by Seik1177 on Nov 28, 2008 12:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With runners in scoring position

I WANT An F’ing HIT!!!

Hit brings avg into the picture. Walk will not score the guy from second. Bases loaded will get me a run but a hit gets me 2.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 28, 2008 12:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you

by Seik1177 on Nov 28, 2008 12:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

why Oakland’s money ball philosophy fails miserably. Having a bunch of .230 hitters with a .380 OBP won’t help you drive in runs. That just bails themselves out for the next guy who will probably make an out.

by Chzburger Jones on Nov 28, 2008 2:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Get it done

Why so intent on proving Izturis is not the clutchiest hitter on the team?

League avg with RISP was .266 / Izzy .319
League avg with RISP 2 outs .241 / Izzy .281
League avg Late&Close .252 / Izzy .348
League avg Tie Game .264 / Izzy .295

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 28, 2008 12:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In all of 32 at bats.

Come on.

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 28, 2008 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is that his fault?

Should he have hoped and prayed to the baseball gods for more chances? 35 PA and 32 AB’s had he walked 7 more times would that had been his fault as well?
EAybar had 43 AB’s,
Figgins had 39 (9BB) Figgins had 453 total AB’s!

GA had the most AB’s of any Angel and totaled 59 AB’s with 2 out RISP. Thats 267 more total AB’s

Oh yeah…… Izturis was hitting 1st or 2nd in the order, andhe totaled 145 of his 290 (exactly half) of his AB’s in a situation that would not allow for 2 outs and RISP.
HELLO???

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 28, 2008 12:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No, just pointing out sample size issues.

It’s why I went with career numbers.

Saving countless runs with my defense.

by Sam Miller OCR on Nov 28, 2008 12:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sample size or not

it is compared against the league and his teammates who also had small sample sizes.

My point is he has been just as clutch the last few years and it hasn’t cost the club $10M a year. In some cases it might make his ability to clutch up seem even more based on the fact he is just over a Million a year player and a lot of people don’t look for him to be that sort of player.

Remember all this was started because you said Izturis could not hit. That is not close to true. S-Rod still needs to figure out the off speed pitch that starts thigh/knee high is not a strike. To many bad ball swings still.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 28, 2008 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the analysis

I’m frequently humbled by stats that contradict my impressions. Your stats do at least suggest that he is fairly consistent under pressure, and that ain’t hay, but I guess “clutch” is an overstatement.

". . .and the young lions will lock horns!" -- Ron Fairly, from an Angels telecast

by rspencer on Nov 28, 2008 12:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't understand talk about ss or any infield. Are you kidding me?

The only way it will happen is in a trade for PV (green), IF SD wants that.
We have three shortstops: (Iz, Aybar, Wood); three 3rds (Fig, Wood, Q), four 2b (Kendricks, Iz, Fig, Rod), and 2 1sts (Morales, Q, and possibly that other guy).

C’mon, let’s get real here.

Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.

by vladtheimpaler on Nov 29, 2008 3:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs