Aubrey Huff

by nemesis on Nov 29, 2008 10:06 AM PST Comment 26 comments

Should we trade for Aubrey Huff? He had great numbers this year.

Wood for Huff straight up? I think that would be a good deal, as the Orioles do have SS problems, and we don't have any 1B if Tex leaves.

We should make this deal if we don't re-sign Tex.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4479

He had god numbers this year, while showing excelent power and being able to drive in runs. He could really help the team if Tex leaves.

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

0 recs | Comment 26 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

That is something I mentioned 4 months ago

Here is the link to read what HH thought.

http://www.halosheaven.com/2008/7/21/575875/huff-puffing-for-a-trade

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 10:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Have you not been following along as to how people feel about B. Wood

You might have just thrown his name in there for the sake of just using a name (or you might really want to use him as trade bait). But that kid at 23 has way too high of a ceiling trade him for a gonna be 32 year old who played out of his shoes last year, well above his career numbers. Aubrey then does more blocking on Kendry and Vlad if he gets rotated to thru the DH role. it just doesn’t fit.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Specializing in maniac-ball since 2000

by halofan4life on Nov 29, 2008 11:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Feelings........... We really going with FEELINGS? If so how did you feel after losing in the first round of the playoff's again?

I never said to trade Wood in the deal did I? I used S-Rod as bait because he is odd man out with HK and Izzy, Wood, and Ebar. My trade bait was S-Rod and either Willits/Bootcheck/Moosley. Huff could have played that 3B position and DH through the rest of the year while also playing 1B when needed.

He had a great year but at the same time he is also a guy that is 5 years younger then GA with a better career OPS but then again FEELINgsssssssss would be involved. Bottom line is Huff is a guy that has played 9yrs in the bigs putting up solid career numbers while playing in the AL East his whole career.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 11:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I made no attempt to reply to your comment above

I read the link to the Fanpost you posted in July. You did make valid points. It is my personal opinion (not FEELING) that, even tho Huff may have had a good career so far, that he played out of his shoes last year with career highs in almost every offensive category (sounds kinda familiar, a la GMJ). Now Huff wont regress back to below average like GMJ has, I’m not putting those two in the same category, but for a player who had only once before hit 30 homeruns and who the year before last only hit 15.

My arguemet was against the trade being Wood for Huff straight up that was my problem. Wood is probably going to end up at 3B and that is were Huff has played the most in his tme in the bigs, and I’m not too high on Huff’s .947 fielding percentage at 3B. sure he has proven power, but if it’s at 3B is it worth 15 errors a year on average, probably more? If you put him in the OF, where do you put him? Whether we like it or not GMJ isn’t going anywhere until next year with that atrocious contract and stupid NTC. Also Huff’s fielding in the OF is mediocre at best, and not GA mediocre. And out there or at 1B he’s blocking Morales who projects (yes I know there is no certainty in the word projects) to be the same kind of hitter as Huff with same fielding pct. as Huff at 1B.

As far as my feelings about getting bounced out of the playoffs in the 1st round, as a fellow Angel’s fan, How in the hell do you think I felt? I was in my car listening to it on ESPN radio trying to get my son to go to sleep and I almost broke my radio when Bay scored. And let’s try to not stoop to the level of 3rd grade taunting, I agee with a lot of the things you say in your comments and your posts, but I’m not going to take your shit either.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Specializing in maniac-ball since 2000

by halofan4life on Nov 29, 2008 12:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not saying trade Wood

I am one that thinks he is better suited for the team at SS. Thought his play was solid and he was a better hitter when he played SS. Looks more comfortable when he is playing SS. Team may lose a little range but I think he has the ability to play there.

As for Huff he has had a solid 9 year career. Unlike GMJ who managed to put together 1 solid year after being released a number of times. Huff can be plugged in for a .275 20+ HR 85 RBI season. This could be accomplished either filling in at 1B/DH/3B. Heck if you play Huff at 1B for the whole season getting the numbers I suggested for the $8M he has coming in 2009 thats a deal. You trade away Aybar and slop. If you trade away S-Rod then you have to include one of the other guys I mentioned earlier. Might not have to include slop to get Huff for the year. He is only signed through 2009. The O’s need help up the middle. Still leaves back up help in the INF if you trade one or the other. Just never said Wood was part of the trade then or would I say he is now.

You can throw KMO in LF (Pujols did the OF/3B thing). That gets Wood his AB’s at SS Figgins at 3B. Takes care of the teams current needs and allows the club to lock up a few starting pitchers and bullpen help. In 2010 you can move KMO to 1B based on what he did in 2009. Look for help in the OF the following year if it is needed.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 3:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I understood about Wood

I knew that you never said anything about trading Wood, I mentioned that in my reply. I was more miffed than anything about getting the “feelings” attack.

I mentioned above that I wasn’t putting GMJ and Huff in the same category. However, I would be a little worried about Huff’s mediocre at best fielding ability. Is his bat worth the errors? I don’t know where to find those stats, if you know where to find them to show me that his defense doen’t cause more runs than his offense, I MIGHT be inclined to change my arguement.

I still believe that KMO would be just about the equivalent of Huff at a fraction of the price in the batter’s box, while being better than Huff on the field. I apologize for my attitude in my earlier post, I took some of the stuff you said personally, I hope you didn’t take any of mine personal.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Specializing in maniac-ball since 2000

by halofan4life on Nov 29, 2008 4:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No problem about anything

Takes a lot more to get me going. I apologize if the words were stronger then the tone. As an Angel fan I am always ready to see the team make changes that can better the club. So understand I was not trying to bust your balls.

I know Huff has really spent the last 3 years working on his body (core) and it seems to have really helped him. He was just an avg 3B at Miami when I saw him and again avg in the AZ Fall League. The thing is he has always been able to hit. Looking at his numbers the last 3 years he has been a much better 3B. FLP% around the .970 in 138 gms since 2006 season. That is above league avg, and right at what Figgins has done in the same period. I think with reps (daily play) he would be fine. I know what you mean about bat worth the errors but Ebar is never going to be that guy for me. Talk about errors…….yikes…… Sill think Huff could play 1B with no problems as well. Angels signed Fullmer and paid some $4M for a guy that was not able to play anything but DH really, and that worked out well. Huff has a little more flexibility and is a pwr LHH needed in the lineup.

I am trying to keep KMO in the lineup with him playing the OF just like the club had him doing at AAA. KMO could still be the 1B if Huff is at 3B and Wood at SS HK at 2B. Figgins in LF. Not so bad of a lineup. Huff is cheaper then Tex and that would allow you to run out the horse to pitch each night. Lackey (extension) CC, Saunders, Santana, Weaver. Maybe some $$$ left for bullpen help like Woods?

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 6:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad this could be worked out

As far as the fielding percentage numbers, I definately like yours better. I was looking at the numbers for his career. With improving numbers like that, maybe it is worth the gamble. Looking at his splits tho (vs. RHP and LHP) I would hope his far inferior numbers against LHP is due to a smaller sample size.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Specializing in maniac-ball since 2000

by halofan4life on Nov 29, 2008 6:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Splits

Not so sold always on splits against LHP and RHP. Lot of guys don’t hit at the same level against both RHP and LHP. Thats why a lefty in the rotation like a Saunders or Sabathia or Oliver is always a premium. Those lefty pitchers always play longer as well. Not a lot of SP that are LHP so there isn’t a lot to go off and LHH have a serious disadvantage because of this.

Look at Utley .306/.280 or Mauer .326/.300 and you will see that most guys do struggle against LHP. Gywnn .345/.325 was a lesser hitter against LHP as was Carew .336/.310. So when Huff has a .290/.278 I don’t get worried. Everyone has there Kryptonite.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 7:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That eases my mid a little, but...

Huff would be needed for his power and his OPS is nearly 100 points lower against lefties. Utley’s is about 45 points lower, and although he is good pop in the middle of that lineup, Howard on the other hand is expected to hit the ball hard and far. Mauer’s is vastly different, but I don’t consider him a power hitter. Same with Carew and Gwynn they were a couple of slap and gap hitters who rarely hit the ball out of the park.

Kendry has never really had the chance to prove himself so he has a small sample size when it comes to those splits, but Tex’s numbers are nearly identical against both lefties and righties. IMO I’d rather we pay Tex his money and if Vlad slides more down his slope to a point where the Angel’s know they need to cut him loose (not my 1st option, but it’s a possibility). Then Tex could be our new Vlad in the heart of the lineup. A power hitter with almost no weakness.

I know Tex wasn’t originally involved in this discussion, but since we have been talking about 1B (and to me Huff is more of a 1B choice since I don’t see the Angels moving Wood back to SS and two highly capable players there in Aybar and Izzy) I felt it was pertinent to this discussion that I look up his stats.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Specializing in maniac-ball since 2000

by halofan4life on Nov 29, 2008 9:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't think Tex can be counted really........

With Tex being a switch hitter it kind of throws him out of the discussion doesn’t it. After all thats the reason for being a switch hitter. The other guys I used Gwynn/Carew were used because of there true ability to hit for high avg for a long period of time. I also used Mauer and Utley because they are 2 solid LHH one with a ring and another with a batting title (2).

So here is a few others Against RHP/LHP
$$ AVG OBP SLG OPS
Dunn 13M .252/.235 .392/.359 .539/.474 .931/.833
Hamilton 400 .313/.271 .397/.343 .613/.465 .1.010/.807
Morneau 10.6M .294/.257 .370/.301 .529/.438 .899/.739
D.Ortiz 12.5M .295/.268 .398/.342 .581/.490 .979/.831
Giambi 23.5M .294/.268 .419/.383 .560/.471 .979/.854

My thought is you can get Huff for cheap in todays market. Use the money saved from not signing Tex (hope he is an Angel) sign CC get Lackey his extension. Still leaving some for bullpen help (Woods)

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 11:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ok, I see your point now

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Specializing in maniac-ball since 2000

by halofan4life on Nov 30, 2008 6:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

agree about Wood

i would rather see him @SS then 3B only because he can D up there pretty good and its his natural position. along with playing SS, you don’t have that pressure to be a big bat when you play 3B. just let him get his AB and see if he can make that adjustment into a fulltime MLB SS.

by HALO_86 on Nov 29, 2008 4:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Looking at B. Wood

Just looked at his numbers when playing SS and here is what it looks like. Prior to the 2007 season he had played SS

Triple A was the first time he was asked to play 3B as a regular.
2007- 74 games played at 3B
Hit – .272/.338/.497 OPS – .835

Triple A Playing mostly SS
2008 – 90 games played at SS
Hit – .296/.375/.595 OPS – .970

2008 MLB numbers
3B – 26 Games
Hit – .167/.203/.227 OPS -.430
SS – 26 Games
Hit – .226/.241/.405 OPS -.646

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 6:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Huff is starting that long slide into regression-land

It is just a question of how quick that slide will be.

That is not a “FEEL” it is a logical thinking response, sung to the tune of OLD MAN LOOK AT YOUR HUFF HE’S A LOT LIKE EVERY AGING HAS-BEEN STILL DRAWING A PAYCHECK…

by Rev Halofan on Nov 29, 2008 12:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Magic 8 Ball says........

Slide will not start next year. No reason to suggest he would slide. Not like it was a complete fluke that he had a very good year. He has had a solid Big League career. Huff is not someone that is signed to a long term contract. Guy has 2009 and will be playing for a contract. No slide……….

It is a hell of a lot safer then some others that have been acquired either through trades or FA signings. Finley, Hillenbrand, GMJ, to name a few. As I said before Rev he is your new and improved Fullmer.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 3:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good Numbers?

Dude put up GREAT numbers. He was 8th in the AL in HRS, 6th in RBIs, 5th in OPS, and 5th in slugging(for those of you who get a hard-on from Brandon, do you honestly think he’ll ever replicate that?). Why wouldn’t we want a player with this kind of production? Odds are he won’t ever reproduce these kinds of numbers again. His season last year kind of reminds me what Carlos Pena did the year before and if we trade for Huff we can expect him to have the kind of year that Pena had this last season. Also, didn’t Baltimore just get him in the Tejada trade so why would they want to turn around and give him back up a year later?

by turs12 on Nov 29, 2008 7:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I really believe (not FEEL) that B. Wood will put up those kind of numbers

if, and only if, he knows that he isn’t going to be racking up frequent flyer miles going from Anaheim to SLC.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Specializing in maniac-ball since 2000

by halofan4life on Nov 29, 2008 9:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i hope

Wood & KMO get an oppurtunity to earn a starting position to see what they really can do at this level. i’m sick of us all arguing about what KMO & Wood could and can’t do. they have nothing to prove down in 3A. i would hate to see them just sitting the bench and being a reserve.

by HALO_86 on Nov 30, 2008 10:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

Dude is Huff right? Lets not forget that Huff has a longer track record of better numbers then Pena. Huff had a great year but there is no reason to think he would not toss up a .280 20+HR 85 RBI season based on his prior 9 seasons.

Huff was signed as a FA by the Orioles.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Nov 29, 2008 7:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Wanted: PLATE DISCIPLINE

A little bit off topic, but this needs to be addressed. Guess which team out of all 30 ranks dead last when it comes to swinging at pitches outside of the strike zone? Angels’ hitters hack at 28.9% of pitches outside the strike zone. That’s the WORST in all of MLB.

Hatcher’s Hackers

Ain't no stoppin' us now. We got the groove!

by Fan Since 1981 on Nov 30, 2008 5:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not so crazy about Huff.

Yes, he had a very solid year in 2008 but the last time he had a comparable year was in 2004. He’s 32 and is exiting his prime. I think he will probably revert back to a mediocre .270, 20 homer hitter with bad defense at 1st and 3rd base.

by Chzburger Jones on Nov 30, 2008 5:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs