Gary Matthews Jr. Signs-This Date in Angels Blogging History

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2009 11:00 AM PST in Angels News

On this date in 2006, 3 years ago today, Halos Heaven went on record as saying that the Angels signing of Gary Matthews Jr. was a stupid thing and, in the first of three posts from that sad day, held out hope that another team would swoop in and sign the free agent outfielder.

By noon, the Angels had signed him to a five-year deal and I overreacted in a post, awarding the division to another team for the next three seasons when I read that Matthews would have a three-year no trade clause.

By that evening I was live-blogging my own meltdown, sinking into a weeping, desperate prayer that this terrible signing be somehow redeemed.

I guess those prayers were answered as the Angels have managed to win three division titles despite this albatross contract holding a mediocre 4th outfielder in place on our bench. If there is a silver lining, it is that I can always refer to the posts linked above to show that I called one right ~~and, much more importantly, this deal was not as bad as the Dodgers signing of~~ ~~Juan Pierre for the same 5 years, $50 Million as GMJ.~~ (see comments where that assertion is disproven by Turks Teeth)

Poll

Worse Signing

Steve Finley

130 votes

Gary Matthews Jr.

242 votes

Mo Vaughn

186 votes

558 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Bo Jackson?

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Nov 22, 2009 12:38 PM PST reply actions

x

by figgifig on Nov 22, 2009 12:45 PM PST up reply actions

I talk shit but the guy actually was having a decent season for us...

then he retired. ugh.

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Nov 22, 2009 1:35 PM PST up reply actions

Pierre vs Matthews Jr

…and, much more importantly, this deal was not as bad as the Dodgers signing of Juan Pierre for the same 5 years, $50 Million as GMJ.

I understand silver linings and all, but regrettably, the numbers really don’t even back up this statement. With identical contracts and three years behind them, what do the three-year splits and Fangraphs think of this claim?

Pierre (2007-2009):

WAR: 3.5
RAR: 35.6
Dollars (Value): $15.1M

Matthews Jr (2007-2009):

WAR: (-1.0)
RAR: (-10.3)
Dollars (Value): (-$4.9M)

It’s not even close. The Matthews contract is just catastrophically bad. While Pierre’s overall value does not match the dollars expended thusfar on his contract, GMJ is net negative by five million had the team paid him the league minimum for three years!

I’m curious. What would be the (non-data-driven) logic behind saying GMJ has added more value for the Angels than Pierre for the Dodgers anyway?

by Turks Teeth on Nov 22, 2009 3:44 PM PST reply actions

wow i stand corrected

I guess the only defense is that the presence of the Matthews contract did not stop Reagins from signing Hunter.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 22, 2009 4:56 PM PST up reply actions

Happens to me all the time

I approach the game qualitatively, for what it’s worth, and often find myself coming to conclusions that seem self-evident and yet are decisively refuted by the stats. That’s why I have respect for sabermetricians; while at times they seem to analyze the soul out of the game, ultimately their work serves to bring us all a more thorough understanding of it.

What we've got can't be bought

by rspencer on Nov 22, 2009 7:17 PM PST up reply actions

poop

At least it was only 50M.

The worst part is they actually though he was good on D, I hope they pay more attention to advanced D metrics now.

To be fair, GMJ was doing his thing in the AL, while Pierre was in the AAAA.

by elricsi on Nov 22, 2009 4:58 PM PST up reply actions

And given that both players were originally hired to be "true leadoff hitters"...

We can look at the more traditional metrics to consider on-base skills, baserunning and run-production (2007-2009).

GMJ:

.248 avg .325 obp .383 slg

Leading off an inning:
.228 avg .294 obp .366 slg

Totals: 176 Runs 30 Steals 8 caught

Pierre:

.294 avg .339 obp .357 slg

Leading off an inning:
.304 avg .348 obp .354 slg

Totals: 197 runs 134 steals 39 caught

Again, GMJ is just horrible in leadoff situations, though Pierre, while perhaps not elite, does just fine. No way Pierre was worth $50M over five years, but he mainly has done what he was hired to do. GMJ, not so much.

by Turks Teeth on Nov 22, 2009 3:58 PM PST reply actions