Juan Rivera vs. Garret Anderson

by snowhor on Jun 18, 2009 1:29 PM PDT Comment 38 comments

2009 Stats as of 6/18.

Juan Rivera - .316/.352/.505

Does anyone still think it was a dumb idea to sign Rivera instead of Anderson?

Though we're only about 40% through the season, I think the answer is obvious. Rivera, as many of us had suspected, has produced once given a full-time job. Save your comments about GA being a second half player and point to his .851 post All-Star OPS the last three years. Rivera has also performed well in the second half the last three years, posting a .841 OPS during that time period. And let's not forget that the first half of the season counts for something, too.

I am thankful that Tony Reagins made this decision.

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

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WOW

snowhor is my hero!

by Rev Halofan on Jun 18, 2009 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately, Garret has been hampered by two injuries. So, yeah, I’d rather have a healthy player instead of a hurt one.

I will say, though, that even with equivalent playing time GA is going to decline rapidly from here on out.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jun 18, 2009 1:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GA is 50 years old

It seems to be a no-brainer to have resigned a much younger player in Rivera – no argument there.

From the looks of his stats, it doesn’t look like GA can get up in the morning – I’m still hoping he gets hot in the second half.

Or is Kendry perhaps the one who needs to sit?

by BBFan1 on Jun 18, 2009 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention

Juan’s OPS this season: .857

Bobby Abreu’s OPS this season: .824

Bobby does have 15 steals though, but yeah the Rivera contract was the best thing to happen this off-season. I have always hoped he would get the chance to really prove how good we knew he was.

RIP Nick Adenhart, #34

by Higz on Jun 18, 2009 2:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Damn Venezuelan winter ball.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jun 18, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Juan is awesome.....

GA was awesome too…….

no need to sweat the details.

Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 18, 2009 5:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it was the obviously correct decision

But GA was always under appreciated and has a special place in my heart and I was sad to see him go. I hope he has a tremendous second half and helps propel the Braves over the Mets and Phillys. It would still be the right decision.

This season just seems jinxed. If it can go wrong, it does

by Moondoggy on Jun 18, 2009 6:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GA was and will always be an Angel in my heart.

With that said I was very happy when the team signed Jonny Rivers. By far the better choice, don’t forget how much longer Juan will be playing for.

"F@&* it, lets pitch"
-Ervin Santana

by pendletonmike on Jun 18, 2009 6:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

I posted last year that I wanted GA to end his career as an LAA of A. It (admittedly) is part sentimental. The other part was that I believed he could still contribute (for the right price) if healthy.

Unfortunately, it appears GA’s best years have passed, and Juancho was the better move.

I truly hope there is a “GA Appreciation Day” in his and the Angels future. His skills have diminished, but the memories of his glory years haven’t.

by sothball on Jun 18, 2009 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't wait to read the next

argument that throws GA under the bus! Braves winning percentage? Ticket sales? Jerseys?

While were at it, let’s throw out that championship trophy too. It hasn’t helped us win anything lately either.

Captain, there are doubt's...

by Match Day 5 on Jun 18, 2009 7:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have been PRO Rivera......ANTI Anderson for SOOOO LONG

I, like you, am glad to know that Rivera is making lots of Angels Fans Eat Crow!!!!!!

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Jun 18, 2009 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree...

GA stopped being useful as a player in 2005 or so…

But, he was a stud there for a spell and I do appreciate what he could do well – probably not enough, but I do appreciate it. For me, the problem was always that he absolutely showed no plate discipline and that stopped him from reaching a MUCH higher potential than he ever showed on the diamond. Boy could hit – if he could have stopped swinging at slop and could wait for a GOOD pitch to hit he might have been a monster.

Anyway, very happy Juancho is playing so well. I am pulling for him and have been since Post ASB, 2006.

RIP Nick...

Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home

by jimmuscomp on Jun 18, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yet, GA was a very calm guy

he’s 36? now, but he contributed so so much to Anahaim and its fans with that double in 2002. Thanks for the memories GA….

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

by vlad IS my man on Jun 18, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m glad you have such disdain for one of the greatest Angels of all time.

RIP Nick. We will miss you!

by KingF15h on Jun 19, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

Anti-Anderson? Did you issue a fatwa or wage holy jihad too?

"We have a great closer, one of the best in the game, and I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else." (Matt Palmer, after the latest Fuentes meltdown)

by PieceOfAase on Jun 19, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Wow.

RIP #34

by linkbruin on Jun 22, 2009 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This crap makes me sick to my stomach

Watching people compare Rivera to Anderson.

First off, GA is almost 37 while Juan is almost 31. GA has played about 1,500 more games than Juan. GA has only played for one team before 2009, Juan has played for 3. Juan is not new to the Angels while GA is new to the Braves.

It bothers me to see so many die hard Angel fans forget what kind of a player Garret was. I’ve always thought Juan was a great player even when Halo fans didn’t want him back during the offseason, but it’s just dumb to compare the two even in 2009.

Not to mention we’re not even half way through the season, while GA and Juan are second half performers.

Comparisons like this are just dumb.

by TheAntiSox on Jun 18, 2009 11:17 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

I have to tell you one thing

There is no way on God’s green earth I could have said it better.

Perfect.

Angel Pitching (Adenhart), Angel Defense - get past that.

by vladtheimpaler on Jun 19, 2009 5:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the point is that JR is a better choice for the Angels TODAY.

Otherwise, Downing would still be catching, Joyner would still be at first, etc. ..

It doesn’t take away from what GA has done

by The Clyde on Jun 19, 2009 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Uh yeah

How is this not obvious. The only person bashing GA is acuda.

RIP Nick Adenhart, #34

by Higz on Jun 19, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

This post just reminded me of all the GA haters and I got angry. Sorry.

by TheAntiSox on Jun 19, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's cool

I’m a huge GA fan. I was at game one time and some idiot ANGEL fan in front of me started booing when they called Garret’s name. That was a blood-boiler to say the least.

RIP Nick Adenhart, #34

by Higz on Jun 19, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably my brother

This season just seems jinxed. If it can go wrong, it does

by Moondoggy on Jun 19, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't remember

GA ever frosting his hair.

since 1961

by Chompo on Jun 19, 2009 6:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GA has hair?

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Jun 19, 2009 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he’s too lazy to grow it himself

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

by vlad IS my man on Jun 20, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rivera is my son's favorite Angel

I didn’t look at the offseason decision-making process as a question of “Who’s the better Angel?” It was a business decision, and Reagins obviously made the right move.

And while I don’t think many people would argue with the premise that Juan is the better performer in 2009, we should still respect GA for everything he did for the Angels for so many years.

by Brew Angel on Jun 19, 2009 9:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Only an idiot would see it any other way.

by wumbug on Jun 19, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

(another way of saying that I agree)

by wumbug on Jun 19, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which player is lazier?

That’s all I need to ask…GA by a snooze…is lazier

Juan is pretty lazy himself, which made him the perfect replacement for GA.

NA, #34 SP, LAA
Light up the Halo for Nick!

by hk47 on Jun 20, 2009 6:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Juan is a bit lazy...

I’ve seen a series of flyball bloopers that he doesnt even give chase for…

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Jun 20, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think...

the comparison is a bit unfair to GA, as he’s obviously on the donward slope of his career with many miles on that body whereas Rivera is getting his first crack at being a full time starter and is impressive as is expected given what we know about him. i think th point of giving Rivera a shot was absolutely wise as he’s cheaper and we get to see what we get—and it’s paying off.

but until Rivera hits a double with bases loaded in game 7 of the world series he’s got a ways to go get anywhere near GAs jockstrap.

by SactoFan on Jun 20, 2009 9:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oops...

seems someone has already made this point. sorry theanitsox.

by SactoFan on Jun 20, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right, but while a double in 2002 was magnificent, it does nothing to help the 2009 Angels.

Love GA, but glad we have Rivera RIGHT NOW. I’d gladly take the 2002 GA over 2009 Rivera, but we are comparing 2009 GA to 2009 Rivera.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jun 20, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...

and it’s a dumb comparison.

by SactoFan on Jun 23, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's dumb to compare this year's left field with last year's?

And this post wasn’t meant to trash GA, just to highlight how well JR has done while commending the front office for making the right decision rather than the sentimental one.

by snowhor on Jun 24, 2009 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok, what do you propose is a better way to compare players and positions?

I think comparing what you got last year versus what you are getting this year is pretty good.

I check my paycheck and it is less than what it was last year. That’s not too good. The good thing, is that it is still a paycheck, but COMPARING last year to this year, this one is not as good.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jun 24, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs