Grandpas in the oufield

by mattwelch on Nov 22, 2007 8:57 AM PST

Assuming Vlad's DHing, our starting outfield next year will have ages of 36, 33 and 32. (With, I might add, career OBPs of .327, .334 and .324, respectively.) That's kind of old. In fact, the team has never had an outfield all that old. How many times has a 32-and-over OF won the World Series?

Once. The 2001 D-Backs, with 33-year-old Gonzo & Reggie Sanders, and a 36-year-old Frost who shall not be named.

The good news is that Hunter and Matthews are in pretty excellent shape, and that the overall outfield D should be much improved next year (assuming -- stupidly -- for the moment that it's not totally changed by more crazy Reagins action). The bad news is that GMJ rarely hits well enough to justify playing RF (and certainly is no Juan Gone), and that we are currently on the hook for paying nearly $30 million to watch Hunter & Matthews enjoy their 36th birthdays. That could get real ugly soon.

Poll

What would you sacrifice to get GMJ to waive his no-trade?

Young chicken

9 votes

Calf, on top of a pyramid

23 votes

Younger brother

11 votes

Left nut

17 votes

60 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Giants last year were older...

Bonds, Roberts, and Wynn.

by Barry on Nov 22, 2007 8:57 AM PST reply actions

Whoops...

Got what you were saying.

I am still utterly confused by the signing also...

by Barry on Nov 22, 2007 9:01 AM PST reply actions

Wondering???

This signing makes one wonder if GMJ might be in some hot water over the HGH issue that came up in spring training last year.

by Angel Aviator on Nov 22, 2007 9:56 AM PST reply actions

More like

Arte and Tony are thinking he might miss substantial time due to a suspension.

Hoping Ervin Santana turns it around in Salt Lake. Go, Ervin!

by scareduck on Nov 23, 2007 9:06 AM PST up reply actions

Nonetheless

The outfield is in better hands in all aspects, offensively and defensively. Hopefully we'll get to see a lot of Hunter and Matthews in the outfield at the same time. I'm not sure a gapper will go uncaught. I still think GA is one of the best defensively in left at playing the line. Not the gap, fading on deep fly balls, or even the little dunkers. But a hit down the line and Garret is over, spinning, and throwing on a rope to second. We've all seen it. Gappers will no not longer be a worry, regardless of who we have in center that given day. If we have Matthews in right and Hunter in center, Hunter will be able to cheat toward left field a little to assist GA. Hell I like it a lot.

Offensively, this gives us a 25 HR, 90 RBI threat a year. He'll .270 and above for us which solidifies our outfield and DH output, which we lacked last year.

I think we have to scratch the MCab and my proposed Atkins deal. We still have to go after Tejada for SS. Santana or Saunders and Aybar. If there not willing to move for that, which I think they will. Move SP Nick Green or SP Steven Shell, who are in our minors at the AAA level (I believe). That would round things out pretty nice.

Figgins - 3rd base
Kendrick - 2nd base
Guerrero - DH/RF
Hunter - CF
Anderson - LF/DH
Tejada - SS
Kotchman - 1st base
Napoli - C
Matthews Jr - LF/CF/RF/DH

Bench:
Izturis (Or Aybar. I'd prefer to keep Izturiz)
Mathis
Rivera (If he isn't traded)
MacPherson (If he can make the team out of spring)
Morales
Eckstein (If we could bring him back as untility... Awesome!!!)

SP1. Lackey
SP2. Escobar
SP3. Weaver
SP4. Garland
SP5. Santana or Saunders

MRP. Bootcheck
MRP. Mosley
MRP. Spier
MRP. Oliver
SU. Shields
CP. Rodriguez

A lot if iff's on the bench. Let's stay flexible.

by matt92130 on Nov 22, 2007 11:33 AM PST reply actions

Hunter and Matthews aren't

as good defensively, but it is reminiscent of the short time Angel fans were treated to Pettis in center and Devo in right. It didn't last long but it was glorious.

When the Angels field both Hunter and Matthews in the outfield at the same time, Angel fans will be in for a defensive treat.

The expansive Angel outfield will bring out the best in Hunter, I would expect.

But, you're right, the age factor will be interesting. Look at the dollars tied up in Vlad, GA, Hunter, and Matthews. That's one expensive and aging outfield.

Let's hope it's highly productive for at least two years.

Why Isn't 4 On The Wall?

by Retire4 on Nov 22, 2007 12:23 PM PST reply actions

Fielding Bible

2006 - Hunter the best centerfielder

2007 - Hunter a close second to Andruw Jones.

Um.........

by hauldog on Nov 22, 2007 12:25 PM PST reply actions

When Jones was in his prime

there was nobody better (ever).

That was many, many pounds ago. Andruw Jones' season, both offensively and defensively, in 2007, was pretty terrible.

Until Jones sheds some pounds he won't ever again be the top defensive CF in the game. He's living on reputation.

Why Isn't 4 On The Wall?

by Retire4 on Nov 22, 2007 2:07 PM PST up reply actions

Says you

Bill James disagrees and I'll take his word over yours everyday and twice on Sunday.

Um.........

by hauldog on Nov 22, 2007 2:11 PM PST up reply actions

Well,

I can only speak for me. I'm thrilled and flattered to have James disagree with me; I didn't think he knew I existed.

But, assuming your ear is worth it, I'm envious of Bill James' Sundays.

Why Isn't 4 On The Wall?

by Retire4 on Nov 22, 2007 2:54 PM PST up reply actions

Hunter

I was wrong on Hunter. Beltran got second this year and first last year.

Um.........

by hauldog on Nov 22, 2007 2:12 PM PST up reply actions

I like Beltran...

In fact, upon further review, I'd take him over Jones. Whoops.

Why Isn't 4 On The Wall?

by Retire4 on Nov 22, 2007 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

Jones

Was the best I have seen, but I agree with you he is a hefty kid these days.

Led all CFers in put outs I believe though.

Um.........

by hauldog on Nov 22, 2007 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe in the future

I should go to the statistics before spouting my head-in-ass opinions but it's much more fun not to.

Okay, you prompted me to go to the stats. Assuming we're talking about '07, Andruw Jones was sixth in PO, eighth in TC, ninth (among regular CF) in RF.

Here's the stat breakdown (noting simultaneously that I don't put too much stock in defensive statistics):

PO:

1.Granderson
2.Suzuki
3.Crisp
4.DeJesus
5.Sizemore
6.Jones
7.Rowand
8.Beltran
9.Hunter
10.Cabrera

TC:

1.Granderson
2.Suzuki
3.Crisp
4.DeJesus
5.Cabrera
6.Rowand
7.Sizemore
8.Jones
9.Beltran
10.Hunter

RF:

1.Crisp
2.Granderson
3.Suzuki
4.Matthews
5.Cabrera
6.Beltran
7.DeJesus
8.Hunter
9.Jones
10.Rowand

I'm not sure how Bill James could deduce that Jones was the best defensive CF in '07 (or if he really did for that matter).

Why Isn't 4 On The Wall?

by Retire4 on Nov 22, 2007 3:28 PM PST up reply actions

And upon even

further review...

Andruw Jones hasn't led the ML in PO since 2001. You read that correctly. 2001. For perspective here, Darin Erstad has led the ML in PO more recently than has Andruw Jones.

Again, not that I view total PO to the determinant of the game's best defensive CF.

Why Isn't 4 On The Wall?

by Retire4 on Nov 22, 2007 3:36 PM PST up reply actions

Whoops

My off the top of the head stats are wrong.

http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/the-winners.asp

There is your Bill James link though. I got one right!

Um.........

by hauldog on Nov 22, 2007 3:50 PM PST up reply actions

it beats Willits, Morales, and Evans

old guys rule.

(no old outfielders, no old presidents.....i'm starting to see a trend....)

by rbrianc on Nov 22, 2007 12:48 PM PST reply actions

I absolutely do not get

Reagins' approach this offseason. Even if the Angels get Miguel Cabrera, the scary trades being floated for him sound like grand theft to me.

Hoping Ervin Santana turns it around in Salt Lake. Go, Ervin!

by scareduck on Nov 23, 2007 6:17 AM PST reply actions

Don't believe the float

Reagins has been a publicity Ninja. All the talk you hear is either A) coming from the Marlins, or B) coming out the arse of sportswriters.

If the Angels were willing to give up Kendrick, a trade would have already been made by now. We've got a crapload of cheap (and therefore Marlins-desirable) quality surplus -- where the hell will guys like Morales and Rivera even play for the next couple of years?

We'll be on pins and needles until a trigger is pulled, but I am not currently assuming the worst. Whatever Reagins has done in terms of backloading some bad contracts over 2010-11, he has put us directly in much, much better position to trade for Miguel Cabrera.

by mattwelch on Nov 23, 2007 9:42 AM PST up reply actions