Erick Aybar

[Angelsjunky]

...is a badass.

 

(I mainly just wanted to write that, but also wanted to add my own player name thread)

[markb]

[nate]

I love me some Aybar.

 

[JAHV76]

He's thriller

[Angel Dog and Beer]

Nate I love that photo. Aybar's a baller

[tomsred]

Eric Aybar.....will be legend when he finishes his Angel career.

[YouthofToday]

I thought it was hilarious then - and still do - why some didn't think his deal was crazy club friendly. Same with Kendrick's deal.

I believe these were two of the feat moves Dipoto made.

[Diaz15]

King of the deke

[Angelsjunky]

"Crazy club friendly" might be a bit of an overstatement, but they were definitely both good contracts. Neither Kendrick or Aybar are stars, but they're both good players, above average for their positions. If Aybar can put up 10 fWAR for the four-year contract, it will be a good deal. He's at 3.1 now, about a third of the way, but he's on pace this year to have a much better season than last year - he's actually already surpassed his WAR from last year because his Def is a lot better.

[Hollyw00d]

Aybar is a solid player, all around. I never understand the hate he gets

[WallyWorld]

guess I'm in the minority -  I can't stand Aybar.  Zero plate discipline or pitch recognition, never takes a walk, horrible baserunner considering his speed, and a penchant for making defensive errors on routine plays in key situations.  Also, his face.  What am I missing?

[Adam]

Only the awesomest of awesome do this

 

[Adam]

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/5/6/5686222/kelly-johnson-erick-aybar-beans-gif

 

Edited May 30, 2014 by Eric Notti

[Inside Pitch]

guess I'm in the minority -  I can't stand Aybar.  Zero plate discipline or pitch recognition, never takes a walk, horrible baserunner considering his speed, and a penchant for making defensive errors on routine plays in key situations.  Also, his face.  What am I missing?

 

Maybe you're just looking at different things or comparing him to the wrong hitters?  Since becoming a regular in 2009, Aybar has the 7th best WAR among all MLB shortstops, behind Tulo, Hanley Ramiriz, Alexei Ramirez, Elvis Andrus, Jimmy Rollins, and Jose Reyes.  

 

He leads all of them in crazy facial expressions and LOL moments.   Maybe it's the LOL moments that drive you nuts.

[WallyWorld]

Maybe you're just looking at different things or comparing him to the wrong hitters?  Since becoming a regular in 2009, Aybar has the 7th best WAR among all MLB shortstops, behind Tulo, Hanley Ramiriz, Alexei Ramirez, Elvis Andrus, Jimmy Rollins, and Jose Reyes.  

 

He leads all of them in crazy facial expressions and LOL moments.   Maybe it's the LOL moments that drive you nuts.

 

I'm sure part of it is the LOL moments.  It's also partly how he's used, which isn't his fault.  He should never ever hit in the top half of any lineup, so I think resentment creeps in when I see MS pencil him in at leadoff.

 

I also lump him in the same category as Howie - good numbers, particularly for their positions, but the more you actually watch of the games, the more little things you see them do that drive you nuts.  Case in point last night with Howie, when he came up and immediately GIDP after Felix was clearly struggling with his command.  I know this is about Aybar, but from where I'm watching Aybar does the exact same kind of stuff all the time.

[Angel Dog and Beer]

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/5/6/5686222/kelly-johnson-erick-aybar-beans-gif

 

From another link in that article, an excerpt from a book about Minor League life:

 

McCarthy described the events of “Weenie Wednesday,” a hot dog giveaway at the stadium. The team was given 50 hot dogs in the clubhouse, and that’s when the naked duo of Callaspo and Aybar had some locker room fun:

 

Suddenly Callaspo took one of the hot dogs out of its bun and deep-throated it. Then he took the bun and put it around Aybar’s flaccid penis and poured ketchup on it. Jaws dropped–Aybar was a willing participant. Then Callaspo bent over and pretended to eat the Dominican penis hot dog. When he did that, we all screamed "Noooo!"

 

LOL, I've never heard that story before, although now I wish I hadn't. 

[JAHV76]

Wow I dislike Callaspo even more after reading that.

[NrM]

I just don't like him at leadoff. Low obp and poor baserunning isnt a good fit for that area of the order.

[nate]

That look he gives at the end of that gif is priceless.

[Inside Pitch]

I'm sure part of it is the LOL moments.  It's also partly how he's used, which isn't his fault.  He should never ever hit in the top half of any lineup, so I think resentment creeps in when I see MS pencil him in at leadoff.

 

I also lump him in the same category as Howie - good numbers, particularly for their positions, but the more you actually watch of the games, the more little things you see them do that drive you nuts.  Case in point last night with Howie, when he came up and immediately GIDP after Felix was clearly struggling with his command.  I know this is about Aybar, but from where I'm watching Aybar does the exact same kind of stuff all the time.

 

 

I've found that people who argue that they actually watch the games tend to only remember the things that stick out or have a skewed opinion of what the normal is.   The only way anyone can actually make the argument that a person has a greater insight because they actually watch the games is to actually watch every game played by every team in MLB...  Otherwise its a person with a potentially skewed view where familiarity is breeding contempt.  

 

IMO, that's the entire issue with guys like Kendrick and Aybar.  People see them everyday, they know what their faults are -- so when they do what they are prone to do it seems magnified or much more common that it might be..  Meanwhile when the rest of the league does the same thing, it's NBD.  

Edited May 29, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[nate]

Thank the Good Lord it wasn't "LIVE Chicken Give Away Night"...

 

There were enough cocks in the story already.

[WallyWorld]

I've found that people who argue that they actually watch the games tend to only remember the things that stick out or have a skewed opinion of what the normal is.   The only way anyone can actually make the argument that a person has a greater insight because they actually watch the games is to actually watch every game played by every team in MLB...  Otherwise its a person with a potentially skewed view where familiarity is breeding contempt.  

 

IMO, that's the entire issue with guys like Kendrick and Aybar.  People see them everyday, they know what their faults are -- so when they do what they are prone to do it seems magnified or much more common that it might be..  Meanwhile when the rest of the league does the same thing, it's NBD.  

 

I won't argue that there isn't some of that going on here.  And perhaps both Aybar and Kendrick are personally irritating to me for various reasons.  I just think they're both low IQ baseball players who don't do the little things to win.  Again, I'm sure there's some personal bias in there, but that's what I see.

[nate]

Kendrick is tied for second with Pujols on the team in WAR at 1.6 and Aybar is fourth at 1.5.

 

Just think people like to pick a player to blame.  Those two are solid and are definitely not over paid.

[ten ocho recon scout]

I like aybar. A lot.

Hes not a superstar, and I think thats what leads some to point out his flaws. But hes got a decent enough bat for a SS, solid glove, great arm (which I think doesnt get enough cred), and is good on the bases.

And I love his knack for pulling off little league plays that catch people sleeping.

[ten ocho recon scout]

So does the above story mean that when he was flacid, he still filled up a hot dog bun?

Geez, I like him even more now. Its always the guys with braces!!