David Freese

[beatlesrule]

Freese, 33, is having a nice season for the Pirates. He's hitting .276/.355/.437 with 20 doubles, 12 homers and 49 RBI. He's also transitioned into being able to play first base in addition to his customary third base. The versatility on this front has helped the Pirates through some injury issues on the infield.

Got himself an extension through 2018. Why wasn't he this good with the Angels?

[kevinb]

American League > National League

 

[DMVol]

Numbers aren't all that much different from what he did in 14 and 15....maybe a little better.....I think we improved with Escobar, even if you have to hold your nose with his defense and immaturity....

[eligrba]

2 hours ago, beatlesrule said:

Freese, 33, is having a nice season for the Pirates. He's hitting .276/.355/.437 with 20 doubles, 12 homers and 49 RBI. He's also transitioned into being able to play first base in addition to his customary third base. The versatility on this front has helped the Pirates through some injury issues on the infield.

Got himself an extension through 2018. Why wasn't he this good with the Angels?

Because in Anaheim he didn't need to perform to play.

That should get things rolling.

[gurn67]

Freese is one of those guys who brings value to his club in ways other than the stat line. Angels' record when he was in the lineup was substantially better than when he wasn't. The guy is a winner.

[nate]

4 hours ago, beatlesrule said:

Freese, 33, is having a nice season for the Pirates. He's hitting .276/.355/.437 with 20 doubles, 12 homers and 49 RBI. He's also transitioned into being able to play first base in addition to his customary third base. The versatility on this front has helped the Pirates through some injury issues on the infield.

Got himself an extension through 2018. Why wasn't he this good with the Angels?

he was

[Blarg]

His OPS+ last season was 109 including missing 40 games to a fractured hand. This year without any injuries it is 110. I guess the real question is, why isn't he better?

[Stradling]

He isn't better because he doesn't have the same level of management in Pitsburgh.  

(That should also get things rolling)

[fan_since79]

Made the final out tonight due to a baserunning blunder.

Can't shake that Angels' training.

 

[Angelsfirst]

8 hours ago, gurn67 said:

Freese is one of those guys who brings value to his club in ways other than the stat line. Angels' record when he was in the lineup was substantially better than when he wasn't. The guy is a winner.

I absolutely agree with this although many people would tell you that win/loss records aren't necessarily indicative of anything. And that that value you speak of isn't real because its unquantifiable. I disagree. I think Torii was very similar in that way.

[Inside Pitch]

12 hours ago, gurn67 said:

Freese is one of those guys who brings value to his club in ways other than the stat line. Angels' record when he was in the lineup was substantially better than when he wasn't. The guy is a winner.

Does he stand in front of a an American flag while wearing riding pants and a Disar mask to drive the winning?   

How come his winningness hasn't kept the Pirates from having their worst season in four years?   Freese was actually better than I expected while in Anaheim (particularly on defense), and there is no question the Angels played better with Freese in the lineup last year... so I don't hate the guy....  But was it his winningness that drove the better record or the reality that his replacements were Connor Gillispie, Taylor Featherston, and Kyle Kubitza.

Good Player > Black Hole...  

[zenmaster]

We were pretty awesome when he was in the lineup despite him not hitting all that well. Who knows if it's coincidence or not but it sure was nice.

[California Cajun]

16 hours ago, beatlesrule said:

Freese, 33, is having a nice season for the Pirates. He's hitting .276/.355/.437 with 20 doubles, 12 homers and 49 RBI. He's also transitioned into being able to play first base in addition to his customary third base. The versatility on this front has helped the Pirates through some injury issues on the infield.

Got himself an extension through 2018. Why wasn't he this good with the Angels?

I know last year in particular, there were 5-6 consecutive spots in the batting order that went hitless in games.  To try to sustain rallies, Scioscia juggled the lineups.  I have to believe it's harder to hit on a team like that.  

[AngelsFanSince86]

Freese was very solid for the Angels and showed improvement after having to switch leagues.  He posted 2.2 fWAR/2.3 bWAR in 120 games last year.  In 13 more games than he has played this year he put up 14 HR, 27 doubles, and 56 HR.  Essentially he was better last year in a more difficult park to hit in.  Also consider he is now playing in the same division he spent the majority of his career.  

 

I agreed with not giving him a Q.O., but thought they should have tried to resign him.  He was more valuable than Escobar at least by WAR standards due to Escobar's terrible defense.