Angels nearing multiyear deal with Luis Valbuena

[Blarg]

Yep, I think that and SS is Pennington's domain as backup.

[disarcina]

the best thing I've read about Valbuena so far is the prior post that researched his stats which indicate Valbuena does not hit into many double plays.

Pujols season stats for each season with the Halos are pretty good on paper -- but for the past two maybe three seasons, he's been Mr. GIDP.

Nothing kills a rally like that.

Cron not quite Mr. GIDP (and I think Cron's D at first has gotten better -- of course when he first started playing there for the Halos, there was only one way to go - UP/Improve) but he hits into his share.

Valbuena can play some late inning 1B and PH for Cron in situatons with a runner on base and the need to move him over while reducing the chances of a GIDP.

Valbuena could also be late inning Defensive replacement at 3B -- although I wouldn't pinch run for Escobar, who is pretty good on the base paths.

[Jeff Fletcher]

12 hours ago, disarcina said:

the best thing I've read about Valbuena so far is the prior post that researched his stats which indicate Valbuena does not hit into many double plays.

That got me thinking ... The Angels heavy right-handedness and their propensity to hit into DPs are likely related. Obviously, a right-handed hitter is 6 feet farther from first.

So I looked it up...

The Angels had a RH hitter up in 76 percent of their PA's with a runner at first and less than 2 outs last year. The ML average was 59 percent.

[ettin]

1 hour ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

That got me thinking ... The Angels heavy right-handedness and their propensity to hit into DPs are likely related. Obviously, a right-handed hitter is 6 feet farther from first.

So I looked it up...

The Angels had a RH hitter up in 76 percent of their PA's with a runner at first and less than 2 outs last year. The ML average was 59 percent.

Interesting.

I went and pulled up 2016 data and calculated the rates of team PA's/GDP against both L and R. Right-handed hitters hit into double plays nearly 28% more than left-handed hitters.

The more you know! Even more of a reason to acquire left-handed bats, particularly on a team like this with a high contact rate.

[Blarg]

If Pujols was left handed he still wouldn't beat out any double plays.