BillJamesOnline: Release Pujols

[Blarg]

You guys keep blaming Scioscia when he is the guy that has to write a lineup based on what roster he is given. 

Last season Pujols batted behind Trout because no one else on the roster was as effective with runners in scoring position than Albert. He was virtually useless in any other situation but the day Upton played his first game as an Angel, Justin batted behind Trout and Pujols moved down a notch.

So the narrative that Scioscia is intractable goes out the window. Pujols will play but if he declines from last season it's going to be Eppler's call as to what to do. Scioscia will always be tied to the 25 men the GM gives him. 

[Inside Pitch]

42 minutes ago, Blarg said:

That wasn't a Bill James article, it was a contributing author on his website.

The guy who wrote the article references Raffy Palmiero as an example of an aging 1B who lived up to his FA contract in the comments section.  Yeah, the same Raffy Palmiero who was popped for steroids..  

While I believe the Angels will have to do something if he continues to suck, it's hard to take people seriously when they are willing to ignore the vast differences in aging curves during the the steroid era..

[Blarg]

All reasonable aging curves say this is Albert's last year to clear the hurdle and play out his contract. After a complete year without a surgical rehab he has to put something more on the field or he is what players are naturally at his age. Coaches or announcers.

[Stradling]

33 minutes ago, nando714 said:

Some say it’s a contract stipulation 

As was only batting third. 

[nate]

1 hour ago, Troll Daddy said:

Who in the heck is Bill James? Lol

The god father of sabermetrics.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

1 hour ago, Blarg said:

You need to quit that narrative. He has never once been quoted that he has any restrictions regarding his career batting average.

Mickey said his biggest regret was letting his BA fall below 300. He said I always considered myself to be a 300 hitter.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

1 hour ago, Chuckster70 said:

Tomorrow or Wednesday I'm hearing.

Ohtani hits today.

[Angelsjunky]

2 hours ago, Troll Daddy said:

Who in the heck is Bill James? Lol

He’s the Babe Ruth of stat nerds.

In other words he hates RBI.

[steveuk]

We're having this conversation again? Already?

[Blarg]

51 minutes ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

Mickey said his biggest regret was letting his BA fall below 300. He said I always considered myself to be a 300 hitter.

And that has been repeated ad nauseum as well but it doesn't put words in Pujols mouth.

Edited February 26, 2018 by Blarg

[yk9001]

1 hour ago, Chuckster70 said:

Spring is in the air, optimism surrounding the club & Pujols is at an all time high.

[yk9001]

2 hours ago, Blarg said:

You need to quit that narrative. He has never once been quoted that he has any restrictions regarding his career batting average.

This has become as big a narrative as any fill-in-the-blank overpaid veteran being a great "clubhouse presence".

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

2 minutes ago, Blarg said:

And that has been repeated ad nauseum as well but it doesn't put words in Pujols mouth.

He hasn't mentioned any of his milestones until after he gets them. Doesn't mean they haven't crossed his mind. This year he should break 2 milestones; 3000 hits, 2000 RBIs. When he first signed his contract 6 yrs ago he said something like, if he ever gets to a point where he feels like he isn't contributing he will retire. He hasn't reached that point yet. I'm not sure if he will retire even if he does reach that point but it's possible.

[Blarg]

What has crossed his mind hasn't been put in qoutations so quit defining his choices by your own.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

17 minutes ago, Blarg said:

What has crossed his mind hasn't been put in qoutations so quit defining his choices by your own.

Don't tell me what I can or can't do. Thanks

 

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

17 minutes ago, Blarg said:

What has crossed his mind hasn't been put in qoutations so quit defining his choices by your own.

Who the hell do you think you are anyway?

[floplag]

Why would we release a guy who is still likely our best option at the position?    I mean really who do you plug in to replace him?  We have some 2-3 WAR guy sitting on the bench i dont know about?    Where is the sense in cutting him to give Valbuana more at bats? 

Finances, return on investment... i mean its easy to just say cut him and sign someone else but is that realistic?  

Sometimes the Bill Jamsians need to sniff fresh air i think. 

[Ohtaniland]

2 hours ago, Blarg said:

All reasonable aging curves say this is Albert's last year to clear the hurdle and play out his contract. After a complete year without a surgical rehab he has to put something more on the field or he is what players are naturally at his age. Coaches or announcers.

The Angels will still be expected to pay Albert whatever they’re contractually obligated to pay him no matter what happens on the field. He may end up being the highest paid pinch hitter in baseball. They’re not going to just kick him off the team. 

[laagamer]

3 hours ago, ksangel said:

The issue is how do you release a first ballot Hall-of-Famer?

"Albert, thank you for your contribution but you're fired."

Give me 30 seconds in a room with him. 

[WeatherWonk]

11 minutes ago, floplag said:

Why would we release a guy who is still likely our best option at the position?    I mean really who do you plug in to replace him?  We have some 2-3 WAR guy sitting on the bench i dont know about?    Where is the sense in cutting him to give Valbuana more at bats? 

Finances, return on investment... i mean its easy to just say cut him and sign someone else but is that realistic?  

Sometimes the Bill Jamsians need to sniff fresh air i think. 

There's a lot to say for this. I really think Albert will outperform ValNObuena at 1st/DH. And we are paying him regardless. I am conditionally optimistic about him this year.

I hope Albert isn't thinking HR all the time, this year. He needs to go to the opposite field with balls away. The TEAM needs this. I hope to see him trying this in ST. It might keep him out of DPs as well. At least keep the defense honest, with respect to the shift.

But I want him separated from Trout in the order. Nothing worse than having a DP erase a perennial runs-scored leader.

 

[Amazing Larry]

3 hours ago, fan_since79 said:

It's not Albert's fault. He's 38 years old and declining quickly. The blame is on Scioscia and his OCD.

LOL

[Stradling]

10 minutes ago, LHalo said:

LOL

Uh he is 38 years old. 

[Amazing Larry]

1 minute ago, SuperTroopers said:

Uh he is 38 years old. 

Mmmmhmmmm....

[Stradling]

Just now, LHalo said:

Mmmmhmmmm....

Do we have to go through this yet again?  

[Tyler]

Drove in 100 runs last season. Put some damn respect on his name.