Without Pujols

[stormngt]

1-4

Just thought I would troll that in!

[GrittyVeterans]

Wow maybe give him another 10 year deal?

[eligrba4ever]

It's the lost RBIs. Turns out he's irreplaceable. LOL

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

I wonder what Pujols' take on all the negative press he receives. He must know that most of the fans would be elated if he would just retire at seasons end.  Take one for the team Albert.

[Troll Daddy]

Interesting stat

Trout 18 doubles

Pujols 15 doubles 

 

[kevinb]

20 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

Interesting stat

Trout 18 doubles

Pujols 15 doubles 

 

Trade Trout and Albert 

[Troll Daddy]

2 minutes ago, Kevinb said:

Trade Trout and Albert 

Interesting, do you think a team would take on Albert’s contract for Mike Trout 

[Lou]

7 hours ago, Troll Daddy said:

Interesting, do you think a team would take on Albert’s contract for Mike Trout 

yes 

[Broad Street]

8 hours ago, Troll Daddy said:

Interesting, do you think a team would take on Albert’s contract for Mike Trout 

In. An. Instant. 

[stormngt]

9 hours ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

I wonder what Pujols' take on all the negative press he receives. He must know that most of the fans would be elated if he would just retire at seasons end.  Take one for the team Albert.

How much real negative press does he get.  Outside of the internet message boards I dont see too much negative press.

[Troll Daddy]

Interesting, so if other teams would take on Pujols and his contract for Trout  ... then why are Angel fan so unhappy with Pujols 

[DMVol]

I think it reflects how bad this offense is.....When you compare Pujols to garbage like Valbuena, Calhoun, etc., he looks better.....but he’s not a very good hitter anymore....

[Lou]

8 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

Interesting, so if other teams would take on Pujols and his contract for Trout  ... then why are Angel fan so unhappy with Pujols 

Because we already had Trout. 

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

1 hour ago, stormngt said:

How much real negative press does he get.  Outside of the internet message boards I dont see too much negative press.

I've seen a lot with stories like last year Pujols was the worst player in baseball according to WAR. I have read several articles about how poorly he has been since joining the Angels. I can't remember specific articles but they have been out there. I just googled some:

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/albert-pujols-is-the-worst-player-in-baseball/

https://www.billjamesonline.com/should_the_angels_release_albert_pujols/

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/215966474/albert-pujols-decline-angels-cardinals

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/the-angels-have-an-albert-pujols-problem-heading-into-the-2018-season/

https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/9/21/16344748/albert-pujols-2017-contract

....

[stormngt]

2 hours ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

I've seen a lot with stories like last year Pujols was the worst player in baseball according to WAR. I have read several articles about how poorly he has been since joining the Angels. I can't remember specific articles but they have been out there. I just googled some:

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/albert-pujols-is-the-worst-player-in-baseball/

https://www.billjamesonline.com/should_the_angels_release_albert_pujols/

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/215966474/albert-pujols-decline-angels-cardinals

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/the-angels-have-an-albert-pujols-problem-heading-into-the-2018-season/

https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/9/21/16344748/albert-pujols-2017-contract

....

Outside of cbs and sport nation I wouldnt call exactly mainstream.

[Revad]

2 hours ago, stormngt said:

Outside of cbs and sport nation I wouldnt call exactly mainstream.

Using numbers a case can be made that Albert is a liability.  But the fact is that, with the team as currently constructed (in part because of his presence), the Angels are not the same without him.  In key moments of the game he might be the best player to have up.  When your playing really good teams those moments have to go your way or you’ll lose.  A key hit or two (and Albert being able to catch pickoff throws) and the Angels are 2-1 in this series and looking to go 5-2 in the next seven to stay on the fringe of contention.  Now they need to go at least 6-1, a much harder proposition.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

1 hour ago, Revad said:

Using numbers a case can be made that Albert is a liability.  But the fact is that, with the team as currently constructed (in part because of his presence), the Angels are not the same without him.  In key moments of the game he might be the best player to have up.  When your playing really good teams those moments have to go your way or you’ll lose.  A key hit or two (and Albert being able to catch pickoff throws) and the Angels are 2-1 in this series and looking to go 5-2 in the next seven to stay on the fringe of contention.  Now they need to go at least 6-1, a much harder proposition.

Although we could replace him easily with the $27M he would free up.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

3 hours ago, stormngt said:

Outside of cbs and sport nation I wouldnt call exactly mainstream.

there is plenty more, those are just what I found in 2 minutes.

[Revad]

Replacing him is not the point I was making.  Agree it would be nice to have an above average 1b and a DH that kills lefties.  Current construction.

[gurn67]

The only time we got to see "The Machine" in an Angel's uniform was from June to August 2012. Since then, sightings have been about are rare as the Loch Ness Monster. However, he did have a +.900 OPS last month. He had previously only accomplished that feat twice since August 2012.

[Angel Oracle]

Would his hitting improve in 2019 and 2020, if he became a 120 games max per season guy?   Then he isn't wearing down so much later on in the season?  

Notice that I didn't say 2021, as I can't see him playing by then (only $30 million still owed him for 2021).     

Admittedly, it is a big and pleasant surprise to see the .900+ OPS for July.   That's been too far and few in between.   Maybe the five days missed plus the ASB kept him fresh enough to sport that .900+ OPS?  

[floplag]

out of 25 qualified 1B, Pujols is currently 13th per WAR.  Including non qualified he is 19th out of 40. 
Im not going ot argue WAR we all know it isnt perfect, but it is the defacto standard so... 
He is ahead of guys like Anthony Rizzo, Jose Abreu, Carlos Santana, and Miguel Cabrera and in the same range as guys like Gurriel, Alonzo, and Moreland.  Plus hes playing a much improved defensive role this year.
If you take the contract out of it, hes doesnt suck.  Yes, hes over payed, but hes right in the middle of the pack according to measurable stats.  
We could maybe stop blaming him for the teams issues, hes not one of them aside from the contract.
 

[UndertheHalo]

The biggest problem with Pujols is what he prevents the team from doing.  Also, that it’s only downhill from here with him. 

[Dtwncbad]

If Albert has a healthy offseason and comes into next year fresh, rested and fully healthy, I am sure he will return to being a legit MOTO hitter.  After all, he is Albert Pujols.

[Angel Oracle]

On ‎7‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 10:57 PM, Troll Daddy said:

Interesting stat

Trout 18 doubles

Pujols 15 doubles 

 

Pretty much matching Pujols' entire output for each of 2016 and 2017, with 1/3 of the season still to play