GregAlso

League average wOBA was .314 last year. So his .308 wasn't terrible just slightly below average. That is a compliment for a guy who'll be our 4th OF. His defense improved throughout the year. Yes, I did watch the games, I had season tickets. He wasn't great but he was improving. He isn't a defensive replacement but he could definetly fill in for off days and his bat will play. That is the key for me about Shuck, his bat. He is nearly league average and I don't hate having his bat in a lineup. Most 4th OF are a painful drop off as far as offensive production is concerned. Finally, just because the Astros let him go to soon doesn't mean anything. Many teams screw up. The Twins let Ortiz go, foolish. That is a lame argument. So far I've heard no argument that supports the assertion he is a terrible 4th OF. Just the opinions of a bunch of major league scouts, I guess. Where is your evidence?

Are you a troll? You can't seriously think this. Based on what factual evidence? Your own opinion?

"Get this done as soon as possible" Sounds like he IS going to be posted. Get your hopes up. PS I have no freaking clue but these are enigmatic statements that could go either way. Relax

Failed miserably? In 2013 out of all catchers with 350+PA Iannetta was 9th in wRC+, a comprehensive offensive stat. That's 9th out of 24 catchers! I think your definition of failed miserably needs some adjustment!!

He can hit at a league average clip and his defense could be improved. He's exactly who I want as my 4th OF guy. With work on defense he could be very valuable.

He put an OPS+ of 98, 2% worse than league average. That is excellent for a 4th OF type. Willits has a career OPS+ of 78, 22% worse than league average. The two aren't even in the same ballpark. Ridiculous!

If you read my most recent Inside Edge piece on this board you'd know what I'm about to post here. If Freese only hits like he did in 2013 he would put up equal production to Trumbo in 2013. They both had a wRC+ 106 last year. They were both responsible for the same number of runs to their teams when park and league factors are averaged in. They were both 6% better than average last year. 2013 wasn't as good as previous years for Freese but it was still vastly better than the wRC+ 93 Callaspo put up at 3rd for us. I wasn't going to post on this ridiculous thread because Failo is speaking from emotion only, not facts. He can "feel" what he likes but feelings aren't facts. On facts he is noticeably short. Statistically speaking he has used nothing pertinent to back up his points. Just his own "high opinion" because wthe Angels missed the postseason the last few years. Not worth even responding to really.

Yes, they calculate it at the end of the year in terms of bonuses and do they pay the full year. But Jeff Fletcher from OCR has already pointed out that any new contracts signed after opening day don't calculate AAV until the following year.

But contracts signed after opening day don't count toward this years CBT.

wOBA or OBP? What is your reasoning for batting him third over second? He'll come to the plate more with two outs nobody on than in the second spot.

The research shows pitch selection does not change with even a good base stealer on base. Logic also states that if you get the guy at the plate out you have a better chance of minimizing runs scored. Just think, who is more dangerous, the batter or the runner? Only a foolish pitcher would serve a FB to a FB hitter with someone on base. This was all proved by Howie not getting FB when hit second for the Angels.

That makes him the old school number two hitter but that costs us runs. In reality a #2 hitter gets nearly the same RBI opportunities and more ABs than a #3 hitter. I don't want Aybar getting many ABs because he makes more outs with them, low OBP. If my lead off guy is getting on more than a third of the time then I want my #2 hitter to drive him in, not give himself up. If the top 2 guys in the line up up can get on 35-40% of the time and they get more ABs then the team makes fewer outs, has longer sustained rallies, and scores more runs. Aybar's stolen base ability profiles lower in the lineup where his CS won't hurt as much. His SB will help create more runs in front a singles hitter like Iannetta. His CS is more painful in front of a HR hitter like the heart of the order. Aybar should hit anywhere from 7th to 9th.

His OBP last year was .347, that's low? It was third highest on the team. He isn't slow. It's also been shown that pitchers pitch to batters not men on base.

Read the article I posted in this thread and then maybe you'll understand why he shouldn't hit third. Then maybe I'll take you seriously.

First of all, please read this http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/3/17/795946/optimizing-your-lineup-by so we can have an intelligent debate about line up construction, not that it really matters that much. Calhoun RF Trout CF Hamilton LF Pujols 1B Freese 3B Ibanez DH Kendrick 2B Conger/Iannetta C Aybar SS Ideally Iannetta's OBP has him leading off but he's so stinking slow. Calhoun probably leads off if his OBP is similar to last year but I hate waisting his HRs there, less people on base for him. Pujols bats 4th because he'll get more RBI opportunities there and because Trout is the best hitter on the team (bats second.) Please, before you respond to this post, read the article. <sigh> oh well, I ask too much.

I don't believe Blanton is on the opening day roster. That would leave another spot open for a relief arm.

To interject something about Ibanez's second half. He had inconsistent playing time and when he did play it was mostly in the OF. It is reasonable to assume that being forced to play the OF negatively effected his body and could have contributed to his decline in production. It is further possible that his body couldn't withstand the wear and tear of a full season, especially experiencing the pounding of playing the field. This may be why his first half was better than his second half.

Crazy

. The $178 million assumes ARod is suspended. They spent a lot of money this offseason and already had a lot on the books.

Which means their payroll is at $178 million right now.

The north of $100 million does not include his posting fee. 5 years $100 million gets you dinner with his agent. 6 years $120 million makes you a serious bidder. I think, anyone who goes 7 years $135+ million has him. I don't know if he goes for 7 years but with all the competition and the fact that a 25 year old ace NEVER hits free agency he will go for a lot of cash!

@JonHeymanCBS: #yanks planning to try for tanaka. it'll be tight squeeze to fit him under $189M threshhold. @JeffPassan: NYY is $178M now @JonHeymanCBS: that $178M current yankees payroll, via @JeffPassan , does not include the 3B who's in limbo Yankee info

@JonHeymanCBS: #yanks planning to try for tanaka. it'll be tight squeeze to fit him under $189M threshhold. @JeffPassan: NYY is $178M now @JonHeymanCBS: that $178M current yankees payroll, via @JeffPassan , does not include the 3B who's in limbo FYI

Great stuff ettin!! I really enjoyed this piece. There is so much good data out there that just needs competent mining. You brought out some very pertinent info from raw data. Thanks.

Exactly!! LOL