Angels offense unexpectedly great.
Written by Joe Veno on August 11, 2009 – 12:00 PM -If Vladimir Guerrero can get on track down the stretch, then dare we say the Angels offense could be deadly?
Recently, articles have been written praising this Angels offense, as it has unexpectedly been very, very good. I don’t think anyone could have known it would break out like this, and that “mediocrity” of the past could start to hit like they have, rather than they are. But things are looking up, in Angel-land.
One reason; Mike Napoli. Getting his big slow, on base percentage, hitting for power-self in the lineup every day was very important, and is an integral reason why this offense is doing well right now. He can’t hurt the team behind the plate–if that is what he does back there–if he isn’t actually back there.
And there are other important reasons why the offensive unit has found success:
1) Juan Rivera has become that guy: The Angels saved a bunch of money by letting Tex walk, and they went in a different direction by resigning Rivera and going with Kendry Morales at first. Rivera hasn’t been a great player, but he’s been very good. And that eases the loss of a true impact player like Teixeira.
2) Morales has been great: As mentioned, Morales was used, freeing up a lot of money, but also taking a chance. Because no one knew how good Morales was. Well, Tex has been better, but Kendry has been very good posting a ‘WAR’ of 2.8, compared to Teixeira’s 3.8. At $600,000, that is an absolute bargain for the Angels. I don’t know if Morales will sustain this kind of production, but right now it appears very good, and smart of the Angels organization to go in his direction.
3) Bobby Abreu great again: Once upon a time, Abreu was a truly great player. Then he became good. Then he was okay for a year. Now, he is back to really good. Posting an OBP over .400, batting over .300, and swiping 24 bags thus far. The Angels found themselves another item in the bargain bin.
4)Chone Figgins is hitting again: Figgins doesn’t have power, really any of it. But he gets on base a ton, .391 to be exact. He has 33 stolen bases, and is batting .300. Figgins is another example of how everrything has gone right for the Angels this season on the offensive side of the ball. A 3B with no power isn’t exactly compelling. But one that is speedy and can get on base a ton, that is a different story.
Now, back to Bad-Vlad. If he can stay healthy and hit some, then it will offset some of the potential regression that may occur from a few others on the team. If Napoli can catch, then that lineup, with the exception of the underachieving Howie Kendrick, is very strong. How much Nap hurts the team while behind the plate is beyond me. But I have to say, I firmly believe that Napoli as a catcher, because of that bat, is significantly more valuable than Jeff Mathis.
With all due respect, Mathis simply cannot hit. Not at all. And I have a hard time believing that his skills behind the dish are enough to make up for an OPS+ of 60.
Anyway, in Guerrero’s last 14 games, his OPS is way north of 1.000. And that is a great sign as he has been injured seemingly all year long. Guerrero is not done if he is rested adequately. Sure, he isn’t the player he used to be. But if he can post, say, an OPS+ of maybe 130–which is very possible–then he will have value. And luckily, the DH position is terrible around baseball, so the Angels might actually have the best DH in the game if Vlad stays as he has been lately. If not the best, then right up there with the best.
The Angels offense, as Fangraphs mentioned a while back, is third in wOBA. And the front office looks great for the moves, and non-moves that they made this past offseason. Sure, some of it has some luck involved, but the philosophy seems to have changed a little, and for the better.
Tags: Anaheim Angels, Bobby Abreu, Chone Figgins, Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis, Juan Rivera, Kendry Morales, Mark Teixeira, Mike Napoli, Vladimir GuerreroPosted in Anaheim Angels, Team Analysis | 10 Comments »
August 11th, 2009 at 2:25 PM
I wrote a post a few days back on how this year’s Yankee’s offense might be one of the best balanced of all-time: they could have 9 players with an OPS+ over 115. The Angels don’t quite have that balance, but they have 9 players over 100 and 5 over 119. Morales might have the quietest .927 OPS in the league. This could certainly be a lineup to watch in the postseason, although their pitching doesn’t seem too impressive this year.
August 11th, 2009 at 6:04 PM
I was looking at the Yankees individual OPS+ numbers the other day too. It is ridiculous.
It does in fact make them scarier come postseason time if their pitching can get on track…
August 11th, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Time for proof reading… ;^)
“If Vladimir Guerrero can get on track down the stretch, then dare we say the Angles offense could be deadly?”
August 11th, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Fixed!
August 11th, 2009 at 9:52 PM
To all those comments about pitching…
y’all obviously haven’t seen Weaver. ;]
August 11th, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Well, Weaver is really good. Lackey too. But with injuries to Santana and Escobar along with ineffectiveness from Joe Saunders and the bullpen. Their run prevention isn’t as strong as in years past
August 12th, 2009 at 1:49 AM
santana has his best outing of the season tonight. they could be scary come post season- as a yankee fan i always find them scary however. i didnt realize until about 5 pm today what high career average vlad sports. i’d vote for him for the hall .
” It does in fact make them scarier come postseason time if their pitching can get on track…”
what’s wrong with yankee pitching?
August 12th, 2009 at 1:51 AM
I was referring to Angel pitching…Should have spaced it out
August 12th, 2009 at 1:53 AM
And now you can take a chance on Justin Speier if you wish.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:59 PM
so can you…