Angels Sign Hunter

by Giant Fan in Singapore on Nov 21, 2007 11:40 PM PST Comment 43 comments

5 years/$80 million.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3123200

Didn't they sign CF Gary Matthews, Jr., last year? Are they still in the Cabrera sweepstakes?

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

0 recs | Comment 43 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Another bullet dodged! Or is that word too close to the word we don't use in this house?

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Nov 21, 2007 11:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

You can say that Baron,the media does :-) Happy Thanksgiving

My adopted son Matt Downs. He can hit a little.

by nvsfg on Nov 22, 2007 8:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Well played. Have a good day of overeating, family drama, and drunkeness yourself.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Nov 22, 2007 9:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Yeah that is pretty confusing. They're both good center fielders, but Matthews is probably gonna have to move to LF or something. But that's one less FA for us to be afraid of being signed.

by boonitez on Nov 21, 2007 11:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Surprise

New Angels GM Tony Reagins is a lot more active than his predecesor. Hurry up Sabean and do your due diligence on Andruw Jones.

by wilriv21 on Nov 21, 2007 11:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

A Loving Note From Brian Sabian's Henchman

Due dilligance has been done.

Ned, I've found another set of pictures: Pierre and Schmidt weren't enough. I'm counting on you to make the right decision...oh, Happy Thanksgiving, from all of the fine folks at McCovey Chronicles...mwah ha ha ha!

by billiejameshayes on Nov 22, 2007 12:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Surprise

They've probably done their due diligence on Druw and found him wanting. Jones is hitting a ton of flyballs. My guess is that he is trying to go yard every time he comes up. We saw how well that approach worked for Barry.

It might not be a big deal. The question comes down to personality. And Jones might not be the kind of guy who wants to be told to change his swing.

I'm glad so far that we're not making moves just to make moves.

Zealously advocating for Nate the Great since 2007.

by orangeandblackattack on Nov 22, 2007 8:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Surprise

My guess is that he is trying to go yard every time he comes up. We saw how well that approach worked for Barry.

What, you mean the part where he was still one of the best hitters in baseball? I don't disagree with your point necessarily, but bad example. The only times he really struggled at the plate were when he was approaching a milestone, not when he was swinging yard.

This isn't directed at you, but I hope we don't start getting revisionist history of the end of Barry's career as a Giant where he "was just sputtering on empty, a pitiful crippled shadow of the player that once was." I can see it happening, though. Truth is, he was still a thrill to watch, and the only things about him that weren't still well above average were his defensive range and his playing time.

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Nov 22, 2007 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Surprise

Well, Barry was a shell of his former self. The thing is, a shell of former Barry is still one of the best players in the league.

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Nov 22, 2007 2:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

what will Andreuw get now?

angels still have enough to get a cabrera/tejada ifthey wanted to now.

by rayver723 on Nov 22, 2007 12:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

OK now all we need is for the Dodgers to sign Druw. Make it happen, Ned!

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Nov 22, 2007 12:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Rotoworld is reporting 5yrs/90M - ouch!!!!!!

by wilriv21 on Nov 22, 2007 1:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Also, White Sox signed Linebrink

by kingofthacove on Nov 22, 2007 1:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

I'm sure glad we didn't dump the money on Linebrink. He may well prove to be a reliable reliever over the next few years, but then so may a number of other dudes who don't cost $19m.

by BigO on Nov 22, 2007 8:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

$19M over 4, by the way

they'll regret that one

by kingofthacove on Nov 22, 2007 1:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

His numbers are definitely on the decline. He probably had a stupid manager in San Diego who overused him.

SIGN ANDRUW JONES!!

by rxmeister on Nov 22, 2007 12:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

If that's the price for Hunter, we should definitely be going after Jones.

by Evan on Nov 22, 2007 3:51 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

really?

Flossing a dead horse

by kenshin1 on Nov 22, 2007 3:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: really?

I get the impression that the Giants have zero interest in big money free agents this offseason. Sabean likes to work under the radar, but I've heard really nothing about him doing anything big. I think they're resigned to stinking next season, and will keep this fact quiet until everyone has paid for their season tickets!!

SIGN ANDRUW JONES!!

by rxmeister on Nov 22, 2007 5:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: really?

I wrote that thinking it was 5/80 rather than 5/90 ... but yeah, Andruw will certainly get less than that, and at such a salary he's a pretty good pickup. Guaranteed comeback season next year.

by Evan on Nov 23, 2007 6:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Was surprised that the Angels lost the Hunter sweepstakes as it was looking like he was going elsewhere. They'll regret it in the end. He's very overrated & costs way too much.

I'd have liked Linebrink for a low cost deal, he was always going to cost too much, and that's been proven by that huge deal.

by GiantFan on Nov 22, 2007 4:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Hunter is yet another ballplayer who got "lucky" and had a terrific year in his walk year. This is a mistake for the Angels if they think this move puts them over the top. It doesn't. There were two players out there that did, in ARod and Miguel Cabrera, and now it looks the Angels aren't bringing either of them in. They could still go for Cabera, but I'm thinking they signed Hunter because the price on Miguel was prohibitive. Isn't it funny that the Angels and Dodgers after giving out huge money to centerfielders last offseason are doing it again this offseason?? There's no accountability for baseball GM's these days. No wonder Brian Sabean goes on forever!! And I wonder how much Vlad will ask for next year after Hunter got this contract??

SIGN ANDRUW JONES!!

by rxmeister on Nov 22, 2007 5:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

"Isn't it funny that the Angels and Dodgers after giving out huge money to centerfielders last offseason are doing it again this offseason??"

That is quite strange, they both signed way overpriced CF's last year(Matthews & Pierre), and are looking to better themselves by overpaying even more on CF's this year(Hunter & Rowand). Is there a competition in LA for who can waste the most money on centerfielders!

They make our signings of Winn & Roberts look inspired!

by GiantFan on Nov 22, 2007 5:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The GM who signed Sarge jnr

Bill Stoneman, is no longer the GM. It could well be that the new GM, Reagins, didn't agree with the decision to sign GMJ.

by rfloh on Nov 22, 2007 12:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

It's nice to see we weren't on the list. I like Hunter, and wouldn't mind him roaming our huge outfield, but not for that much money!

If Brad Hennesy had Steve Kline's attitude you'd get Rob Nen... without the triple digit heat.

by milesntrane on Nov 22, 2007 6:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

By Tangotiger's back-of-the-napkin estimates, Hunter's going rate in free agency was either 5/78 or 6/89. In other words, the Angels are paying Hunter the free agent rate to be 4.5 wins above replacement, when Hunter's not likely to be that player during this contract, and when they could probably get equivalent OF/DH production for massively less money just by dumping Garrett Anderson on someone for a lukewarm body, leaving Matthews in CF, and splitting corner OF and DH roles between Vlad, Willits, Rivera, and Kendry Morales.

David Arnott
Sportszilla -- Kickass Sports Writing
Adopted EME

by David Arnott on Nov 22, 2007 7:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree that they overpaid,

BUT, to say that they would have gotten equivalent without signing him is IMO, wrong.

He is a better hitter AND better fielder than GMJ. The GMJ contract was stupid.

This deal, while "inefficient" does improve their team. They'll basically be paying GMJ around $10M a year to be a 4th or 5th OF.

by rfloh on Nov 22, 2007 12:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: I agree that they overpaid,

Gary Matthews, Jr. could start for the Giants. :)

by sharksrog on Nov 22, 2007 5:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: I agree that they overpaid,

The only Giants outfielder I think GMJ is decidedly better than is Dave Roberts.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Nov 23, 2007 2:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: I agree that they overpaid,

if you think that, why do you think it's a bad move to sign Andruw Jones??

SIGN ANDRUW JONES!!

by rxmeister on Nov 23, 2007 5:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: I agree that they overpaid,

The key to my statement is dumping Anderson. Strictly from a production standpoint, he's the albatross moving forward, as he's now a sketchy defender, and his lack of OBP made him a tenuous offensive producer all along. He saw limited action last year due to injuries, and that greatly tempered his semi-resurgence with the bat, as he'd been a below league average hitter (a corner OF, not position adjusted!) for two straight seasons.

Vlad(RF) + Hunter(CF) + Matthews(LF) + Anderson(DH)

just isn't as good as

Vlad(RF) + Matthews(CF) + Willits(LF) + Rivera/Morales(DH)

Defensively, I think the second configuration is better because Willits is likely only a slight downgrade from Matthews in LF, while Matthews is likely better in CF than Hunter, but it's also probably just as fair to say it's a wash.

Offensively, Vlad and Matthews are the same, so what do you get from Hunter/Anderson versus Willits/Rivera/Morales? Off the top of my head projections:

Anderson: 275/310/420
Hunter: 275/335/475

against...

Willits: 280/370/340
Rivera/Morales combined: 280/350/460

You think the Angels would be better off spending that ~90 million on the Johan Santana sweepstakes? Yes. Yes, they would.

David Arnott
Sportszilla -- Kickass Sports Writing
Adopted EME

by David Arnott on Nov 22, 2007 10:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, this really depends

on whether the Angels are going to recognise that GMJ is a sunk cost.

If they do, they will not follow your first configuration.

If they don't, that's a separate consideration. A failure to recognise that GMJ is a sunk cost should not mean that signing a player who should replace him will not improve the team.

by rfloh on Nov 22, 2007 11:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Well, this really depends

I think it would be politically difficult for them to write off Matthews so quickly. Maybe next year.

But I'm not sure Hunter is much of an improvement on Matthews. They look pretty close to me. It's a strange way to spend $90 million, that's for sure.

by Evan on Nov 23, 2007 6:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Offensively Hunter appears

to be 5 runs above average. Last 3 years, 4, 8, 17 runs above average.

GMJ appears to be 5 runs below average. Last 3 years, (-5), 20, (-5) runs above average.

So about 10 runs offensively.

Defense is the question. The STATS based PBP systems like Hunter, for example UZR has him last 3 years at:

07 +13
06 +3
05 +9

ZR thinks Hunger is 4 runs above average, while GMJ is 11 runs below average.

RZR actually thinks GMJ is better than Hunter.

I agree that the move, seen in context, with all the OFs that they have, is puzzling. Especially considering Vlad is an FA after 2008, Lackey and Escobar are FAs after 2009.

by rfloh on Nov 23, 2007 7:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: I agree that they overpaid,

Anybody like Kendry Morales as a potential Giants first baseman?

by Evan on Nov 23, 2007 6:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kotchman is preferred BUT....

Morales is young, talented, inexpensive and signed thru 2010. He is a switch hitter who can play many positions. If the price is right he difinitely should be considered. Now that Angels have signed Hunter, SF might want to also check on the availability of Juan Rivera.

by wilriv21 on Nov 23, 2007 7:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Here's more good Turkey Day news:
http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=2863

We won't have to watch him point hopefully at pop-ups that are about to leave the yard!

by BigO on Nov 22, 2007 8:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

You think Herges has enough years left in him to do a tour of the AL West as well as the NL West? If he truly wants to play for every West team, he can't just stick with the Rockies....

by kennv on Nov 22, 2007 9:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Another one bites the dust!

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Nov 22, 2007 9:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

This can only mean one thing

It's the start of an epic west coast arms race to stockpile as many center fielders as possible! Come on, Brian, you have to act! We can't let the Angels be the only team with five center fielders!

Proud member of the Adopt-a-Giant^H^H^H^H^HMarlin^H^H^H^H^H^HAthletic program (Todd Linden)

by antinous on Nov 22, 2007 11:28 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: This can only mean one thing

Why do you think Nate was playing center in the AFL this year?

Steve Kline: How okay is he, really? I would say he is pretty okay.

by groug on Nov 22, 2007 12:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This can only mean one thing

He played center in one game and said he liked it, and would play center in the future if asked.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Nov 24, 2007 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Angels Sign Hunter

Gary Matthews definitely played last year like a player who just stopped using steroids.
And Juan Pierre is still waiting for his first home run as a Dodger.
I wonder how many players out there are on a steroids-related decline? I guess what I really wonder is how many players are coming down from a steroids-related peak.

Southern California: Water thieves and Dodgers fans.

by jasomack on Nov 23, 2007 3:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs