2007 Angels outfield

Sawman · 02-14-2007, 06:14 PM

ESPN ranked the ML outfields in their Hot Stove Heaters, and none other than the Los Angeles Angels were the top ranked OF....

ESPN link

Quote:

If the Angels are right about Matthews, if he wasn't a one-year wonder when he hit .313 with 19 home runs and 79 RBI while playing center field like a Stradivarius last season, then manager Mike Scioscia will be the proud owner of baseball's best outfield.

With Guerrero healthy and poised for a big season, and Anderson playing the Ol' Man River role, the Angels made themselves No.1 by adding Matthews in center. They used five different players in center a year ago, with Chone Figgins, expected to play third base in 2007, getting most of the starts.

Hauldog · 02-15-2007, 12:01 AM

GMJ repeating is a big if. If he does this might be true. Add rivera to the mix for the second half and the OF should be a strength

Sawman · 02-15-2007, 06:19 PM

Yeah, many people worry about the fatigue and injury factor, and while I think GA and Vlad will both need some days off, I don't think it's as drastic I've read from some opinions. Juan Rivera's broken leg was a huge hit that the OF took, but I'm optimistic that he'll come back before the All-Star break.

Goose · 02-15-2007, 07:06 PM

I seen this on another Angels board, and I gotta say, I don't see how ESPN seems to think the Angels have the best outfield.

Heck, if Guillen is healthy, I'd say the Mariners outfield is better than the Angels. And I wouldn't put the Mariners near the top either.

In left you have Anderson and Ibanez. Obviously Ibanez is not going to recreate the career year he had last year, but even if he regresses back to his normal levels, he's still a better hitter than Anderson and they are about a wash defensivly.

Ichiro is obviously superior to Matthews Jr., both on offense and defense in center even if Matthews recreates his career year, which isn't likely at all.

Vlad is obviously better than Guillen on offense, even if Guillen is healthy. But Vlad's defense has slipped alot and if I were the Angels, I would actually think about making him the DH, if not full time, then most of the time. Guillen's pretty good on defense and has a great arm.

A case could be made that the Mariners have a better outfield than the Angels. An easy case could be made that there are a few teams in the AL with a better outfield than the Angels, and we haven't even touched the NL yet.

Sawman · 02-15-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose

I seen this on another Angels board, and I gotta say, I don't see how ESPN seems to think the Angels have the best outfield.

Heck, if Guillen is healthy, I'd say the Mariners outfield is better than the Angels. And I wouldn't put the Mariners near the top either.

In left you have Anderson and Ibanez. Obviously Ibanez is not going to recreate the career year he had last year, but even if he regresses back to his normal levels, he's still a better hitter than Anderson and they are about a wash defensivly.

Ichiro is obviously superior to Matthews Jr., both on offense and defense in center even if Matthews recreates his career year, which isn't likely at all.

Vlad is obviously better than Guillen on offense, even if Guillen is healthy. But Vlad's defense has slipped alot and if I were the Angels, I would actually think about making him the DH, if not full time, then most of the time. Guillen's pretty good on defense and has a great arm.

A case could be made that the Mariners have a better outfield than the Angels. An easy case could be made that there are a few teams in the AL with a better outfield than the Angels, and we haven't even touched the NL yet.

I don't know that I can really generate a good argument about the overall gist of your post, but I believe that both Vlad and GA are better defensively than many give them credit for, and Garret's 2006 season was affected by his injuries. We're all too familiar with what Guillen can do, and while he's able to produce at the plate when he's healthy, staying healthy has been a pretty big concern.

FWIW, The Sporting News also ranked the outfields and the Angels ranked 3rd in the AL behind the Yankees and Tigers.

Downing5 · 02-16-2007, 11:04 AM

Before the Angels signed Vlady, I remember seeing a statistic showing him leading the majors in errors by an outfielder over the previous 4 or 5 seasons. And for all the talk about his arm strenth, you rarely hear anything about accuracy. I think Matthews is going to be running his rear off this season trying to cover for Grampa Anderson and Guerrero.

Hauldog · 02-16-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose

I seen this on another Angels board, and I gotta say, I don't see how ESPN seems to think the Angels have the best outfield.

Heck, if Guillen is healthy, I'd say the Mariners outfield is better than the Angels. And I wouldn't put the Mariners near the top either.

In left you have Anderson and Ibanez. Obviously Ibanez is not going to recreate the career year he had last year, but even if he regresses back to his normal levels, he's still a better hitter than Anderson and they are about a wash defensivly.

Ichiro is obviously superior to Matthews Jr., both on offense and defense in center even if Matthews recreates his career year, which isn't likely at all.

Vlad is obviously better than Guillen on offense, even if Guillen is healthy. But Vlad's defense has slipped alot and if I were the Angels, I would actually think about making him the DH, if not full time, then most of the time. Guillen's pretty good on defense and has a great arm.

A case could be made that the Mariners have a better outfield than the Angels. An easy case could be made that there are a few teams in the AL with a better outfield than the Angels, and we haven't even touched the NL yet.

Goose. I think the basis for ESPN's analysis is as simple as HR's and RBI's. Based on the that the Angels get the edge.

As far as Guillen's great arm you do realize he had TJ surgery last year correct? It will probably take awhile for him to return to throwing form. His bat is most likely very rusty as well.

Downing5, The Vlad errors are mainly attributable to this throws in the PAST. Recently he has been making some tracking errors and catching errors. Your assertion he should become a DH is a good one.

Goose · 02-16-2007, 05:09 PM

Yeah, that's why I said IF Guillen is healthy.

And Vlad has always been known for his cannon of an arm. Problem is, it's never been an accurate cannon.

And yeah, as far as just HR's and RBI's go, I've give the Angels the edge over the Mariners. But even just using that measure, what about the Yankees? The Blue Jays gotta be up there too.

Hauldog · 02-16-2007, 05:41 PM

Goose I am not saying they are number 1. As far as the limited scope that ESPN is using they are in the discussion. TOR and NYY have very good outfields but Abreu lacks power and Matsui is coming off of a wrist injury and Damon is what he is about a 20 bomb guy.

02-15-2007, 07:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Goose Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aberdeen,Wa Posts: 1,190	I seen this on another Angels board, and I gotta say, I don't see how ESPN seems to think the Angels have the best outfield. Heck, if Guillen is healthy, I'd say the Mariners outfield is better than the Angels. And I wouldn't put the Mariners near the top either. In left you have Anderson and Ibanez. Obviously Ibanez is not going to recreate the career year he had last year, but even if he regresses back to his normal levels, he's still a better hitter than Anderson and they are about a wash defensivly. Ichiro is obviously superior to Matthews Jr., both on offense and defense in center even if Matthews recreates his career year, which isn't likely at all. Vlad is obviously better than Guillen on offense, even if Guillen is healthy. But Vlad's defense has slipped alot and if I were the Angels, I would actually think about making him the DH, if not full time, then most of the time. Guillen's pretty good on defense and has a great arm. A case could be made that the Mariners have a better outfield than the Angels. An easy case could be made that there are a few teams in the AL with a better outfield than the Angels, and we haven't even touched the NL yet. __________________

02-16-2007, 05:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Goose Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aberdeen,Wa Posts: 1,190	Yeah, that's why I said IF Guillen is healthy. And Vlad has always been known for his cannon of an arm. Problem is, it's never been an accurate cannon. And yeah, as far as just HR's and RBI's go, I've give the Angels the edge over the Mariners. But even just using that measure, what about the Yankees? The Blue Jays gotta be up there too. __________________

02-15-2007, 12:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hauldog Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 24	GMJ repeating is a big if. If he does this might be true. Add rivera to the mix for the second half and the OF should be a strength

02-15-2007, 06:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sawman Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Riverside, Ca. Posts: 259	Yeah, many people worry about the fatigue and injury factor, and while I think GA and Vlad will both need some days off, I don't think it's as drastic I've read from some opinions. Juan Rivera's broken leg was a huge hit that the OF took, but I'm optimistic that he'll come back before the All-Star break.

02-16-2007, 11:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Downing5 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 31	Before the Angels signed Vlady, I remember seeing a statistic showing him leading the majors in errors by an outfielder over the previous 4 or 5 seasons. And for all the talk about his arm strenth, you rarely hear anything about accuracy. I think Matthews is going to be running his rear off this season trying to cover for Grampa Anderson and Guerrero.

02-16-2007, 05:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hauldog Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 24	Goose I am not saying they are number 1. As far as the limited scope that ESPN is using they are in the discussion. TOR and NYY have very good outfields but Abreu lacks power and Matsui is coming off of a wrist injury and Damon is what he is about a 20 bomb guy.