Not sure I agree with this but I am a big fan of Dave Cameron.
Utley? interesting. anyway you can cut and past the article? i'm not an "insider"
Yeah, I saw that headline on there somewhere - "MVP of the 00's - Utley" or something? I saw it was IN, so I didn't bother with it. How does one become an Insider? Does it cost money? I think it's annoying.
Not sure I agree with this but I am a big fan of Dave Cameron.
Utley? interesting. anyway you can cut and past the article? i'm not an "insider"
Yeah, I saw that headline on there somewhere - "MVP of the 00's - Utley" or something? I saw it was IN, so I didn't bother with it. How does one become an Insider? Does it cost money? I think it's annoying.
My friends password I use is suddenly not working, he changes that shit all the time because too many people have it and they always threaten to shut down his account. I will copy and paste it when I figure it out.
Insider comes with ESPN the Magazine, its incredibly annoying.
Editor's note: Over the past two weeks on ESPN.com, writers and editors have been looking back at the past decade in baseball -- and looking ahead to the future. On Wednesday, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs identifies baseball's most valuable player at the close of the aughts.
Albert Pujols' greatness is unquestioned. He won his second consecutive National League MVP award this year (his third overall), and this time around, he took home every first-place vote. He's finished in the top four in MVP voting in eight of the nine years he's been in the majors, and he hasn't even turned 30. Yet there is another National League player who is just as valuable, if not more so, and receives none of the accolades. Seriously.
Chase Utley, the Phillies' star second baseman, has never finished higher than seventh in the MVP voting since he arrived in Philadelphia, but has contributed more bang for the buck than any other player in baseball. At FanGraphs, we have a metric that encompasses a player's total contribution on the field, called Wins Above Replacement. WAR, as it is often abbreviated, combines a player's value at the plate and in the field to give a better overall picture of a player's worth. (In layman's terms, "replacement," as defined by stat guru Tom Tango, represents "the talent level for which you would pay the minimum salary on the open market, or for which you can obtain at minimal cost in a trade." Mike Sweeney, who signed a minor league deal in early 2009 and produced 0.2 WAR for the Mariners, is a good example of a replacement-level player.)
By putting all players against a similar baseline, we can compare their value side by side, pitting defensive wizards against burly sluggers and finding out who actually contributes more to helping their team win. Since entering the league in 2005, Utley has added 37.9 wins above what a league minimum player would have provided, which is a tremendous total that represents his offensive prowess and Gold Glove skills at second base. Middle infielders who can hit as well as Utley are rare breeds indeed, and when you factor in his incredible baserunning -- 23-for-23 in stolen bases last year! -- he grades out as the most complete player in baseball. From that Wins Above Replacement total, we can use a wins-to-dollars conversion based on how teams have historically valued wins in the free-agent market on a yearly basis. Considering how good Utley has been since the Phillies gave him the second-base job, his performance on the field has been worth $154 million. That's about $31 million a year in production.
Top Value Since 2005
Player WAR Value Salary Net
Chase Utley 37.9 $154M $25M $129M
David Wright 29.6 $119M $14M $105M
Hanley Ramirez 24.9 $106M $7M $99M
Grady Sizemore 27.3 $108M $10M $98M
Albert Pujols 40.4 $164M $66M $98M
In exchange for that performance, the Phillies have paid Utley a meager $25 million in salary, leaving $129 million in surplus value. Pujols has been ever so slightly better on the field, producing 40.4 wins and $164 million in raw value, but St. Louis has paid him $66 million over the past five years. The $41 million difference in salary more than outweighs the 2.5 difference in wins produced on the field, allowing the Phillies to extract more value from Utley than St. Louis got from its superstar. And remember, Utley didn't land a permanent job in the majors until 2005. He has had 2,269 fewer plate appearances to work with, and still managed to get himself within shouting distance of Pujols' value for the decade. Once you adjust for games played, in fact, Utley grades out slightly higher. Utley has produced a net value of just over $35,000 per plate appearance, compared to $28,000 per trip to the plate for Pujols. While Utley hasn't been at the top of the game for quite as long, once you account for salary, he's been the most valuable player in baseball since his arrival in the big leagues.
The difference may only grow over the next few seasons. Pujols has two years remaining on the seven-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2004, but you have to believe that the Cardinals will give him a massive extension before his contract expires. He is due $16 million in each of the next two years, and the average annual salary of his next deal will surely exceed that. Utley, meanwhile, is under contract through 2013 at $15 million per year -- less than half of what he's worth on an annual basis. He may not have the trophies or the gaudy home run totals of players like Pujols or Alex Rodriguez, but Chase Utley is right there with the very best players in the game. When you factor in that the Phillies have him under contract at rates that don't even come close to his true value, he rises above the rest as the real Most Valuable Player in baseball.
Not sure I agree with this but I am a big fan of Dave Cameron.
Utley? interesting. anyway you can cut and past the article? i'm not an "insider"
Yeah, I saw that headline on there somewhere - "MVP of the 00's - Utley" or something? I saw it was IN, so I didn't bother with it. How does one become an Insider? Does it cost money? I think it's annoying.
oh danny boy....dany's baez looks to be our next reliever. yes, i do intend to spell his name with an apostrophe at all times.
i like the signing...if it indeed turns out to be true.
This dude too..
Phillies going after reliever MacDougal
By Mark J. Miller
Sure the Philadelphia Phillies have an incredibly potent offense. Sure the Phillies have Roy Halladay(notes), arguably the best righthanded pitcher of the last decade, finally on its roster. But there is still a problem in Philadelphia: the bullpen.
GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is apparently working now to pretty up this situation. Rumor has it that the team has at least talked with the agent for former Washington Nationals closer Mike MacDougal(notes), who is likely being replaced there by former Pittsburgh Pirates closer Matt Capps(notes).
The Phils had 22 blown saves last season so MacDougal could help stem that tide if Brad Lidge(notes) falters again.
Phillies fans seemed to have mellowed. Lidge may have given up the winning runs in the crucial Game 4 of the World Series this fall but he's not being run out of town the way Mitch Williams was after he blew Game 6 in the 1993 World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.
My drinking team has a hockey problem
The ONLY thing better than a glass of beer is tea with Miss McGill
A protuberance of flesh above the waistband of a tight pair of trousers
* Placido Polanco, Phillies - three years, $18MM. Where was the demand for a 34-year-old second baseman coming off a .727 OPS? What other club would've offered even one or two years at $5MM per?
* Brandon Lyon, Astros - three years, $15MM. Lyon's not a bad pitcher, but this commitment is excessive. He's not a high strikeout guy, and his '09 control was a career-worst.
* Fernando Rodney, Angels - two years, $11MM. What would Rodney have gotten without the 37 saves? I have a reliever, 33 in March, who posted a 4.40 ERA, 7.3 K/9, and 4.9 BB/9. Can I find a one-year, $2MM offer?
* John Grabow, Cubs - two years, $7.5MM. The Cubs are tight on payroll, but were quick to commit an above-market contract to a lefty reliever with a 5.0 BB/9 in '09.
* Jason Kendall, Royals, Ivan Rodriguez, Nationals - two years, $6MM. Kendall is 35, Pudge is 38, and neither topped a .700 OPS in '09. Gregg Zaun had already signed a reasonable one-year, $2.15MM deal.
* Alex Cora, Mets - one year, $2MM. Why did his salary hold steady despite a lousy '09? This contract isn't a franchise-killer, but comparable players could've been had at less than a million bucks.
* Placido Polanco, Phillies - three years, $18MM. Where was the demand for a 34-year-old second baseman coming off a .727 OPS? What other club would've offered even one or two years at $5MM per?
* Brandon Lyon, Astros - three years, $15MM. Lyon's not a bad pitcher, but this commitment is excessive. He's not a high strikeout guy, and his '09 control was a career-worst.
* Fernando Rodney, Angels - two years, $11MM. What would Rodney have gotten without the 37 saves? I have a reliever, 33 in March, who posted a 4.40 ERA, 7.3 K/9, and 4.9 BB/9. Can I find a one-year, $2MM offer?
* John Grabow, Cubs - two years, $7.5MM. The Cubs are tight on payroll, but were quick to commit an above-market contract to a lefty reliever with a 5.0 BB/9 in '09.
* Jason Kendall, Royals, Ivan Rodriguez, Nationals - two years, $6MM. Kendall is 35, Pudge is 38, and neither topped a .700 OPS in '09. Gregg Zaun had already signed a reasonable one-year, $2.15MM deal.
* Alex Cora, Mets - one year, $2MM. Why did his salary hold steady despite a lousy '09? This contract isn't a franchise-killer, but comparable players could've been had at less than a million bucks.
And what you're trying to get is what exactly? When now your 2 hole hitter can become a 7 hole hitter - or another lead off hitter for the bottom of the lineup essentially - and Polanco in the 2 hole, who always makes contact, will make for a lot of hit-and-running. Granted Jimmy needs to get on base first. For any other team paying 6 mil may be a lot, but for a lineup that now borders on being compared with an AL one is fine by me. Lots to come between now and October.
how many more days till the back to back nl champs take the field at spring training?
February 18th - so 37 days till pitchers & catchers. Just paid off my Sunday plan.....And we wait. Wish I had the dough to make it down to Clearwater this year...
Definitely going to hit up DC for the Doc opener - I mean, the season opener.
how many more days till the back to back nl champs take the field at spring training?
February 18th - so 37 days till pitchers & catchers. Just paid off my Sunday plan.....And we wait. Wish I had the dough to make it down to Clearwater this year...
Definitely going to hit up DC for the Doc opener - I mean, the season opener.
We're skipping this year to Spring Training
2011 its ON !!
I got depressed seeing the e-mails from the Phillies about Spring Training Packages
:(
My drinking team has a hockey problem
The ONLY thing better than a glass of beer is tea with Miss McGill
A protuberance of flesh above the waistband of a tight pair of trousers
how many more days till the back to back nl champs take the field at spring training?
February 18th - so 37 days till pitchers & catchers. Just paid off my Sunday plan.....And we wait. Wish I had the dough to make it down to Clearwater this year...
Definitely going to hit up DC for the Doc opener - I mean, the season opener.
We're skipping this year to Spring Training
2011 its ON !!
I got depressed seeing the e-mails from the Phillies about Spring Training Packages
:(
And I was just getting into it too. Phils Spring Training on St. Patty's Day, plus going to the bars at Clearwater Beach during most colleges Spring Break's. Just awesome. Oh, and whole "I left shitty Philly weather to be sitting on the beach where it's 80 degrees and women are wearing bikinis" thing...
kinda like this whole "let's regain" our title thing we'll have going on this year....
what do you guys make of the myers to astros signing?
i'd have liked to have seen us offer him 3-4M to stay here be our 5th starter as opposed to kendrick or 50 year old moyer...he obviously loved it here. i could see him accepting a home town discount.
kinda like this whole "let's regain" our title thing we'll have going on this year....
what do you guys make of the myers to astros signing?
i'd have liked to have seen us offer him 3-4M to stay here be our 5th starter as opposed to kendrick or 50 year old moyer...he obviously loved it here. i could see him accepting a home town discount.
As much sense as that makes - to at least make an attempt of that nature - you're missing the fact that the Phils want absolutely nothing to do with Brett Myers anymore. I know we could say, "are they doing the best thing for the team?", but that's obviously not what this is about. They wanted him out of the organization. I really don't blame them either. I'm not saying a player like Myers is a dime a dozen, but I think the Phils are realizing that they don't need to act as if all their prospects will end up be worth signing to long conracts with high dollars anymore if they're not truly worth it.
As for Myers going to Houston - I dunno, good for them I guess? I'm sure he'll have a ERA around 4 to 4.50 with about 12-15 wins.
The Phils have a rotation of Doc, Cole, Blanton, Happ, and then Kendrick/Moyer/??/?? as a rotation. And I'm fine with that. Again, the season hasn't even started yet, which is long as shit anyway, and I'm sure they'll acquire via trade before the deadline a bullpen or starting arm if need be. I like how this team's setting up right. I hear they're going into spring training considering Aumont a starter so we'll see how that plays out. I gotta shit.
kinda like this whole "let's regain" our title thing we'll have going on this year....
what do you guys make of the myers to astros signing?
i'd have liked to have seen us offer him 3-4M to stay here be our 5th starter as opposed to kendrick or 50 year old moyer...he obviously loved it here. i could see him accepting a home town discount.
As much sense as that makes - to at least make an attempt of that nature - you're missing the fact that the Phils want absolutely nothing to do with Brett Myers anymore. I know we could say, "are they doing the best thing for the team?", but that's obviously not what this is about. They wanted him out of the organization. I really don't blame them either. I'm not saying a player like Myers is a dime a dozen, but I think the Phils are realizing that they don't need to act as if all their prospects will end up be worth signing to long conracts with high dollars anymore if they're not truly worth it.
As for Myers going to Houston - I dunno, good for them I guess? I'm sure he'll have a ERA around 4 to 4.50 with about 12-15 wins.
The Phils have a rotation of Doc, Cole, Blanton, Happ, and then Kendrick/Moyer/??/?? as a rotation. And I'm fine with that. Again, the season hasn't even started yet, which is long as shit anyway, and I'm sure they'll acquire via trade before the deadline a bullpen or starting arm if need be. I like how this team's setting up right. I hear they're going into spring training considering Aumont a starter so we'll see how that plays out. I gotta shit.
why do you think they desperately wanted him out of the organization? i was never a huge fan of his personally. he obviously has some character flaws. but, i mean, they won the world series with the guy playing a key role. can't hurt them too much right?
kinda like this whole "let's regain" our title thing we'll have going on this year....
what do you guys make of the myers to astros signing?
i'd have liked to have seen us offer him 3-4M to stay here be our 5th starter as opposed to kendrick or 50 year old moyer...he obviously loved it here. i could see him accepting a home town discount.
As much sense as that makes - to at least make an attempt of that nature - you're missing the fact that the Phils want absolutely nothing to do with Brett Myers anymore. I know we could say, "are they doing the best thing for the team?", but that's obviously not what this is about. They wanted him out of the organization. I really don't blame them either. I'm not saying a player like Myers is a dime a dozen, but I think the Phils are realizing that they don't need to act as if all their prospects will end up be worth signing to long conracts with high dollars anymore if they're not truly worth it.
As for Myers going to Houston - I dunno, good for them I guess? I'm sure he'll have a ERA around 4 to 4.50 with about 12-15 wins.
The Phils have a rotation of Doc, Cole, Blanton, Happ, and then Kendrick/Moyer/??/?? as a rotation. And I'm fine with that. Again, the season hasn't even started yet, which is long as shit anyway, and I'm sure they'll acquire via trade before the deadline a bullpen or starting arm if need be. I like how this team's setting up right. I hear they're going into spring training considering Aumont a starter so we'll see how that plays out. I gotta shit.
why do you think they desperately wanted him out of the organization? i was never a huge fan of his personally. he obviously has some character flaws. but, i mean, they won the world series with the guy playing a key role. can't hurt them too much right?
I think just his overall way of carrying himself - openly admits to wanting to be compared to Kenny Powers(which is humorous in a way) - they want to depart from. Everything from the wife beating in Boston to the absolute horrible way he handled the situation where he "fell out of his SUV" and somehow got a shiner directly on his eye. This is a guy I'm sure they were hoping to get something out of before the 2009 season was said and done. More importantly the playoffs, and these were just ancillary things that ended up setting Brett and the Phils back. And, by the way, did you see him celebrating when they won the division this year while not doing a God damned thing? I know for a fact, that he at least has ADD. Maniac. Not that I'm trying to tow the company line, but I have no problem whatsoever with letting him go. Maybe they use that 3-4 mil to sign another solid 'pen arm - who knows, but again, no problem with it. Go Vikes.
As much sense as that makes - to at least make an attempt of that nature - you're missing the fact that the Phils want absolutely nothing to do with Brett Myers anymore. I know we could say, "are they doing the best thing for the team?", but that's obviously not what this is about. They wanted him out of the organization. I really don't blame them either. I'm not saying a player like Myers is a dime a dozen, but I think the Phils are realizing that they don't need to act as if all their prospects will end up be worth signing to long conracts with high dollars anymore if they're not truly worth it.
As for Myers going to Houston - I dunno, good for them I guess? I'm sure he'll have a ERA around 4 to 4.50 with about 12-15 wins.
The Phils have a rotation of Doc, Cole, Blanton, Happ, and then Kendrick/Moyer/??/?? as a rotation. And I'm fine with that. Again, the season hasn't even started yet, which is long as shit anyway, and I'm sure they'll acquire via trade before the deadline a bullpen or starting arm if need be. I like how this team's setting up right. I hear they're going into spring training considering Aumont a starter so we'll see how that plays out. I gotta shit.
why do you think they desperately wanted him out of the organization? i was never a huge fan of his personally. he obviously has some character flaws. but, i mean, they won the world series with the guy playing a key role. can't hurt them too much right?
I think just his overall way of carrying himself - openly admits to wanting to be compared to Kenny Powers(which is humorous in a way) - they want to depart from. Everything from the wife beating in Boston to the absolute horrible way he handled the situation where he "fell out of his SUV" and somehow got a shiner directly on his eye. This is a guy I'm sure they were hoping to get something out of before the 2009 season was said and done. More importantly the playoffs, and these were just ancillary things that ended up setting Brett and the Phils back. And, by the way, did you see him celebrating when they won the division this year while not doing a God damned thing? I know for a fact, that he at least has ADD. Maniac. Not that I'm trying to tow the company line, but I have no problem whatsoever with letting him go. Maybe they use that 3-4 mil to sign another solid 'pen arm - who knows, but again, no problem with it. Go Vikes.
yeah yeah yeahj...like i said i never liked him personally even before he beat his wife. despite all his flaws they were world champions with him though. thats the bottome line.
and he's a helluva lot better than what we have in the back of our rotation.
agreed with the vikes comment. they're in the process of destroying the cowboys
yeah yeah yeahj...like i said i never liked him personally even before he beat his wife. despite all his flaws they were world champions with him though. thats the bottome line.
and he's a helluva lot better than what we have in the back of our rotation.
agreed with the vikes comment. they're in the process of destroying the cowboys
That's the thing - he's a not a back of the rotation guy. He's a very solid #3, at best a #2 when he's totally on his game.
When the back of the rotation is really your only issue, well aside from that whole bullpen thing, then I'm cool with that. They're pieces that can be picked up along the way for far less money and more upside. This is how pathetic I am right now due to waiting for the season - I'm pumped out about our bench. Yep, that's right.
yeah yeah yeahj...like i said i never liked him personally even before he beat his wife. despite all his flaws they were world champions with him though. thats the bottome line.
and he's a helluva lot better than what we have in the back of our rotation.
agreed with the vikes comment. they're in the process of destroying the cowboys
That's the thing - he's a not a back of the rotation guy. He's a very solid #3, at best a #2 when he's totally on his game.
When the back of the rotation is really your only issue, well aside from that whole bullpen thing, then I'm cool with that. They're pieces that can be picked up along the way for far less money and more upside. This is how pathetic I am right now due to waiting for the season - I'm pumped out about our bench. Yep, that's right.
Now to get these opening day Nats tickets...
would you not like to have a #3 (not buying 2) back there???! i would
yeah yeah yeahj...like i said i never liked him personally even before he beat his wife. despite all his flaws they were world champions with him though. thats the bottome line.
and he's a helluva lot better than what we have in the back of our rotation.
agreed with the vikes comment. they're in the process of destroying the cowboys
That's the thing - he's a not a back of the rotation guy. He's a very solid #3, at best a #2 when he's totally on his game.
When the back of the rotation is really your only issue, well aside from that whole bullpen thing, then I'm cool with that. They're pieces that can be picked up along the way for far less money and more upside. This is how pathetic I am right now due to waiting for the season - I'm pumped out about our bench. Yep, that's right.
Now to get these opening day Nats tickets...
would you not like to have a #3 (not buying 2) back there???! i would
I saw some fraud thread being started trying to mimmick the original...sheesh...THIS IS THE PHILLIES THREAD! Word is Bon!
I'll stop pushing the REAL NEW 2010 Phillies thread. Fraud did u not make this thread last year??? Was it's original name not the 2009 Phillies thread???? So Fraud away :shock:
I saw some fraud thread being started trying to mimmick the original...sheesh...THIS IS THE PHILLIES THREAD! Word is Bon!
I'll stop pushing the REAL NEW 2010 Phillies thread. Fraud did u not make this thread last year??? Was it's original name not the 2009 Phillies thread???? So Fraud away :shock:
One thread, with a change of name, every year, so on and so forth. These are the rules written by the thread gods. Look back on this thing 3 years from now when it's 1000 pages long.
I saw some fraud thread being started trying to mimmick the original...sheesh...THIS IS THE PHILLIES THREAD! Word is Bon!
I'll stop pushing the REAL NEW 2010 Phillies thread. Fraud did u not make this thread last year??? Was it's original name not the 2009 Phillies thread???? So Fraud away :shock:
One thread, with a change of name, every year, so on and so forth. These are the rules written by the thread gods. Look back on this thing 3 years from now when it's 1000 pages long.
Wrong type in the 2008 phillies thread tell me what u see.
I'll stop pushing the REAL NEW 2010 Phillies thread. Fraud did u not make this thread last year??? Was it's original name not the 2009 Phillies thread???? So Fraud away :shock:
One thread, with a change of name, every year, so on and so forth. These are the rules written by the thread gods. Look back on this thing 3 years from now when it's 1000 pages long.
Wrong type in the 2008 phillies thread tell me what u see.
Changing things up......rrrrrriiiiiight.................
Comments
Yeah, I saw that headline on there somewhere - "MVP of the 00's - Utley" or something? I saw it was IN, so I didn't bother with it. How does one become an Insider? Does it cost money? I think it's annoying.
My friends password I use is suddenly not working, he changes that shit all the time because too many people have it and they always threaten to shut down his account. I will copy and paste it when I figure it out.
Insider comes with ESPN the Magazine, its incredibly annoying.
By Dave Cameron
Editor's note: Over the past two weeks on ESPN.com, writers and editors have been looking back at the past decade in baseball -- and looking ahead to the future. On Wednesday, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs identifies baseball's most valuable player at the close of the aughts.
Albert Pujols' greatness is unquestioned. He won his second consecutive National League MVP award this year (his third overall), and this time around, he took home every first-place vote. He's finished in the top four in MVP voting in eight of the nine years he's been in the majors, and he hasn't even turned 30. Yet there is another National League player who is just as valuable, if not more so, and receives none of the accolades. Seriously.
Chase Utley, the Phillies' star second baseman, has never finished higher than seventh in the MVP voting since he arrived in Philadelphia, but has contributed more bang for the buck than any other player in baseball. At FanGraphs, we have a metric that encompasses a player's total contribution on the field, called Wins Above Replacement. WAR, as it is often abbreviated, combines a player's value at the plate and in the field to give a better overall picture of a player's worth. (In layman's terms, "replacement," as defined by stat guru Tom Tango, represents "the talent level for which you would pay the minimum salary on the open market, or for which you can obtain at minimal cost in a trade." Mike Sweeney, who signed a minor league deal in early 2009 and produced 0.2 WAR for the Mariners, is a good example of a replacement-level player.)
By putting all players against a similar baseline, we can compare their value side by side, pitting defensive wizards against burly sluggers and finding out who actually contributes more to helping their team win. Since entering the league in 2005, Utley has added 37.9 wins above what a league minimum player would have provided, which is a tremendous total that represents his offensive prowess and Gold Glove skills at second base. Middle infielders who can hit as well as Utley are rare breeds indeed, and when you factor in his incredible baserunning -- 23-for-23 in stolen bases last year! -- he grades out as the most complete player in baseball. From that Wins Above Replacement total, we can use a wins-to-dollars conversion based on how teams have historically valued wins in the free-agent market on a yearly basis. Considering how good Utley has been since the Phillies gave him the second-base job, his performance on the field has been worth $154 million. That's about $31 million a year in production.
Top Value Since 2005
Player WAR Value Salary Net
Chase Utley 37.9 $154M $25M $129M
David Wright 29.6 $119M $14M $105M
Hanley Ramirez 24.9 $106M $7M $99M
Grady Sizemore 27.3 $108M $10M $98M
Albert Pujols 40.4 $164M $66M $98M
In exchange for that performance, the Phillies have paid Utley a meager $25 million in salary, leaving $129 million in surplus value. Pujols has been ever so slightly better on the field, producing 40.4 wins and $164 million in raw value, but St. Louis has paid him $66 million over the past five years. The $41 million difference in salary more than outweighs the 2.5 difference in wins produced on the field, allowing the Phillies to extract more value from Utley than St. Louis got from its superstar. And remember, Utley didn't land a permanent job in the majors until 2005. He has had 2,269 fewer plate appearances to work with, and still managed to get himself within shouting distance of Pujols' value for the decade. Once you adjust for games played, in fact, Utley grades out slightly higher. Utley has produced a net value of just over $35,000 per plate appearance, compared to $28,000 per trip to the plate for Pujols. While Utley hasn't been at the top of the game for quite as long, once you account for salary, he's been the most valuable player in baseball since his arrival in the big leagues.
The difference may only grow over the next few seasons. Pujols has two years remaining on the seven-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2004, but you have to believe that the Cardinals will give him a massive extension before his contract expires. He is due $16 million in each of the next two years, and the average annual salary of his next deal will surely exceed that. Utley, meanwhile, is under contract through 2013 at $15 million per year -- less than half of what he's worth on an annual basis. He may not have the trophies or the gaudy home run totals of players like Pujols or Alex Rodriguez, but Chase Utley is right there with the very best players in the game. When you factor in that the Phillies have him under contract at rates that don't even come close to his true value, he rises above the rest as the real Most Valuable Player in baseball.
Dave Cameron is the managing editor of FanGraphs.
- 8/28/98
- 9/2/00
- 4/28/03, 5/3/03, 7/3/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03
- 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 10/2/04
- 9/11/05, 9/12/05, 9/13/05, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05
- 5/12/06, 5/13/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 5/30/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/23/06, 7/22/06, 7/23/06, 12/2/06, 12/9/06
- 8/2/07, 8/5/07
- 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/22/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 7/1/08
- 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 9/21/09, 9/22/09, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09
- 5/15/10, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10, 10/23/10, 10/24/10
- 9/11/11, 9/12/11
- 10/18/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 11/30/13, 12/4/13
yes. it's just another reason why espn blows.
i like the signing...if it indeed turns out to be true.
This dude too..
Phillies going after reliever MacDougal
By Mark J. Miller
Sure the Philadelphia Phillies have an incredibly potent offense. Sure the Phillies have Roy Halladay(notes), arguably the best righthanded pitcher of the last decade, finally on its roster. But there is still a problem in Philadelphia: the bullpen.
GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is apparently working now to pretty up this situation. Rumor has it that the team has at least talked with the agent for former Washington Nationals closer Mike MacDougal(notes), who is likely being replaced there by former Pittsburgh Pirates closer Matt Capps(notes).
The Phils had 22 blown saves last season so MacDougal could help stem that tide if Brad Lidge(notes) falters again.
Phillies fans seemed to have mellowed. Lidge may have given up the winning runs in the crucial Game 4 of the World Series this fall but he's not being run out of town the way Mitch Williams was after he blew Game 6 in the 1993 World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The ONLY thing better than a glass of beer is tea with Miss McGill
A protuberance of flesh above the waistband of a tight pair of trousers
Worst Signings
* Placido Polanco, Phillies - three years, $18MM. Where was the demand for a 34-year-old second baseman coming off a .727 OPS? What other club would've offered even one or two years at $5MM per?
* Brandon Lyon, Astros - three years, $15MM. Lyon's not a bad pitcher, but this commitment is excessive. He's not a high strikeout guy, and his '09 control was a career-worst.
* Fernando Rodney, Angels - two years, $11MM. What would Rodney have gotten without the 37 saves? I have a reliever, 33 in March, who posted a 4.40 ERA, 7.3 K/9, and 4.9 BB/9. Can I find a one-year, $2MM offer?
* John Grabow, Cubs - two years, $7.5MM. The Cubs are tight on payroll, but were quick to commit an above-market contract to a lefty reliever with a 5.0 BB/9 in '09.
* Jason Kendall, Royals, Ivan Rodriguez, Nationals - two years, $6MM. Kendall is 35, Pudge is 38, and neither topped a .700 OPS in '09. Gregg Zaun had already signed a reasonable one-year, $2.15MM deal.
* Alex Cora, Mets - one year, $2MM. Why did his salary hold steady despite a lousy '09? This contract isn't a franchise-killer, but comparable players could've been had at less than a million bucks.
And what you're trying to get is what exactly? When now your 2 hole hitter can become a 7 hole hitter - or another lead off hitter for the bottom of the lineup essentially - and Polanco in the 2 hole, who always makes contact, will make for a lot of hit-and-running. Granted Jimmy needs to get on base first. For any other team paying 6 mil may be a lot, but for a lineup that now borders on being compared with an AL one is fine by me. Lots to come between now and October.
February 18th - so 37 days till pitchers & catchers. Just paid off my Sunday plan.....And we wait. Wish I had the dough to make it down to Clearwater this year...
Definitely going to hit up DC for the Doc opener - I mean, the season opener.
We're skipping this year to Spring Training
2011 its ON !!
I got depressed seeing the e-mails from the Phillies about Spring Training Packages
:(
The ONLY thing better than a glass of beer is tea with Miss McGill
A protuberance of flesh above the waistband of a tight pair of trousers
And I was just getting into it too. Phils Spring Training on St. Patty's Day, plus going to the bars at Clearwater Beach during most colleges Spring Break's. Just awesome. Oh, and whole "I left shitty Philly weather to be sitting on the beach where it's 80 degrees and women are wearing bikinis" thing...
Of course January is HALLADAY !!!
I hung it up in my cube next to this...
The ONLY thing better than a glass of beer is tea with Miss McGill
A protuberance of flesh above the waistband of a tight pair of trousers
that is fantastic
what do you guys make of the myers to astros signing?
i'd have liked to have seen us offer him 3-4M to stay here be our 5th starter as opposed to kendrick or 50 year old moyer...he obviously loved it here. i could see him accepting a home town discount.
As much sense as that makes - to at least make an attempt of that nature - you're missing the fact that the Phils want absolutely nothing to do with Brett Myers anymore. I know we could say, "are they doing the best thing for the team?", but that's obviously not what this is about. They wanted him out of the organization. I really don't blame them either. I'm not saying a player like Myers is a dime a dozen, but I think the Phils are realizing that they don't need to act as if all their prospects will end up be worth signing to long conracts with high dollars anymore if they're not truly worth it.
As for Myers going to Houston - I dunno, good for them I guess? I'm sure he'll have a ERA around 4 to 4.50 with about 12-15 wins.
The Phils have a rotation of Doc, Cole, Blanton, Happ, and then Kendrick/Moyer/??/?? as a rotation. And I'm fine with that. Again, the season hasn't even started yet, which is long as shit anyway, and I'm sure they'll acquire via trade before the deadline a bullpen or starting arm if need be. I like how this team's setting up right. I hear they're going into spring training considering Aumont a starter so we'll see how that plays out. I gotta shit.
why do you think they desperately wanted him out of the organization? i was never a huge fan of his personally. he obviously has some character flaws. but, i mean, they won the world series with the guy playing a key role. can't hurt them too much right?
I think just his overall way of carrying himself - openly admits to wanting to be compared to Kenny Powers(which is humorous in a way) - they want to depart from. Everything from the wife beating in Boston to the absolute horrible way he handled the situation where he "fell out of his SUV" and somehow got a shiner directly on his eye. This is a guy I'm sure they were hoping to get something out of before the 2009 season was said and done. More importantly the playoffs, and these were just ancillary things that ended up setting Brett and the Phils back. And, by the way, did you see him celebrating when they won the division this year while not doing a God damned thing? I know for a fact, that he at least has ADD. Maniac. Not that I'm trying to tow the company line, but I have no problem whatsoever with letting him go. Maybe they use that 3-4 mil to sign another solid 'pen arm - who knows, but again, no problem with it. Go Vikes.
yeah yeah yeahj...like i said i never liked him personally even before he beat his wife. despite all his flaws they were world champions with him though. thats the bottome line.
and he's a helluva lot better than what we have in the back of our rotation.
agreed with the vikes comment. they're in the process of destroying the cowboys
That's the thing - he's a not a back of the rotation guy. He's a very solid #3, at best a #2 when he's totally on his game.
When the back of the rotation is really your only issue, well aside from that whole bullpen thing, then I'm cool with that. They're pieces that can be picked up along the way for far less money and more upside. This is how pathetic I am right now due to waiting for the season - I'm pumped out about our bench. Yep, that's right.
Now to get these opening day Nats tickets...
would you not like to have a #3 (not buying 2) back there???! i would
Yeah, and if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.
9/24/96 MD. 9/28/96 Randalls. 8/28-29/98 Camden. 9/8/98 NJ. 9/18/98 MD. 9/1-2/00 Camden. 9/4/00 MD. 4/28/03 Philly. 7/5-6/03 Camden. 9/30/05 AC.
10/3/05 Philly. 5/27-28/06 Camden. 6/23/06 Pitt. 6/19-20/08 Camden. 6/24/08 MSG. 8/7/08 EV Newark, NJ. 6/11-12/09 EV Philly, PA. 10/27-28-30-31/09 Philly, PA., 5/15/10 Hartford,5/17/10 Boston, 5/18/10 Newark, 5/20-21/10 MSG
One thread, with a change of name, every year, so on and so forth. These are the rules written by the thread gods. Look back on this thing 3 years from now when it's 1000 pages long.
Changing things up......rrrrrriiiiiight.................
......NOW