Albert Pujols NOT the War Machine after all

[caflisch78]

I found it interesting that Pujols entered his likely final season with exactly 100 WAR after a dismal -.1 in 2020.

Only 20 guys in history have ever finished above 100 WAR for a career, quite the accomplishment of longevity and contribution to team success.

Through 16 at bats, Albert is hitting .125 with a WAR of -.3 , putting him currently at 99.7 . I fear Albert has missed his opportunity to go down as the 21st 100 WAR vet, which he likely deserved. Held out for the glory a little to long imo, collected the money and damaged the Angels org for years to come.

10 years ago I envisioned it all happening a bit differently

Albert will finish in 21st position no matter the ending.

Trout may be the only active player with a shot at this point.

[Ray27Ray52]

I couldn't give two s**ts about War. Pujols is a top 10 position player all time. That's all that matters to me.

[timber63401]

I love all the people giving him crap on here the last few days about hanging on too long collecting a paycheck. EVERYONE on here would do the same damn thing. Everybody with half a brain including the Angels knew the last 3 years of the deal Pujols would be vastly overpaid the day he signed the contract.

[Mahomescards777]

Pujols> trout

[rman112]

Originally Posted by timber63401

I love all the people giving him crap on here the last few days about hanging on too long collecting a paycheck. EVERYONE on here would do the same damn thing. Everybody with half a brain including the Angels knew the last 3 years of the deal Pujols would be vastly overpaid the day he signed the contract.

The problem is that he's been vastly overpaid for nearly the entire contract.

[RiceBondsMT2Yng]

Originally Posted by rman112

The problem is that he's been vastly overpaid for nearly the entire contract.

Agreed, but none of us would give the money back...

[rman112]

Originally Posted by RiceBondsMT2Yng

Agreed, but none of us would give the money back...

That's not true.

But it's gotta be weird showing up every day. He knows the team doesn't want him there anymore, and they haven't for years. And whether he admits it or not, he's not a good player anymore.

[Chicosbailbonds]

Blame the owner, he made the signing knowing it will probably end bad. Part of the reason for the contract was to pull some of the latin fans away from the Dodgers.

[ewokpelts]

Originally Posted by rman112

That's not true.

But it's gotta be weird showing up every day. He knows the team doesn't want him there anymore, and they haven't for years. And whether he admits it or not, he's not a good player anymore.

You really think the angels players “don’t want” uphold around? That team isn’t a playoff team even if Albert voided his deal three years ago. They have no pitching and keep throwing money at a problem instead of a full rebuild. One 41 year old dh and occasional First baseman isn’t holding them back.

And let’s not discount his locker room presence. He’s a legend and is often considered a good teammate over the years. And to the Latin players he’s even more respected.

[rman112]

Originally Posted by ewokpelts

You really think the angels players “don’t want” uphold around? That team isn’t a playoff team even if Albert voided his deal three years ago. They have no pitching and keep throwing money at a problem instead of a full rebuild. One 41 year old dh and occasional First baseman isn’t holding them back.

And let’s not discount his locker room presence. He’s a legend and is often considered a good teammate over the years. And to the Latin players he’s even more respected.

I would hope so. He's been hogging at-bats for years.

Locker room presence? Yeah, that's really helping the team.

[rman112]

WAR isn't obviously the end all be all. Personally, I think the ability to knock in runners gets too little love analytically.. But.. WAR does give you a solid reference point.

So here's Pujols' yearly WAR, per FG, since he's been an Angel:

3.3
0.5
2.7
1.6
0.8
- 2
- .3
- .5
- .2
- .2 (2021)

[tjenkins]

WAR is bu11sh1t anyway! Albert is a legend you need to blame front office before you blame Albert for the Angel's inability to get it up.

[rman112]

So that's 5.7 WAR in 9+ seasons.

In 2019 alone, the last full season, that 5.7 would've ranked 23rd in baseball. Or to be exact, what Fangraphs said JT Realmuto's 2019 was worth.

[beaverman3001]

Yea what an idiot taking millions of dollars to not worry about an inconsequential statistic.

[ewokpelts]

Originally Posted by rman112

I would hope so. He's been hogging at-bats for years.

Locker room presence? Yeah, that's really helping the team.

They are professional ball players on a team that goes nowhere every year. Do you think they care at one guy can’t play at the level he did ten years earlier? But is getting paid for what he did 15 years earlier?

[rman112]

Originally Posted by ewokpelts

They are professional ball players on a team that goes nowhere every year. Do you think they care at one guy can’t play at the level he did ten years earlier? But is getting paid for what he did 15 years earlier?

Again, I would hope so. His poor play and contract have hurt the team for years. It'd be nearly impossible to take even 1/2 of what he's been paid, spend it on other players, and not get a better return. Hell, simply removing him from the lineup and replacing him with a mildly average player would make them better.

[ronaldkosh]

WAR is great for taking a big picture look at a player's value

But even the creators of WAR would concede that the difference between a 98, 100, and 102 WAR player is statistical noise

[Chicosbailbonds]

Originally Posted by rman112

Again, I would hope so. His poor play and contract have hurt the team for years. It'd be nearly impossible to take even 1/2 of what he's been paid, spend it on other players, and not get a better return. Hell, simply removing him from the lineup and replacing him with a mildly average player would make them better.

Basically the West Coast version of Miggy Cabrera.

[anusinha]

All time leader in GIDP.

[Gatorsmld]

His first 10 seasons were among the greatest of all time. Easily a first ballot HOF and one of the greatest hitters ever seen.

[ewokpelts]

Originally Posted by rman112

Again, I would hope so. His poor play and contract have hurt the team for years. It'd be nearly impossible to take even 1/2 of what he's been paid, spend it on other players, and not get a better return. Hell, simply removing him from the lineup and replacing him with a mildly average player would make them better.

Hots takes left and right

[ewokpelts]

Originally Posted by Chicosbailbonds

Basically the West Coast version of Miggy Cabrera.

Yeah but the ligers extended him As he was already declining.

[rebbrooks]

Hope he hits a homerun tonight.

[beaverman3001]

I feel bad for him really, gotta be frustrating to going from the top to barely hanging on. But get paid

[ThoseBackPages]

he and Ichiro carried the sport in the 2000s