Backing up the truck would be a good thing...as long as Figgy went out on it!
OK..Not happening. I know. But even if we find a happy, content, cooperating Figgy who doesn't throw a fit for a week (month) AND he hits like he did in the 2nd half last year....This is what we get...
.286
.349
.339
.689
....That is, indeed, an improvement over the 1st half of the year. But to put it in context, this is the line from Beltre's '09...A year that most agree was an offensive disaster.
.265
.304
.379
.683
So, if last year's 2nd half is Figgy's upside...essentially we get the same performance we got from the worst season Beltre gave us...a season that drove his detractors nuts.
And we don't get that HoF glove. And the terrific clubhouse performance.
I'm hoping Figgy finds some '09 or '07 magic....but those were such outlier seasons for a couple of reasons that it can not happen again.
Essentially we get a fair-hitting, Punch and Judy, utility infielder as our everyday 3B. For the next several years.
What more could we wish for?
moe
Chone Figgins' Statistically Scouted Speed, the last several years, rounded off:
- 2006 - 150
- 2007 - 115 (missed 1/3 of season)
- 2008 - 115 (missed 1/3 of season)
- 2009 - 135 (New team, big contract)
- 2010 - 115 (100-loss season)
Figgins has a rep as a guy who will take a day off. No, that's not right; Figgins has a rep as a guy who will take a month off, if he's disgruntled.
My knee-jerk reaction to the above would be --- > if Figgins is happy and in the mood, he hustles, he burns around the bases for beat-out grounders and triples. If he's not jazzed, he's a very ordinary player. I'd interpret his SPD scores from a psychological basis.
For all you guys who (sensibly enough) don't take my word for this kind of thing ... this one is straight from the lips of the unimpeachable, that being Inside Pitch.
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=== F/X of Attitude, Dept. ===
If, in 2010, Figgins' SPD score (and defense, and general aggressiveness) was down because he was busy leading a clubhouse revolt...
Well, hey. The good news is, in 2011 you just might get your 5.0-WAR shadow-hero back. All you need is a manager who talks sweet to him, bats him #2, and keeps the Mariners in the pennant race.
.
Pennant race? Well, that's in the hands of Pineda, Bedard, and several Cust/Olivo/Ryan upgrades. Batting second? Sez here that the new manager will have little choice...
..................
There's some statistical evidence to back up this sports-psych interpretation: Figgins' SPD was down in the first half, during the Big Mutiny, and was back up some in the 2nd half. After he got his way, and the manager was fired.
..................
Is that legitimate? To bat Figgins 2nd, so as to produce a good year out of him?
Sure. It's what I'd do. Figgins makes a lot more than the manager. It's a weird game these days.
.
=== F/X of Age, Dept. ===
Figgins turns 33 next year ... is his SPD dropping because of his age? You've got a guy who makes his living with his legs; does he have any legs left? I think so.
Three reasons for optimism:
.
1. Jack Zduriencik and co. gave Figgins a 5-year deal. We know that they assessed his chance for decline.
They might have been willing to swallow his down year in Y5; it's even conceivable that they were willing to eat two years of downside, in order to get three good years out of him.
Impossible that the Mariners' machine gave Figgins any chance for decline in year two.
.
2. SPD score suggests that the decline in actual footspeed has not set in, badly, at age 33-34.
.
3. We know that speed ages well for the ML population in general. Baseball's full of Kenny Loftons and Tim Rainses and their stolen bases persisted all the way through their 30's and through the echo of the ref's whistles.
.
Could be January thinking, but I'm psyched about backing up the truck and giving Figgins another start, this time at his real position, 3B.
Says here that what Figgins needs, is to be happy. You get a re-set of that, you might get a re-set of your 4.0, 5.0 WAR.
.
Or not,
Dr D
Comments
1. In Safeco, the 285/350/350 line is pretty close to a 100 OPS+ .. which is pretty much what Figgins was doing for the Angels. Leadoff hitters can sometimes bat 100 OPS+ and still be stars.
2. A league-average hitter is giving you about 20 runs more than a Rainiers callup would.
3. Figgins adds 10, 15 runs playing third base, or so we believe.
4. Figgins adds 10 runs, or something, with his legs.
5. Leadoff hitters can manufacture runs in tight games ... when Justin Verlander is locking you down and Jack Cust is useless, an Ichiro or Figgins can scrap his way on, steal a base, and score you one run in a 2-1 game. It ain't 3 RBI with one swing, but it can occur against tough pitching.
..................
A leadoff hitter playing great infield defense, helping you on the basepaths, is a well above average player despite the mediocre hitting line...
Question of course is whether we actually receive those goods and services ...
All great points. All of them!
Especially.....
"Question of course is whether we actually receive those goods and services"
Bingo!
.285/.350/.350.....That's just about Figgy's 2nd half last year. I'm not sure he's got that in him for the entire season.
moe