The ultimate bargain?

by FlyByKnight on Aug 2, 2009 10:49 PM EDT

Player A: .299/.350/.581, 23 HR, 69 RBI, 53 R, 28 2B, 3.1 UZR/150, .375 wOBA
Player B: .283/.380/.548, 26 HR, 77 RBI, 64 R, 28 2B, -1.2 UZR/150, .394 wOBA

Player A is making $600,000 this season. Player B is making $20 million this season.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, Player A is Kendry Morales of the Angels while Player B is Mark Teixeira of the Yankees. Teixeira opted to take the Yankees deal over the Angels deal this past season but the connection between these two men stretches far beyond that. Teixeira was traded for simply because the Angels were convinced that Kendry Morales would be able to play first base in the future. When Teixeira left, the Angels handed over the job to Morales and he has no disappointed at all.

Their wOBA numbers are not updated with today's statistical performances, a day that saw Morales jack two three-run home runs. Morales, while receiving 42 fewer at-bats, trails Teixeira by only three home runs and eight runs batted in while being his equal in nearly every other statistical measure. I'm not saying Morales is better than Teixeira, so no one freak out. Teixeira is still, by far, one of the greatest players I've ever seen play the game in person. His brilliance as a defensive first baseman cannot even begin to be described. But, however, Morales seems to come close to Teixeira's production despite being paid just 1/33rd of the salary Teixeira is getting this season.

So, is this one of baseball's ultimate bargains? Or is it just something of an anomaly?
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Is Kendry Morales more valuable than Mark Teixeira?

P.S.: I'll update their WAR and wOBA as soon as they're updated on FanGraphs. Sorry about that.

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Going forward, no

But it’s undeniable that Morales has really stepped it up for the Angels this year.

F*** Billy Beane... actually, I kinda like Holliday

by vivaelpujols on Aug 2, 2009 11:17 PM EDT reply actions

Wonder why Teix's UZR is negative this year...

But, yes, it appears that Morales has been a GREAT bargain for the Angels.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday

by bdalebs on Aug 2, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions

That actually shocked me, as well. I got to see a lot of Teixeira in Anaheim and I do not recall him being negative in the fielding department. He was sensational. I actually still miss him.

by FlyByKnight on Aug 3, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Range, he’s very slow

by McCann's the Man on Aug 3, 2009 3:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Really? I always remembered Teixeira as a very good range fielder. According to The Hardball Times, he’s gotten to 25 balls Out of Zone this year. And he hasn’t made a true fielding error yet. I loved his fielding ability while he was with the Angels. It was a dream. Kotchman was amazing, as well.

by FlyByKnight on Aug 3, 2009 4:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I did say I would update it.

The updated wOBA’s for each are .383 (Morales) and .396 (Teixeira).

Teixeira has been worth 3.3 WAR while Morales has been worth 2.6 WAR.

Kendry Morales has the higher ISO out of both guys, .282 to Teixeira’s .265 mark.

There really is no real difference between the two guys. I’m sure both sides are happy but it is interesting to look at.

by FlyByKnight on Aug 3, 2009 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

I wonder why so many ppeople are surprsied by Morales

He has always been a power prospect and people seem not to remember it. He was considered good once, he is just older so that detered people. He is a great bargain for the angels

Carlos Guillen, the Latino Nick Punto

by The_Fan on Aug 7, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions