A Few Words on Gabe Kapler

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 8, 2009 10:09 PM EST Comment 42 comments

Don't Google image search "Gabe Kapler" if you want to maintain a sense of dignity.

Last three years of WAR:

2005	0.3
2006	0.2
2008	1.7

Plate appearances in those years:

2005	104
2006	147
2008	245

Primary position and UZR rates over those years:

2005	RF	6.9
2006	RF	5.1
2008	CF	5.3

Earlier today, on J.P. Peterson's radio show, Andrew Friedman alluded that Upton may not be ready by opening day. If that's the case, and the Rays don't feel Fernando Perez or Gabe Gross are enough, it would make some sense to bring Kapler in. Upon Upton's ~~up-townish~~ return, Kapler could slide in as the fourth outfielder, leaving Perez in Durham and Gross elsewhere.

Frankly, let's forget that scenario and just have Upton be healthy.

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I think I don't want him.....

I don’t know if I can cheer for that….

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

by SRQman on Jan 8, 2009 10:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Now that we lost Rocco

Im still kind of mixed on Kapler. Last year, obviously was awesome, but was it a complete anomaly and will he revert to his past performance? Obviously the key things with Kapler are he plays all three outfield positions well, mashes lefties, and is a veteran bat for the bench. He definately seems like a guy that should never face a RHP, as his OPS is dismal the past few years. Aside from 06, his OPS against LHP has been great, 1.001, .749, .877, .833, and .832 his fast few seasons.

if there is a chance Joyce or Upton is not ready by opening day, is anyone else in agreement that it would be better to let Aybar or Perez play every day?

by BossmanJunior333 on Jan 8, 2009 11:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just take all our old outfielders, please.

I really regret that Gross trade now (it seemed like a good idea at the time, the outfield was crowded and he wasn’t going to get any ABs at all).

---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by jhmoore on Jan 9, 2009 4:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wait, let me try to understand.

You regret the Gross trade in which we gave up a 23 year old pitcher who in his second season in high A ball ended with a 5.36 ERA, gave up 10 home runs in 82.1 innings and allowed 4.4 BBs with just 6.9 Ks per 9 innings, pretty much justifying his 2-8 record?

For this we got a fine defensive major league outfielder who in 308 ABs hit 13 home runs and ended with an OPS+ of 100, making him an average player who played a significant role in the Rays’ drive to the pennant. Filling in as a defensive sub and platoon right fielder, he had an OBP of .356 vs. right handers and in August when key offensive players were injured he hit .293/.376/.533! to help keep the team’s offense effective enough.

And this cost the Rays a bit more than $400,000! Remember too that the alternative at the time was Nathan Haynes. And we still have him in the event that Joyce is not ready to be called up. So, for this return, a major leaguer with useful skills, on a deal of essentially a non-prospect in a stable of much more promising pitchers, you have regrets? I admit that I miss your point. Seems to me that if Gross never does anything positive for the Rays again he has more than justified that trade, and there is every reason to think that should he remain with the team he will continue to contribute.

Post-script: What do you mean by “old outfielders”? Do you mean by age? Then what is old? Gross just turned 29. Nobody else on the roster is even 28, unless you mean Burrell, and he is the DH. Do you want to get rid of him? Or do you mean by tenure with the team? That would mean you want to have someone “take” Crawford. But if you mean Gross, he is certainly not old in any sense.

by bobr on Jan 9, 2009 7:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's a Brewer's fan

So, yes, he justifiably regrets the trade.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Jan 9, 2009 8:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I suspect the team would be happy to trade him back

Although it would take more than Josh Butler to do so.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Jan 9, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You'll have to forgive bobr

You’d think he’d be used to other teams fans coming here to complain about being Friedman’d by now.

by kericr on Jan 9, 2009 9:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oops!

by bobr on Jan 9, 2009 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The funny thing is

that our GM, Doug Melvin, is now on the prowl for a lefty outfield bat that can play all three positions and not be a totally inept hitter (like Tony Gwynn Jr.) Where could we even find one of those? That’s the reason he doesn’t want Kapler back, too many righties in the outfield.

Kapler would be a good choice if he’s cheap enough, but there’s no sense in paying him the $2.5-$3 mil I think he wanted at the start of the offseason.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Jan 9, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So Melvin might want Gabe Gross back?

We start the bidding at R.J. Swindle.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 9, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he would've been really interested if Gross had been non-tendered

i’m not so sure now. And no, you can’t have our Swindle.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Jan 9, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cautiously optimistic

Was Andrew’s words in regards to BJ’s availability…I would NOT be opposed to an insurance signing of Kapler, who could fill in CF or RF, as well as perhaps providing more pop than what Gross has. If they don’t want Nando, at least off the top, then having Kapler makes sense. Kapler is best in short spurts and is not someone you can really count on for a 10-15 game stretch. I do recall he tore his achilles and does have some knee problems, but I can appreciate what he does

Joe

by joedobr on Jan 9, 2009 8:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

ROCCO WAZ ESURANCE!

by rglass44 on Jan 9, 2009 10:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I thought Erin was ESurance

And no, I am absolutely not going to do a GIS on “Erin Esurance”. I think I’ve learned my lesson by now.

by kericr on Jan 9, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can anyone explain to me why Gabe Kapler is notoriously clutch

If there is no such thing as being clutch?

In 2001 he stole 23 bases and had 8 assists from center field for Texas. He batted .267, but .329 in games that were late and close.

In 2002, he batted .279, but .321 in games that were late and close, and .357 with runners in scoring position.

Kapler played a career-high 136 games in 2004, hitting 6 home runs and driving in 33 runs in 290 at-bats. He batted .272, but .303 in games that were late and close.

For the year (2008), Kapler batted .301, with a .498 slugging percentage, hit 8 home runs, and was 3 for 4 in stolen bases, playing most of his games in center field, and batting .386 with a .632 slugging percentage in tie games. He was the club’s best pinch-hitter, batting .323 with 2 homers (the first pinch-hit shots of his career) and 8 RBIs. He had 2 extra-inning walk-off hits, including a home run against Washington in August. Kapler also broke up Chris Young’s perfect game with a homer in the 8th inning against San Diego late in the season.

clutch or coincidence?

by Rays4242 on Jan 9, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who mentioned he was clutch?

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 9, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

so you call that coincidence Im assuming?

by Rays4242 on Jan 9, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In 2002, he batted .279, but .321 in games that were late and close, and .357 with runners in scoring position.

Kapler played a career-high 136 games in 2004, hitting 6 home runs and driving in 33 runs in 290 at-bats. He batted .272, but .303 in games that were late and close.

For the year (2008), Kapler batted .301, with a .498 slugging percentage, and batting .386 with a .632 slugging percentage in tie games. He was the club’s best pinch-hitter, batting .323 with 2 homers (the first pinch-hit shots of his career) and 8 RBIs. He had 2 extra-inning walk-off hits, including a home run against Washington in August. Kapler also broke up Chris Young’s perfect game with a homer in the 8th inning against San Diego late in the season.

by Rays4242 on Jan 9, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oops * In 2001 he stole 23 bases and had 8 assists from center field for Texas. He batted .267, but .329 in games that were late and close.

by Rays4242 on Jan 9, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's got a career .744 OPS in L&C situations.

A career .756 OPS overall.

CLUTCH!!!!

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 9, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's unclutch, dummy.

by rglass44 on Jan 9, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

.718 OPS in High Leverage situations.

Um, yeah, he’s clutch if you random sample things.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 9, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's got a career average of .273, but bats 1.000 when he gets a HIT

CLUTCH!!!!

by kericr on Jan 9, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that's almost like saying when he gets a hit he never get out....

that’s clutch

by Tommy Rancel on Jan 9, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jesus you're dumb

TWMI

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 9, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Santa Claus Theory again....

Kid goes to bed no presents under the tree, but he believes Santa Claus is coming. When he wakes up presents are there…

Santa Claus or coincidence?

by Tommy Rancel on Jan 9, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Um, Santa Claus is real, this clutch crap is just a figment of rampant imaginations.

by kericr on Jan 9, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kapler is Jewish

therefore to him there is no Santa.

by Tommy Rancel on Jan 9, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Christians don't believe Santa exists either, and I don't hold it against them.

by kericr on Jan 9, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How bout you leave the Christ in CHRISTmas

kthxbai

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 9, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

post hoc ergo propter hoc

(Watching West Wing this morning)

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Jan 9, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DORK

I loved that show. Especially Erik Gordon’s character.

by rglass44 on Jan 9, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is Erik Gordon the villain in Billy Madison

I love that little weasely laugh of his.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 9, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes

by rglass44 on Jan 9, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone actually google image Gabe Kapler?

This is the real problem people.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

by SRQman on Jan 9, 2009 3:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Only you tons of fun

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 9, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope.

Maybe if he was post-op you would enjoy it more.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

by SRQman on Jan 9, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who's to say he isn't already?

The world is full of “interesting” people. Personally if I was going to turn into anything it would be some sort of bender-like robot. Or maybe a helicopter.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Jan 9, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs