A Quick ReKapler

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 13, 2009 1:26 AM EDT Comment 11 comments

Tampa Bay Rays' Gabe Kapler is congratulated by third-base coach Tom Foley as he rounds the base on his way to score on a home run hit against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday June 12, 2009 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

More photos » by Brian Blanco - AP

4 months ago: Tampa Bay Rays' Gabe Kapler is congratulated by third-base coach Tom Foley as he rounds the base on his way to score on a home run hit against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday June 12, 2009 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

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Speaking purely from a WPA standpoint, Gabe Kapler's pinch hit homerun is about the fifth biggest player of his career since 2002. WPA only takes offense into account, so we're talking about nearly 1,500 regular season plays in that span, and tonight you saw one of the five most contextually meaningful moments in (basically) Kapler's entire career. That's quite incredible, just like Kapler's ability to go from pick 1,488in 1995 to a major leaguer with more than 1,500 plate appearances. I mean, that's almost a plate appearance per player picked in front of him. Incredible.

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Awesome...that shot came out of nowhere.

2008 Tampa Bay Rays: The Longest of Longshots

by Kenny845 on Jun 13, 2009 1:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That two pitch sequence was halarious

2009 Rays Baseball: God Damn It, Guys

by JMB on Jun 13, 2009 3:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It really made me chuckle because

on another site I have been arguing that we should allow the benefit of the doubt to the Rays for keeping Kapler on the roster, that his pretty decent career numbers against lefties suggests he may yet contribute despite his awful performance so far.

In any case, my son and I were at the game and I was commenting that Kapler’s swing looked really long and slow. That weak pop up seemed to confirm that he simply could not handle even mediocre stuff. Then came what looked to me like a lunging swing and a ball that snuck over the wall! Frankly, he does look terrible at the plate and if there were a viable alternative I would have no problem with releasing him.

It hardly confirms my argument, but I do think the Rays need a right handed outfield bat on the bench and remain optimistic that Friedman, Maddon and company are keeping Kapler because he is currently the best option available to them.

by bobr on Jun 13, 2009 7:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Aybar essentially fills the RH OF off the bench role b/c of Zo's ability to play RF

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jun 13, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We've been saying something to this effect since last year, but the Rays absolutely will not play him in the OF. They know something we don't.

"Where we all wait in earnest with pudding in hand for the Upton comet to sail through the roofed skies, so that we may meet Him."

by kericr on Jun 13, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read it that way first as well, but

I think Zo is saying that because of Zobot’s ability to play RF and Aybar playing 2B, so it is like Aybar fills that need indirectly.

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 13, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

......What?

No I see what you’re getting at, if that’s the case, he did a bad job phrasing it.

"Where we all wait in earnest with pudding in hand for the Upton comet to sail through the roofed skies, so that we may meet Him."

by kericr on Jun 13, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As did I explaining it

Once again you are faultless O Greek God of Grammar

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 13, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you are right,

and in fact with Dillon available it provides two second basemen allowing Maddon to move Zobrist to RF and still have a righty on the bench. Part of the Rays efforts have been to have versatile players so that Maddon can be more flexible. Nonetheless, should Kapler be sent off, someone has to fill that roster spot, and I don’t think there is currently a better option in the system.

In fact we were wondering why Maddon sent Kapler up to pinch hit instead of Aybar, or even Dillon. Of course, I assume it was because it was to replace Gross in RF and he preferred to leave Zobrist at 2B. It was very comforting to know that even after Kapler came into the game, there remained Aybar and Dillon on the bench if needed for extra inning duties.

by bobr on Jun 13, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs