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Rays Made Right Choice With Gabe Kapler Signing

Tampa Bay Rays' Gabe Kapler, and teammate Gabe Gross are joined at the arm. Together they form one really good right fielder named Gabe.

More photos » by Brian Blanco - AP

Tampa Bay Rays' Gabe Kapler, and teammate Gabe Gross are joined at the arm. Together they form one really good right fielder named Gabe.

One of the more spirited conversations this spring was over the Rays choice to sign Gabe Kapler instead of re-signing fan favorite Rocco Baldelli. Many Rocco fans felt that Baldelli, not Kapler, would have been a better right handed dance partner for Gabe Gross in right field. However, Andrew Friedman signed Kapler for $1,000,018.00 dollars while Baldelli signed an incentive laced contract with division rival Boston Red Sox.

Injury concerns played a pivotal role in the choice as the Rays were still leery about Baldelli's condition holding up over the course of the season. I'm sure we are all glad to see that Rocco has remained relatively healthy this year, but in terms of production it seems the Rays made the better choice in going with the Gabe of the day platoon.

Star-divide

Based on overall numbers, the production looks almost even. Kapler is hitting .250/.331/.456 while Baldelli is hitting .269/.331/.454. Baldelli has the higher batting average, but Kapler makes up for that with walks as you can see with the identical OBP. When Kapler hits the ball it's been with authority as shown in the slightly higher slugging percentage.

However, Kapler wasn't signed for his overall production. He is what he is, a platoon player, and a damn good one at that. With Gross handling the righties, the Rays need someone to handle the southpaws; this is what Kapler does.

Vs. LHP

PA

BA

OBP

SLG

OPS

XBH

Kapler

114

0.302

0.386

0.594

0.980

19

Baldelli

78

0.296

0.359

0.437

0.796

4

Baldelli is no slouch against lefties, but Kapler is a beast. His 19 extra base hits against lefties are two more than Rocco has hit all together over the last two seasons against both lefties and righties (18 XBH in 209 PAs). Beside the offensive side of the platoon, Kapler has exhibited above average defense in the outfield which is something Baldelli has not this year.

For the season Kapler has put up a 4.9 UZR overall in the outfield. This includes a small sample size of below average defense in center and left field. For the position the Rays signed him, right field, Kapler has put up a 6.0 UZR. Baldelli on the other hand has been below average in the field this year. Rocco has played in the outfield 31 times this year and has posted a career worst -1.1 UZR. Please take into account that we are dealing with part time players so the sample sizes are smaller than a regular player, but they are that way by design. Looking at right field specifically, Baldelli has a UZR of -2.6 or nearly nine runs worse than Kapler.

One of the topics of discussion when the subsequent signings went down was salary. The Rays handed Kapler his million eighteen dollars and said go to work. The Red Sox signed Baldelli for a base salary of $525K or almost half of Kapler's base. This ruffled the feathers of some Rays fans who said OMG, we gave this guy more money than Baldelli; not quite.

Because of Baldelli's condition, the Red Sox loaded his deal with performance and roster bonuses. In addition to the base salary, Baldelli could've earned an additional $5.25 million dollars based on plate appearances and another $1.75 million dollars based on days active. For Baldelli to earn the first of his performance bonuses, he would need to amass 325 plate appearances. With 113 on the season, it does not seem likely that Rocco will hit even the lowest bench mark of these bonuses. He will, however, make some extra coin because he has been able to stay on the active roster nearly all season. Baldelli is scheduled to make and extra $250k for staying active for the following amount of days: 15, 40, 65, 90, 115, 140, 165.

Rocco has appeared in 42 games this year, but this is not based on games played, but days active. Without actually counting the number of days Rocco has been active, we can still gauge about how much he's made. To be safe, I'll say he has not reached the 90 day plateau, although he may actually have. Just by hitting the 15, 40 and 65 day marks, he has earned an additional $725k which puts his contract around $1.250 million dollars. If he stays healthy, he should earned an addition $500k pushing his deal near the $2 million dollar mark.

I'd be too much of an Andrew Friedman homer if I didn't mention Jonny Gomes in this revision of history. The Rays let Gomes walk after the 2008 season and he caught on the Cincinnati Reds on a minor league deal. After opening up the season in the minors, Gomes has simply mashed for the Reds. In 156 plate appearances, Gomes is hitting .273/.363/.561 with 11 home runs. He continues to eat left handed pitching and has an OPS of 1.020 against them in 64 PAs this year. At under a million dollars for the year, offensively Gomes is a steal. However, his move to the National League means Gomes has to actually play defense which we all know can be an adventure. He has not been terrible defensively this year, but has a UZR of -1.4 overall. I'd also add that Gomes is playing in a weaker division and his home ballpark is hitters friendly to say the least.

Taking all things: offense, defense, and contract into account, I am comfortable in saying the Rays made the "right" decision with Kapler. As much as people love Rocco and I love Gomes, Kapler has done exactly what we've asked from him this year. Sure, at times he takes ridiculous routes to track down balls in the outfield, and his baserunning has questionable from time to time, but overall the Rays are getting their moneys worth and more with Kapler.

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Kapler wins offense, defense, but Gomes wins brawlfense.

I’m calling it a wash.

Last year, with Jonny Gomes – AL Champs
This year, w/o Jonny Gomes – ?? THIRD PLACE?

So long, Sweet Lime!

by PlayOnWords on Aug 4, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

THIS IS WHY I COME TO DRAYS BAY

THE GENIUS ABILITY TO PUT ONE AND ONE TOGETHER

by Suttree on Aug 4, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I WANT MY WRESTLING NIGHTS BACK

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Aug 4, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm lighting it up over there.

When will Tommy cave in and hire me? Fucking sitting on a gold mine…

So long, Sweet Lime!

by PlayOnWords on Aug 4, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Strangely, 3 of the 5 are on the road.

Not so strangely, those 21 “Plate Appearances” (which are actually ABs, he’s had like 26 PAs) came over the span of 29 games.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Aug 4, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

but he can't hit lefties like Kapler

I haven’t looked at his 09 splits, but last year Hinske was awful again LHP as most LHB are.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Aug 4, 2009 9:50 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Actually the joke was that I was comparing two people you weren't comparing.

If I remember correctly, Hinske was supposed to be more part of the DH Platoon with Floyd then the OF Platoon with Gomes.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Aug 4, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Got to watch a Gomes AB last night on ESPN

Worked the count 3-2 and struckout whiffing on an outside slider. Somethings never change.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Aug 4, 2009 9:42 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Good analysis

He started off slow which didn’t help anyone’s opinion of him, but he’s come around nicely.

However, you forgot to include one of the major downsides of having Kapler on the team: Far too many pictures of him in a thong get posted on this site. =)

by ChiBurbRaysFan on Aug 4, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think we managed to keep that curbed.

But if you’re saying 1 is too much, then you’re right.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Aug 4, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

splits

Wow – when reading this, and knowing that Kapler mostly does play against lefties, I was wondering how his numbers could be so good against LHP, but be more average overall. Thus, I looked at the split that wasn’t included.

Kapler vs RHP – only 43 plate appearances, though I’m beginning to wonder why he has even been allowed to see that many righties.

BA/OBP/SLG: .125/.186/.125. Yes, in those 43 plate appearances, he’s walked 3 times, and gotten 5 singles.

Wow…that’s bad.

by TallMatt on Aug 4, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Kapler has been awful againt righties

Although he did well yesterday. In the early stages of the season he was forced to play against righties due to the B.J. Injury and what not. Since the early part of the season he’s been handled correctly.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Aug 4, 2009 9:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

It perplexes me how a RH hitter is so bad v RHP

Astrall, i’d think growing up all through HS, you’d probably see a heavy dose of RHP

by Raymondo on Aug 4, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

career numbers

His career numbers are much better against RHP: 261/.323/.393

Not good, but not nearly as bad.

by TallMatt on Aug 4, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Worse sight angle to the ball as it exits a pitcher's hand.

When you’re talking about 1.4 (or whatever it is) seconds between release and swing, that makes a huge difference.

So long, Sweet Lime!

by PlayOnWords on Aug 4, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I see what youre saying

but seeing a RH high school pitcher is a little different than seeing a RH major league pitcher

by BJ the Bossman on Aug 4, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

OT: I love when a manager gets too 'cute'

Last night Rangers/A’s game Rangers up 2-0 in the 9th—O’Day gets 1st two batters, but Washington calls for Wilson to get the 3rd out—mind you the tying run was not on base

4 H and 3 R later he got that 3rd out and A’s win 3-2

Beautiful

by Raymondo on Aug 4, 2009 9:54 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

some players are quirky and don't like exact numbers.

it’s superstition for some…..from the heater when he signed:

There’s a mention in the Associated Press story that Gabe Kapler’s deal with the Rays is actually for $1,000,018, with the 18 representing his lucky number, as well as a symbol of life, or chai, in the Jewish community, where gifts of money are often given in multiples of 18. While the idea may have been talked about, word from the Rays is that the deal is just for the $1-million even.

UPDATE, 3:10: Now the Rays say the extra $18 is in the contract

by chancedj on Aug 4, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The only reason the number 18 is lucky in that particular community is so that a person can ask for 18, claim to have no change

when handed a 20, and proceed to never make up the $2 difference.

I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.

by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 4, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Classic

www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer

by Buc Wild on Aug 4, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He is only a non-practicing Jew in the public eye?

Chai equals 18 in Hebrew numerology and means “Life”. $18 is an amount of cash added to gifts for good luck

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Aug 4, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh, you crafty little schmakel you.

All those saturdays at the synagogue finally paying off?

by Suttree on Aug 4, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lulz

So wait FreeZorilla is Jewish? God I love this site.

Swav or Die (>'-')> <('-')> <('-'<)
For the lulz

by SRQman on Aug 4, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

In all fairness he couldn't see your nose

I can't help that I make some things look easier than they really are.

by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 4, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

FreeZorillaStein?

www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer

by Buc Wild on Aug 4, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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