Valbuena Shipped to Toronto

there is no more typical deal that could have been made here.

6 months ago westbrook 31 comments 0 recs |

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Toronto, of course.

Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.

by USSChoo on Nov 26, 2011 9:56 PM EST reply actions

Unbelievable. How long until LaPorta goes to Seattle?

by Jay on Nov 27, 2011 1:31 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

WAR totals of the players with some relation to Cleveland since the three team trade with Seattle:

Joe Smith: 1.4 at $1,725,000 or 1 WAR for $1,232,142
Luis Valbuena: – 1.7 at $815,000 or well you f’ it…the Indians paid money for below replacement level production.
Total: -.3 at $2,540,000 or (see above).

Franklin Gutierrez: 9.3 at $7,705,000 or 1 WAR for $828,494

These ratios will only narrow over the next two years, but it’s pretty fair to say Luis Valbuena 86’d that deal for us.

by hans on Nov 27, 2011 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

these are fangraphs WAR totals, not baseball-reference.

by hans on Nov 27, 2011 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

For comparison with B-Ref…

Joe Smith: 2.6 or $663,461/WAR
Luis Valbuena: -.5
Total: 2.1 or $1,209,523/WAR

Franklin Gutierrez: 8 or $963125/WAR

Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.

by USSChoo on Nov 27, 2011 10:01 PM EST up reply actions

What does any of that have to do with washed-up first basemen?

by Jay on Nov 28, 2011 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

So to recap…Johnny Mac, Inglett, Jayson Nix, Valbuena, Hector Luna…

by supermarioelia on Nov 27, 2011 1:40 PM EST reply actions

Right. But just to be clear, the has-beens go to the Mets. Toronto takes the guys who never were.

by Jay on Nov 27, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm sucky middle infielder ends up north of the border, what a shock.

by talonk on Nov 27, 2011 11:27 PM EST reply actions

As an Indian fan from Toronto, I can tell you, with no hyperbole, that John MacDonald was one of the most beloved players here in a long time. He represented the ‘everyman’ (a la Sal Fasano), which is an intangible but thoroughly endearing quality for any athlete north of the border to possess. I truly mean that, as silly as it sounds. When Johnny Mac hit a home run on Father’s Day (days after he buried his father) the general public/media outpouring of love was something to behold. Journalistic objectivity was out the window that day and was expected to be.

Now, everyone here readily acknowledged he had no bat, but his fielding was worthy and he appeared to have a solid, team-first attitude — dare I say, a grinder-like work ethic — which we Canadians, in general, very much appreciate. In a way, he personified our national psyche.

In the end, I’m glad the Indians never kept him. Then again, I’m glad I was given the chance to keep following his career up close.

"Sounds like 'Take the Z-Train' to me." -- Antoine Batiste

by T.O. Tribe on Nov 28, 2011 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

He benefitted from low expectations. Happens all the time.

by Jay on Nov 28, 2011 6:52 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, I think it was a bit more than that. In all honesty, like Sal Fasano, much of it had to do with how Johnny Mac looks. The man has these droopy eyes ~~- a real hang dog expression -~~ that instantly speaks to the viewer, telling them that he shares the face of a major leaguer.

"Sounds like 'Take the Z-Train' to me." -- Antoine Batiste

by T.O. Tribe on Nov 29, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

Aren’t everyman grinders pushing their limited skills to the max adored in the US, as well?

by JulioBernazard on Nov 30, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

In America, they are adored when they succeed. In Canada, they are adored when they fall just short of succeeding, due to circumstances outside their realm of control.

"Sounds like 'Take the Z-Train' to me." -- Antoine Batiste

by T.O. Tribe on Nov 30, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions