Comments on: What Happened to Harang?

By: James

James — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:41:50 +0000

If we can isolate a problem, like a random pen session, that probably won’t happen again, why wouldn’t you take an ex-fantasy ace in the middle rounds? Plus, his team has the potential to be better this year. Josh Johnson is very similar; however, he doesn’t have the track record.

By: nick

nick — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:20:40 +0000

What are the chances, if any, that Harang gets traded to another team?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:12:46 +0000

i would also add that adam dunn and ken griffey jr will not be patrolling the outfield, being replaced by jay bruce (plus defender) and early indications are LF will be manned by a cheap, D first option.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:58:11 +0000

Very true. Thanks for the answers, both of you.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:39:00 +0000

Great point.

By: John K.

John K. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:37:05 +0000

The impact of any one fielder on any one pitcher is almost negligible in all but the more extreme cases. The difference between Taveras’ ‘05-’06 (+12.1 UZR/150) and his ‘07-’08 (-13.3 UZR/150), if legitimate, only comes out to 4.3 runs per 230 innings. The team would pay, yes, but not so much Harang.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:48:13 +0000

Good question, Mike. And I have no idea what the answer is.

In theory, I’d guess that the large outfield in Coors has minimal influence on outfielders’ ratings, as quality center fielders should be able to cover the ground.

On the other hand, it could effect where players are positioned, thereby skewing their defensive ratings because they’re further back (or forward) than the otherwise might be.

It will be interesting to see how Taveras performs defensively. However, I think Harang is an excellent bounce-back candidate even if Taveras’s defense remains below-average.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:45:47 +0000

Absolutely agree on Harang as an undervalued bounce-back. And he owes it to me after last year. On a side note, do you think Willy Taveras’ D is as shot as his UZR suggests, or is that more a product of the large outfield in Coors Field that seems to produce depressed ratings for Rockies outfielders? ‘Cause I’d feel even better about Harang with a solid OF behind him.