The numbers I'm looking into are from Williams' entire career. If you want to think he can turn into a miracle pitcher, super. I'm not an Angels fan, so if you're cool with the team throwing away games in an "all-in" season, who am I to complain?

This time last year I was here saying Vernon Wells would crash and burn and the Angels would regret trading Napoli. I guess I just like to "look too far into the numbers."

Just out of curiosity, and I'm not trying to be mean, I want to ask you if you post on any other team's board other than this one and the Braves', assuming you post on the Braves' bb?

Just wondering why a Braves fan would have any interest in posting over here.

Again, I'm not being mean, I'm just curious. :)

Yeah, that was pretty bad. The entire offense taking a nap, and two of our best starting pitchers suffering season-ending injuries was the likely cause.

Yes, I'm on the Braves board. It's been pretty quiet there since our most exciting off season move was signing Jack Wilson.

I was interested in the Angels several years ago, since they were a team that was very clearly stat-ignorant (or at least ignored stats) but still continued to win. Then when the Vernon Wells fiasco happened I started coming here to see how the board reacted. Mostly it was 90% homers saying Wells was a steal and would hit 30 HRs and get 100 RBIs, and I tried to temper their enthusiasm, but it didn't work.

There are also a lot of very sabermetrics-oriented people on this board, more so than on the Atlanta board. And I also live in a weird timezone, with the west coast being closer than the east.

Okay, thanks for the reply. :)

I vaguely remember you telling us where you live but I can't remember where that was. Obviously, not in Atlanta.

I'm in Japan. :)

Yikes!!!

How did you become a Braves fan from there? Or were you originally living in the States and then you moved to Japan?

Yep, originally from the States. I also made a brief run at being an A's fan last year (I can watch West coast team games live, but rarely East coast games). It didn't take.

Nah, being a Braves fan I can't really be a fan of a team that spends its way to success. No offense. Same reason I cant' root for the Red Sox or really the Rangers now.

>Mostly it was 90% homers saying Wells was a steal and would hit 30 HRs and get 100 RBIs, and I tried to temper their enthusiasm, but it didn't work.<

My memory must be failing me. I don't remember very many people who liked the trade. There were some who hoped he could perform like he did during his good years but I don't remember anyone saying he was a STEAL. Almost everyone hated the contract.

Some, like me tried make the best of it yet none of us were convinced that he was a good addition to the team. Last year was terrible, he should be able to improve from last year but will never be worth the money he is making.

It was a bad move even if he ends up hitting 30 HR's and getting 100 RBI's because I doubt he will ever have a good AVG, OBP, WAR, OPS.

The overall tone was certainly positive/optimistic. Otherwise I wouldn't have spent very much time here.

< My memory must be failing me. I don't remember very many people who liked the trade. >

I remember quite a few people that tried to justify the Wells trade, but no one that actually thought it was a good idea.

Alright fair enough, Why don't we just evaluate a little more when spring training starts and then go from there. No pitcher no matter how good they are is a guarantee and there is always a pitcher with a breakout year (a la Vogelsong 2011) let's just hope everything for Williams works out because it's always best to stay positive.

>I remember quite a few people that tried to justify the Wells trade, but no one that actually thought it was a good idea.<

Exactly how I remember it. I know I was trying to look for any possible bright spots. I, as well as anyone else knew he would never be worth the money he is getting paid. I really don't remember anyone gushing about the trade.

Nor do I. I don't see how Arte let it got though to be honest.

I don't know for sure but Arte must have OK'ed it because of big dollar commitment. Not a popular trade to say the least.

But he's here and I'm rooting for him to have a great comeback season and help us get to the World Series.