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Crazy Idea: Rob Quinlan

A candidate for the outfield and the infield, Rob Quinlan is expected to become a free agent. He's been an Angel his entire career but never played a full season. I think this guy would be an excellent addition to the team as a back up and a solid back up for Aramis Ramirez. Here's a link confirming the free agency: 

We heard earlier in the week that Quinlan will not be back in Anaheim next year.

The 32-year-old hit .243/.275/.339 last year, spending some time at all four corner positions. He posted an .836 OPS as recently as 2006, but teams may be wary of Quinlan'squestionable defense and fading contact skills. He has a reputation as a solid clubhouse presence and it wouldn't be fair to draw sweeping conclusions from a year of part time play, but his numbers weren't good last year.

Here's a link to his career stats: Linky
The guy plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF and is a decent hitter
What do you think?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Chad Tracy > Robb Quinlan

I’d rather have Tracy.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2009 3:53 PM CST reply actions  

I would think they're very similar

But Tracy is older. Quinlan is unproven

Just figured I’d throw his name out there.

I really don’t know much about the guy. He’s spelled 3B a lot for the Angels. What do you know that I don’t?

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Nov 20, 2009 4:20 PM CST up reply actions  

Tracy is older?

Not unless I’ve misread my calendar. Tracy was born May 22, 1980. Quinlan was born March 17, 1977 — looks like Quinlan is three years older.

And Quinlan IS proven… as the link says, his numbers have been declining for three years.

Tracy’s numbers have too, but he’s been injured. He’s presumably healthy now. Would definitely be worth a look.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions  

Definitely switched the two up as far as age

As far as Quinlan’s numbers, can you say they would continue to decline if he was given solid playing time?

Although I think I’ve just nullified my point because the role I want him to play is back up man….

Damnit!

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Nov 20, 2009 4:44 PM CST up reply actions  

I think quinlan has proven he isn't a very good hitter

I certainly would want him starting and I’d rather have Fox to back up those positions

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Nov 20, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions  

Sounds pretty crazy to me.

So he can play the corners… badly. Used to have some pop… which hasn’t been seen since 2006. Has had two good seasons offensively in his career… both of which were fueled by high BABIPs in small sample sizes (read: luck). And he’s too old to expect a breakout.

He is 29th on the list of lowest position-player WARs with at least 1000PA since the beginning of the WAR era (2002) and sits on that list between Aaron Miles and Wily Mo Peña. In 2009 he was 13th among players with at least 100PA (to eliminate pitchers), between Darin Erstad and Gary Matthews Jr.

I’m sure he’s a nice guy that phones his mother every Sunday at 4, but we’re trying to win baseball games here.

by aldimond on Nov 20, 2009 5:09 PM CST reply actions  

Quinlan is not unproven

He’s been a solid utility player for the Angels for several years. The Cubs could do a lot worse. He’s be a great DeRosa-type player to have.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Nov 21, 2009 11:11 AM CST reply actions  

Quinlan isn't even the poor man's DeRosa.

For the last three years his OPS are .652, .637 and .614. That’s headed toward Jose Macias territory. No thanks.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 21, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions  

Sorry, I've seen too much of him to buy into that

He’s a good guy to have.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Nov 21, 2009 2:35 PM CST up reply actions  

I'd rather have Chad Tracy.

This is one time where I’m going to believe the stats. Tracy is three years younger than Quinlan and he’s a better player.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 21, 2009 3:14 PM CST up reply actions  

The goal is to make the team better isn't it?

Hard to see how Quinlan helps there.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Nov 24, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions  

Great idea

If you want a 1B, 3B, LF, and RF player, how about one who can actually hit? Wait a minute, we already have him. His name is Jake Fox. Oh, and he can catch, too.

I forgot, he’s on the trade block for trying too hard and for having a positive attitude on the field. Too bad for him.

by TheGrinch13 on Nov 22, 2009 3:51 PM CST reply actions  

If you want a 1B, 3B, LF, and RF player, how about one who can actually hit fastballs?

fixed that sentence for you

1 Aaron down, 1 to go

by jesus christos on Nov 22, 2009 6:13 PM CST up reply actions  

Well, I'll be honest...

…I’ve never really heard of Quinlan. But looking at his numbers on Fangraphs, all I can say is: Yeah, this is a crazy idea. And a bad one. And we already have Jeff Baker to be this kind of player. Oh, and he spells his first name with two b’s.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 23, 2009 11:26 AM CST reply actions  

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