Mike Stanton

The Nats picked up Mike Stanton yesterday for the league minimum. Stanton was released by the Yankees, who grew tired of his 7+ ERA. You might think that the guy has no value, but he did do pretty well against left handed hitters, so if he's going to be used as a LOOGY (left-handed one out guy) he could have some value, but probably not much if he's going to be used for more than that. In other words, it's not a great pick-up, but it could help somewhat.

Stanton doesn't seem to get that. Here's an excerpt from a story on mlb.com:

"Stanton said he thinks his lack of work may have contributed to his poor numbers in his second stint in the Bronx.

"'They [the Yankees] had me as a left-handed specialist,'" said Stanton, who has held left-handed hitters to a .245 mark over his 17-year Major League career. "'But I have to be used often, even against right-handers. I have more success against right-handers than I do left-handers.'"

Um, Mike, right handers are CRUSHING the ball against you. These are Stanton's stats against right handers this year: .519 OBP, .913 SLG, 1.432 OPS. Those are beyond Ruthian numbers. His numbers against righties were better in 2004, but still not great: .370 OBP, .426 SLG, .796 OPS. The .370 OBP is a bit scary.