In Praise of Joaquin Arias (seriously)

[msgkings322]

I just want to take a moment to give this guy a shout. I know this is not a good year, but it's probably his last and he was a player who was in the picture once in a while, he helped, he had moments. He was a full 1 WAR guy off the bench in 2012. Taking that tough grounder subbing in for Panda, closing out Cain's perfecto....owning Kershaw for some reason....won 2 rings, very reliable defense all around the infleld....classy guy. I'm gonna miss him, but it's gotta be for the best.

 

[SFGRTB]

Fun fact about the guy, when the Rangers traded A-Rod to the Yankees for Alfonso Soriano, Arias was included as a PTBNL from the Yankees. He was selected over Robinson Cano, among 3 others.

At the time, Arias was highly touted, ranking as the 4th prospect on the Yankees, and reached as high as #77 in the top 100. Cano was ranked 6th, and never made a top 100 list. His defense was thought to be superior and he was 2 years younger. A shoulder injury derailed his career though in 2007, as he never recovered and found the bat speed that he possessed as a young teenager.

 

[SFGRTB]

Another fun fact: at least 6 teams were interested in Arias, but his agent urged him to sign in SF because the opportunity was there with Craw coming off a rough rookie season with the bat and Theriot not exactly starter material.

Arias goes on to record the final out of a perfecto, hit his first homer, and win a World Series in that first year. Safe to say, he made the right choice.

 

[calsnowskier]

When Arias leaves the Giants (likely after this year), I will look back on his time fondly. While his last two years here were mainly disappointing, he was a VERY good util and anchored that job beautifully. I hope he is able to move on to another team and continue his career, but I fear he will be limited to a ST invite type of contract.

 

[Mays-Fan]

I noticed it was Arias who kept Sanchez under control in game 2 in San Diego in the 9th inning when the benches cleared.

 

[msgkings322]

I noticed it was Arias who kept Sanchez under control in game 2 in San Diego in the 9th inning when the benches cleared.

Yep I noticed that too, that's kind of what made me think of this post

 

[Mays-Fan]

Yep I noticed that too, that's kind of what made me think of this post

Yeah he probably did that because if Sanchez got tossed, Arias would have to catch. LOL.

 

[calsnowskier]

Yeah he probably did that because if Sanchez got tossed, Arias would have to catch. LOL.

Posey hadnt been burned yet, had he?

 

[Pattersonca65]

Arias deserves the kudos. Another unsung hero for me is javier Lopez. He doesn't get alot of attention as a lefty specialist but he has come in relief and made some big outs in the playoffs over the years.

 

[Mays-Fan]

Posey hadnt been burned yet, had he?

Posey was playing 3B, wasn't he?