The Angels are not averse to analytics. They have six full-time analytics staffers, up from zero two years ago.
But there are days when analytics make you shake your head, and Monday was one of those days for the Angels. According to Fangraphs, Albert Pujols entered play Monday as the least valuable position player in the American League, at least among the 87 qualifiers for the batting title.
“We don’t attach that statement to Albert Pujols,” general manager Billy Eppler said. “That is definitely not something we believe.