PUJOLS VS. VAUGHN.

L.A. ANGELS BIG FREE AGENT 1B

ALBERT PUJOLS VS. MO VAUGHN 

Angels fans have a real dislike for Mo Vaughn and I really can't understand why? I have never heard anything nice said about the guy in southern california. Fans act like the guy didn't produce for the Halos, like he was a complete lazy bust. Have you even bothered to take a look at the numbers? If you had you would see he was a very productive player up until his injury back in 2001.  I find it interesting that Vaughn's numbers compare nicely to Albert Pujols stats this season. 

Mo Vaughn 
Games 139
Plate Appearances 592
AB 524 
Hits 147
Runs 63
HR  33
RBI  108 
BA  .281
SLG .508
OPS. .866
Total Bases  266

Albert Pujols
Games  154 
Plate Appearances  670

AB  607
Hits  173
Runs  85
HR   30
RBI  105
BA  .285 
SLG .516
OPS.  .859
Total Bases  313


While it looks like Albert gets the best of him in season 1 it might be difficult for Pujols to keep up with Vaughn after completing season 2.  
Mo Vaughn's second season with Anaheim he played in 
161 games 
and had over 700 plate appearances. 
He hit 36 HR with 117 RBI 
with an OPS. of over .860. 

THAT WOULD BE 69 homers and 225 RBI in two seasons 

Given Albert's numbers this season I think it would be considered a pretty good year if he could reach Vaughn's 2nd season power stats. Let that soak in for a sec. 

The fact that Albert Pujols will have to have a better season next year just to keep up with Mo Vaughn's Angels totals should say something. Vaughn looks far from a lazy bust so far.  If you expected Vaughn to carry the same average he did in Fenway then you probably didn't think did you? I mean suddenly 215 foot jam shot fly balls aren't doubles.

If you look at Mo's numbers and compare them with where he would rank in today's game he would still be considered an elite 1B. Which means the Angels did get 2 great seasons out of the guy and isn't that better then 4 or 5 below average seasons? In a world of bad contracts it could of been a whole lot worse. If he doesn't rupture that tendon who knows how his tenure with Anaheim plays out. I would assume he would of continued being a very productive power hitter in the middle of the order and poor Scott Spiezio would of never got a chance. 

Vaughn was a very fine player he finished in the top 5 of the MVP voting 3 times.  winning it back in 1995.