Don't look now, but Albert Pujols, Andre Ethier, Adrian Gonzalez and Joey Votto are the only National Leaguers with a higher OPS than Aubrey Huff. A few months ago, the Huff signing was mentioned as one of the worst moves of the winter by MLB executives who spoke to Tim Dierkes. After all, Huff finished the 2009 season with a lower batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage than the player he was hired to replace, Travis Ishikawa. Not only that, Huff is seven years older than the slick-fielding Ishikawa and cost the Giants $3MM.
At the time, it seemed like a deal the Giants didn't have to make. Now, it's hard to imagine where they'd be without Huff, who is hitting .307/.399/.550 with 12 homers. If this performance came out of nowhere, it would seem fluky, but Huff did hit 32 homers with a .912 OPS just two years ago. His current batting average on balls in play and home run to fly ball ratio are in line with the ones he has posted in his best seasons, so it doesn't seem like he's on the brink of regressing.
Huff's improved batting will undoubtedly help his case when he hits free agency again after the season. His versatile play won't hurt, either. He started the season at first base, but has been playing in left and right since Buster Posey arrived in the majors.
Still, it's hard to imagine teams offering Huff multi-year deals. He turns 34 this December and other sluggers like David Ortiz, Vladimir Guerrero, Carlos Pena, Troy Glaus and Adam Dunn could be available this winter. But if Huff keeps hitting like this, he could more than double his salary on a one-year deal for 2011.
Few things to consider.
1. Huff has hit 5 big flys at AT&T that are homers in any other park in baseball (which puts him at 17 HRs)
2. He is really happy playing on a contender. He said he just didn’t have the ‘spark’ last year.
3. He is a fine and versatile defender.
I hope the Giants resign him. He has quickly become a favorite for Giants fans not just for his hitting, but because of his good nature and candid interviews.
The Giants found a diamond in the ‘Huff’.
I was really hoping he would play good so that I could say that.
I was surprised and a little disappointed with the Huff signing because it came out of nowhere and I didn’t know much about him.
Now that I’ve got to see him play…this guy is a gamer! Not only has he excelled on the field, he is a good locker room guy as well. He truly enjoys the game!
Hopefully we can get rid of Bengie soon and get Buster behind the plate. Huff has been good in the OF but I’d rather have him full time at 1B and look for another OF bat.
Burrell has been great so far as well.
I’m currently using this article as means to justify a fantasy league trade where I send Aubrey Huff and 2 month of lawn care in exchange for Albert Pujols.
i really like aubrey huff. i liked him even more when he hit the home run off chamberlain and was pumping his fist like joba does rounding 1st a few years ago. i really had a feeling that he was a bargain buy this off season and i’m glad he has been so far because i was talking a lot of crap to all my dodger friends.
“meanwhile in other Free Agent Stock Watch, theres the case of all star catcher and future HOF pudge rodriguez who signed a 2 year deal with washington that many bashed this past offseason, so now looking back the question must be asked(capps aside) how bad would washington be without pudge?”
I think its safe to say Uribe and Huff will be back next year also and they both love playing in SF.
Uribe, Huff, Derosa, Sanchez, maybe Burrell as our 5 veterans for next year, now the GIANTS need to get a couple of big bats that play in the outfield for next year. Rowand is gone, Renteria is gone, and Molina is gone, they need to find better players to replace these guys for next year.