The Need to Sit Gary Matthews, Jr.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have an interesting problem on their hands – what to do with Gary Matthews Jr.

At the beginning of the season, Matthews was to serve as a fourth outfielder/DH/defensive specialist for the team. And while his defense has been exceptionally well, thus far, Matthews has one gaping hole in his play – his inability to hit. Going into Saturday’s afternoon game against the Chicago White Sox, Matthews has been hitting .212 with an OBP of .309, which is well below the league avereage .261/.340. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the majority of his at bats this year have come from the lead-off and number 2 slots, the slots reserved for the players that can hit, get on base and score runs. The question growing amongst anxious fans is this – How much longer are we going to stick by Matthews?

The time has come for the Angels organization to swallow their pride, admit they made a mistake by throwing $10 million a year at Matthews and sit him on the bench, before he can do anymore damage to this team. Most fans are all for bringing in Matthews as a late inning defensive replacement, but that should be the extent of his participation on this team. The Angels have younger, cheaper options that could and would give Matthews-like defense, with a much higher offensive upside. The one name that pops into most fans’ minds? Reggie Willits.

Reggie Willits – the man who came up out of nowhere last year, was a huge key to the Angels winning the AL West for the third time in four years and was voted fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting for 2007. Reggie Willits – the OBP machine. Reggie Willits – David Eckstein 2.0.

Not only would Willits be able to fill Matthews defensive void (as he can play all 3 outfield positions well), he would prove to be another catalyst from the lead-off, second or number nine hole for the recently inept Angels offense, which has struggled to get on base and score runs over the last few weeks. No longer would we have to grimace as Matthews grounds out to second with the bases loaded and 2 outs. No longer would we have to turn our heads as “Sarge” swings for the fences and misses. No longer would we have to watch our beloved Halos fail to score runs and get on base.

Need more proof? Let’s take a look at last year’s numbers. Last year, Matthews had a line of .252/.323/.419 in 140 games. Reggie Willits’ line was .293/.391/.344 in 136 games. There are notable differences between the two. Willits owns a higher batting average and a far superior on-base percentage, while Matthews provides a higher slugging percentage. While the higher slugging percentage of Matthews would normally be a big deal, this year, it is not. Mike Napoli, Casey Kotchman and the addition of Torii Hunter have added to the Angels power department, so the Angels would stand to gain by switching Willits for Matthews. They would gain another lead-off type hitter, with exceptional speed (27 SB in 35 chances in 2007) who knows how to get on base and manufacture runs. The best part about Willits? Reggie is only 26, while Matthews is 33.

Is Reggie Willits the answer to all of our offensive problems? No. Is Reggie Willits the one key to winning that ever-allusive World Series? I don’t think so. But Reggie Willits needs to be playing, and Gary Matthews Jr. needs to be sitting. That’s the bottom line.