Javy Lopez

Things that make you go "Hmmmmmm".

In 2003 at age 32 Javy Lopez was on top of the world. That season he set career highs in batting average (.328), OBP (.378), SLG (.687 - more than 150 points better than his second best season) and HR (43 - 9 more than the only other time he topped 30 HR back when he was 27).

2003 was also a contract year for Lopez who leveraged his career high performances to get a 3-year $22.5 million contract from the Orioles. In 2004, though, Lopez crashed back to earth - hitting just 23 HR in 122 more at bats than he had in 2003. His HR/AB rate in 2003 was 1 HR per 10.6 AB. Prior to 2003 his HR/AB rate was 1 HR every 21.8 AB. After 2003 Lopez's HR/AB rate was 1 HR every 28.6 AB. One could say that Lopez's (cough) performance was really enhanced (cough) back in that 2003 season.

Now it looks like the end of the road for Javy Lopez - he was released by the Rockies on Monday.