Willy Aybar

2013

There was no outlook written for Willy Aybar.

2011

Aybar had a dismal 2010 season, hitting only .230 while filling a super-utility role for the Rays. His .654 OPS was among the lowest in the league for players with more than 250 at-bats. As a result, the Rays chose to non-tender him in December. Look for him to land on another team and at least sign a minor-league deal, but the opportunity for more playing time likely exists for him somewhere else.

2010

Aybar spent 2009 in a utility role playing first, second and third for the Rays. As a result, he should be eligible at all three positions in 2010. He hit .253 for the second straight season and had 12 home runs in 296 at-bats. Just like the past two seasons when he subbed for an injured Evan Longoria, Akinori Iwamura and Carlos Pena, it will take an injury for Aybar to find consistent playing time.

2009

Luckily for the Rays, Aybar hit far above that .253 level for a month while filling in for the injured Evan Longoria at third base (.305/.366/.508, five homers in 32 games), but note that his good numbers against lefties last year (.266, .794 OPS in 140 plate appearances) were helped by a .290 BABIP rate that's bound to decline in the future. The Rays likely will bring him back in a super-utility role next season.

2008

Aybar missed the entire 2007 season after battling a substance abuse problem and due to a broken hamate bone in his right hand. If healthy, he'll be used in a utility role where he can field several positions. While he gets on base at a decent rate, he offers little for fantasy owners with modest power and few steals.

2007

Aybar will serve as a utility infielder for the Braves after being traded from the Dodgers late last season. Aybar gets on base at a decent rate and can field several positions well, but offers little for fantasy owners with modest power and few steals. He could have upside for playing time as the primary backup to the oft-injured Chipper Jones or could contend for the starting second base job if the Braves don't sign a veteran.

2006

Aybar's strong September play led some to advocate giving him the starting job at third base, but a closer examination of his skill set indicates his bat would probably be lacking. He doesn't hit for much power, a shortcoming that some organizations can better withstand than the Dodgers. Also, while Aybar has good speed, his baserunning instincts aren't terribly refined.

2005

The Dodgers decided to move Aybar from third base to second last year because his power, or lack thereof, plays better there. He's considered a solid defender and looks like he'll at least have a future as utility player in the majors.

2004

Last season was a good growth year for Aybar in the Florida State League (Dodgers organization). Aybar had over 40 extra base hits and had a decent BB/K ratio (40/71) in 2003. He's still a few years away from the majors.

2003

Displayed nice on base skills at Vero Beach drawing 67 walks vs. 53 K's despite hitting for a .216 average. The combination of plate discipline plus the power/speed tools makes Aybar a prospect worth tracking.