true but you mentioned his agent and he isn't a free agent yet //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif
OP
Slammed
5,000+ posts
Striking Accord
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Rosenthal's MLB notes
What other explanation could there be for what we've seen transpire this winter? Baseball owners, showing the fiscal restraint of Dennis Kozlowski on a meth bender, have doled out some of most jaw-dropping contracts in history. They've given ill-advised deals to stars (Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee), near-stars (Juan Pierre), mid-grade afterthoughts (Randy Wolf, Adam Eaton) and erstwhile waiver fodder (Gary Matthews Jr.). So sorting out the worst of the worst is a taxing endeavor.
Nonetheless, we're here to do just that. What follows are the five absolute worst free-agent signings of the off-season. Oh, and for good measure we're reveal the only contract of the winter that's actually sensible for the most part. Onward ...
The worst
1. Gary Matthews Jr., CF, Angels, five years, $50M
This is a guy who was acquired off waivers in 2003 and signed to a minor league contract as recently as 2004. Matthews is coming off a nifty season for the Rangers, but there are a couple of reasons for concern. One, his production was built upon a fluky .313 batting average compiled while playing half his games in one of baseball's best parks for hitters, and, two, his numbers last season are at odds with the rest of his career. Defensively, he makes the occasional circus grab, but overall he's a mediocre glove man in center. He'll come back to earth with the bat, continue to lose range as he ages and not come even remotely close to returning value on the dollar.
2. Juan Pierre, CF, Dodgers, five years, $45M
Juan Pierre has long been solidly overrated, and this ill-considered contract only reinforces that notion. His speed helps him make up for the fact that gets poor reads and takes bad routes in the outfield — on balance, he's nothing special with the glove. Pierre steals a lot of bases, but, in terms of his success rate, he's just a couple of ticks above the break-even point. So he's not contributing that much with his wheels. With the bat, he posted solid OBPs in his first two seasons in Florida, but most years he's not reaching base at an acceptable clip (which makes him a poor option for the leadoff spot). Oh, and his power is nonexistent. He'll create lots of outs at the plate, and he won't make up for it in the field. For five years.
3. Carlos Lee, OF, Astros, six years, $100M
(Donna Carson / Associated Press)
Lee is a solid right-handed power source who will enjoy hitting in Minute Maid. However, he's a disaster with the glove, and "El Caballo" will be 36 years old by the time this contract ends. That last point is important because Lee isn't the type of player who is likely to age well (that's to say, he's not exactly the embodiment of ascetic reserve at the buffet table). So he's going to be beyond horrible in the field by the time this contract winds down, and, of course, the Astros won't be able to stow him away at DH. It's also worth noting that Lee, despite toiling for his entire career in parks that benefit right-handed hitters, has slugged better than .500 only twice.
4. Adam Eaton, RHP, Phillies, three years, $24M
Eaton in his career has been on the disabled list six times (he's averaged fewer than 100 innings pitched in each of the last two seasons), and he's never posted a sub-4.00 ERA (although he's spent almost his entire career in the run-suppressing environs of Qualcomm and Petco). Even if he does defy the odds and manage to stay healthy for the life of this deal, he's going to be victimized by the tendencies of his new home park. Expect lots of homers allowed and lots of time on the DL.
5. Nomar Garciaparra, 1B, Dodgers, two years, $18.5M
On the whole, Garciaparra had a solid season in 2006. However, he faded badly in the second half (.229 AVG/.286 OBP/.408 SLG after the break), and it's worth noting that Dodger Stadium, since the foul territory was reduced a couple of years ago, is no longer a pitcher's haven. He'll forever have injury concerns and platoon issues, and he's 33 years old. To boot, he hasn't adapted well to first base, and his offensive numbers, relative to his new position, won't be anything special.
The best (and there's only one ...)
1. Moises Alou, OF, Mets, one year, $8.5M
In this overheated market — and when you're the deep-pocketed Mets — a one-year, $8.5-million pact is basically free. Alou has poor fielding range these days, and he's gimpy. However, he can still rake (.304 AVG/.371 OBP/.548 SLG over the last three seasons). The Mets badly need better production from the outfield corners, and they also badly need help against left-handed pitching. Alou betters them — by a lot — on both counts. This deal is further evidence that Omar Minaya has developed into one of the smartest GMs in the game today.
What other explanation could there be for what we've seen transpire this winter? Baseball owners, showing the fiscal restraint of Dennis Kozlowski on a meth bender, have doled out some of most jaw-dropping contracts in history. They've given ill-advised deals to stars (Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee), near-stars (Juan Pierre), mid-grade afterthoughts (Randy Wolf, Adam Eaton) and erstwhile waiver fodder (Gary Matthews Jr.). So sorting out the worst of the worst is a taxing endeavor.
Nonetheless, we're here to do just that. What follows are the five absolute worst free-agent signings of the off-season. Oh, and for good measure we're reveal the only contract of the winter that's actually sensible for the most part. Onward ...
The worst
1. Gary Matthews Jr., CF, Angels, five years, $50M
This is a guy who was acquired off waivers in 2003 and signed to a minor league contract as recently as 2004. Matthews is coming off a nifty season for the Rangers, but there are a couple of reasons for concern. One, his production was built upon a fluky .313 batting average compiled while playing half his games in one of baseball's best parks for hitters, and, two, his numbers last season are at odds with the rest of his career. Defensively, he makes the occasional circus grab, but overall he's a mediocre glove man in center. He'll come back to earth with the bat, continue to lose range as he ages and not come even remotely close to returning value on the dollar.
2. Juan Pierre, CF, Dodgers, five years, $45M
Juan Pierre has long been solidly overrated, and this ill-considered contract only reinforces that notion. His speed helps him make up for the fact that gets poor reads and takes bad routes in the outfield — on balance, he's nothing special with the glove. Pierre steals a lot of bases, but, in terms of his success rate, he's just a couple of ticks above the break-even point. So he's not contributing that much with his wheels. With the bat, he posted solid OBPs in his first two seasons in Florida, but most years he's not reaching base at an acceptable clip (which makes him a poor option for the leadoff spot). Oh, and his power is nonexistent. He'll create lots of outs at the plate, and he won't make up for it in the field. For five years.
3. Carlos Lee, OF, Astros, six years, $100M
(Donna Carson / Associated Press)
Lee is a solid right-handed power source who will enjoy hitting in Minute Maid. However, he's a disaster with the glove, and "El Caballo" will be 36 years old by the time this contract ends. That last point is important because Lee isn't the type of player who is likely to age well (that's to say, he's not exactly the embodiment of ascetic reserve at the buffet table). So he's going to be beyond horrible in the field by the time this contract winds down, and, of course, the Astros won't be able to stow him away at DH. It's also worth noting that Lee, despite toiling for his entire career in parks that benefit right-handed hitters, has slugged better than .500 only twice.
4. Adam Eaton, RHP, Phillies, three years, $24M
Eaton in his career has been on the disabled list six times (he's averaged fewer than 100 innings pitched in each of the last two seasons), and he's never posted a sub-4.00 ERA (although he's spent almost his entire career in the run-suppressing environs of Qualcomm and Petco). Even if he does defy the odds and manage to stay healthy for the life of this deal, he's going to be victimized by the tendencies of his new home park. Expect lots of homers allowed and lots of time on the DL.
5. Nomar Garciaparra, 1B, Dodgers, two years, $18.5M
On the whole, Garciaparra had a solid season in 2006. However, he faded badly in the second half (.229 AVG/.286 OBP/.408 SLG after the break), and it's worth noting that Dodger Stadium, since the foul territory was reduced a couple of years ago, is no longer a pitcher's haven. He'll forever have injury concerns and platoon issues, and he's 33 years old. To boot, he hasn't adapted well to first base, and his offensive numbers, relative to his new position, won't be anything special.
The best (and there's only one ...)
1. Moises Alou, OF, Mets, one year, $8.5M
In this overheated market — and when you're the deep-pocketed Mets — a one-year, $8.5-million pact is basically free. Alou has poor fielding range these days, and he's gimpy. However, he can still rake (.304 AVG/.371 OBP/.548 SLG over the last three seasons). The Mets badly need better production from the outfield corners, and they also badly need help against left-handed pitching. Alou betters them — by a lot — on both counts. This deal is further evidence that Omar Minaya has developed into one of the smartest GMs in the game today.
denim
5,000+ posts
SSAudio.com
Ken Rosenthal is an arse, he was that way when he was writing in Baltimore. His arrogance is sickening.
Orioles signed Kevin Milar for another year, but he will play less than 2/3rds of the games. Now we are supposedly trying to find a power hitting left feilder. I am sure they are going to lose out on the Carlos Lee ordeal.
Orioles signed Kevin Milar for another year, but he will play less than 2/3rds of the games. Now we are supposedly trying to find a power hitting left feilder. I am sure they are going to lose out on the Carlos Lee ordeal.
bigbangtheory
5,000+ posts
CarAudio.com Veteran
Wow Gary Matthews to the Angels for 50 mill!!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHA WTF!
denim
5,000+ posts
SSAudio.com
Another stupid move by the Orioles to trade him away. And this morning I could not believe my ears when I heard that the O's might trade away Brian Roberts (outstanding 2nd Baseman, few play harder than him), and Hayden Penn, very talented young pitcher. Could they be more stupid in the front office or what?
i'd put soriano in the top 5 over nomar. atleast LA only committed 2 years to nomar.
gotta say rosenthal hit it on the head with pierre. guess i wasn't the only one who thought he was a mediocre defender
Rochambeau
10+ year member
Pudding is good.
Yeah, Arte Moreno GUARANTEED they'd do something major this offseason.
Little did we know he meant make a MAJOR mistake! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif
more bad contracts. padilla, lugo, drew //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif kinda sucks since bonderman and guillen will be free agents and are much better then lugo and padilla.
Randy Savage
5,000+ posts
CarAudio.com Veteran
I'm stumped as to how Drew was able to get 70mil from the Sox...
because gary matthews jr. got 50 million and carlos lee got 100 million so drew fits nicely in-between. drew would've been a perfect fit for the tigers but not at 70 million //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif
Randy Savage
5,000+ posts
CarAudio.com Veteran
Nice pickup for the Padres in Maddux...
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