I remember, thirty or so years ago, when, just in time for Thanksgiving, the Angels signed Bobby Grich. Now, that was something for the fan to be thankful for. In 2006, we get “treated” to the signing of a 32-year-old center fielder with a career OBP of under .340, who just came off a by-far career year, which apparently made him “worth” fifty million over five years.
I was going to go on (and on) about what an utterly bad decision this was, but I see 6-4-2 beat me to it. Yeah, what he said.
I wonder when Arte is going to remember that he did not make his fortune in outdoor advertising by employing a staff that put big billboards along backroads.
Propagation: Seeds & scions (4)
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Makes Ned’s signing of Juan Pierre seem decent by comparison. Not often you see a guy with three career DFAs get a $50 million contract. But I sympathize, boy do I sympathize…
Seed planted by Antonio — 24 November 2006 @ 01:18
I think recent baseball history is full of examples of guys who suddenly hit well their free agent year, grabbed a fat contract, and then settled back down to mediocrity. This deal just made no sense.
Seed planted by Greg — 24 November 2006 @ 05:15
The signings of both Soriano and Pierre look a lot better for their new teams in the light of the Gary Matthews, Jr., contract. And I would not have wanted either of those other guys at the price/years they got.
As for players with big years in their pre-free-agent years, of course, we can just call that pulling a Beltre. And that is pretty much what Soriano did–at home, having a very good year at DC Stadium (an extreme pitcher’s park) after a career made of mashing the ball in hitter’s parks and being just pretty good on the road. Matthews also pulled a Beltre, albeit at a far lower standard.
Seed planted by MSS — 24 November 2006 @ 09:43
The Matthews and Pierre signings are what happens when you pander to sports columnists, sports talk radio hosts, casual fans and angry bulletin board users.
The Matthews signing makes no sense and the Dodgers signing Pierre and Garciaparra makes no sense with players like Loney and Kemp waiting in the wings. I thought the Dodgers’ strategy was to sign guys like Garciaparra, Lofton and Mueller as stop gap measures until the prospects were ready. Seems like the Dodgers have already gotten away from that…I think Loney and Kemp are probably ready.
Seed planted by Jack Lazorko — 28 November 2006 @ 07:58