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Tuesday, November 08, 2005

The Baseball Analysts: Free Agency Preview (Part Two)

Rich Lederer & Bryan Smith have a go with Part Two…

On Nomar Garciaparra…..No longer is Nomar an asset at shortstop. Instead, he’s better suited moving down the defensive spectrum to third base or left field. No longer is he a good bet to have a .360 OBP or even the .342 OBP that had been his career low before the 2005 season. No longer is Nomar a threat to slug over .500. But, he still has the potential to hit .280/.330/.470. Look for a team to give him one last shot to handle SS with the knowledge that he could be switched to 3B, if necessary. An infielder who can post an .800 OPS has value, although teams shouldn’t expect him to play a full season.

And yes, he’s a public relations department’s dream. Or, at least has the potential to be.

Projection: 2 years, $15 million. However, you can bet there will be enough incentives and options in the contract to drive its potential value through the roof. We’re just not optimistic he’ll meet any team’s demands.

Repoz Posted: November 08, 2005 at 04:08 PM | 8 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 08, 2005 at 06:17 PM (#1723621)

I think Paul Byrd will get a lot better deal than 1-$6 million, and Matt Morris will get a much better deal than 2-$13 million.

2. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: November 08, 2005 at 06:22 PM (#1723637)

I don't know; his second half was pretty bad. (that being Morris)

Byrd, I agree; there will likely be a huge demand for him, and I think he'll get 3/$21m at least. He's a better bet than Jon Leiber was at this time last year.

3. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: November 08, 2005 at 06:30 PM (#1723664)

I could see Byrd getting a one-year deal, like Kevin Millwood, but if so, it will be for more than $6 Million.

4. The Artist Posted: November 08, 2005 at 06:48 PM (#1723721)

I think Morris looks like a good bet for 3/21 - I'm hoping the Giants pay that, but there are a lot of teams with a lot more money who might instead.

5. The cushions are crowded for Edmundo

Posted: November 08, 2005 at 08:56 PM (#1723956)

With the new blood (albeit 68 years old) in the Phillies organization, would they consider Nomar as a short term solution at 3B? I'd look at lineups like this:
vs. LH
Michaels
Abreu
Burrell
Utley
Nomah
Rollins
Howard -- if he makes progress vs. lefties, move him up
Lieby -- as a #8 hitter, he is functional :)

vs. RH
Rollins
Utley
Abreu
Burrell
Howard
Nomar
Victorino -- I'd think about him as leadoff
Lieby

6. Smyly Smile (Walewander) Posted: November 08, 2005 at 09:15 PM (#1724008)

Would Nomar play LF for Detroit? He and Polanco would look great at the top of the order. He is injury prone, but I doubt it'll happen.

7. Gainsay Posted: November 08, 2005 at 09:34 PM (#1724062)

I don't see why any team would offer Nomar that much money. He played last year for the Cubs on a 1 year $8 million dollar contract, which was pretty much a bust.

His bat isn't good enough that he's worth taking a chance on staying healthy while learning to play a new position.

8. Toby Posted: November 08, 2005 at 09:37 PM (#1724067)

I would love to see Nomar at 3b for Boston on a short-term, incentive-laden contract.

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Tuesday, November 08, 2005

The Baseball Analysts: Free Agency Preview (Part Two)

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