BBTF's Transaction Oracle Discussion :: A’s

Transaction Oracle
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Sunday, July 10, 2005

A’s - Extended Kotsay

Oakland A’s - Signed CF Mark Kotsay to a 2-year contract extension.

This includes picking up the 2006 option, so the A’s have him through 2008 now. Kotsay’s worth the money, but this isn’t a bargain; I think it’s around what Kotsay would realistically make even in a pretty ugly free agent market after this season. Kotsay’s a really good defensive centerfielder, but a lot of really good defensive centerfielders become just so-so in their early 30s and if he slips defensively, this won’t look quite as nice - I don’t like this contract if he’s a leftfielder in 2 years. Some might say they should trade Kotsay for prospects, but I don’t think any team is going to part with their blue-chippers for Kotsay. A.J. Burnett, maybe, but not Kotsay.

2005 ZiPS Projection - Mark Kotsay
——————————————————————————————————
Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG
——————————————————————————————————
Actual ‘05 338 43 94 20 1 6 43 29 30 4 .278 .334 .396
Rest ‘05 289 38 85 17 1 6 37 28 31 3 .294 .356 .422
——————————————————————————————————
Total ‘05 627 81 179 37 2 12 80 57 61 7 .285 .345 .408

Dan Szymborski Posted: July 10, 2005 at 02:49 AM | 12 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. The Spanish Inquisition Posted: July 10, 2005 at 03:13 AM (#1461642)

From what I can tell Kotsay will be getting about an average salary from this deal, not much different from what he'd have gotten if he'd waited till winter. Kotsay brings a lot to the table with his glove but should those skills deteriorate, as tends to happen when centerfielders like him age, this deal could end up backfiring. Especially if he's not playing centerfield anymore -- then this deal really went down the tubes. Yet with all the trade talk I think he's staying put through the duration of the deal -- after all, who's going to give up a high level prospect for Kotsay?

2. Didi Dodo Doodoo (1k5v3L)

Posted: July 10, 2005 at 03:43 AM (#1461659)

I swear, I feel TSI simply paraphrased Dan's post.

3. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: July 10, 2005 at 03:56 AM (#1461670)

If the A's options were to trade Kotsay for 2nd tier prospects or keep him or get 2 draft picks I'm glad they kept him. They could still trade him for mediocre prospects after 2006. Why not have him till then?

4. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: July 10, 2005 at 03:56 AM (#1461672)

I swear, I feel TSI simply paraphrased Dan's post.

Yep, pretty much.

5. petitio Posted: July 10, 2005 at 04:06 AM (#1461675)

If you're familiar with the A's, it's pretty clear that Kotsay is a superb defensive CF because he reads the ball magnificently and takes a good, direct route there, not because he's all that fast. In fact, he's not much of a speedster at all. Consequently, unless Kotsay's eyes fall out at the end of 2006, I think he'll actually age better than most.

And besides, it's only a two year deal. He'll be all of thirty-two at the end of it. The A's will be fine, and what with the new A's pitching staff being much more flyball oriented than those of years past, the team really, really a good defensive CF.

6. Spivey Posted: July 10, 2005 at 04:21 AM (#1461684)

If you're familiar with the A's, it's pretty clear that Kotsay is a superb defensive CF because he reads the ball magnificently and takes a good, direct route there, not because he's all that fast.

Maybe so, but losing speed is still losing speed which will still limit his range everything else being equal.

7. Dan Szymborski

Posted: July 10, 2005 at 04:29 AM (#1461689)

Yep, pretty much.

TSI has a weird schtick going - as far as I can tell, all his posts are either rewording my blog entries or complaining about registration.

8. SM in DC Posted: July 10, 2005 at 05:40 AM (#1461738)

I swear, I feel TSI simply paraphrased Dan's post.

Yup, but no one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition...

9. Psychedelic Red Pants Posted: July 10, 2005 at 06:51 AM (#1461772)

This is a terrible deal. kevin would have signed for half that.

10. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: July 10, 2005 at 12:22 PM (#1461851)

A's - Extended Kotsay

I can hardly wait for the entry:

Steinbrenner--Extended Wang

Best Regards

John

11. TVerik Posted: July 10, 2005 at 01:01 PM (#1461859)

They could still trade him for mediocre prospects after 2006. Why not have him till then?

I thought I remembered reading that this included a no-trade.

12. JMM Posted: July 10, 2005 at 01:20 PM (#1461874)

They could still trade him for mediocre prospects after 2006. Why not have him till then?

I thought I remembered reading that this included a no-trade.

Complete no-trade through 2006, then he can name 8 teams they can't trade him too.

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Sunday, July 10, 2005

A’s - Extended Kotsay

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