Padres - Signed Giles
San Diego Padres - Have reportedly come to terms with OF Brian Giles on a 3-year, $30 million contract.
At some point, Sandy Alderson and Kevin Towers came to the realization that the 3-year, $30 million offer by Giles’ camp was a pretty generous offer, not an extravagant one. Rumors of Toronto offering 5 year, $55 million made that pretty clear. Even better, it’s a 3-year, $27 million deal with a $3 million buyout. If Giles is still good, which he should be, it’s a 4-year, $36 million deal.
It’s a terrific signing. Giles’ power numbers will never look impressive at Petco, but he’s a valuable offensive player that’s still a bit underrated. Since the Giles-Rincon trade, Giles’ second-lowest OPS+ is 148. That’s not Garret Anderson-variety pretend-good, but the actual kind, enough to place Giles 5th in the NL.
There is always risk attached to signings, but 3 years at 10-a-season for a player of Giles’ caliber is one of the lowest-risk signings you can make in the free agent market. If he doesn’t decline, the Padres have a much needed star outfielder. If he does decline, he’s still going to be both a far better player and a far better deal than Jacque Jones or Preston Wilson.
The Padres can now trade Dave Roberts freely. Giles staying changes the whole equation - Mike Cameron can coast into spring training at center (though he probably was anyway) and if the Red Sox still want to get Roberts for Giles, the Padres can fix the trade of their inning-eater for Castilla.
2006 ZiPS Projection - Brian Giles
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AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG
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538 76 147 32 6 18 84 106 70 9 .273 .394 .455
Dan Szymborski
Posted: December 01, 2005 at 10:42 AM |
38 comment(s)
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1. Honkie Kong Posted: December 01, 2005 at 01:46 PM (#1754715)He will be eating more than just innings!
Amazing signing by the Padres. In this inflated market ( where middle relievers are getting 3/17!), this is a dirt cheap contract. I am guessing a trade for a catcher is in the works somewhere too
Giles and Kendall, together again at last?
Actually though, the Pads could do worse than trading for someone like Ronnie Paulino from the Pirates. He's totally squeezed by Ryan Doumit in front and Neil Walker behind. Paulino hit very well in his first shot AAA last year and is probably good enough to start at the MLB level.
Would the Pads trade Burroughs for a pitching prospect (maybe Snell) and Paulino?
LA TIMES
I'm sure the combination of salary inflation we have seen this offseason and the emergence of the Dodgers as the primary competition for Giles services allowed San Diego to see the light.
Too bad....I was really hoping Giles would be OUT of the NL West next year. Not that he has hit the D Backs especially well, (he hasn't) I was just hoping to see San Diego a little weaker :)
Or maybe rival GMs really are complete idiots. At least he didn't end up in St. Louis.
He definitely wanted to stay on the Left Coast.
What does Ben Johnson do now?
Platoons with Ryan Klesko - or maybe Klesko moves back to 1B.
-- MWE
Didn't Nady play there after Nevin was traded? Do they have anyone else?
Jon Knott is in the minors (AAA?) and had an ok year for his standarts, Bozied was the future at 1B but after he tore his knee, they are trying him in the outfield (I have no idea why) McAnaulty also plays 1B but he's not a very good one, though he's pretty good with the stick
San Diego is notorious for having low salaries in pretty much every field, and anyone who's visited understands. It's hard to find a more desireable place to live anywhere.
Looks pretty believable now.
Not having the big $, I've always thought that once I had 9 million, getting an extra 2 million wouldn't make any difference. I'd already have more than I could spend.
Over the years I've observed that for most atheletes getting this kind of money, that extra one or 2 mil does matter. If Giles turned down more money to stay where he likes it, he's a rare one. I can't blame him, I'd choose SD over any northern city any day of the week.
I don't think Hoffman will be back, given the Padres reported offer of 2/10 and Hoffman's request for 3/25-27. And Linebrink waiting the in the wings. And Otsuka (assuming we don't trade him, which I think we might) there as well. And Towers skill at building a decent bullpen from castoffs and replacement parts. But if any team will make sentimental decisions without regard to the wellfare of the ballclub, it is the Padres. Well, the Yankees do it too, but they can afford to pay for some of their mistakes.
Sits on the bench as Cammy insurance and starts in '07, would be my guess.
"If Giles turned down more money to stay where he likes it, he's a rare one."
He took less than market for his Pittsburgh extension as well.
-- MWE
In hospital, after suffering a career-ending carpal tunnel tear last night trying to write his 798th story of the week.
Gammons warned him he was going out too hard. He didn't listen.
If the Padres are really that sentimental, then it seems almost unthinkable to me that they would let Hoffman walk, even if he isn't what he used to be. The guy has a decent shot at (temporarily) becoming the all-time saves leader.
Who is Giles' agent? He should learn how to explain park effects when he negotiates contracts. SD is an awfully hard place to hit: it never gets all that hot, the park is right at sea level, and the humidity is very low. All three make it a great place to live, but a terrible place to hit. Giles' road stats are VERY good, 13-14 million a year good.
Over the years I've observed that for most atheletes getting this kind of money, that extra one or 2 mil does matter.
When I see a player sign for less than market, I always wonder if he is married. Not because I am looking for a "partner," but it would decrease your spending. I am not trying to be funny, or continue some sterotype of women spending all the money, but I am sure the value of the home of a wealthy single guy is probably half the value of the home of a wealthy married guy. Since that is the greatest expenditure, I think it is easier for a single guy to settle for less and be content.
SD is an awfully hard place to hit: it never gets all that hot, the park is right at sea level, and the humidity is very low.
A nitpick - higher humidity reduces the distance a ball will travel, though I am not sure if it affects a pitcher's break. Obviously though, the point is valid, SD is a tough place to hit.
Well, I looked it up, at least one guy sees it my way:
http://theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/260/index.html
This is because water vapour, interestingly, is NOT more dense than air. Air, mostly nitrogen gas (N2) is heavier molecularly than water (H2O). So humid air IS less dense.
Throwing breaking balls works the opposite way. you want dry, cold, dense air to get more break.
Homes aren't really "expenses" either. Hopefully your house will appreciate in the time you own it, and I'm guessing baseball players with guaranteed contracts get pretty favorable interest rates.
I'm a little suprised he didn't want another year at least. This will almost certainly be his last shot an uber payday.
I'm guessing that players that are guaranteed over 9 mill/year can pretty much pay cash for their home.
How about a nice, shiny Pudge Rodriguez? Just a little worn around the edges...
Of course, you're probably not living in NYC if you play in NY. If you're a good player you've got a house in Westchester. If you're marginal, it's in NYC proper or Jersey and if you're shitty, you're relegated to New York's "Dookie That Wouldn't Detatch": Long Island.
and I am not even joking. Sounds pretty fair deal to me..
but then, I am biased!!
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