November 14, 2007
Weak Up the Middle
Athletics Nation notes the problem the A's face at SS and CF.
Rather than not having players at SS and CF, he has players that nobody else wants - and that with the possible exception (hopefully) of Denorfia, the A's shouldn't want either.
Why didn't the A's go after Renteria? He wasn't terribly expensive and would be an upgrade at short. Then Oakland could let their two poor players at the position walk. As far as CF, maybe it's time to stop being so low cost. Why not sign Andruw Jones? Nico makes a point of saying the A's have payroll flexibility. Why not go after one of the free agent centerfielders, rather than enduring two more losing seasons?
Update: More from Catfish Stew.
Uh, because Andruw Jones is washed up? Whoever signs him will be a lower-tier team with a GM desperate to show the team's fans that he's willing to spend money (regardless of the wisdom of that spending). Two years ago, Jones would have already been signed by the Royals.
BA OBP SLG
.222 .311 .413
Combined with his signature lack of hustle and outrageous contract demands - I mean who wouldn't want him?
You do realize that he posted a strong walk rate and decent power numbers, right? If he hits his usual .265, his numbers look fin, especially when you factor in that he's one of the top CFs in the league defensively (and yes, he IS, or so every defensive statistic out there would have you believe).
Jones will be a fine signing, no worse than Aaron Rowand.
decent power numbers
65th out of 75 NL qualifiers in SLG
66th out of 75 NL qualifiers in OBPS
A freaking superstar no doubt