Erstad can also play 1st. Erstad was quite bad last year, offensively. Wear and tear shouldn't be that big of an issue right now since he's become a bit player. And, no, I don't know if they checked into Garret Anderson. Strictly a guess that they just assumed he'd be too expensive.
We don't really need him to backup first with Feliz on this team. Blum will be the backup at 1B. I'm happy with the 4 OFs we have. Who we have as a 5th OF is of little importance.
The Garret Anderson that had a .303 OBP? Out of the 76 qualifying players, he was 70th and he was 67th in OPS.
Jason Michaels was better then Anderson last year, and is younger. Michaels is a quality 4th OF IMO. I think there is a very good chance we go with only 4 OFs. We've already got 13 pitchers that you would expect to see on the opening day roster, and 12 position players.
If it weren't for a late run by Michaels, he had a terrible season. Actually, if it weren't for the month of August, he was absolutely pathetic at the plate. Most fans were calling for him to be released throughout the season. Not sure what's changed about that now? He is younger...but he's still a 34 year old journeyman who has never held a regular starting spot. You guys would seriously rather Jason Michaels at the plate than Garret Anderson as a ph in a late game situation? Keep Micheals as the defensive replacement OF...not for a bat off of the bench.
why complain about them signing a guy to a MINOR league deal with a ST invite? Nowhere does it say he's definitely a backup OF on the ML team. Clearly he'll have to earn his spot and his ML contract if he wants it. Maybe they wanted to have someone in place while they continued their search. Now they have an insurance plan, and they can still pursue the Anderson's of the FA pool if they want and if they fall into the Astros' budget
has anyone else noticed that we have to say this every year to people who freak out over a minor league deal as if we signed Bill Buckner for 4 years and 40 million?
I'm not complaining about the contract. I'm not freaking out, either. Check my history. I've almost always been on the side that these kind of deals are a good bet because the worst case scenario is that the player doesn't make the club and costs nothing. However, let's say he doesn't make the club. That's possibly another spot in AAA taken away from a younger player for some guy who is in his 30's and has never had a regular starting spot. On the other side, maybe he does make the club if they decide to carry 5 of'ers. Which out of Sullivan or Michaels do you feel comfortable with coming up to bat in late and close situations? If the contract was for Rick Ankiel (who's apparently having a hard time finding a job), I'd be ecstatic. Being that it's for some AAAA player who never had an OPS higher than .729 while playing for Colorado, I just don't understand the point.
Yet his numbers ended around his career averages. The same could be said for most pinch hitters. Its hard to have good numbers when you are getting less then one AB a day. He was at his best when he had consistent playing time. The guy has produced well over his career. If he continues to put up an OPS of .750, then I'll take that off the bench.
Great...but that's almost the best they've got. It's a horribly weak bench right now. There is nothing even remotely considered power coming from anyone not currently slated to start or not named Geoff Blum. It's also possible that Anderson just had a down year. He's been pretty damn consistent for his entire career...one of the most underrated players in MLB. Last year, his OPS was over .750 until early September when he probably got tired and the Braves were well out of the race.
Slow start, I guess...just like many other players. Difference is, this guy is a 3 time all star who averaged 21 hrs/96 rbi per season in the 00's.
I have no issues with another spot in AAA being taken away from a younger player. We've established that our farm system isn't that good. There aren't a ton of AA guys knocking down the door to get called up (or so on down the line) I'm fine with having a few older position players and pitchers at AAA as insurance, ESPecially if there are no "potential MLers" waiting to be called up to get a shot while also filling in when necessary. And really, if he doesn't make the club and they really feel there are youngsters at every level ready to go...it's ok. Cut the guy. He's on a 1 year deal at a minor league salary. If no one claims him off waivers, yes, you eat a 1 year minor league deal in exchange for letting these highly touted prospects play
He was those things. He is an aging veteran, who probably doesn't want to be a backup OF for a team that would be picked to finish 3rd or worse in their division.
Miguel Tejada going back to Baltimore (Looks like Baltimore "won" that trade) http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/01/orioles-agree-to-deal-with-miguel-tejada.html
