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Monday, August 02, 2004 |
Don't Laugh At My Trades, You
Lemme see: the Cubs get Nomar Garciaparra (15.9 VORP, -6 RAA) for essentially their second best prospect, LHP Justin Jones. I suggested an Eckstein-for-Andy Sisco swap, the Cubs' fourth-best-prospect, and was laughed at by my readership for my troubles. Eckstein's current VORP is 18.5; his RAA is 6. The Cubs would be younger, cheaper, and better defensively (recall Garciaparra has a semi-functional heel) and would have solved their leadoff hitter problem.
Don't laugh at my trades, you!
Comments:
Okay, it woulda been a great trade, and I've been wanting the Cubs to get Eck for over a year now. Problem is, would the Angels be willing to make that trade? (I'd also go for Figgins in that deal.)
Justin Jones was the Cubs' number two prospect, but he's got tremendous risk and a bad history of injury. I think Beltran's a bigger loss, given his success as a closer, but worth it, still.
Given what their needs were, the depth of their pitching in the minors, and the available options, I think the Cubs pulled off an amazing deal. Nomar's health is in real doubt, but he's still worth the price paid.
Also, I believe in giving value for value. I really hope both the Red Sox, the Expos and the Twins benefit from this deal.
Justin Jones was the Cubs' number two prospect, but he's got tremendous risk and a bad history of injury. I think Beltran's a bigger loss, given his success as a closer, but worth it, still.
Given what their needs were, the depth of their pitching in the minors, and the available options, I think the Cubs pulled off an amazing deal. Nomar's health is in real doubt, but he's still worth the price paid.
Also, I believe in giving value for value. I really hope both the Red Sox, the Expos and the Twins benefit from this deal.
Are you kidding? Eckstein has an 18.5 VORP in 390 plate appearances. Garciaparra's 15.9 VORP was accrued over 169 PA. If you project Garciaparra's season thus far over the same number of PA, his VORP is 36.7, or almost twice as useful as Eckstein.
No question Nomar's defense has been suspect, but clearly his efforts at the plate more than make up for that.
No question Nomar's defense has been suspect, but clearly his efforts at the plate more than make up for that.
# posted by 
: 8/02/2004 02:53:00 PM
: 8/02/2004 02:53:00 PM
Okay, I get my ass duly kicked for not looking just under the numbers. Nonetheless, I would add that Eck will prove to be more useful to the Cubs than Garciaparra:
1) He's going to be under their control through next year.
2) He's younger.
Garciaparra's in the decline phase of his career. He was a fool to turn down Boston's very generous offers. The Cubs now have a rent-a-player at shortstop who clearly thinks he's worth far more than Hendry might be willing to pay. If he gets bullheaded again, he'll find himself on the street again looking for work, and for much less than Boston wanted to pay him.
1) He's going to be under their control through next year.
2) He's younger.
Garciaparra's in the decline phase of his career. He was a fool to turn down Boston's very generous offers. The Cubs now have a rent-a-player at shortstop who clearly thinks he's worth far more than Hendry might be willing to pay. If he gets bullheaded again, he'll find himself on the street again looking for work, and for much less than Boston wanted to pay him.
I'm almost certain that Eck is in the final year of his contract, just like Nomar.
http://dugoutdollars.blogspot.com/2003_06_15_dugoutdollars_archive.html
http://dugoutdollars.blogspot.com/2003_06_15_dugoutdollars_archive.html
I'm not an expert on MLB's roster rules, but I seem to remember that it's three full seasons before a player can opt for free agency. Eck's right there.
Richard, it's six full seasons before a player can file for free agency. The three seasons you are talking about is for salary arbitration (or two seasons if you qualify as a "super two").
Eck has had 4 full seasons after this year by my count, he will have another 2 years to go before he is eligible.
mattkew
Eck has had 4 full seasons after this year by my count, he will have another 2 years to go before he is eligible.
mattkew
# posted by : 8/02/2004 06:34:00 PM
: 8/02/2004 06:34:00 PMNewer› ‹Older
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