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Wednesday, December 21, 2005 |
Mirabile Dictu: Finley Traded To Giants
ESPN reports the heartening news that gonna-be-41-year-old Steve Finley and his .222 average was traded to the Giants, in exchange for about-to-be-32-year-old Edgardo Alfonso and his .277/.327/.345. Bill Stoneman doesn't make many trades, but I think he just took advantage of Brian Sabean. Whether you're a Dodger fan or an Angels fan, it's hard not to be happy about the results of this trade. Sure, Alfonso sucked last year, but there's three things to remember here:
- Alfonso is nine years younger.
- He was playing in a pitcher's park. (IIRC, SBC also hates all left-handed hitters except Barry, though it's neutral or slightly negative against righties as well.)
- He won't be starting.
Even a modest comeback [from Finley] will be an improvement, and he's still a top-notch defender who makes a great backup for the other alte kackers in the outfield. He's owed $7 M next year and $1 M for his 2007 buyout.... to McCovey Cove's outright joy ("This is a great move for the Giants, even if Finley does his best Ricky Ledee impersonation"). I don't give a damn. It's a bad contract for a bad contract; everybody can be happy neither player will be a starter, nor will they be expected to be so in 2006. Maybe that's the best present the Angels can give the Giants, and vice versa, this Christmas.In other words, the Giants are on the hook for the same amount of money, but they're spending it on someone who was above-average for several years through 2004, and who plays a position the Giants have greater need to fill than backup 3b/2b.
Strong work, Sabes.
Update: Now at MLB.com.
Comments:
OPS by month:
May - .643
June - .590
July - .445
August - .558
September - .569
His April was fluky (.998), and after that it was a slooooow, slooooow death. That's why Giants fans are thrilled. He's screwed their budget, their playoff hopes (in 2004, at least), and taken at-bats away from Pedro Feliz, who has trouble cracking the top 30 3rd basemen himself.
The Giants needed a fourth OF more than they needed a slug of a backup 3B. That they were able to even get that was a miracle. A Christmas miracle!
May - .643
June - .590
July - .445
August - .558
September - .569
His April was fluky (.998), and after that it was a slooooow, slooooow death. That's why Giants fans are thrilled. He's screwed their budget, their playoff hopes (in 2004, at least), and taken at-bats away from Pedro Feliz, who has trouble cracking the top 30 3rd basemen himself.
The Giants needed a fourth OF more than they needed a slug of a backup 3B. That they were able to even get that was a miracle. A Christmas miracle!
# posted by 
: 12/21/2005 06:49:00 PM
: 12/21/2005 06:49:00 PM
I can't believe that Depo ever let Finley get away. What was he thinking? Good thing McCourt fired him.
On the radio today, Scoscia spoke very highly of Kotchman, suggesting they were expecting big things out of him. He also said they were considering moving Erstad back to center. So my guess is they're counting on Kotchman to be their fulltime first baseman next season.
# posted by : 12/21/2005 07:05:00 PM
: 12/21/2005 07:05:00 PM
Kotch has plate discipline and I think he'll hit for good power, as he showed in glimmers and gleams this year. He's a good player who will get better with experience.
600 PA for Finley and they are stuck with him in '07.
That gives the Angels the edge. And also that some 32 yr olds have bounced back, no 40 yr olds in baseball history climb out of what Finley dug last year.
That gives the Angels the edge. And also that some 32 yr olds have bounced back, no 40 yr olds in baseball history climb out of what Finley dug last year.
# posted by : 12/21/2005 09:45:00 PM
: 12/21/2005 09:45:00 PM
2007: $7.0M team option vs. $1.0M buyout - option becomes mutual if Finley gets 600 PA in ë06
# posted by : 12/21/2005 11:16:00 PM
: 12/21/2005 11:16:00 PM
It's not a given that Erstad will be back in center, if this morning's "Riverside Press Enterprise" is to be believed. Matt Hurst reports that Chone Figgins will get the majority of the playing time in center. So the trade of Finley may have opened a starting position for Figgins, and not Kotchman.
On a positive note, Hurst does touch on the possibility of the team moving Erstad to center to open first base for Kotch, and does touch on the possibility of the team trading Erstad.
On a positive note, Hurst does touch on the possibility of the team moving Erstad to center to open first base for Kotch, and does touch on the possibility of the team trading Erstad.
# posted by : 12/22/2005 08:09:00 AM
: 12/22/2005 08:09:00 AM
i think the angels are finding their mojo. erstad sits, figgy's in center, kotchman's at first, and rivera, quinlan, or morales at dh. alfonzo's going to have to have a tremendous spring to be anything but a backup.
# posted by : 12/22/2005 10:30:00 AM
: 12/22/2005 10:30:00 AM
To my knowledge, Scoscia has never even pinch hit for Erstad, so it's hard to believe he'll turn him into a part-time player. Unfortunately, we're stuck with Erstad, and he'll no doubt take at-bats from more deserving players such as D. McPherson, C. Kotchman, and J. Rivera.
# posted by : 12/22/2005 12:53:00 PM
: 12/22/2005 12:53:00 PM
The best thing about this trade is that Scioscia won't be in love with Alfonso like he was with Finley, because he's not gritty and scrappy (er...white). That means Alfonso sits if he's not hitting, and is at most a platoon mate with D-Mac.
# posted by : 12/22/2005 05:46:00 PM
: 12/22/2005 05:46:00 PM
It's Rex, not Sosh, who's in love with scrappy, gritty -- er, white -- ballplayers. Scoscia's in love w/ scrappy OPS-challenged players of all colors.
# posted by : 12/23/2005 12:09:00 PM
: 12/23/2005 12:09:00 PMNewer› ‹Older
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