The Bench
Reports are out indicating Mark Kotsay has been signed to a $1.5mm deal to be the Red Sox primary back-up at 1b and to complement Rocco Baldelli as a back-up OF.
Good glove guy, not too much to offer with the bat.
In a matter of hours, the Red Sox have shown their cards and the team is really taking shape. I'm not suggesting it is taking an ideal shape, but a shape nonetheless.
Still needed: Catcher, utility infielder (Nick Green, might he be good enough to win that job?) and a very good HMO plan.
Comments
I wouldn't say he isn't too much with the bat that quickly.
He only hit .226 with the Sox when he came over last year but is a career .281 hitter (.276 total LY).
He was overpaid by Oakland/Braves prior to coming to Sox so $1.5m seems about right to have someone that can back up numerous positions and hit north of .270
Posted by: blmeanie | January 9, 2009 12:51 PM |
BL I worry more about this .337 career obp and .414 slg.
Each of those has gone down in recent years (past 4 seasons) and there is no reason to believe/hope that he will reverse the trend. To me his biggest asset is his glove (can play all 3 OF and 1st base, although he is a defensive downgrade at 1b compared with Youk).
Not a bad signing for a bench guy by any means.
Posted by: Andy | January 9, 2009 02:12 PM |
And of course I forgot that Julio Lugo is the utility infielder, so they just need another catcher.
Lugo played 2b and 3b as well as OF in his stay in Los Angeles in 2006.
In a limited sample size, he faired well at 3b (using the stats I understand like range factor and range per 9). I need to bone up on defensive analysis).
And yes, Julio Lugo is a very expensive utility guy. But get used to him.
Posted by: Andy | January 11, 2009 09:09 PM |