more MLB signings and news
Well, the Frank Thomas deal was not the only signing or news of the day yesterday in the MLB, albeit certainly the biggest.
The Boston Red Sox resigned utility man Alex Cora to a new 2-year deal. Cora is an abover-average fielder who has the speed to go deep in the holes and the agility to turn tight DP's. However, Cora's a free swinger and as a result strikes out a lot. Although quick in the field and around the bases, Cora isn't great at reading pitcher's deliveries and doesn't steal a lot of bases. Look for Cora to make spot starts @ shortstop and 2B and come in as a defensive replacement in the late innings. He should help the Red Sox defensively.
Utility man Wes Helms is heading to Philadelphia. He signed a 2-year pact with the Phillies Friday. Helms has the raw power and strength that anyone loves in a corner infielder. He's a hard worker who's sound defensively and he shows a willingness to learn that will benefit his career with the Phillies. On thedown-side, Wes Helms at times can be overagressive at the plate and his impatience can be painfully obvious. He must also work on getting away from pulling pitches all the time. He's not clutch performer but he'll help the Phillies off the bench.
Southpaw reliever Jamie Walker has signed a minor league contract with the Balttimore Orioles after having spent the last five seasons in the Detroit Tigers bullpen. He throws a lot of strikes, rarely walks anyone and is great with RISP's. He's also tough on lefties. Rest is key for him as his effectiveness deteriorates with lots of work and few days off. Right-handed hitters see him too well. Look for him to come in as a left-handed specialist in the late innings.
The LA Dodgers signed former-Jays catcher Ken Huckaby to a minor league deal. Huckaby spent last season in the Red Sox Organization as the 3rd catcher in the depth chart behind Jason Varitek and Doug Marribelli. He appeared in 8 games when Varitek missed a good portion of last season after knee surgery. Huckaby is predominantely a contact hitter who is competitive with his bat. He has a good eye for the strike zone and can drive the ball to all fields. He's durable and has a cannon for an arm. Most importantly, pitchers love to throw to him. He needs to work on his plate discipline and driving runs in. Huckaby will compete with Einar Diaz for the 3rd catcher's position, but will likely wind up starting next season in AAA ball.
Finally, 3B Bill Mueller was forced o retire after a third knee surgery. His career numbers were offensively, he had 1216 games played, 4223 at-bats, he crossed the plate 663 times, collected 1229 hits, including 265 doubles, 22 triples and 85 home runs; he had 423 runs batted in, 1793 total bases, he walked 543 times and struck out 571 times. Mueller stole 20 bases and was caught stealing a further 18 times. He got on base 37.3% of the time and his slugging perecentage and average were .425 and .291 respectively. In the field his numbers were as follows: 1183 games (793 of which were starts), 3026 catches, 817 put-outs, 2083 assists, 126 errors committed, 216 double plays, and a .958 fielding percentage. Mueller will be greatly missed in the game of baseball.
The Boston Red Sox resigned utility man Alex Cora to a new 2-year deal. Cora is an abover-average fielder who has the speed to go deep in the holes and the agility to turn tight DP's. However, Cora's a free swinger and as a result strikes out a lot. Although quick in the field and around the bases, Cora isn't great at reading pitcher's deliveries and doesn't steal a lot of bases. Look for Cora to make spot starts @ shortstop and 2B and come in as a defensive replacement in the late innings. He should help the Red Sox defensively.
Utility man Wes Helms is heading to Philadelphia. He signed a 2-year pact with the Phillies Friday. Helms has the raw power and strength that anyone loves in a corner infielder. He's a hard worker who's sound defensively and he shows a willingness to learn that will benefit his career with the Phillies. On thedown-side, Wes Helms at times can be overagressive at the plate and his impatience can be painfully obvious. He must also work on getting away from pulling pitches all the time. He's not clutch performer but he'll help the Phillies off the bench.
Southpaw reliever Jamie Walker has signed a minor league contract with the Balttimore Orioles after having spent the last five seasons in the Detroit Tigers bullpen. He throws a lot of strikes, rarely walks anyone and is great with RISP's. He's also tough on lefties. Rest is key for him as his effectiveness deteriorates with lots of work and few days off. Right-handed hitters see him too well. Look for him to come in as a left-handed specialist in the late innings.
The LA Dodgers signed former-Jays catcher Ken Huckaby to a minor league deal. Huckaby spent last season in the Red Sox Organization as the 3rd catcher in the depth chart behind Jason Varitek and Doug Marribelli. He appeared in 8 games when Varitek missed a good portion of last season after knee surgery. Huckaby is predominantely a contact hitter who is competitive with his bat. He has a good eye for the strike zone and can drive the ball to all fields. He's durable and has a cannon for an arm. Most importantly, pitchers love to throw to him. He needs to work on his plate discipline and driving runs in. Huckaby will compete with Einar Diaz for the 3rd catcher's position, but will likely wind up starting next season in AAA ball.
Finally, 3B Bill Mueller was forced o retire after a third knee surgery. His career numbers were offensively, he had 1216 games played, 4223 at-bats, he crossed the plate 663 times, collected 1229 hits, including 265 doubles, 22 triples and 85 home runs; he had 423 runs batted in, 1793 total bases, he walked 543 times and struck out 571 times. Mueller stole 20 bases and was caught stealing a further 18 times. He got on base 37.3% of the time and his slugging perecentage and average were .425 and .291 respectively. In the field his numbers were as follows: 1183 games (793 of which were starts), 3026 catches, 817 put-outs, 2083 assists, 126 errors committed, 216 double plays, and a .958 fielding percentage. Mueller will be greatly missed in the game of baseball.
posted by opinionator777 at 6:32 PM
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