Moises Alou for DH?

by a bebop a rebop on Oct 21, 2006 2:23 PM CDT

Obviously, there is a lot of sentiment around here to stick Botts in the DH hole for the 2007 season, and I wouldn't be against that necessarily, but this article at mlbtraderumors.com makes a few good points re: Alou moving to a DH job somewhere for next year.

From the article:

Despite making only 378 PAs this year, Alou was the 9th best RF in the game according to VORP. He played left field in '05, and his offensive output ranked 6th at the position.

The Fielding Bible described Alou's work in left as adequate, as his speed, range, and arm do not impress. I can only imagine what they'd say about his work in right field, a tougher position.

It seems clear that Alou would benefit from designated hitting. It'd be his first time with an AL team. Alou's .571 slugging percentage in 2006 was best among all free agent hitters with 300 PAs, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano included. The beauty of Alou is that his deal would probably be for just one year. Low risk, high reward, just like Frank Thomas was entering this season.

The Frank Thomas comparison was the first thing that jumped into my mind when I saw the headline, and I'd be in favor of a one-year, $8-10 million deal. (Or maybe a $4 or 5-mil type deal, with a lot of backloaded incentives. I'm not sure which would be more realistic.)

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He'd be a good option

As a corner OF/DH type.

I wouldn't want him here strictly as a DH (cause I think it behooves the team to give Botts regular AB's), but if he can play some OF too then it'd be a great move... cause having Nelson Cruz as our only real option in RF makes me very nervous.

Plus we'd finally have a guy on the team who I could call "Pee Hands", which has been a dream of mine for a while now.

"No one obsesses over the Rangers." -Jean-Jacques Taylor, who apparently lives in a world where I don't exist.

by thedirkatron on Oct 21, 2006 2:37 PM CDT reply actions

there is no way

he's getting 10 million, the 5 mill with incentives sounds more realistic

i wouldn't be against him coming and being DH here unless he is the only bat we get

by madyp on Oct 21, 2006 2:38 PM CDT reply actions

Oh grear

EX-Astro. Should be popular on LSB. Awful.

The Duke Republican lacrosse players.

by Sharky on Oct 21, 2006 3:21 PM CDT reply actions

No FA Compensation

May mean that Botts has the job, succeed or fail.

Money is going out for pitching, for arb offers, and attempts to resign Padilla and GMJ. That leaves it likely that Carlos Lee is gone.

Shopping for a power bat may now not be in the 2007 recipe.

by Ed Coffin on Oct 21, 2006 4:58 PM CDT reply actions

I feel

the team needs to commit to either giving Botts the job and until the All Star break to prove himself or go out and spend money on a real DH. I don't feel the Rangers are in the position to take a risk on a Frank Thomas type signing. They tried that once (see Brad Fulmer). There are no sure things but if they are going to sign or trade for someone to play DH they need to go after the closest thing to a sure thing.

In the manager interviews, one question should be, "Should the DH position be A. assigned to one guy, B. use it to give people extra at bats, C. for random people with good face, D. used to rest starters who really don't feel comfortable DHing, or E. eliminated from baseball, but sense we have I will do what Buck did and draw a name from a hat that does not have Jason Botts's name in it."

For the Buck fans out there who may not understand the question the correct answer is A. :)

"Stubbornness is usually considered a negative, but I think that trait has been a positive for me." ~ Cal Ripken Jr

by kwellborn on Oct 21, 2006 8:29 PM CDT reply actions

Brad Fullmer

does not equal Frank Thomas.

by a bebop a rebop on Oct 21, 2006 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Yikes

I hope that is not what yall think I was saying. My point was simply, "a low risk, big upside" type of signing. The dollar amounts in those were both low risk but the possibility of a productive year is a high risk. Fullmer could have had a great year with the short porch and Thomas did have a great year. I also realize Thomas had a lot more success than Fullmer prior to their respective signings. My point was simply there was a good chance Thomas and Fullmer would not be successful. ONe was and one was not. We cant take that chance this next year.

"Stubbornness is usually considered a negative, but I think that trait has been a positive for me." ~ Cal Ripken Jr

by kwellborn on Oct 22, 2006 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Alou

He's been a very good hitter with the Giants, when healthy. The Giants have been bad offensively the last two season, but when on the field Alou produced consistently with them.

I want and hope to see Botts get a full chance next year, but if Alou comes at a reasonable price for a year or two, I would not be disappointed.

A mix of Alou, Cruz, Wilkerson, and Botts in corner OF and DH wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

by alon91 on Oct 21, 2006 8:46 PM CDT reply actions

Just the worst thing in baseball

Nobody cares about your fantasy or video game teams.

by Dustin on Oct 21, 2006 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Clarification

I think you'd have to get kind of lucky for that OF/DH mix to work. Problem is, you're just as likely to have the other kind of luck: Wilkerson and Alou hurt a lot, Cruz and Botts not performing as well as they could or should.

I'd be very uncomfortable with that.

Nobody cares about your fantasy or video game teams.

by Dustin on Oct 22, 2006 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions