What about Rocco Baldelli?

[Mephistopheles]

Yep, hitters are more likely to sustain BABIP, but that's almost always connected to their abilities to hit line drives. As someone else pointed out, Ichiro's BABIP is usually quite high, but it's because he hits a lot of line drives and beats out infield hits.

 

Minor league BABIP is generally higher - partly because of poorer defense at that level.

 

But all that said, maybe Baldelli has some very rare or unique ability to influence batted balls. As someone else has already said, he's fast enough to get some infield hits, but that wouldn't account for the extreme discrepancy.

 

Anyway, even if his batting average (and OBP) comes back to earth - and I really think it will - he'd still be a useful player. I just don't think he'll be worth what Tampa's asking.

 

And we already have Pie.

 

a .330 babip isn't that surprising. he's super fast. id expect that an additional 10-15 hits over a full season are infield hits most guys dont get. that makes up the difference.

[imb]

I have an irrational love for Baldelli because his nickname is so awesome. The Woonsocket Rocket. It's hard to find guys with nicknames that rhyme. Also, he's fast. And speed doesn't slump, or something.

[Abe Frohman]

The Florida Marlins are also working on Baldelli.

Don't doubt you, but source?

 

I have a friend who is being discussed in the trade. A Florida pitching prospect.

 

That narrows it down to about 50 players :lol:

 

As I have learned in the past, you never know who's agent, etc. is lurking on a message board. It's not a real good idea, as I would rather be "cubs.comish" than a name dropper. But I'll bet the scoop fairy visited your PM inbox.