Rotoworld: Free Agent Hitter Predictions

[JohnF]

http://rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=MLB&columnid=2&articleid=29419

 

Kaz Matsui (Rockies) - Aug. Prediction: Rockies - one year, $4 million

 

Matsui's 638 road OPS hardly tells the whole story, but it's still a dreadful number. When he wasn't in Coors Field last season, he was a liability. What he did at home can't be dismissed, especially since Coors isn't the park for offense it once was, but one also can't expect him to match even his modest overall OPS of 746 in another environment. Plus, he struggles against left-handed pitching and he's injury prone. Matsui does offer excellent baserunning and defense at second base, so he's worthy of a starting job. A one-year deal worth $3 million would be appropriate. Unfortunately, he might make as much as $15 million over three years. If the Cubs or another team goes that far, the Rockies won't try to match it.

 

Prediction: Cubs - three years, $13.5 milion

 

Luis Gonzalez (Dodgers) - Aug. Prediction: Twins - one year, $4 million

 

While he slipped in the second half, Gonzalez put up season totals right along the lines of what the Dodgers should have expected after signing him to a one-year contract. The problem is that he's a liability defensively in left field, and he really doesn't offer as much production as one would like from a designated hitter. Still, he'll find work. Despite evidence to the contrary, he's regarded as a strong clubhouse guy, and the idle steroids claims that have existed since he went from journeyman to superstar in his early 30s still haven't been backed up. He could go home and finish up his career in Tampa or try to land with a playoff hopeful, such as the Cubs, Twins or Cardinals.

 

Prediction: Cubs - one year, $4 million

[BDWeav71]

Wow that would be brutal.

[Hosak8]

http://rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=MLB&columnid=2&articleid=29419

 

Kaz Matsui (Rockies) - Aug. Prediction: Rockies - one year, $4 million

 

Matsui's 638 road OPS hardly tells the whole story, but it's still a dreadful number. When he wasn't in Coors Field last season, he was a liability. What he did at home can't be dismissed, especially since Coors isn't the park for offense it once was, but one also can't expect him to match even his modest overall OPS of 746 in another environment. Plus, he struggles against left-handed pitching and he's injury prone. Matsui does offer excellent baserunning and defense at second base, so he's worthy of a starting job. A one-year deal worth $3 million would be appropriate. Unfortunately, he might make as much as $15 million over three years. If the Cubs or another team goes that far, the Rockies won't try to match it.

 

Prediction: Cubs - three years, $13.5 milion

 

Luis Gonzalez (Dodgers) - Aug. Prediction: Twins - one year, $4 million

 

While he slipped in the second half, Gonzalez put up season totals right along the lines of what the Dodgers should have expected after signing him to a one-year contract. The problem is that he's a liability defensively in left field, and he really doesn't offer as much production as one would like from a designated hitter. Still, he'll find work. Despite evidence to the contrary, he's regarded as a strong clubhouse guy, and the idle steroids claims that have existed since he went from journeyman to superstar in his early 30s still haven't been backed up. He could go home and finish up his career in Tampa or try to land with a playoff hopeful, such as the Cubs, Twins or Cardinals.

 

Prediction: Cubs - one year, $4 million

 

If this happens... I will just.... ](*,)

[ChiCubsFan]

Awesome read before bed to put me in a good mood.

[Guest]

Sigh.

[badnews]

especially since Coors isn't the park for offense it once was,

 

Give me a break already. Why do so many guys on the team have ridiculous home/road splits then?

 

The Amazing Garrett Atkins, Who Everyone Loves

 

Home - .936 OPS

Away - .773

 

Hawpe

 

Home - 1.017

Away - .831

 

Undeserving MVP

 

Home - 1.157

Away - .860

 

Then there's Matsui.

 

Tulo

 

Home - .960

Away - .719

 

 

Torrealba

 

Home - .777

Away - .618

 

Anyway see Jamey Carroll's splits in 2006?

 

Colorado, second in the majors in home OPS at .853, just beind NY's .854. Colorado, 18th in away OPS at .730.

 

This is going to be like signing Jeromy Burnitz, except for three years.

[NewUserName]

My cornflakes taste like crap all of a sudden. Coffee isnt much better.

[abuck1220]

no way matsui's getting three years from anyone.

[JeffH]

no way matsui's getting three years from anyone...

 

...except Jim Hendry.

[questionmarkgrace]

yikes matsui and Gonzo. Cant dusty take some these scrubs to the reds?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

those moves are OK with me, assuming they follow ARod signing with the Cubs

[Derwood]

did anyone else read this thread title as "Free Agent Hitler Predictions"?

 

no, just me?

[CuseCubFan69]

those moves are OK with me, assuming they follow ARod signing with the Cubs

 

I'm waiting for Mr. Hendry to say "Well, we just signed Kaz and that contract made it so we can't go after ARod. Plus, I think we filled our hole that was left empty after the trade of Perez to the Tigers."

[Post Count Padder]

Ugh, I wanna pretend I didn't read that.

[Keener98]

Wow that would be just like Hendry..

 

Fixed

[JeffH]

Given that Hendry is involved, I think the best that we can hope for is that he signs Matsui to the same deal he gave DeRosa last offseason.

 

What I really expect is that he gives him the same deal in terms of years and dollars, but makes the third year a player option.

[CuseCubFan69]

Given that Hendry is involved, I think the best that we can hope for is that he signs Matsui to the same deal he gave DeRosa last offseason.

 

What I really expect is that he gives him the same deal in terms of years and dollars, but makes the third year a player option.

 

Maybe even throw in a 3 year full no trade to boot!

[YearofDaCubs]

These moves are not OK, period. Where is the upgrade? Is Matsui such an upgrade over Theriot? Nope, they both are mediocre. Matsui's numbers away from Coors are brutal. Luis Gonzalez? Luis? Signing Luis to any contract is another terrible idea. We should look to upgrade this team not make it worse. Btw, considering Hendry is about to swap Jones for Infante, I can definitely see how Matsui and Luis could be our top 2 targets, Hendry is that bad.

[moorecg]

Matsui, Infante, Theriot, Fontenot....

 

Is Dusty still managing this team?

 

OR WAIT!!!

 

We're stocking up for a trade with Dusty and Cincy for that baseclogger Adam Dunn!! Somebody start the thread.

[Mephistopheles]

well this prediction is already wrong

[BigbadB]

well this prediction is already wrong

 

Not necessarily. I'm not convinced that trading for Infante means that Matsui talks are dead.

[Keener98]

well this prediction is already wrong

 

Not necessarily. I'm not convinced that trading for Infante means that Matsui talks are dead.

 

Either is Rosenthal.

[Burtonbell]

I think the Cubs could enter the Arod sweepstakes and still talk to Matsui. Dumb.

[SweetZombieJesus]

well this prediction is already wrong

 

Not necessarily. I'm not convinced that trading for Infante means that Matsui talks are dead.

 

Either is Rosenthal.

 

He's still surprised his sources were wrong on Floyd and Trachsel.

[NCCubFan]

Somebody please hire a hit man and take Hendry out before he does any more damage. It would be justifiable homicide. :D