Actually some choices this year. The top 5 IMHO. (not in any specific ranking)
FigginsBeltreTejadaCredeDerosa
Figgins -I think he is a bit over-rated. Sure his 3rd base line is better than most clubs but his 3rd base defense isn't that great.
Beltre - great defense. Where did the offense go? I think this could be a darkhorse pick if we sign him for 1 year while he tries to have a monster 2010 to get a monster contract next offseason.
Tejada - a type A FA that will want multi-years and has never played 3rd in the Majors? I think we should pass.
Crede - If he is healthy, he is a great 3rd baseman. But even if he is healthy, he wouldn't make the OBP folks happy. He does have power, though.
DeRosa - A great utility guy, but not a great defender anywhere. Doesn't have much pop, but he would make the OBP fans happy. Maybe not a bad pick up with the oft-injured Matsui and question marks at 3rd and SS next year.
My take.....
If the FO wants to get a FA 3rd baseman, I say sign Beltre for 1 year. (if it is possible)
If not, get Derosa.
"Figgins -I think he is a bit over-rated. Sure his 3rd base line is better than most clubs but his 3rd base defense isn't that great."
Most of the numbers have him as a slightly above-average 3B, what makes you say his glove isn't very good?
"Beltre - great defense. Where did the offense go? I think this could be a darkhorse pick if we sign him for 1 year while he tries to have a monster 2010 to get a monster contract next offseason."
Only if the price is right, and by right I mean dirt cheap. He's only had about three years posting a solid OBP, the last of which was 2004, six years ago.
"Crede - If he is healthy, he is a great 3rd baseman. But even if he is healthy, he wouldn't make the OBP folks happy. He does have power, though."
Unhealthy and never, ever walks, not to mention he hasn't even been a decent hitter since 2006. Only two of his ten seasons were even average in the OPS+ department. Pass.
"DeRosa - A great utility guy, but not a great defender anywhere. Doesn't have much pop, but he would make the OBP fans happy. Maybe not a bad pick up with the oft-injured Matsui and question marks at 3rd and SS next year."
Could be the best option depending on price. Knows how to take a walk and make some things happen. With 20+ HR in each of the last two years, I don't know why you would say he doesn't have much pop.
Don't forget: Hinske, Mora, Glaus
"Sure his 3rd base line is better than most clubs but his 3rd base defense isn't that great."
He was questionable earlier in his career, but he's turned in two plus seasons in a row according to UZR. His +14.5 this season was third in the majors behind Zim and Longoria. Even if he regresses to his career +6.5 rate, that's still very good.
I agree on most of the others though. Beltre would be my top pick for a productive gamble. DeRosa would have been intriguing a few years ago, but I say pass on him. His glove is bad anywhere except for an OF corner, and I don't think he has the range to even fake 2B or SS anymore. I would rather get Kennedy or Hinske as a utility player.
"Could be the best option depending on price. Knows how to take a walk and make some things happen. With 20+ HR in each of the last two years, I don't know why you would say he doesn't have much pop."
Although I wouldn't be in favor of it, DeRosa seems like the kind of guy that we would go for: right-handed, fairly good contact, a bit of pop, mediocre defense/OBP, etc.. He also always seems to hit well against us, and Berkman has a man-crush on him. I just don't think we would gain much though. At this point in his career he seems like Keppinger with a bit more pop.
"His +14.5 this season was third in the majors behind Zim and Longoria"
UZR doesn't seem to work as well with 3rd baseman, for me anyway. Figgins number is elevated because of his high Range factor. I'm not taking anything away from it, but 'range' in the hot corner doesn;t seem to be that important to me. Being in the right position, quick reflexes, and a great arm is what I see a 3rd baseman needs.
Look at Figgins ErrR. It isn't that great, but if you look at the other guys you mentioned, Zim and Longoria, they have great ErrR as well.
I think RZR is a better stat for 3rd basemen. Which Figgins has done better at this year, but for his career it hasn't been as impressive.
I think it is just an argument about the definition of good vs great. I never said Figgins was a bad defender, I just don't think he is a great defender. As a type A free agent, I think he is going to be over-priced for what he gives.
"As a type A free agent, I think he is going to be over-priced for what he gives."
I agree there, but I think the offensive package is more suspect than his glove. If you don't like UZR, the Dewan +/- might be better. He ranked pretty high last season at +11; the 2009 numbers aren't out yet though.
At the plate, on the other hand, he's only one year removed from a .276/.367/.318 line, and his speed seems to be waning a bit.
"With 20+ HR in each of the last two years, I don't know why you would say he doesn't have much pop."
Derosa is weird. He hardly had any homeruns while at hitter friendly Arlington.
'08 was a breakout season for him, but his numbers are declining. Even with the 23 HRs this year. Derosa slash stats aren't terribly impressive. But they are better than Blum's.
For his Career he hasn't shown much, so yes 2 seasons with 20+ HRs, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that level off to the under 10 HR/year at any point.
I have a beef with Figgins anyway, he broke my longest "Beat the Streak" streak this year.
I know it isn;t logical to rate players by the position they play, but Figgin's should be playing a middle infield spot or CF with his line. 3rd needs some power.
"Don't forget: Hinske, Mora, Glaus"
Hinske is becoming an OF. His 3rd base defense was bad.
Mora - I don't see any difference b/w him and Blum at this point.
Glaus - If we are going to go with the oft-injured 3rd baseman. I'd take Crede.
"I know it isn;t logical to rate players by the position they play"
Why not?
"but Figgin's should be playing a middle infield spot or CF with his line. 3rd needs some power."
That, I agree with.
The heat? Being in the AL?
No I'm kidding.
Seriously though, I'm not saying he's a slugger or anything, but to me, good pop is 15-20 HR a year, which is what, 550-600 AB? Unless my math is wrong, he's averaged about 17.4 HR per 600 AB. Again, not saying he's a slugger, but look at his last four seasons:
.281/.356/.448, 67 HR (16.4 HR per 500 AB), 311 RBI, 1.94:1 K:BB ratio
He's been pretty solid for a while now. Again, he may not be great, but I think it's safe to say he has some pretty solid pop, especially for a park like MMP. If the price is right, he could be a good fit here.
"Mora - I don't see any difference b/w him and Blum at this point."
Seriously? Mora has always been better than Blum; even in his off year last year, he was better than Blum.
"Glaus - If we are going to go with the oft-injured 3rd baseman. I'd take Crede."
Crede: .748 OPS career (92 OPS+)Glaus: .856 OPS career (121 OPS+)
Not even close. Not to mention only four of his twelve seasons (not counting rookie year) has Glaus failed to reach 500+ ABs, compared to Crede only having two of his nine seasons (not counting rookie year) reaching 500+ ABs. Glaus is far-and-away the better option, aside from price considerations.
Yes..Boras yuk
Too bad...I wanted Beltre at 3rd and Tejada at short.That would have been fun and productive.Tejada could have cheated closer to 2nd and they may have had fun playing together.
"Glaus is far-and-away the better option, aside from price considerations."
I'm not looking at the entire career I'm looking at the present. Can Glaus even play competitive baseball anymore? Because of his past career it seem he'll command more $$$ than Crede and there is no proof he can still play. His number's when he finally came back this year are not promising.
Crede's offense isn't great, but his fielding was good last year. He'll be cheap and probably play as many games as Matsui. Which isn;t bad considering they'll probably be plugging the young guys at 3rd this year. If he does get healthy, who knows maybe his pop will return.
Who is to say the Padres want to keep Kouz. He doesn't appear to have any upside left. The guy doesn't walk at all.
I could see the Padres trying to Move Kouz and keep Headley.
