Raul gone
Thank goodness we don't have to hear people gush over Mr. Professional anymore. The guy Lou couldn't find playing time for and who quietly left for KC before finding success is now back in the NL.
A 36 year old who already can't play defense is going to the NL on a 3 year deal!
(I had to type it because it just doesn't seem real reading it.)
Seriously, this is one of the dumber contracts we'll see this year. Imagine if Griffey signs a 3 year deal with a NL club. Not going to happen, but its about as logical as having Raul play the field for the next 3 years.
Raul is coming off a really nice season offensively, on a really bad team that played for nothing except possibly avoiding 100 losses (which they didn't). However, his defense is terrible, as most upper-30's guys experience. He is the poster child for the AL. Too old to play the field, but has a decent bat.
Put him at DH, maybe play the field in a pinch. Instead he goes to the NL where they can't hide his glove. Did we also mention he can't hit lefties?
So let's summarize. The defending WS champs signed a guy who can't play defense, can't hit lefties and will be 39 before its over. He can't steal bases, has a weak arm and is going to a team that really needed a right-handed bat to balance the lineup.
My prediction. Raul never sees that 3rd year in a Phillies uniform. He'll get traded to the AL before his 3 years are up, where he belongs.
I like Raul and wish him all the best. But players need to be in the right situation to be successful. Raul belongs on an AL club, not Philadelphia. This may not end well at all. Let's see if Phillie fans get their money's worth (they'll have no problem telling you if they don't)!
Thank goodness we don't have to hear people gush over Mr. Professional anymore. The guy Lou couldn't find playing time for and who quietly left for KC before finding success is now back in the NL.
A 36 year old who already can't play defense is going to the NL on a 3 year deal!
(I had to type it because it just doesn't seem real reading it.)
Seriously, this is one of the dumber contracts we'll see this year. Imagine if Griffey signs a 3 year deal with a NL club. Not going to happen, but its about as logical as having Raul play the field for the next 3 years.
Raul is coming off a really nice season offensively, on a really bad team that played for nothing except possibly avoiding 100 losses (which they didn't). However, his defense is terrible, as most upper-30's guys experience. He is the poster child for the AL. Too old to play the field, but has a decent bat.
Put him at DH, maybe play the field in a pinch. Instead he goes to the NL where they can't hide his glove. Did we also mention he can't hit lefties?
So let's summarize. The defending WS champs signed a guy who can't play defense, can't hit lefties and will be 39 before its over. He can't steal bases, has a weak arm and is going to a team that really needed a right-handed bat to balance the lineup.
My prediction. Raul never sees that 3rd year in a Phillies uniform. He'll get traded to the AL before his 3 years are up, where he belongs.
I like Raul and wish him all the best. But players need to be in the right situation to be successful. Raul belongs on an AL club, not Philadelphia. This may not end well at all. Let's see if Phillie fans get their money's worth (they'll have no problem telling you if they don't)!
posted by Tom at
12:57 PM
