Hank Blalock and Russell Branyan had big years in 2009. But will they be able to find the at-bats (or stay healthy) in 2010? Bookmark this page as it will be updated as players sign or re-sign with teams.
Key Sleepers: Russell Branyan, Chad Tracy
First Basemen
Hank Blalock TEX
Russell Branyan SEA
Carlos Delgado NYM (B)
Nomar Garciaparra OAK
Jason Giambi COL
Ross Gload * FLA
Aubrey Huff DET (B)
Nick Johnson FLA (B) - Yankees have come to terms with Nick Johnson on a one-year deal worth a reported $5.75 million plus incentives to replace Matsui as their designated hitter.
Adam LaRoche ATL (B)
Kevin Millar TOR
Robb Quinlan LAA
Matt Stairs PHI
Mike Sweeney SEA
Jim Thome LAD
Chad Tracy ARZ
I'm not sure Branyan's season really qualifies as a "big year". Sure, he had a great first two months, but if you've seen him play over the course of his career, you knew he was capable of hitting home runs. He simply got more at-bats to do it. It was a bad decision to make him a full-time player in my opinion and Seattle would've been better served installing a strict platoon at first base to begin the year. I mean, was his power really worth the .200 average in June/July/August? Especially as an everyday player. I'm positive that cost them some games. Never mind that he hit just .222 against lefties all year. Seattle acted like the inexperienced fantasy player, holding on Branyan when everybody knew it wouldn't last. They knew he never played that many games before and they knew he was atrocious against lefties. Yet they kept trotting him out there until he got hurt and ultimately, it hurt the team. He is what he is -- a platoon player with some pop -- and this year did little to change that in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteJust as a heads up Nick Johnson is with Florida now Jon. And the guy I like most here is Delgado. He was still putting up good numbers this year before his season was lost. Obviously he's not anyone to love given the injury and age, but in terms of high reward he's the guy I'm circling.
ReplyDeleteHey Paul,
ReplyDeleteI think in the end Seattle had to be pretty hapy with what they got from Branyan. I don't think they were expecting him to hit .300, but if he could get on base at a decent clip and bash like a first baseman should they would take it for the short money they were paying. Branyan's .867 OPS and .368 wOBA show that he was far better than the collection of stifs the club trotted out under Bavasi.
Is he better as part of a platoon? Probably, but he also earned another chance at regular at-bats. It may stun some to realize that he had never been given such a huge opportunity before. If he was 25 and just getting this chance we'd expect him to be even better next year. It is kinda sad actually.
Hey Schruender,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I like Delgado depending on where he lands. I think he needs to be in a good lineup in a hitters park at this point before I'd bet as much as he may cost in auction.