November 17, 2004
How Not to Make Free Agent Signings
By Brian Walton
The frenzy has begun.
Shortstop
The rush to first sign Omar Vizquel by San Francisco for three years, $12.25 million and now, Cristian Guzman by Washington for four years, $16.8 million is quite surprising to me. Guzman can’t take a walk and needed the spongy turf of the Metrodome to excel. Maybe the new Washington team brass thought they were still back in Olympic Stadium.
In a market where there is ample supply of free agent shortstops, why be in a hurry to sign anyone, especially these two? Guzman is a Type B free agent, so the penalty is a second round pick. The 37-year-old Vizquel cost the Giants a first-rounder as a Type A selection.
Giants GM Brian Sabean is generally considered one of the more saavy general managers in the game. I have to admit this deal is causing me to really question that. Why get into a bidding war with the White Sox over a shortstop who will be 40 years old at the end of his contract? I liken Vizquel to Ozzie Smith late in his career. Certainly a good player, but not worth all that.
Edgar Renteria and his agent have to love the panicking that could turn a buyers market for shortstops into a sellers market.
Third base
2004 National League RBI leader Vinny Castilla agreed to a two year, $6.3 million deal with Washington. He’d better sign quickly before they come to their senses. The first thing I thought of was Detroit’s signing of Fernando Vina last December for two years, $6 million. And, we all know how that worked out so far. Vina played in 29 games in 2004.
Unless they figure out a way to import the mile-high thin air to the Nation’s Capital, Washington’s acquisition of Castilla will be a bust. Last season, here were Vinny’s numbers away from Colorado: .218 batting/.281 on base/.493 slugging. Ouch!
Vinny is a Type A free agent, meaning a first round pick will be surrendered. Would someone get some ownership in place in D.C. who knows what they are doing? Former Reds’ general manager, and new Washington GM, Jim Bowden is clearly out of control.
Pitcher
After bouncing among four teams in three years, the Philadelphia Phillies re-signed 32-year-old right handed free agent pitcher Cory Lidle to a 2 year, $6.3 million contract. Another healthy contract for a very average player. Lidle has a 4.52 career ERA and is coming off a 4.897 ERA in 2004. Maybe the Phillies think they have their version of Jeff Suppan here, as Lidle the Phillie was better than Lidle the Red and Lidle the Blue Jay, but not as good as Lidle the Athletic.
Anyway, Matt Morris may just get some decent money somewhere somehow.
So, where’s Walt?
He is right where he ought to be. Smart teams will wait until after the December 7 non-tender date to see who may become available without compensation. Remember, there will be a number of three to five plus year players whose teams will not offer them a contract over fear of being taken to arbitration.
Walt is doing what makes the most sense right now. That is, he is apparently focusing on re-signing his own players as they begin to understand their market value.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t want to see the Cardinals make any big free agent signings until after December 7. And if they make a big free agent signing where compensation is required, the return had sure as heck better be a lot more than tired iron like Omar Vizquel or Vinny Castilla.
Be patient, folks.
