Ray Mileur
December 30, 2004
Roberto Alomar invited to Spring Training
By Ray Mileur
According to a report online at Newsday.com "Roberto Alomar, whose Hall of Fame career first sputtered with the Mets, has agreed on a one-year contract with the NL champion Cardinals, Newsday has learned. A person familiar with the situation said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa personally called to recruit Alomar, but the one-year deal, worth $500,000 plus incentives, is not guaranteed."
Late last night the St. Louis Post Dispatch was reporting the same unconfirmed reports.
Alomar who played last season for the Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to the White Sox in August, appeared in only 56 games last season with just 151 at bats.
Alomar had hoped the Chicago White Sox would be his last stop in the majors before retiring. In Chicago he was able to play with his brother, catcher Sandy Alomar.
Can Roberto Alomar still play?
In 151 at bats last season, he hit a respectable .263 with 4 home runs and 24 RBI. Of his 45 hits, 12 were for extra bases.
According to a scouting report from STATS,
"Alomar needs to re-establish himself, the switch-hitting Alomar must address his problems hitting righthanded. His batting average as a righty has slipped on an annual basis since 2000, when he batted .322, to his career low .189 in '03. He's still a solid hitter from the left side but does not often drive the ball. This is a guy who suddenly finds himself with bat-speed issues. He can be overpowered by good heat."
In 17 games with the White Sox last season, Alomar hit just .086 against right handed pitching and had an On Base Percentage of just .111. Was this just a slump or he was still having problems with his hand that he broke earlier in the season? With the Diamondbacks Alomar was hitting .319 against right handers in 94 at bats.
Against left handers the future Hall of Famer, hit .308 against them after moving to Chicago and hit just .250 vs left handed pitching in Arizona.
So the signals are mixed concerning his hitting and injury could have contributed significantly to the diverse numbers.
As to his defense, his range has diminished over the past few seasons. He will still make the plays that he gets to and has good hands. In a 160 chances last season he made four errors for a fielding percentage of .982
Clearly he has lost a step or two but he's still quick, especially going to his left, pulling off plenty of acrobatic catches and circus stops. He does a good job turning double plays and has a presence that steadies others on the field. He could be a solid insurance policy on the bench.
As to his health, last season he was out for several weeks with a broken hand which accounts for the differences in his batting numbers when he came off the DL. He also missed most of September with back inflammation. Add this to his declining skills and it will be hard for Alomar to find a starting position in the majors, which would contribute I think to him accepting this type of reported deal with LaRussa and the Cardinals.
Sandy Alomar his brother says that Roberto is not ready to retire yet.
This report from Newsday it appears to me is no news, Roberto Alomar a LaRussa favorite has had an open invitation to attend spring training and try out for the team for going on three seasons now. There may be a non-guaranteed contract now, but I think we all knew Alomar could try out for the team if he wanted to.
You would think that the Future Hall of Famer, Alomar could get a guaranteed contract before spring training with someone. He made just $924,234 last season and having him on a team for 2005 at that price has to be a bargain if, Alomar can pass a physical.
Interesting, this news coming after Tuesday when Walt Jocketty told reporters from the Post Dispatch not to expect anything about signing a second baseman to get done this week. Mixed messages?
My opinion is, the search is still on for a starting second baseman. Alomar will be given a shot to make the team in spring training, if it appears he isn't going to make it, he will be given an early release to give him a chance to sign on with another team.
Then again, I could be wrong about everything. That's no news either. :)
