Mets fans love Marlon Anderson. He's been clutch for the team, certainly outperforming his ability while in a Mets uniform. We were happy to see him come back last year and most everyone will be happy about this signing.Not us. It's a stupid deal. Like with Jose Valentin last year and Julio Franco the year before, Omar Minaya once again proves that he is willing to give far more money to over-the-hill and flash-in-the-pan broken down veterans than anyone else would even consider.
Marlon Anderson has never made a million dollars a season before. His next largest contract was when the Washington Nationals signed him for 2 years, $1.85 million in November, 2005. He was good enough that the Dodgers wanted him, and he was traded in August. He was excellent down the stretch for L.A. In 2007 he was terrible, and the Dodgers released him, whereupon the Mets snatched him up. He did very well, hitting .319/.355/.551 in limited playing time.
That won't happen again. The Mets should have left it at that. Instead, they gave him two more years and even more money. They're just keeping up with the market, but Marlon is a year older.
Sure, he's a good guy to have around. He can play the infield and the outfield adequately enough, and he forms a sort of pinch-hitting platoon with Damion Easley. But there are a few problems.
First, there are a million guys like him who could play the same role for a one-year contract at less money. By giving Marlon two years, you're signing on for risk that is totally unnecessary. His level of production is easily replaceable.
Second, Willie Randolph loves him. As much value as Marlon gives the Mets, Willie will take it away by overplaying him, like he did when Beltran was down and Marlon, not Lastings, got the regular time in center field.
Third, there is no reason to expect that Marlon's success as a "pinch-hitter" will continue. What will we say about the deal when he's gone 1-20 in such spots or 0-13 with runners in scoring position? That he's no longer "clutch"?
We understand that we look like jerks for disagreeing with this move. But a career .250 EqA is shit, anyway you slice it.
4 comments:
Well, as long as the Wilpons have no problems, then I guess its not my problem. Its their monmey. It seems like the Mets don't mind taking on an short term $1M-$2M on contracts for bench guys rather than long term heavy million dollar deals.
A saved million here and a million there could go into something to the tune of a $10M pitcher, ie Carlos Silva, or Jason Jennings. Then again, thats a risk as well.
If they were running the Mets like a business in a truley competetive market, then dollars and cents would matter more. Then they would run the team like the Padres or the A's.
I really don't think the Anderson deal matters much, aside from Willy wanting to go to him too often, instead of M-i-l-l.
Picking up utilty players is such a thnkless persuit. If they don't pan out, the GM and the player are torn a new one. See David Newhan.
This off season sucks. It seems like every move could very well be the wrong one. I guess this is where creativity shines, right Omar;-)
-Coolpapabell
Just have to say that this post and the previous one (re Mets catcher options) are right on the money as far as I'm concerned, despite, especially in this post on Marlon, being contrary to the widespread "wisdom". Nice work. Oh, and thanks for your comments over at Metaforian.
Thanks, birtelcom.
coolpapabell, it is a small amount relative to the rest of the team's payroll. But it goes a long way toward showing what the organization's priorities are.
I know some people who are really excited about this. It saddens me.
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