The MLB free agent market is glutted with shortstops. At this point two of the higher rated players at the position have been signed - Omar Vizquel and Christian Guzman. I commented the other day that I thought the 3-year 12 million dollar contract the Giants gave to Vizquel would probably be the worst deal of the offseason. Vizquel will be 38 before the end of April. Granted, Vizquel was a quality player last year, but he also has a significant injury history and there's no reason to believe he'll still be a great player when he's 40. Ah, but 4 million a year - that's not that much right? Well how does it sound when you could have had the 26-year-old Christian Guzman for only 4.2 million a season. Guzman is an all-star, he's an excellent defender, he's quick (he's led the league in triples in 3 of the last five years, including 20 in 2000), and he's a respectable hitter that makes things happen. The new DC team signed him for 4 years at 16.8 million. This deal is the exact opposite of the Vizquel deal as far as quality goes. I doubt there will be a bigger free agent steal this year, and it makes the Vizquel deal look that much worse.
Posted by chefchuddy at November 17, 2004 10:19 AMBy the way, I was wrong about the Percival deal: 2 years, $12 million.
Posted by: Deacon Blues at November 18, 2004 11:05 AMSo, how 'bout them steroids?
Posted by: Deacon Blues at December 3, 2004 12:07 PM