Ellis Still Wants To Stay

this is why i like Mark Ellis

It really is a good question: should the A's resign Ellis.

The Pros to resigning Ellis is are:
-A's have very little if anything in the minors in the Middle Infield. Even discounting Jamile "Juan Pierre 2.0" Weeks, with Kevin Melillo exiting, the 2009 Middle Infield competition from the minors would comprise of failed prospect Cliff Pennington, Great Defensive SS but little offense Gregorio Petit, and Minor League Free Agent signee Jesus Guzman who can play 2B and 3B and his hitting very well in Double A Midland.

Of those three, Guzman and Petit have the best chance, and Guzman is by far the best offensivly (which the A's need) so he could be there.

Ellis's value comes from being an elite defensive 2B and being league average offensivly. But his offense this year has been horrible (much like the rest of the A's lineup).

Middle Infielders are known to decline quite a bit after thirty, so the A's would be wise to avoid a long term contract with Ellis.

But, if Ellis can hit again like 2002, 2005 or 2007, and not like 2006 and 2008, then he will be a good deal (2004 was a lost season due to a collision in Spring Training with Bobby Crosby). The question becomes if Ellis' offense is worth more than Petit's if Petit can become just as good defensivly at 2nd Base, or if Ellis' defense is that much more valuable at 2B than Guzman's bat.

But since we have no real true prospects in the Minors in the middle infield anywhere in the organization, perhaps it would be a good idea to sign Ellis to a two or three year contract extension. But for how much? $5 or $6 a year?

Ellis is on the list of players who isn't noticed because of where he plays. Defensively he's pretty much a gold glover. Offensively, he's usually solid He'd make a good mentor and asset for a rebuilding A's team.

Just saw you made a deal with CBS sportsline. Thats a huge deal, congrats. It's been fun watching this website grow from it's inception.

Its refreshing to see a player choose happiness over the 'highest bidder'. Personally if I were a mlb player up for free agency I would rule out any team that hasnt made the playoffs or finished in the top two in their division at least 8 times within the last 10 years. If my team was the Chicago Whitesox the hometown discount would be a no-doubter.