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« Odds & Ends: Hardy, Tejada, Cardinals, Mariners | Main | Eleven Option Decisions Made Today »
Nationals Decline Option On Austin Kearns
The Nationals declined their $10MM option on right fielder Austin Kearns, according to the AP. They'll instead pay a $1MM buyout. Kearns signed his three-year, $17.5MM deal in January of '07, and gave the Nats one solid year for their money. He represents the last of the day's multiple obvious option decisions.
Kearns, 29, hit .195/.336/.305 in 211 plate appearances this year. He missed a chunk of the season due to thumb surgery. Based on UZR, he still plays a strong right field.
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SHOCKER
Posted by: lftyg33 | November 06, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Bowden would have picked it up...
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | November 06, 2009 at 10:50 PM
I wish Jim Bowden was still the Nationals' GM so the Reds could still be trading their garbage players to him.
Posted by: Ethanator99 | November 06, 2009 at 10:50 PM
ARE THEY NUTS? KNOW WONDER THEY ONLY WON 59 GAMES LAST YEAR, IT'S DECISIONS LIKE THIS!!
Posted by: pb | November 06, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Lulz.
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | November 06, 2009 at 10:56 PM
So what is Kearns now: backup OFer or minor league fodder?
Posted by: bbxxj | November 06, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Austin Kearns has a chance to be a real solid buy-low type pickup for somebody. He is a very good outfielder, and up until 2008 was always about a league average hitter. He was an 8 WAR player in 2006 and 2007 combined. He is a very good fielder with a strong arm and if he can get back to being a .260/.330/.400 guy he can really be a nice, solid outfielder for somebody, probably for almost nothing. I understand that he has really been awful offensively in 2008 and 09, but as a cheap pick up somebody can really end up with a solid player for some breadcrumbs this year.
Posted by: nrmax88 | November 06, 2009 at 11:03 PM
I can so see the Giants picking him up say if they make NO free agent signings this winter because he might be good u never know
Posted by: Black-And-Proud | November 06, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I could see him signing a minor league contract with somebody. A's maybe? I know they're stacked in the outfield, but he could be a buy low type of player for Beane to sign. We all know Beane likes guys with high OBP. And up until 2008 where Kearns faced many injuries he has had a career .359 OBP, which is above the league average. Granted he might not be the same player he once was in 2006-07, but it wouldn't hurt to invite the guy to spring training on a minor league deal.
Posted by: It's Giant's Time! | November 06, 2009 at 11:22 PM
"So what is Kearns now: backup OFer or minor league fodder?"
Independent league washout.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | November 06, 2009 at 11:32 PM
"I could see him signing a minor league contract with somebody. A's maybe? I know they're stacked in the outfield, but he could be a buy low type of player for Beane to sign. We all know Beane likes guys with high OBP. And up until 2008 where Kearns faced many injuries he has had a career .359 OBP, which is above the league average. Granted he might not be the same player he once was in 2006-07, but it wouldn't hurt to invite the guy to spring training on a minor league deal. "
Exactly. Doesn't it seem like every year theres a bunch of Austin Kearns type options declined, people make their jokes, then those bunch of Austin Kearns type guys sign on elsewhere, and people make their jokes, and some of these guys catch on and get back to the guy they used to be. Like you said, if Werth can get back to the hitter he was in 06-07, combined with his solid defense in a corner outfield spot, he can be a very nice pickup, likely for the league minimum.
Posted by: nrmax88 | November 06, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Yup. I just called him Werth. That because Jayson Werth is the classic buy-low guy that I think of in these spots. Came up a big prospect, struggled a lot, battled injuries, got picked up for nothing, now he is a stud. Obviously that's an extreme case, but I just had his name in my head as I was typing that last post out.
Posted by: nrmax88 | November 07, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Like you said, if Werth can get back to the hitter he was in 06-07, combined with his solid defense in a corner outfield spot, he can be a very nice pickup, likely for the league minimum.
Posted by: nrmax88 | November 06, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Think you mean Kearns, not Werth. But I could see him having some Werth like seasons.
I could see Kearns singing with the Jays if they don't fill their RF spot with someone else. Still isn't known whats going to happen with the payroll but if it stays where it is Kearns could be a great buy low guy.
Posted by: Nick0rz | November 07, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Kearns is another post PEDs flameout. See ya!
Posted by: HoratioAlgae | November 07, 2009 at 03:37 AM
How often do you see a player whose slugging percentage is lower than their OBP? Painful.
I am a Braves fan and I wouldn't mind seeing them sign him for $1 million to play strong backup defense, and he couldn't be worse than greg norton at the plate.
Posted by: Roberty | November 07, 2009 at 06:48 AM
"Austin Kearns has a chance to be a real solid buy-low type pickup for somebody. He is a very good outfielder, and up until 2008 was always about a league average hitter. He was an 8 WAR player in 2006 and 2007 combined. He is a very good fielder with a strong arm and if he can get back to being a .260/.330/.400 guy he can really be a nice, solid outfielder for somebody, probably for almost nothing. I understand that he has really been awful offensively in 2008 and 09, but as a cheap pick up somebody can really end up with a solid player for some breadcrumbs this year."
ANd that is why a team like the Giants should pick him up if they have get noone..... Good low signing worst thing that can happen gets released
Posted by: Black-And-Proud | November 07, 2009 at 08:54 AM
I can so see the Giants picking him up say if they make NO free agent signings this winter because he might be good u never know
Posted by: Black-And-Proud | November 06, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Funny you say that Cause I was thinking the same thing!!! Sabean looking to fill a spot in the field with a name with possible potential instead of a young stud still in his prime...
Posted by: seanyt1 | November 07, 2009 at 10:13 AM
If Pierre is traded by the Dodgers, I wouldn't mind them pick him up for the bare minimum.
I think he would be a little better than Xaiver Paul. IMO
Posted by: 661dodgerblue | November 07, 2009 at 02:36 PM
I'd love the Pirates to take a look at him. They really need to upgrade RF.
Posted by: element1286 | November 07, 2009 at 02:41 PM
He's great defensively but he can't hit worth squat. Maybe he'll pull a Felipe Lopez and be better somewhere else.
Posted by: DC Nats Fan | November 09, 2009 at 09:57 PM
so will he even get a major league deal this next season?
I know i would take him on a minor league deal.
Posted by: CardsFan | November 10, 2009 at 07:03 AM