On this date nine years ago, the Astros signed Richard Hidalgo to a four-year, $32MM contract. At the time, it was the third-richest contract in franchise history, behind only Jeff Bagwell's five-year, $85MM deal and Craig Biggio's four-year, $33MM deal. Hidalgo would go on to hit .266/.342/.475 with 87 home runs during the life of the deal, though he was dealt to the Mets mid-way through the 2004 season.
Here's a look at what's been written around the web…
- Camden Crazies looks at some potential replacements for Brian Roberts and his injured back.
- SPANdemonium presents a lineup of players 25-years-old or younger who should be locked up to long-term contracts.
- River Ave. Blues remembers when the Yankees pursued Brian Giles as a free agent.
- Capital Ave. Club quantitatively evaluates 16 of Braves' GM Frank Wren's most notable moves.
- Meanwhile, Long Drive evaluates Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro Jr. in a three-part series.
- Gear Up For Sports wonders is the Angels did enough this offseason.
- Around The Majors breaks down the first base trade market.
- The Dugout Report examines some Spring Training position battles.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.
no love for Adam Jones SPANdemonium? Good list though.
Yea where is Adam Jones? I agree with most of the list.
J.A. Happ got snubbed! Tommy Hanson on the list before Happ? Come on.
Insane, right? Why on earth would he choose the 23 year old power pitcher over the 27 year old pitchability lefty? LUNACY!
(….I normally wouldn’t clarify, but that was completely sarcastic….)
And, of course, it wouldn’t have ANYTHING to do with the fact that the list was restricted to 25-and-under players…
J.A. Happ is 27. The list is restricted to 25 year olds and younger.
Yeah, I was thinking about Adam Jones but I didn’t want to put 2 Orioles even though it’s certainly possible that they can lock up both. I think Kyle Blanks is an important piece of the Padres future as well. Thats why I put him.
Ok I agree with Kyle Blanks, he looks like the real deal.
The Padres really gotta move Gonzalez though to make room for Blanks at first. He’ll be tolerable in the outfield for a year or two (i.e. 10-15 runs below average), but eventually he’s gotta move to first, similar to how Lance Berkman ended up at the position.
Anyone who thinks that the Pads would want a 1B prospect in a Gonzalez trade is nuts. They won’t need a new 1B until like 2016.
Yeah. If the Padres can get some kind of deal involving a Gordon Beckham type player or even Gordon himself,
they should go for that.
haha but you have 2 red sox and braves. Hard to argue with that outfield though.
Yeah I guess that’s right. Good call.