Crasnick On Remaining Free Agents
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick examines the status of nine free agents: Sammy Sosa, Kenny Lofton, Reggie Sanders, Jeff Cirillo, Royce Clayton, Steve Finley, Freddy Garcia, David Wells, and Damian Miller.
- Lofton is likely to find a job; he’s healthy and played reasonably well last year. The Cubs still might be a fit.
- Seems that Garcia probably won’t reach a big league mound until September; auditioning for teams may take place in July.
- Miller received calls from the Yankees and Padres, but he’s still taking a Brewers or nothing stance.
Rockies Sign Steve Finley
The Rockies signed center fielder Steve Finley to a minor league contract today. He’ll serve as Willy Taveras‘s backup. The soon-to-be 42 year-old didn’t do anything with the bat last year but still got 426 ABs for the Giants.
PECOTA sees him hitting .245/.318/.378 in 186 plate appearances, while ZiPS sees .227/.291/.335. Finley’s range in center is obviously diminished, but if he can outhit the PECOTA a little bit he’ll be a fine backup.