Serious Interest in Placido Polanco?

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Dec 2, 2009 9:35 PM CST

The Astros have expressed "serious interest" in free agent infielder Placido Polanco, sources tell MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

Polanco's name continues to draw heat on the hot stove. The Tigers declined to offer him arbitration after he batted .285 with 10 home runs and 72 RBIs last season. Polanco made $4.6 million last season and will be looking for a raise. Source: MLB.com

This via Rotoworld...

I kinda like it but i kinda hate it...im a lil confused

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Polanco would be better than Blum or Johnson at least, and he’s a defensive force. It’s hard to say whether he’d be better than Tejada overall, without knowing how Miggy would do defensively at third base.

by OremLK on Dec 2, 2009 10:40 PM CST reply actions

They’re likely to command similar salaries, Polanca may be a little cheaper, but i think tejada may bring more for the salary. Tejada’s offensive predictions are approximately 50 points higher in OPS defensively tejada is a question mark but he’ll at least be slightly above avg. And with manzella next to, whoever the 3rd base doesn’t have to be overly amazing. Tejada’s presence in the club house adds unmeasurable value. I’m leaning to tejada on this one.

by Subber10 on Dec 2, 2009 11:27 PM CST reply actions

From MLBTradeRumors:

A source “with knowledge of the Phillies’ intentions” tells the FOX duo that the NL champs could offer Polanco a two-year deal worth between $10MM and $12MM.

That’s considerably cheaper than Tejada, I would expect. If we have to beat that offer he might cost $6-7MM a year which is probably at least $2MM cheaper than Miggy. And let’s not discuss unquantifiable intangibles like “clubhouse presence” though… there is no way to prove or compare value on such things so they’re pretty close to useless analytically speaking.

by OremLK on Dec 3, 2009 12:01 AM CST up reply actions

The conclusion on the range for tejadas possible salary was 7MM to 9MM which could even go lower possibly since he has expressed a great desire to stay in houston…so your 2MM is close to the most. Your right that clubhouse presence is unquantifiable. But, yet still important. Especially in a coming season that will likely be a difficult season. You have to rely on veterans to lead in difficult times and sadly to say i was dissappointed in Oswalt who almost seemed to lead the way in tearing the clubhouse apart because of Cooper. Do i agree Coop needed to leave and was wrong in the situation? Yeah, but i don’t agree in how Oswalt handled it either. Tejada can keep it together, not for extreme cases like last year, but i don’t see that happening with a new skip, but we’ll need a guy like tejada to make sure they’re all behind him. If that costs 2MM and is the difference between a clubhouse coming together and sneaking in for the wildcard…Worth it…

by Subber10 on Dec 3, 2009 8:40 AM CST up reply actions

and we’re going to have a young SS starting who will have slumps and defensive lapses because its a new level and an adjustment period will be needed…tejada is really the one who knows that position in the major league level better than anyone and has the personality to help him succeed.

by Subber10 on Dec 3, 2009 8:51 AM CST up reply actions

Sounds like you want to hire Tejada as a coach.

There are several other veterans that can fill those intangible holes your talking about, Berkman being one, Blum as far as I know is a very well liked and respected guy in the club house, Sampson was a former coach, if Hawkins returns that’s another veteran.

The Marlins are pretty much void of veteran players and yet finished 87 – 75 last season.

by Timothy De Block on Dec 3, 2009 9:03 AM CST up reply actions

its not just veteran presence, its a personality that is like glue. Every good team has one. They dont have to be the best player but they make everyone else around them better. Those personalities are rare. Yeah berkman is the team leader but its tejada is the glue. If youve ever played on a talented team that lacks that personality you understand…you win games but by the end of the season your tired of some people and you falter

by Subber10 on Dec 3, 2009 9:18 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

so that’s what the Met’s are missing.

by Timothy De Block on Dec 3, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

I have been mentioning Polanco for several weeks..

Assuming Tejada costs too much, Polanco probably would be my No. 1 target. His current salary is $4.5 million and he is coming off a down offensive season, which might depress his ability to get a lot of money. I view him as a poor man’s Tejada on offense; but he would be an upgrade on defense at 3d base. He is a contact hitter who ordinarily hits for high average like Tejada, doesn’t strike out much, and posted a career OBP of .341 (exactly the same as Tejada’s). His defense is called “spectacular,” as evidenced by his gold gloves at 2d base, and he has played quite a bit at 3d during his career (unlike Tejada) with good defensive results (according to UZR). Wade traded for him previously, while with the Phillies.

Polanco was unlucky based on BABIP last year and is a good pick to bounce back on offense. Here is a recent Fangraphs article on Polanco. I would hope that he could be signed for something like $5 million/year. Some people have suggested that the Phillies would use Polanco as a utility player or in a platoon (these are fans, not the front office….so who knows). If that is the case, the Astros could have the advantage of offering him a starting position.

by clack on Dec 3, 2009 8:24 AM CST reply actions

I agree with all your points. When it comes down to it, I might even prefer Polanco for the same price due to his proven defense. It’s a tough call. Unfortunately it sounds like the Phillies are close to a deal with him… guess we’ll find out soon enough.

by OremLK on Dec 3, 2009 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

I find it highly unlikely we’ll get Polanco unless he really like Houston. The Phillies and Red Sox can out bid the Astros and both have good teams.

by Timothy De Block on Dec 3, 2009 9:06 AM CST up reply actions

as I said, the Astros’ hope there would be the offer of a starting position, as opposed to a part time position in Boston or Philly.

by clack on Dec 3, 2009 9:20 AM CST up reply actions

one upside (from the Astros’ perspective) of Polanco signing with the Red Sox or Phillies is that it means there would be one less team to bid on Tejada. Both the Phillies and Red Sox were rumored to be interested in Tejada. If I were Tejada, I would try to get signed early, because his salary potential will decline as teams with infield vacancies begin to fill them.

by clack on Dec 3, 2009 9:24 AM CST up reply actions

I thought the Phillies needed a 3B and the Red Sox need a SS (they have discussed moving Pedroia to SS which would mean signing Polanco to man 2B).

I’d prefer Adrian Beltre, he’s a lot younger, and entering the prime of his career.

by Timothy De Block on Dec 3, 2009 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

Looks like the deal the Phils have going for Polanco is rumored to be 3 years at $6mil per, with a mutual option for a fourth year. Even though I would have liked Polly’s defense at 3B, I’m glad we’re not outbidding that. Seems steep (in terms of years) for a guy who’s going to be 34 next season.

by AstroAndy on Dec 3, 2009 10:03 AM CST up reply actions

The Phillies got rid of Eric Bruntlett, and apparently are still pursuing a 3d baseman to platoon with Polanco, or at least that is what Phillies fans are saying. The Red Sox are still likely to sign Scutaro for shortstop, from what I’ve read. However, a utility player like Polanco could hedge a lot of bets for them, since they have several possibilities for the shortstop position (Lowrie, sign Scutaro, move Pedroia, with the distinct possibility that he may not work out at shortstop).

Yes, I would prefer Beltre, but I assumed he would be more expensive than Polanco. But maybe that doesn’t turn out to be the case.

by clack on Dec 3, 2009 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

Mariners are signing Figgins to $36MM/4 it looks like

At that price, we should have jumped on at the chance.

by OremLK on Dec 4, 2009 2:02 PM CST reply actions

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