A lot of activity out there in regards to the Renteria deal. Let’s check out a few links.
~ Dan Szymborksi of Baseball Think Factory has a quasi-optimistic ZiPS projection on Renteria. He projects Renteria to hit: .282/.341/.389 in 2009. Before you say “That’s nothing special” realize that the combined shortstop production for the Giants in ’08 was: .228/.292/.281. Renteria’s ZiPS projection should translate to about a .325 wOBA — give or take a few points. League average wOBA is projected to be around .332 in 2009. Renteria should be in the general area of a league average hitter while playing shortstop, not a bad thing to have.
~ Keith Law also liked the deal. I think Keith nails it with this comment:
Yes, the Giants have shortstop Manny Burriss, who hit an unimpressive .283/.357/.329 in limited time in the big leagues in 2008, but has a weak swing and poor pitch recognition that make even that level a near-term high-water mark for him. (His walk rate was partly boosted by appearances in the No. 8 spot, where he’d be pitched around to get to the pitcher.) There’s no one else in the Giants’ organization who could handle shortstop in 2009, and frankly, they’re a little light at second base as well, so they could just as easily sign another shortstop and slide Renteria to second, where he’s going to end up in the next few years anyway. If he stays in shape and even hits .280/.330/.440, he’ll have trade value next winter or during 2010, as well.
Burriss comes with a lot of offensive question marks and how he would fare outside of the 8th spot is a question that should be asked. The competition for second base should between Burriss and Frandsen. The Giants saw enough of Velez last year to understand that he’s not a starting option at any defensive position on the baseball diamond. If Burriss can slide over to second base and do a Mark Elliss impression — in regards to defense — he might get 300-400 AB’s. If he tanks, send him back to the minors for seasoning and let Frandsen play. Adding Renteria to the team is a nice boost for shortstop depth.
~ Baggs has some highlights from the Renteria conference call. It’s a good read and includes a funny quote from Renteria about the differences between the AL and NL.
Comment Starter: Renteria’s deal? Good, bad, or just indifferent?
Good deal, not great deal, not bad deal, good deal. I think he’ll have a bounce back year, his peripherals were still good, much like other seasons, and his second half was stellar. He was also hurt by Detroit’s bad infield, errors were up 15% over league average in 2005-7.
One note about wOBA: beyondtheboxscore (an sbnation blog) posted averages by position, and shortstop was .312. So if Renteria actually got around .325, that would nice.
Keith Law overstates the case, I think. This deal is “meh.” I’m not full-blown outraged (like OBM), but I’m not excited, either. Obviously we had no choice but to buy, er, rent a free agent. They decided Burriss couldn’t start at SS and that’s that. No one on the depth chart meant “get a body now.” Two years is tolerable IF we are grooming a SS-in-waiting for 2011. There’s an option for a 3rd year. (That’s “bleah.)
Mark,
I agree with you to an extent, but, I think even if this deal rates as a “meh” this offseason has been a pleasant change in terms of how the front office is dealing with free agents. After the past couple of years (Roberts, Rowand, extending offers to Gary Mathews Jr. and Juan Pierre, etc.) the slight improvement is nice to see.
It’s nice to see quotes detailing that free agent compensation will be a factor in signings. And, in the end, Burriss could very well beat out Frandsen to start at 2B in ’09 — I think everyone knows it’s between him and Kevin, Velez has no chance — and Burriss can continue to get AB’s at the major league level. He could use more seasoning in the minors if he doesn’t make the cut. Not bad fallback options, if you ask me.
I think with our SS depth, you almost had to make this move. It’s cost is about right and the deal length is super short. I’ll take it.
You mean with our LACK of SS depth!
I’m with you, I’ll take it.