Giants Sign Juan Uribe to Minor League Deal

Published by on January 29, 2009 | 6 Responses

Just when I thought it would be a slow news day, something happens. Let’s give Juan a quick look-see with my new player value graphs.

uribesmall2
(Click to enlarge)

Quick Thoughts:

  • I guess that answers the question of who is going to play shortstop if something happens to Edgar Renteria. At this point in his career, Juan Uribe probably isn’t an every day shortstop anymore, but he can handle the position well enough in a pinch. In 2007, his last season as a shortstop, his bUZR score was -1.8 runs meaning that he was essentially an average defensive shortstop. The Giants didn’t seem very committed to using Burriss at shortstop next season — despite “penciling him in” — and if Manny does win the second base job, this should mean he won’t be filling in at shortstop.

  • Uribe had a fantastic 2004 season — hitting above average and defending quite well — but since then his hitting has slowly plummeted to under replacement level — if he was pro-rated to 700 PA’s. His glove has been a little steadier, remaining above average for the most part. In 2008 his bat bounced back a little to above replacement level parking him at around -20 runs per 700 PA’s.

  • This also probably means that Rich Aurilia won’t be coming back, which isn’t a bad thing. Neither player is going to push this team over the edge but unlike Aurilia, you could probably play Uribe at shortstop occasionally and not look too terrible.

  • Since 2002 Uribe has posted the following wOBA’s: .279, .315, .346, .304, .291, .286, .296. CHONE has a projected wOBA of .303 for Uribe in ’09.

  • If you’re expecting Uribe to be patient at the plate, forget about it. He owns a career BB% of 5.3.

  • Juan Uribe is basically a more defensively sound Jose Castillo. The difference is that if Juan Uribe does make the team, he won’t be starting (hopefully).

If Juan Uribe makes the team, speculation is that he’ll earn about $1M for his services. That contract is paying him like he’s a .25 WAR player, which is about right. I don’t like Juan Uribe as a player but I don’t mind this move. He’ll provide some depth at shortstop while not being Ivan Ochoa or Brian Bocock.

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E: Best quote, ever? From SFGiants.com:

Uribe is not believed to be the big bat the Giants seek for the middle of their order. Although he has hit 20 or more homers in three of his eight Major League seasons, his slugging percentage dipped under .400 in each of the last two. Last year, Uribe, a .253 lifetime hitter, batted .247 with seven homers and 40 RBIs in 110 games.

Who knew!

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E2: Late Night Baggs Edition: Baggs calls Uribe “a solid bet” to make the roster and reasons that Aurilia’s chances of coming back are dimmer. Also, Burriss might be more likely to head back to the minors for additional seasoning.

Comment Starter: Yay Juan Uribe?

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MarkOC
MarkOC

Hanley Ramirez . . . /make Homer Simpson donut-lust noises /drool

daveinexile
daveinexile

I know I am wondering farther afield here but this could be a real interesting end of spring training MLB wide. We could still be looking at a lot of non tendered free agents and then teams will have to decide on their out of options players or young guys they feel just are not panning out. Anyone have some names to keep an eye on beside say Marte (Cle)maybe Trowels (Hous) as young position player talent that might still pan out a year or two down the road?

Chris
Chris

@Mark In my dream universe, Barry Zito is still throwing 90mph and we've got Hanley Ramirez playing shortstop for us. Back to reality.... I hope if the team isn't competitive that the Giants have the guts to trade Molina and move Pablo behind the plate for at least half the season. He's got much more value behind the dish and I don't think he's going to be Piazza bad. He's got a strong arm at least. Guzman is an interesting case, scouts think he should hit but he probably doesn't have a defensive position right now. Some of his minor league defensive data is pretty ugly.

MarkOC
MarkOC

I'd prefer to see Pablo at 1B, but I'm warming to the idea that he could play 3B. In my dream universe, some pennant-chaser will get all hot and bothered about trading for Molina and Pablo will shift to catching halfway through the season, thus making a spot at third for Jesus Guzman who then hits well enough to make us forget about his fielding. Back in the real world, by the time we make up our mind about Crede, he'll be so cheap that it will be impossible NOT to sign him.

Chris
Chris

@Wax Bocock did come straight from San Jose and it turned out to be a pretty bad idea. Of course, if you aren't hitting in San Jose you probably aren't going to hit in the majors. Ideally, Uribe won't play any more than your usual UTIL player. He should see time at SS, 2B, and 3B. As for Crede, I think the Giants will continue to tire-kick him a little. They might sign him, I dunno, it depends on whether or not they truly think Pablo can play third base.

waxpack
waxpack

Yay Juan Uribe? It will be interesting to see what kind of role, if any, he plays up here. My sense is that Sabean/management wants to avoid the Bocock debacle of last year--didn't they bring him up from Single A? Renteria/Uribe looks better than Bocock/________, I suppose. It will be interesting to see what happens with Burriss if they send him to AAA. But with Uribe, I just don't know how much time he's going to see this year. Think the Giants are going to go for Crede?