Edgardo Alfonzo

[ckotyk]

Nothing concrete has been extended but it is being reported that the Indians are interested in Alfonzo. The third baseman is seeking a multi-year deal of five or more years but the Mets, who paid the third baseman $6.1 million in 2002, are reportedly offering only three years.

What kind of deal should the Tribe offer Alfonzo? I see no problem offering a 29 year old player who's proven to be a steady producer a five or six year contract. Maybe $5-6 mil/year for 5 or 6 years. I wouldn't want to get into a bidding war with NY but they seem to be in cost cutting mode.

[Alex]

I just don't get these 5-6 year contracts. I don't trust them. (the contract lengths, not the players intent)

[The RotoTribe]

Edgardo Alfonzo a five year contract? You've got to be kidding!

Don't get me wrong. Alfonzo is a good journeyman plus player. He's had what I consider two very good years, but they were a couple of years ago. It's true the Tribe needs a third baseman, but we don't know how Gutierrez is going to feel. If Gutierrez is well, he's the third baseman, unless the Tribe can sucker someone into taking his contract (unlikely).

If Gutierrez isn't the third baseman, why not let the young guys have their chances? The Tribe's only going to win 55-60 games anyhow, so why sign an Alfonzo?

[Alex]

You could say he's had 3 out of 4 decent years. This past season he hit over .300, only hit into 6 doubleplays all season, and had more walks than strikeouts. His homers are a bit low, 16, but he would be a huge improvement over what he got the past two years.

I wonder why the Indians didn't go after David Bell, who from what I hear really bugged Thome the last week to join him in Philly. I mean sheesh, David Bell's dad is in Cleveland now, it could have been a logical fit, (perhaps Thome stays in Cleveland?) although four years is too long.

[ckotyk]

The Indians didn't go after Bell because they wanted to resolve the Thome situation first.

Gutierrez is as much an everyday 3rd baseman as McDonald. Neither hit for enough power. IF Gutierrez is healthy and can play again he's better suited to fill in at second until Brandon Phillips has a chance to fully develop. If he's not healthy McDonald can fill that role.

I'd feel much better about not signing a "real" 3rd baseman if we had a top notch prospect to play 3rd. Right now all we have is Earl Snyder who I think needs at least another year at triple A.

The same applies for a first baseman. Ben Broussard needs another year at triple A to develop into anything.

I think Alfonzo is underrated and fairly consistant. Agreed he did have a bad year in 2001 and he did have two really good years in 99 and 2000. If he was expected to produce as well as he did in 99 and 2000 he'd probably demand Rolen dollars (or more).

Why sign Alfonzo if the Tribe is only going to win 55-60 games? Well because we need to think about beyond just next year. And I don't think that the best place to develop the prospects we have is at the major league level yet. Fans need something to watch next year.