Two guys to sign to extensions NOW

[The Genius]

Garcia, of course. Let's nail him down for 3-4 years. He is the real deal. Remember I predicted he would hit .300 with 10 HRs if he plays the rest of the season? I was way too conservative.
The other is Lee Stevens. I was the first to scream when he was included in the Colon deal. But he has done a good job at 1st, LF, and RF, and has provided occasional power. Although his average is down this year, he is walking at nearly twice the rate (1 in 6 AB) as his career rate. He will be 35 after the season, but I would sign him for another year. I also think he is well liked and respected by his mates. Bradley went far beyond protocol in congratulating him after his HR today. Tells me they might have a special relationship.

[the teacher]

If Garcia is this good, it's HUGE. Just goes to show you that money doesn't always get the best results: the Yankees had him. Instead, the Yanks end up with the perennial underachiever Raul Mondesi. In 192 AB's: 9-32-.255. Karim in 98 AB's: 8-30-.327

Mondesi is costing King George $12.5 million over two years.

Everyone keeps saying that Karim is a late bloomer: Hey the guy is only 25! He'e just been around forever.. he had a cup of coffee with the Dodgers at 19. I still can't figure out why he's been traded around so often, maybe he's destined to be an Indian.

I can't help but compare him to Giles, but Giles was 28 before he really started mashing. It may be that a better way to measure it is by big league AB's: Giles and Garcia both started putting it together at about 700-800 AB's.

[*TR]

Karim Garcia is 26 yrs. old and will turn 27 in October.

Fact-The Tribe should have just kept Garcia and never signed Brady Anderson.

But don't get carried away, Karim has had nice 100 AB stretches in his career before. What usually is his downfall is his lack of plate discipline. Eventually he just doesn't get good pitches to hit anymore but he continues to swing away.
There is nothing in his current performance to indicate he has remedied his malady. Karim has walked a paltry 3 times in 103 AB's. That's not good, closer to terrible. That's how you get a lousy .336 OBP while hitting .320! That is almost tough to do.

I would be very wary of signing Karim to a multi-yr contract. There is nothing in his past performance to indicate he will maintain his current production. In fact all his history screams that he can't.

This organization has too many younger and better prospects to muck up the future by signing Karim to a long term deal.

[*TR]

Oh, forgot Lee Stevens (easy to do!).

Surely 'tis jest about re-inking Stevens. Stevens is done, toast, career over.

You don't rebuild a team by keeping re-treads and over-the-hill hangers-on around.

There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to justify Stevens being any where near a Tribe uniform in 2003 (even if Thome isn't signed!).

And Thome will be signed.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ September 03, 2002 03:58 AM: Message edited by: *TR ]</font>

[the teacher]

You're right about Garcia's age... still, most of his big league AB's came at the age of 23 or under. Those may not be a valid indication of his abilities.

Bottom line though, I concur: there is no reason to ink him to long term money at this time. We can keep him on board while giving him a chance to prove he's for real.

Also totally agree about Stevens. We need to find a spot for too many young guys, especially Broussard, and first base is relatively easy to learn.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ September 03, 2002 10:23 AM: Message edited by: the teacher ]</font>

[Alex]

I'm surprised at you liking Lee Stevens that much. I too was surprised at how well he has played, but I am a bit concerned at how slow he is.

How can he play that well in the outfield without some speed?

Also, you have to carry two catchers, plus Lee Stevens, that leaves only two other slots for our bench.

It seems an unlikely move for a team bent on going younger.

[Alex]

TR makes a comeback from his Matt Lawton take!

Good takes. I believe of the 30 RBI's Karim has, at least 18 of them are against Detroit and Tampa Bay.

Only 3 walks is very scary for over 100 at bats. (are you listening Johnny Mac! Although because Johnny Mac is no home-run threat, they'd rather groove one than issue ball 4, hench Johnny Mac gets an extra base hit every 14 at bats as a result, the highest of anyone on the team with more than a 100 at bats)

Will Karim learn to take a walk if the right pitch is not there. He has done nothing to prove that he is improved in that department.

However, a 3 year, 7.5 million dollar deal is one I would commit to. (and throw in some incentives).

[The Genius]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=2 face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><table border="0" width="90%" bgcolor="#333333" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#FF9900"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#DDDDDD"><font size=2 face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Alex:

However, a 3 year, 7.5 million dollar deal is one I would commit to. (and throw in some incentives).</font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

Seeing as how he is making $200k, I think we can get him for half that.

[Alex]

Not sure about that. If you ink a player to a multi-year deal, the least they will usually take is the league average, or the team payroll average.

If our payroll next year is around 60 million for 25 players, than the payroll average is around 2.4 million a year. If we can't even pay a player the team payroll average, than why do we want to lock him up for three years?

Also, Considering that Karim Garcia may put up equivalent numbers to Matt lawton this year in one half the at bats, why would he settle for a three year deal for 1/2 of what Matt Lawton makes in ONE YEAR!

[Alex]

I still can't tell if you were kidding about Stevens or not. Stevens keeps delivering.