Marco Scutaro: Stopgap For Now Or Something Better?
by Randy Booth on Dec 4, 2009 2:45 AM EST
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PrintI really hope Theo Epstein proves all of us wrong about Marco Scutaro.
The Red Sox's general manager has tried so hard to replace shortstop Nomar Garciaparra since his departure in 2004. And he's done that -- kind of. But he hasn't had anyone that has stuck.
Orlando Cabrera was a nice temporary solution in '04. Alex Gonzalez was very solid in his 2006 stint and especially in his resurrection in 2009. But there hasn't been a staple at the shortstop position since Mr. Nomar and now, with Scutaro, what are Sox fans supposed to expect?
By no means is Scutaro supposed to be that staple. Scutaro is 34 years old who is riding a reported two-year contract with a mutual option for a third. That means we could have a 36-year-old shortstop with one good year on our hands by the end of 2012.
Don't y'all jump for joy at the same time.
Theo is praying for lightning to strike twice. Theo is praying that Jose Iglesias becomes the shortstop that everyone thinks he could be. Theo is hoping that Scutaro plays all right. Nothing more. Just all right.
To put it simply, Scutaro is a stopgap. Scutaro will most likely be an average offensive shortstop while manning the position defensively to the same degree. Iglesias is the important piece here. Iglesias is the only player that's anywhere close to being Boston's "Next Nomar."
We can't really blame Theo for signing Scutaro. There weren't a lot of great options out there with a '6' penciled in next to their name in the scorecard. It would have taken a lot to acquire a shortstop via trade, and the pickings in the free agent market were about as good as buying a fresh tomato at a farmers' market in December: all of them are bruised, damaged and have their flaws, but in the end, you have to pick one.
But now he's here and we have to root for him because that's what we do. After two World Series championships and a plethora of other reasons, we just need to sit back and trust Theo. We must trust him that he has signed a capable shortstop to help lead the Sox to another World Series trophy. We must trust him that he sees something in Scutaro that maybe the rest of us do not see. We must trust Theo because, pretty much, that's our only option.
Marco, welcome to Boston. Your first task: prove us wrong. Please prove us wrong as quickly and effectively as possible.
Please.
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Like I said, I've been feeling better and better about it.
He’s definitely a stopgap, but he’s such a step up from the other stopgaps that for the first time since we first signed Lugo (OK, so a scary comparison) I’m feeling confident about the 9th guy on the field.
USG
weirdly the instant i heard the news
i started feeling good about scutaro. i had my doubts before, but something about the fact that theo did it makes me feel good about it.
Really, even if he only ends up a 2.5-3 WAR guy, that's still way better than what we had at SS last year
I just hope his average defense is for real.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Dec 4, 2009 4:53 AM EST reply actions
Blosox Getting Worse
As a Yankee fan this is nice—-the cry babies lose Saito and Wagner—-and sign a 34 year old one time wonder at SS to a two year contract. Amazing how the boy wonder can’t get a decent SS after 5 years—-some genius.
yup
we let a great 38 year old pitcher walk in exchange for a draft pick, and a 40 year old pitcher with a great year and bad peripherals, both recovering from TJS. And it is odd how he can’t get a great shortstop on a year when none are available, but he did get a short-term stopgap who will probably be better than what we had the last few years anyways (including 2007).
We’ll see how it goes when we get to the season :)
Well, what's done is done.
All we can do now is hope he does better than we predict.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
I still haven't seen the money.
On the whole, I’m not terribly upset by it. He seems like a decent player and he’s versatile. My guess is that if Lowrie shows up healthy and mashing, Scutaro becomes a utility guy. Yes, hard to justify giving up a first round stat pick on a utility guy, but it’s done.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
Don't kid yourself
you sign a guy for 3/25 and he is your starting SS. Bye Bye Jed.
Where's the 3/25 coming from?
You really think he’ll get $7 million more than Palanco?
Manny ain't the only bad man.
on what basis?
plus all sources have reported a 2 year deal. With a mutual option for a third, but a mutual option is essentially meaningless.
Just a guess
based on what others around the web are guessing. Even if it is 6 million, is this a logical signing??
You're a boob buzzy
The deal is gonna be worth Polanco money, tops! My guess would be 2 years at 12 million with a club option for a 3rd year at 5 million. The reason the 3rd year will be worth less is because Scutaro will be 37 by the 3rd year, making it a front end loaded contract where he is making more his first 2 years. Obviously there will be a buyout if it’s a club and player option, where if Scutaro picks up the option, and the team doesn’t, there will be a buyout (my guess is around a million). Anyone who think Scutaro will get a 3 year 25 million dollar deal, never took an economics class, and clearly doesn’t understand the MLB market right now!
by brosoxnation1972 on Dec 4, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
Welcome to OTM, brosoxnation1972
It’s probably not a good idea to insult people with your first post, espcially since Buzzy is pretty well-respected around here. Also, you posted your numbers at 11:55, over an hour after wolf9309 posted the actual terms of the contract. While Buzzy was clearly speculating, he was doing so long before anyone knew how much the Sox paid for Scutaro. There’s nothing wrong with that.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Dec 4, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
Not only that
But his speculated terms were pretty much what many were predicting, and good estimations based on the year Scutaro had and thinness of the SS FA market. Most here are pleasantly surprised by the deal.
Nothing like entering a community like a bowling ball dropped in a bathtub.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
you know what-
you are right. I was wrong on the money, and for the money and length of the deal, I am not feeling so bad afterall. And it is true, I have never taken an economics class (thankfully).
I took Ec100 three times!
So, I know my economics. ;)
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
What is there to feel good about?
1)This is a 3 year deal to a 34 year old marginal player.
2)We possibly lose the 29th pick-worth (statistically speaking) between 4-6 million dollars.
3)We sign a guy who has bested a wOBA of 0.316 only 2 times in his career.
4)We sign a guy who is a converted 2b and is at best an average SS.
5)We don’t even know the dollar amount but this will probably cost 25 million, not factoring in the lost cost of the value of the pick.
6)We effectively block a guy (Lowrie) who was better in his only extended time with the team, than Scutaro is. Suctaro’s outlier of a year last year was estimated at 4.5 WAR. Jed over a full season of 2008 ball is 3.8, so quite close. Otherwise, Scutaro is estimated to be about 2.7 next year.
7)James has Jed as significantly better than he has Scutaro. Both Fangraphs and James peg Scutaro for a 0.326 wOBA in 10.
Why did we let Gonzo walk if all we are getting is a higher paid guy who is older (!) with worse defense for more years who blocks better younger cheaper players for an imporvement in offense of 25 wOBA points? I would like to not feel bad about this, but does Theo’s track record at this postition or anything in Scutaro’s record give you any confidence? Perhaps worse of all is this is the end for Jed, a guy who put up great numbers in the minors and extremely promising numbers in 08.
by Buzzy on Dec 4, 2009 9:01 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
The pick is irrelevent
1) This is NOT a 3 year deal, but a 2 year deal with a double option for a 3rd year, and I’d rate Scutaro average, not marginal
2) Because Atlanta signed Wagner, we aren’t losing anything in the draft. We get Atlanta’s pick while losing ours to Toronto. Boston moves up to the 21st overall pick, so smarten up, dope!
I too liked Gonzales, and thought that we probably could have gotten him a little cheaper than Scutaro. However, Marco is a bit more versatile, and has played 140 plus games the past 2 seasons. Alex hasn’t played 140 plus games since 2004.
Now your assumption that it’s a 25 million dollar deal is ABSURD!. My guess is that you’re 7 or 8 million off, which is a huge difference! That’s about a 33% error!
Finally, Scutaro will be hitting at Fenway, and instead of facing Beckett, Lester, Wakefield, Buccholz, and Dice-K 19 times a year, he will likely be facing a Toronto rotation without Roy Halladay 19 times a year! I bet his BA jumps at least 10-15 points next year.
by brosoxnation1972 on Dec 4, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
That's dumb
why is the pick irrelevent? Because we signed Wagner, we should give away the #29 pick? Hmm…that makes sense. You have obviously never taken a logic class. Note to you-before we signed Scutaro we had both the pick coming from Wagner AND the 29th pick. Maybe we can make a bet about your prediction-this time clearly without your time travel prognostications (see above). Scutaro will not hit 300 like you predict, he is a lifetime 265 hitter who is 34.
yes thank you
I hate it when people act like we’re not losing anything in a draft pick because we got one offering arbitration. more is better, no matter how you get em.
I think Scutaro will probably hit closer to 265 than he did this year, but I think his walk rate is going to stay pretty high- based on indicators, he can just see the ball very well. Won’t be an amazing offensive addition, but better offensively than we had last year.
he might hit higher due to Fenway
but not 15 points higher than an already outlying year.
You, obviously, have also never taken an economics class. We lost a pick, period. Is it more acceptable to lose a pick when you have more of them? Maybe. But this signing cost us a first (or maybe second) round pick.
"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw
Eesh.
Just a reminder, from the Globe.
Combined [in 2009], Sox shortstops had a .235 average (26th in the majors), a .297 OBP (25th), and slugged .358 (20th) in 2009.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
While playing better defense than Scutaro by UZR
and putting up offensive numbers that are not so far belwo Scutaro’s career ones. What is wrong with just playing Lowrie? He had a 750 OPS as a rookie and has played flawless defense in the majors. He is young, does not cost picks or millions, and is a better player than Scutaro. Scutaro has the nice qualities that:
a)He plays lots of positions
b)He is not as embarassing offensively as someone like Green or Gonzo
but those things are not reasons to sign a guy to a 3 year deal for a fair bit of money and probably lose a pick in the process. There is a reasonable chance that that pick alone turns into a more valuable player than Scutaro.
Let's wait and see
1) How much money is involved
2) I think this signing is an indication that Theo is going for Holliday, so maybe with another signing (Soriano or Gonzalez?) it could morph into a 2nd round pick.
As for Jed, the FO maybe have access to some medical records that are pessimistic about his medical condition, remember that since he’s been in the system, he been healthy for only one season split between AA and AAA IIRC.
But needless to say it … I HATE This signing!!!!
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
the way I see it
If Lowrie looks completely healed and is playing at the top of his game, he will probably take over at short- as he has a much higher ceiling than Scutaro. Scutaro will probaly be serving as probably too-expensive insurance.
Also, no one has reported a 3 year deal, stop saying that’s what it is.
I think that depends
on how much they are paying Scutaro to be honest. I can’t see then sitting a guy making more than 6 million. Perhaps the idea is that Jed and Scutaro can also play 3b, so this is in part Lowell insurance. Not perfect, but there is freedome to move guys around. I just don’t think Scutaro is a very good player, and he is 34, so I don’t get it.
Buzzy has a point
How much the Sox are paying Scutaro will determine playing time, at least initially. Teams rarely sit high-paid FA players unless they really suck. Scutaro would not only have to suck, Lowrie would have to be outstanding in his limited opportunities.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Dec 4, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
I think given the money
They’ll duke it out in ST and see who is up to performing more. Either way we have two super-utility guys who can cover pretty much anywhere and can play at short. I prefer Lowrie, I think he’s better at short offensively and defensively when healthy, but there are worse things we could do than $5 million a year for an insurance policy for pretty much our entire infield.
Thank youTheo for ruining my day!!!!!!!
When I read the news this morning, my first reaction was “I need a smoke”!!!
And I quit smoking for a year and a half now. THANK YOU!
Fuck.
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
I would but...
Even pubs & liquor stores are closed here on Fridays (It’s a commom thing in muslim countries).
It ain’t my lucky day :,,,(
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
I can't say I'm happy about this move
I’ll wait to see what the money is before being really pissed off.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
Lowrie
Is Jed our new utility man? Makes sense, that way his possible injuries will have less of an effect on the club.
Makes little sense
Lowrie is better than Scutaro. There’s no indication that Lowrie’s wrist will become chronic. Scutaro is 34-years old. How well will he hold up? Scutaro is average, at best. Why give a player like that a contract until he is 37-years old?
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Dec 4, 2009 9:59 AM EST up reply actions
Because we had to do something!!!
Unfortunately, I really think that was the reasoning. I just hope that Tito will go with Lowrie quickly if that becomes the better option.
"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw
No matter what Scuttles signs for I don't it forces Tito's hand to play him over Jed.
Scutaro seems like a safe move in a bad market. I think can best be described as scrappy with more peaks then valleys in his career.
He’s a statistical wonder, was never really a full time player until 2 yrs ago, and plays hard. I don’t see any part of this deal that forces him to start over Jed or anyone else if he’s not playing as well.
Even if he’s making $6m, so what. Avg salary on the Sox last year was $4.4m or so. It’s higher but it’s not an amount that’s a black eye if he becomes a utility player.
This deal also gives Pedro much needed time off of or time at DH during the season. I think he wore down as the season went on last year, having a player that reduces the gap on days off at 2B or 3B along with playing at SS, it’s a good fit for the Sox.
Pedro? At DH?
Pedroia = Dusty, Pedey, Grandmaster P, or He Who Shall Not Succeed At Cribbage
Pedro = the Greatest Pitcher in Red Sox history
"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.
yes
we can bring back pedro on a one year DH deal! His career OPS of .256 should play out well at Fenway!
In seriousness though, assuming JonnyNYC meant Pedroia, I don’t think Pedroia has any desire to DH ever instead of playing the field. It doesn’t give us flexibility through the whole infield if anyone gets injured.
Pedro...ia also has no desire to play less then 162 each year
Which is great, doesn’t mean that has to happen or that’s best for the team.
Having a guy who can play SS, 2B and 3B allows better flexibility for the team.
Not sure I understand your point if anyone gets injured Wolf. If Anyone else gets injured in the infield Scutaro could move over to play and Lowrie becomes your SS.
I haven’t looked at the #‘s but that’s got to be better then Gil Valezaquez @ 2B or Jeff Bailey @ 1st.
Scutaro is a utility infielder, in 2008 Scutaro played 6 positions for the Jays, SS (56), 2B (52), & 3B (41) LF, RF DH (all once). The fact he played SS primarily last year was mostly due to injuries there and solidification at other positions.
We have money terms!
$5 million for 2010, $5 million for 2011, $1 Million signing bonus. For 2012- a $6 million mutual team option with a $3 million player option or a $1.5 million buyout.
So total of $12.5 committed over 2 years, or probably $14 for 3 years. Can’t see any scenario we’d take the $6 million option unless he suddenly becomes Hanley.
Not terrible deal really, it is overpaying, but it’s not a ridiculous amount of money, and it shouldn’t preclude Lowrie from playing if he’s genuinely doing better.
Thanks man
It’s not too bad after all!
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
not a bad deal at al, I expected worse. But you also have to include Lugo's $$
when you think of dollars committed at SS
Miguel Cabrera IS the solution to our problems.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!
well those are sucky
but they’re gone. No point in dwelling on them now, we can just wait till 2011 when we can celebrate no longer paying the bum!
No, you don't.
"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw
Now let's sign Holliday and get that draft pick back :)
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
I'll take it
Best SS available, and at a reasonable price considering the year he’s coming off. Let’s also not forget that last season before we brought Gonzo back, everyone was screaming to go get Scutaro. He has the makeup to fit in here, and I really think he’s going to feed off of Pedroia’s energy.
75% chance this signing works out for us
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