Shannon signs with A's

by gophersw on Feb 8, 2007 1:18 AM EST

cut and pasted from Rotoworld: "ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the A's and Shannon Stewart have agreed to terms on a one-year deal. The contract could be worth $2.5 million if Stewart reaches incentives. The A's needed to bring in some additional competiton with Jay Payton gone. Stewart may no longer be able to play regularly because of his foot problems, but he could still be an asset at the top of the lineup playing three or four times per week. He'll battle Dan Johnson for at-bats, with Nick Swisher possibly alternating between first base and left field. The A's could also use Swisher in right and Milton Bradley in center when Mark Kotsay rests his sore back."

Decent signing. Not a great one, but it adds depth which Oakland always seems to have and Stewie will have some added incentive to play well considering he's not being handed a starting spot...

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Good

That's a pretty good signing in my mind. They could use a little depth out there with a couple guys with inconsistancy and a couple guys with injury issues. They should have a pretty good mix of decent outfield/DH/1B people to trot out there, and that is how they play.

One thing about Stewart though, he'll hurt their team if they let him play to much defense, so we'll see how that goes.

"Baseball is great because you can't take a knee or kill the clock. You have to put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn chance." C Stengel

by AdamOnFirst on Feb 8, 2007 2:02 AM EST reply actions

Wow!!

Shannon got about twice as much as I figured he would. The A's must have been assured that his foot problems are cured or they are just plain crazy. It will be very interesting how many games he actually plays in. I wouldn't be surprised to see him play about 80 games with about 20 of them as a pinch hitter ~ so realy about 60 games. Shannon was great when he was healthy, but awful when he wasn't - which was about the last 2 years of his 3 year contract witht the Twins. I hope he does well for the A's, but if we get matched up with them agian in the playoff's I hope he is hurt and cannot play.

by bobio on Feb 8, 2007 9:04 AM EST reply actions

"With Incentives"

The report says that the $2.5 million was counting all the incentives - I'd guess that the base salary (which is likely all he'd get if your scenario played out) is closer to $1.5 million, although I couldn't find the actual number anywhere.

by BeefMaster on Feb 8, 2007 9:53 AM EST up reply actions

I would have kept Payton

Payton is a much better fielder and has much better speed than Stewart at this stage in his career. Some of that is health. But Stewart was not a good fielder when healthy and Payton is a superb fielder who can play all three positions (Stewart is limited to left field). Stewart might give them better at bats when available, but he's not much of a fielder or base runner anymore. I think Payton signed for $3 million a year. So of course Stewart is cheaper. But Payton gives them more value for the price, IMO.

Joe Mauer for MVP (for real).

by cmathewson on Feb 8, 2007 10:18 AM EST reply actions

Yeah

Yeah, I agree. Peyton is not that much more expensive, and is probably on average a comparable batter now and plays much better D, so I'd rather have him too.

"Baseball is great because you can't take a knee or kill the clock. You have to put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn chance." C Stengel

by AdamOnFirst on Feb 8, 2007 4:10 PM EST up reply actions