Erstad an Astro

by RJ Anderson on Dec 27, 2007 10:11 PM EST in Trades & Transactions

Thank you Ed Wade for making a move after the post. Essentially it's a one year deal with incentives to potentially raise the one million base salary. Erstad isn't very good at all, but I imagine he'll become the backup outfielder behind Carlos Lee, Michael Bourn, and Hunter Pence as well as playing some first behind Lance Berkman. He's a lfet handed bat and used to be a good defender - assuming he doesn't end up on the DL. Not a great move, Erstad gets a raise for an awful 2006, I guess you just fail upward in baseball nowadays.

Also my e-book came out tonight, you can find out more about it here.

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Does this really surprise anyone?

I read this at the same time I'm watching the Family Guy episode where everyone is puking - and I want to join them.

by Jason Collette on Dec 27, 2007 10:36 PM EST reply actions

It's Ed Wade, so no.

DRaysBay

by RJ Anderson on Dec 27, 2007 11:00 PM EST up reply actions

The review are in

by Jason Collette on Dec 27, 2007 11:34 PM EST reply actions

characterizing this as a raise

seems a bit misleading. the structure of the contract is just different. setting aside incentives, last year erstad received $750K base with a $250K buyout if his option wasn't picked up; this year he just gets a $1M base. same basic cost to each respective club.

at any rate, people love to rag on erstad. whatever. just another case of people letting their biases get in the way of proper judgment. if used properly - basically as a defensive replacement - he's useful because he still plays good defense in all three outfield positions and, more importantly for his value, at first. just don't start him.

by larry on Dec 28, 2007 3:27 PM EST reply actions

That's the problem

He's never used properly - managers fall in love with his hustle and grit - if somehow they just platoon him against righties and let him come in late in games he might work out, otherwise forget about him.

DRaysBay

by RJ Anderson on Dec 28, 2007 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

perhaps it's naive

but i'm not overly concerned with how he was used in the past. neither the astros nor cooper have used him that way and no one has suggested, as with past teams, that erstad will be starting. erstad himself is on record as saying that he can't play everyday anymore and will be fine with coming off the bench. it seems to me that the best way to judge the signing is what the intention was with the move, not with what ozzie guillen did with him in the past.

by larry on Dec 28, 2007 7:56 PM EST up reply actions