Reggie Sanders might finally get some respect among those who look at milestone numbers, as he is approaching the 300/300 HR/SB club. He would be only the 5th player to do so, the others being Andre Dawson, Willie Mays, and both Bobby and Barry Bonds. Sanders is a perfect example of the type of player who will end up in the Ray Lankford Wing of the Hall of Fame for continual very-goodness rather than Cooperstown. Atleast Cardinals fans should be able to appreciate something named after an almost lifetime Cardinal though, so Sanders could get a fair shake after all in some regards. Let's check up on his career numbers:
Sanders 1991-2005
.268/.345/.489
AB: 5743
HR: 284
2B: 305
SB: 296
BB: 624
SecAvg: .363
Iso: .221
EqA: .283
Career WARP3: 60.7
Peak WARP: 25.5
JAWS: 43.1
BRAR: 377
BRAA: 178
FRAA: 17
Sanders most likely needs to amass 10-15 more WARP3 in his career in order to make the RLWHF. This is possible, because he is only 37 years old. If he plays until he is 40 years old he might make it. Sanders problem for career value is his lack of playing time in many seasons; he only has one season of over 500 AB in his career. We'll see how he really stacks up when he retires, but for now he looks to be on track.
Steve Finley is also on his way to the same club as Sanders. I believe Finley already has career numbers that would place him in the Ray Lanford Wing of the Hall of Fame.
Finley 1989-2005
.274/.335/.449
AB: 8707
HR: 293
2B: 419
3B: 112
SB: 311/428
BB: 783
SecAvg: .287
Iso: .175
EqA: .275
Career WARP3: 84.8
Peak WARP: 33.6
JAWS: 59.2
BRAR: 471
BRAA: 172
FRAA: -26
I plan on updating the RLWHF before the season ends so that I can make comparisons for all of the DT Card statistics shown in the section directly above for newly retired players to those already enshrined.
Now to fulfill the portion of my article shown in the minor leaguer portion of my title.
Austin Kearns was demoted to the Louisville Bats from the Reds so he could adjust and learn how to hit again. So far the sample size is small, but the results are somewhat encouraging:
.389/.421/.611
AB: 18
HR: 0
2B: 4
SB: 0/0
BB: 0
He has not walked yet in 18 AB, which makes me slightly nervous. It is most likely just because he is hitting the ball everywhere so far; he was on pace for 61 walks in 650 PA at the major league level, so no need to worry. Just the fact that he should be regaining his confidence at the plate (and his trade value) is good. Now as far as that trade value part goes...
Kearns is most likely not going to go anywhere. Sean Casey is still the one I see moving, he just needs buyers. Some GM's will do crazy things at the deadline to get something they think will help them win though, so the Reds might still make out on that deal. Everyone keeps talking about Kearns' trade value, but the Reds front office is scared to death of moving him, and you would be too. What happens if you trade him and he turns into the monster hitter you expected him too? If they give him up, the price will most likely be high enough that they won't be affected by it in the future. The A's could use a Byrnes replacement though, and Beane does give up what he has to to get what he wants, so we'll see if the Reds front office changes its tune.