Guillen denies wanting out
Now, Jose Guillen is denying that he wants out of Kansas City, so who knows what's up with the mercurial outfielder.
If you look at his stats for the season, he has some pop and can drive in runs (14 HR, 69 RBI and 29 doubles through July 29) but he's batting .259 and his on-base percentage is an abysmal .287, 40 points lower than his career average. He also doesn't walk -- just 11 passes compared to 77 strikeouts.
He does have a plus arm in the outfield, and we know he can be a lightning rod. But there's no denying he would provide insurance in case Ryan Church does not come back 100 percent, and the Mets wouldn't have to gamble that Fernando Tatis can keep playing like he has the rest of the way. Guillen is a legitimate bat.
As far as his salary and if he fits into the future, understand that with his hamstring issues, Fernando Martinez hasn't exactly been blazing a trail to the majors and the Mets seem happy to take it slow. So the grand plan of opening Citi Field with F-Mart in the OF probably won't happen unless he absolutely lights it up in spring training next year.
So figuring Martinez starts 2009 in AAA, that gives you another year of Guillen, Beltran and Church in your outfield, which would be solid.
What KC would want back for him is anyone's guess, but we know the top prospects are untouchable.
In any case, it's interesting to talk about other possibilities other than Raul Ibanez.
If you look at his stats for the season, he has some pop and can drive in runs (14 HR, 69 RBI and 29 doubles through July 29) but he's batting .259 and his on-base percentage is an abysmal .287, 40 points lower than his career average. He also doesn't walk -- just 11 passes compared to 77 strikeouts.
He does have a plus arm in the outfield, and we know he can be a lightning rod. But there's no denying he would provide insurance in case Ryan Church does not come back 100 percent, and the Mets wouldn't have to gamble that Fernando Tatis can keep playing like he has the rest of the way. Guillen is a legitimate bat.
As far as his salary and if he fits into the future, understand that with his hamstring issues, Fernando Martinez hasn't exactly been blazing a trail to the majors and the Mets seem happy to take it slow. So the grand plan of opening Citi Field with F-Mart in the OF probably won't happen unless he absolutely lights it up in spring training next year.
So figuring Martinez starts 2009 in AAA, that gives you another year of Guillen, Beltran and Church in your outfield, which would be solid.
What KC would want back for him is anyone's guess, but we know the top prospects are untouchable.
In any case, it's interesting to talk about other possibilities other than Raul Ibanez.
posted by Gaspo @ 8:13 AM
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