Quote:
Originally Posted by REDREAD
If we aren't buying out free agent years and we're not likely to save money, why do it?
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Beyond the traditional cost-certainty argument (which has validity, given the ever-increasing salaries of major league ballplayers), there's a decent argument to be made that this is an internal PR move from the front office to Freel.
Extending his contract keeps him happy and ready to soldier forward in a less prominant role than he'd otherwise have liked. If the team is set on playing more Hamilton then it will take ABs away from Ryan Freel. Now Freel doesn't have to worry that reduced PT will mean reduced money later when he is entering free agency as a bench player as opposed to a starter.
Plus all that other stuff -- plays 5 positions, gets on base at a .360 clip, brings speed to the lineup, yadda yadda...