Again.... Hairston's contributions to the team this year has been welcomed. But when I hear the Red's TV announcers yesterday slobbering all over this guy... and yes, he had a very solid game yesterday....and proclaiming they have finally found a
legitimate leadoff hitter for this team in Jerry Hairston then I just shake my head in bewilderment.
The numbers he is currently putting up for us he has never even came close to putting up
in his entire playing career. It's an anomaly. Don't be fooled.
It was an "experiment" that then Cub's manager Baker tried back in 2005 with Patterson and Hairston, and with very little success.....
http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=chc
Here are Hairston's numbers for the last three years when batting leadoff (280 ABs)....
.250 BA .324 OB% .363 SLG% .687 OPS
But lets learn what the Rangers and Cubs discovered about this guy. Not repeat the same mistake.
The guy made 1.8 mil in '05, and then 2.3 mil in '06.
And what concerns me is that with his "surge" this year, being signed for only '08, and he's the type of player Dusty loves (especially the speed).... that Dusty will somehow influence this FO to give this guy a Ryan Freel type of contract.
He's the type of versatile player that I'd love to have on my bench; but only at a very modest salary.