Blue Jays sign David Eckstein - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

AmarilloRed · 12-13-2007, 01:15 PM

Jays get Eckstein for $4.5 million
Ken Rosenthal
FOXSports.com, Updated 1 hour ago

The Blue Jays have been mostly quiet this off-season, waiting for the right player to become available at a reasonable price.

That player finally has emerged — free-agent shortstop David Eckstein.

The Jays have reached a preliminary agreement with Eckstein on a 1-year, $4.5 million contract, according to a major-league source.

Eckstein, a two-time World Series champion, likely will become the team's everyday shortstop, returning John McDonald to a backup role.

The Jays signed McDonald to a two-year, $3.8 million contract in September, but considered his deal affordable even if they used him as a reserve.

Eckstein, who turns 32 on Jan. 20, struggled to find the right fit in free agency, and the squeeze became tighter after the Cardinals declined to offer him arbitration.

The White Sox and Tigers acquired shortstops through trades early in the off-season. The Mets signed Luis Castillo to play second base after a brief flirtation with Eckstein. The Rockies, too, considered Eckstein at second, but the Jays offered a better opportunity.

Eckstein, a seven-year veteran, batted a career-high .309 for the Cardinals last season with three homers, 31 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

His career on-base percentage is .351.

The Blue Jays have been looking for a shortstop all off-season, and they finally got one in Eckstein. I was hoping the Reds could trade Gonzalez in an attempt to land Burnett, but that option is now off the table.

*BaseClogger* · 12-13-2007, 01:20 PM

so much for 4/32...

ChatterRed · 12-13-2007, 01:27 PM

There goes the idea of trading Rodriguez and Bailey to Toronto to fill their SS needs, to pry away Rios and Burnett.

*BaseClogger* · 12-13-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChatterRed

There goes the idea of trading Rodriguez and Bailey to Toronto to fill their SS needs, to pry away Rios and Burnett.

Gonzalez?

jimbo · 12-13-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *BaseClogger*

Gonzalez?

I'm probably in the minority, but I'm not a fan of trading Gonzo at all. IMO, one of the most overlooked, and important, aspects of the baseball is defensive strength up the middle. Gonzo and BP make arguably the best double play combinations in the league. You cannot judge Gonzo on fielding percentage alone. His errors were high when compared to his career numbers, but he did have a lot on his mind during the season. What he brings to the table as far as the total SS package, more than compensates for the number of errors that he made last season.

Defensive strength up the middle is of even more importance considering the team is week down the corners. Losing Gonzo at SS and replacing him with Keppinger seriously weakens this team defensively.

crazybob60 · 12-14-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmarilloRed

The Blue Jays have been mostly quiet this off-season, waiting for the right player to become available at a reasonable price.

That player finally has emerged — free-agent shortstop David Eckstein.

Maybe I am in the minority here, but I just don't see the hub-bub around Eckstein...sure he is decent in spurts, but if the right player this off-season to come along for the Jays is David Eckstein, I do feel truly sorry for the fans North of the Border.

BUTLER REDSFAN · 12-14-2007, 08:29 PM

Well..at least we dont have to hear Chris Welch say "pesky" 20 times a game when we play St Louis

Bip Roberts · 12-14-2007, 08:36 PM

so much for him getting lugo money

indyred · 12-15-2007, 12:17 AM

Nice deal for the Jays. Only on the hook for one year at a decent price. I wonder if he will lead off for them. He will be a nice table setter for Rios and Wells. Nice upgrade with the bat at SS for them.

*BaseClogger* · 12-15-2007, 04:53 PM

John McDonald's 2007 WARP1-2.7
David Eckstein's 2007 WARP1- 2.4

BTW- similar playing time (Eckstein actually played more)

12-13-2007, 01:15 PM	#1
AmarilloRed Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Amarillo,Texas Posts: 3,997	Blue Jays sign David Eckstein Jays get Eckstein for $4.5 million Ken Rosenthal FOXSports.com, Updated 1 hour ago The Blue Jays have been mostly quiet this off-season, waiting for the right player to become available at a reasonable price. That player finally has emerged — free-agent shortstop David Eckstein. The Jays have reached a preliminary agreement with Eckstein on a 1-year, $4.5 million contract, according to a major-league source. Eckstein, a two-time World Series champion, likely will become the team's everyday shortstop, returning John McDonald to a backup role. The Jays signed McDonald to a two-year, $3.8 million contract in September, but considered his deal affordable even if they used him as a reserve. Eckstein, who turns 32 on Jan. 20, struggled to find the right fit in free agency, and the squeeze became tighter after the Cardinals declined to offer him arbitration. The White Sox and Tigers acquired shortstops through trades early in the off-season. The Mets signed Luis Castillo to play second base after a brief flirtation with Eckstein. The Rockies, too, considered Eckstein at second, but the Jays offered a better opportunity. Eckstein, a seven-year veteran, batted a career-high .309 for the Cardinals last season with three homers, 31 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. His career on-base percentage is .351. The Blue Jays have been looking for a shortstop all off-season, and they finally got one in Eckstein. I was hoping the Reds could trade Gonzalez in an attempt to land Burnett, but that option is now off the table.

12-13-2007, 01:20 PM	#2
BaseClogger WOOOOO!!! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 6,077	Re: Blue Jays sign David Eckstein so much for 4/32... __________________ "On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage," Baker said. "Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me."

12-13-2007, 01:27 PM	#3
ChatterRed Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Blue Ash Posts: 2,616	Re: Blue Jays sign David Eckstein There goes the idea of trading Rodriguez and Bailey to Toronto to fill their SS needs, to pry away Rios and Burnett. __________________ Who's on first?

12-14-2007, 08:29 PM	#7
BUTLER REDSFAN Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,195	Re: Blue Jays sign David Eckstein Well..at least we dont have to hear Chris Welch say "pesky" 20 times a game when we play St Louis

12-14-2007, 08:36 PM	#8
Bip Roberts Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,189	Re: Blue Jays sign David Eckstein so much for him getting lugo money

12-15-2007, 12:17 AM	#9
indyred Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 808	Re: Blue Jays sign David Eckstein Nice deal for the Jays. Only on the hook for one year at a decent price. I wonder if he will lead off for them. He will be a nice table setter for Rios and Wells. Nice upgrade with the bat at SS for them.

12-15-2007, 04:53 PM	#10
BaseClogger WOOOOO!!! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 6,077	Re: Blue Jays sign David Eckstein John McDonald's 2007 WARP1-2.7 David Eckstein's 2007 WARP1- 2.4 BTW- similar playing time (Eckstein actually played more) __________________ "On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage," Baker said. "Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me."

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