Whilst masticating on , Ed Grinnell (1:170/1701)
wrote to Alan Hess:
EG> A lot of GMs are reluctant these days to give out money to ANY pitcher 
for 
EG> that long. There are a few that have but for the most part, they're 
trying 
EG> to limit their liability, even on young pitchers.
So where does Yankee Pat think he'll find another number one starter that 
will take a three year deal?  Answer - he won't!  
EG> I can't blame Mussina because he's seen a couple of pitchers that are as 
EG> old or older than him get 4+ years. Based on what he's done and what the 
EG> others have done, I think he should get 4 years but that's Gillick.
And Oriole fans will have to suffer because of him.
EG> You're focusing too much on how this move affects Zeile and not 
EG> how it affected the entire team. This is a GREAT long-term move. 
EG> You've got to think that Ripken will probably field very few 
EG> questions about his position change after this year (Either 
EG> speculating about WHEN or how he's adjusting to the new position) 
EG> when it could have easily hung over him like a dark cloud for 2 
EG> or 3 more years. Ripken is an UPGRADE defensively over Zeile and 
EG> the money that they saved on Zeile was spent wisely on Eric 
EG> Davis, who was a bargain at $2.2 mil for 2 years.
The money they saved on Bonilla went toward Davis.  The additional savings 
should go to Mussina.
Zeile would have cost the same as Bordick.
EG> BTW, it's MIKE Bordick and while he doesn't have Zeile's power, 
EG> he is capable of hitting .250-.270. Baltimore would have had to 
In other words, he's an overpaid Billy Ripken.  They both field well, have no 
power, don't walk much, don't run well, and hit about .250.  The difference 
is that Billy can play short, second, and third, at far lower cost than 
Bordick.
EG> replace Ripken at shortstop at some time in the future and 
EG> Alexander wasn't the answer (I think he may do better now that he 
Alexander was never the answer.
EG> doesn't have the pressure of having to replace Ripken). Bordick's 
Alexander stunk in the minors, and won't be any different in the majors.
EG> proven defensively and he's not about to crack under any pressure 
EG> of replacing Ripken like Alexander did.
Bill Ripken wouldn't, either.
EG> Keeping Zeile at third would have meant keeping a player who wasn't any 
EG> better, offensively or defensively, as Ripken and would have only delayed 
EG> the inevitable. I think it also makes it easier for them to pony up to 
the 
EG> bar and hand Ripken a long-term deal because they know that they won't 
have 
EG> to fight over where he will play. Even if he leaves Baltimore, he WILL be 
EG> eventually asked to move to third.
Perhaps.  *adh*
--- Msged/2 4.10
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