Idea: Eckstein for SS?!

by Swishdball on Oct 26, 2007 10:03 AM PDT Comment 28 comments

No, I am not officially crazy, just really awkward and weird. For some reason, I can't get it out of my head that David Eckstein will be the new leadoff hitter/ss for the A's next year. First of all, he can probably be had for two years/ $8-9 mil total. He will be 33 next year, and would be a nice little spark plug at the top of the order. Plus, if he were on the A's, the A's wouldn't have to play against him, thus making him a bit more tolerable to watch. Yes, he was hurt last year, and the last thing the A's need is another injury plagued SS, but he still played in 117 games and hit over .300. He'd be better than Crosby and Murphy.

A's with Eckstein:

Eckstein SS
Buck LF
Swisher RF
Cust DH
Chavez 3B
Barton 1B
Ellis 2B
Kotsay CF
Suzuki C

Not bad. Who's for bringing on board "Mr. Hustle?"

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While I'm not implacably anti-Eckstein

like some people, I've come to the conclusion that I'd rather just play Donnie Murphy and see what he can do over a full season. Murphy has upside, Eckstein has none. He's also far better defensively.

by PaulThomas on Oct 26, 2007 9:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd enjoy watching Murphy too.

I am so frustrated with Crosby. In Murphy I saw someone who may not have quite as much range as Crosby (when he's not on the DL of course) but has an absolute cannon for an arm. Murphy's weak spot has always been his offense, but Crosby hasn't exactly hit the cover off the ball (when he's not on the DL of course).

Point is I'd love to make room for somebody else at SS, but who would want to take Crosby by way of a trade? (when he's not on the DL of course)

by WannaBeGM on Oct 26, 2007 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Murphy's range is fine

His hands aren't as good as Crosby's, though.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Oct 27, 2007 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That about sums up my opinion of it.

I'd be tempted to switch Ellis and Eckstein's positions if it happened. Even Ellis' arm is stronger than Eckstein's.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Oct 27, 2007 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do Not Want

Personally, I hope he ends up on the White Sox, so we can spend next season laughing at Ozzie Guillen/Eckstein/Podsednik/Erstad posts on FJM.

On a serious, this guy's defense is declining - Baseball Prospectus has his FRAA at -15 for last season. I mean, even five years ago when he was an Angel it looked like he had to will every throw over to 1B from short, in fact, I remember Tejada beating out what looked like a fairly routine (for a major league SS) ground ball by outrunning Eckstein's throw to first. How much worse will he be now?

Of course, the upside would be the angst and gnashing of teeth over at HH if Eckstein were to be an A.

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick, 10/7/07

by doctorK on Oct 26, 2007 10:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

agree

plus, as he ages he's starting to miss more time due to injury.

by OaklandSi on Oct 26, 2007 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep!

As any FJM reader knows, Eckstein is probably the most overrated (and probably over valued..?) player in the league.

Just like last year when we were rumored to be signing Erstad (another player FJM loves to bash), I think any rumors about Eck to Oakland are more smoke than fire.

Unless we can get him for like unreasonably cheap, I doubt we'll sign the lil tyke.

We've got two months left in the season, and I'll be a free agent after this year, so I still have something to pitch for." - Joe Kennedy

by Travis Buck Nuckin on Oct 28, 2007 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While its an intriguing Idea

This guy is essentially Jason Kendall at short, according to his statistics. The dude is lucky if he gets one out of the park, and he has to pull the hell out of it to do so. He's got awesome k's/bb, Good BA, and decent OBP, so he would be a possibility. But I don't think he's much of an improvement over Crosby. Plus, what would we do with Crosby if we sign Eckstein? Crosby doesn't have a lot of trade value right now, and we have good backups that would get pushed off the roster.

by maffew on Oct 26, 2007 10:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A corpse is an improvement over Crosby

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Oct 27, 2007 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that I don't want a healthy Crosby back, but..

...since Eckstein and Mark Ellis (Ma-El? I can't remember how that's abberviated in the AN style book) were teammates in college, it would be cool to see 'em reunited, a la the Cubbies' Theriot and Fontenot.

by PositionPlayerProd on Oct 26, 2007 2:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You want a healthy Crosby back?

A healthy Crosby hit like .087 this season.

by PaulThomas on Oct 26, 2007 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

...I'd like to see how he hits over the course of a full non-rookie season.

by PositionPlayerProd on Oct 26, 2007 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, we agree

I too want to see how he hits over a full season. The difference being, I want that full season to be played in AAA.

by PaulThomas on Oct 26, 2007 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want a

healthy-and-somehow-suddenly-awesome-at-baseball Crosby back.

by mikeA on Oct 26, 2007 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Doc...

...will I be able to play baseball after the operation?"

by PositionPlayerProd on Oct 26, 2007 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Back?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 26, 2007 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was

suddenly awesome at baseball for a few weeks in 2005. I want that, and I'd also like a balloon.

by mikeA on Oct 26, 2007 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah - I wouldn't mind that either

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 26, 2007 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I like balloons, too.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Oct 27, 2007 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They last longer than Crosby,

and are full of less hot air.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 28, 2007 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Better than an unhealthy back

Been there...

by easyraider on Oct 26, 2007 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't want crosby's back

i prefer my own, it's less brittle.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 26, 2007 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you think his back is brittle,

you should see his liver.

We're talking about David, right?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 26, 2007 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Won't be rooting for the A's anymore

if it happens.

by jahs34 on Oct 27, 2007 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What, if Crosby's healthy and productive?

Tough crowd!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 27, 2007 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs