Carlos Lee signed with the Houston Astros yesterday for 6 years, $100 million. Carlos Lee is a burly corner outfielder who doesn’t draw many walks, can’t field a lick and shouldn’t age well. There is nothing that Carlos Lee does that Manny Ramirez does not do better. While Lee’s OPS+ hovers in the 120 range on average, Ramirez turns in seasons between 150 and 170 year in and year out. They are both pretty crummy fielders. But if you are a team looking to add a bat on this market, would you rather commit $100 million to a barely above average corner OF or $38 million, a couple of prospects and an MLB-ready player for a bona fide Hall-of-Famer that will surely outproduce Lee and be off your books just as Lee is beginning to suck anyway in a couple of seasons.
So here’s the blueprint for Boston: Get Matsuzaka done, get Drew done. Don’t be bashful with these two contracts, as the market is what it is - pinching pennies with Scott Boras in this market is a good way to end up with Lenny Dinardo and David Murphy playing prominent roles on the 2007 club. While getting these two locked up, be looking to move Manny. Not only is he affordable in this market, he’s a downright bargain. Snag a couple of prospects and another average-plus hitting OF or corner IF. With the money freed up from the Manny deal, go and get Julio Lugo, an uninspiring but solid choice to man SS over the next few seasons. He rakes at Fenway Park so the potential for stardom is there, but even if his .384/.496 career Fenway OB/SLG numbers prove illusory, he should be above average, a differentiating characteristic in and of itself for this free-agent class.
And that really should do it. Easier said than done I understand but while the crazy contracts being given out to players ranging from black holes to mediocrities complicate the signings of Matsuzaka and Drew, they also offer an opportunity to unload Ramirez and fetch some real booty.
Hold on tight - it should be a wild month.
