posted on Saturday, September 29, 2007 7:06 PM
by
Jim
A year too early, two years too long
The three-year, $15 million contract A.J. Pierzynski signed after the 2005 deal made perfect sense for the White Sox. It fairly compensated Pierzynski for the services of a durable catcher with decent offensive and passable defensive skills, while only lasting through his Age 31 season. Many catchers -- especially non-athletic types like Pierzynski -- seem to hit a wall around that age and face steep declines thereafter.
As of yesterday, it even played out how the Sox could've expected. Pierzynski had a near-career year in 2006, is fading down the stretch this year, and can probably be penciled in for acceptable production in 2008 as long as Toby Hall is healthy enough to reduce Pierzynski's workload.
So that's why I'm completely baffled by
this press release:
CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a two-year,
$12.5 million contract extension with catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
Pierzynski still will receive a salary of $5.85 million in 2008 as
called for in the final year of the three-year contract he signed with
the White Sox on December 19, 2005. Under terms of the extension, he
will be paid $6.25 million each year from 2009-10.
What on Earth was the rush? I can't make any sense of this deal, and I
like A.J.
Of course, we kind of know why Pierzynski was extended -- because Donny Lucy hasn't shown any signs of being a productive major-leaguer, and he's already 25. And behind Lucy, there are a couple of fringe prospects (Cole Armstrone, Francisco Hernandez) who have seen little to zero time above high-A ball. In other words, behind Pierzynski is a black, lifeless talent void.
Still, that's no reason to hand a mediocre defensive catcher even more money after a bad year at the plate by his standards. Here's how his 2007 season ranks in Pierzynski's career:
- BA: .263 (second-worst)
- OBP: .309 (second-worst by a point)
- SLG: .403 (worst)
- OPS: .712 (worst)
- OPS+: 84 (worst)
- XBH: 38 (worst)
- RBI: 50 (second-worst, by one RBI)
On the other hand, he only has two things working in his favor: He's walked more times this year (25) than any other (previous high: 24 in 2003), and his 24.4 percent caught-stealing rate is an increase over last year. But when looking at the breadth of his work, this can be considered a new personal low in production.
There are a few reasons to believe that Pierzynski could rebound from this year, but it's equally easy to believe that this is the start of a downward trend that could relegate Pierzynski to permanent backup status by the time he turns 32. And that being the case, I have no idea why Kenny Williams picked this time to give him two more years, and at a higher salary to boot.
This is the latest link in a chain of strange decisions by Williams, who continues to extend the principal players of one of the most disappointing seasons in recent history. At this point, I'm having a hell of a time figuring out who's being held accountable -- unless Jerry Reinsdorf is back to blaming the fans again.