Cubs Sign Mark DeRosa to Three-Year, $13M Deal
As noted by FearlessBear, ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the Chicago Cubs have signed Mark DeRosa to a three-year, $13M contract. The official site has a story as well.
In his first season of full-time play last year, at age 31, DeRosa hit .296/.357/.456, good for an adjusted OPS 3% above league average. For his career, DeRosa has an adjusted OPS 5% below league average. DeRosa will presumably be the favorite for starting second baseman (career 106 Rate2 in 114 games). But he could also be the shortstop (career 113 Rate2 in 137 games) if Cesar Izturis gets hurt or can't hit. He could also be a platoon partner for Jacque Jones in rightfield (career 106 Rate2 in 90 games). DeRosa has an 876 OPS against lefties the past three seasons. In other words, DeRosa can play a number of positions like Jose Macias and Freddie Bynum, but plays them better and also has some adeptness at the plate. His flexibility provides options should Ryan Theriot prove that September was no fluke.
Three years and into an age 34 season is a long contract for someone like DeRosa, and Jim Hendry has a history of paying above market prices for role players, but DeRosa is useful and can help the Cubs win if used properly.
Elsewhere:
- Kirel at CubsHub.com isn't happy: "At best, DeRosa plays the role of supersub and is overpayed to do it. At worst he starts and we continue to have the worst everyday middle infield in the majors for yet another year. There is little potential to win here."
- Rob G. at The Cub Reporter also isn't happy: "There’s a little known Cubs charity program known as Cubs D.U.M.B. (Dealing Useless Middle Infielders Bad Contracts) . . . ." I think we need to be careful about assuming that DeRosa is automatically the starting second baseman all year long.
- Derek Smart at Cub Town: "My initial reaction is a combination of relief that Ronnie Cedeno will not be cracking the starting lineup on a regular basis, and 'You're paying how much for what, now?'"
- Goat Riders says the signing's "not bad."
- Chicago Cubs Blog: "I also dont’ like signing a free agent that is coming off their best year of their career, more times then not they will not replicate those numbers."
- 1060west: "Hendry baffling offered what must have been twice the going rate."
UPDATE (9:00pm): Gonfalon Cubs writes: "Although it’s conceivable that DeRosa could be used as a back-up/utility player (he has substantial experience at 3B, SS, 2B, and RF)—he would be an excellent addition to the Cubs in that role—it is expected that he will be the full-time 2Bman (at least for 2007)." Gonfalon Cubs goes on to explain this signing as a mixed bag.
UPDATE (9:10pm): Carrie Muskat has significantly expanded her MLB.com story. And as Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter notes, it has some . . . disappointing . . . comments from Hendry. Specifically, Hendry says: "He does give Lou a lot of options. But we brought him in to play second base." DeRosa clearly understands he has been promised second base: "I definitely wanted to play second. Chicago gave me a call and a chance to play second. This is it. I told my agent this is where I wanted to go."
Unlike Arizona Phil, I'm not convinced that Theriot is a solution as an everyday second baseman, given his complete lack of power. He can, however, contribute to a strong bench. So I'm not worried about Theriot losing a chance to be the starter. I am worried about DeRosa's 686 OPS against righties over the past three seasons. (And Jacque Jones's inability to hit lefties.)
- cubsnet's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Related poll question
Do you like the Mark DeRosa signing?
DeRosa
Three years for Mark DeRosa? That's really quite remarkable.
I don't doubt that DeRosa can help in the right situation, but seriously ... three years? For a guy who'll be 32 and only barely has managed three full years of plate appearances in his career on a cumulative basis? And has only managed to raise his career SLG north of .400 after two years in Texas?
I see this as a good news/bad news thing. The bad news is that Hendry's just made his successor's job that much tougher. The good news is that at least it makes it that much more likely that the successor gets here soon.
Re: DeRosa
I clearly appear to be in the minority in thinking this is a decent deal, with it being up to Piniella to use DeRosa properly.
re: DeRosa
Well, I just don't think he's very good. He was good last year, but he had never done anything like that before, and I can't imagine that, at 32, it's very likely he'll ever do it again. But he needs to for this contract to make any sense at all. And being the regular second baseman doesn't really seem like the proper usage, although that's what it appears he was signed for.
Again, I agree that, if used correctly, he can be helpful, but that can be said of almost every player Hendry's acquired. Individually, any of these moves can be argued to make sense, but all these bad contracts taken together tell a very clear story. It's a question of talent evaluation, and Hendry's consistent - chronic, even - overvaluing of marginal talent is precisely what got this team in the mess it is in. I can't imagine how giving long-term contracts to marginal veterans will get the team out of it.
re: DeRosa
I don't know what it is. Baker being gone. Piniella. Possible sale of the Cubs by the Tribune Co. My 2-and-a-half year old daughter asking if she can watch "Milo and Otis" for the 50th time, me saying no, and then her asking me, "Do you wanna watch the Cubs?" But I'm having a hard time being too negative about the Cubs right now.
I have no idea what Hendry is doing giving DeRosa a third year, or Jacque Jones a third year, or Ryan Dempster, or Glendon Rusch a second year. But oh well.
In any event, the Cubs need more average players. Over his career, DeRosa is a below average hitter, but not by much for a middle infielder, and an above average fielder. So he comes close to fitting the bill there. Plus, DeRosa doesn't seem old like Jeff Blauser seemed old when the Cubs signed him before the 1998 season.
The Cubs need more average players because last year they had too many roster spots filled with players who were way below average. Hey, three superstars and a bunch of average players worked for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Re: DeRosa
I like getting DeRosa on the Cubs, but don't like the $13 mil & 3 year contract. His flexibility, defensive skills, experience and hitting against lefties looks good.
DeRosa:
I'd think if he was this willing to come to Chicago that Hendry would have worked out a better deal for the Cubs, like a club option for year three.
Guess I'd have rather used the money for pitching and gone with Theriot/Cendeno at 2B, as I am sold on Theriot. But, now we're going into spring training '07 with another three second basemen. It seems like the same story again... except this time Neifi is gone! :o)
I do our depth in the IF is nice w/ Moore, Cedeno, Theriot as backups.
Sometimes change for the
Sometimes change for the very sake of change is a good thing. Being somewhat (heh heh) older than 32, I think we ought to consider the possibility that DeRosa will view this as a sensational opportunity and go on to help make the Cubbies play some real serious baseball. His numbers were very good; he might even get better at Wrigley. (I can hope!!**#)
Respectfully,
FEARLESS BEAR
A free agent bargain?
Dave Studeman at The Hardball Times indicates that the Cubs may have received a bargain, at least as free agents go, in the DeRosa signing: