Nick Cafardo
Rotoworld adds:
He turns 36 on Wednesday.
After an impressive 3-year run from 2007-09 (.301/.386/.382/.768, 1.28 K/BB, 16.8 fWAR in 1752 PA) and an uninspiring 2010 debut in Seattle (.259/.340/.306/.646, 1.54 K/BB, 1.2 fWAR in 702 PA), Figgins completely fell apart in 2011-12 (.185/.249/.253/.502, 2.25 K/BB, -2.3 fWAR in 507 PA).
Played 3B and all 3 OF positions those two years. Last played 2B in 2010 (starting 161G). Last played SS in 2006 (2G, with 27G over his career), so his inability to fill in at short is obviously a major appeal limitation for this club. And if Xander & WMB are both on the roster, there's certainly no need for another 3B backup.
I do wonder if this is a "due diligence" hedge on Jonathan Herrera meeting any legal consequences from the alleged car wash assault. If so it makes little sense, as they'd still need to head north with another shortstop-capable reserve. That would render Figgins primarily an OF backup, which would mean dealing Carp or Nava if this is the Sox' line of thinking.
Stashing him in Pawtucket would be fine, but I doubt he'd sign any minor league deal without a 25-man stipulation and out-clause.
His contract with the Mariners (4/$36M, including swallowing all $8M for 2013) proved to be a total waste of a shitload of cash. But if he's actually regained any semblance of bat speed and plate judgment, his versatility, baserunning, defense, and ability to draw walks from both sides of the plate would be a nice tool set to have on the work bench.
Turns out the Red Sox did watch Chone Figgins' workout in Tampa last week.
Rotoworld adds:
The 35-year-old free agent took infield, outfield and batting practice and then ran the 60-yard dash in front of nine interested teams in Tampa, Florida. Figgins should land a non-guaranteed minor league contract soon. He did not play MLB-affiliated ball in 2013.
He turns 36 on Wednesday.
After an impressive 3-year run from 2007-09 (.301/.386/.382/.768, 1.28 K/BB, 16.8 fWAR in 1752 PA) and an uninspiring 2010 debut in Seattle (.259/.340/.306/.646, 1.54 K/BB, 1.2 fWAR in 702 PA), Figgins completely fell apart in 2011-12 (.185/.249/.253/.502, 2.25 K/BB, -2.3 fWAR in 507 PA).
Played 3B and all 3 OF positions those two years. Last played 2B in 2010 (starting 161G). Last played SS in 2006 (2G, with 27G over his career), so his inability to fill in at short is obviously a major appeal limitation for this club. And if Xander & WMB are both on the roster, there's certainly no need for another 3B backup.
I do wonder if this is a "due diligence" hedge on Jonathan Herrera meeting any legal consequences from the alleged car wash assault. If so it makes little sense, as they'd still need to head north with another shortstop-capable reserve. That would render Figgins primarily an OF backup, which would mean dealing Carp or Nava if this is the Sox' line of thinking.
Stashing him in Pawtucket would be fine, but I doubt he'd sign any minor league deal without a 25-man stipulation and out-clause.
His contract with the Mariners (4/$36M, including swallowing all $8M for 2013) proved to be a total waste of a shitload of cash. But if he's actually regained any semblance of bat speed and plate judgment, his versatility, baserunning, defense, and ability to draw walks from both sides of the plate would be a nice tool set to have on the work bench.