What's Eaton You?

by JWO on Feb 27, 2009 11:12 PM EST

A humble suggestion for my bretheren bird-lovers. Adam Eaton was released by the Philadelphia Phillies from his contract. The Cardinals appear to have a need for another starter in camp. Why not sign the man?

I know that Eaton's numbers are nothing to be amazed by, but it seems to me that signing this gentleman for the league minimum and letting him try his hand in camp makes a world of sense, particularly since the Cards are short on pitching at the moment.

For those interested, I've linked to both Eaton's career numbers on ESPN, as well as the news story that announces his departure. Eaton was going to make $8M this year. But it looks like the Phils are going to "eat" that cost.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3940074
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4392

PS - Is it just me, or does this make anyone else feel better about the Cardinals soaking up Kennedy's $4M contract?...

PPS - Yeah, maybe this belongs in the hot stove, but I can't help myself. They're playing some real honest-to-goodness baseball in Florida right now. Woot!

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Try as I might, I just can't get excited about this guy.

He’s a whole tick worse than Piniero.

by Czechguardsman on Feb 28, 2009 2:46 AM EST reply actions

Even if he bombs

I think we should sign him so he can work with duncan he has done great things with pitchers and IMO it is a low risk high reward situation.

Chuck Norris hit a Home Run

with his beard

by bearcatcardfan on Feb 28, 2009 6:36 AM EST reply actions

Eaton is terrible

His FIPs and TRAs have been over 5 in each of the last 3 seasons. It’s not like he even has any stuff to work with, his fastball was less than 90 mph last year. I see no possible upside with this guy, Pinhead is better.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Feb 28, 2009 6:47 AM EST reply actions

So we sign him

just to give Joel a confidence boost!

Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...

by RunninRedbird on Feb 28, 2009 8:20 AM EST up reply actions

I thought that was Thompsons job

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Feb 28, 2009 8:23 AM EST up reply actions

Could playing more games

in the Delph have something to do with that? Don’t get me wrong, Citizens Bank Ballpark is just great, I just think the league should check into some of the bats they allow at the plate. MANPADS can make any pitcher’s numbers explode.

by Beardsville Rockers on Feb 28, 2009 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

why not

have him work out for Dunc and Tony. I really don’t think the guy can help, but why not take a look at least. If he looks ok sign him to a minor league deal and park him in Memphis. If not you’re out plane fare home.

by nybirdfan on Feb 28, 2009 9:03 AM EST reply actions

he will

at least help the pen out, by starting in case of injury instead of KMac. Let him start in memphis for free until we need him, which hopefully we don’t. I don’t see anything wrong with getting him. If nothing else he can play ST in a Cards uni instead of us borrowing O’s pitchers.

by WyoCardsFan on Feb 28, 2009 11:40 AM EST reply actions

I don't think

Eaton has much upside. That said, I guess there’s nothing to lose by adding him to a minor league deal and seeing how he does in ST. He’s probably better than a few of our AAA guys, and with Mortensen & Boggs both experiencing some injury issues, a bit more depth wouldn’t go amiss.

I think Odalis Perez is a better option as a 6th/7th starter but I think he’d cost a guaranteed contract. I really don’t think Eaton will ever be better than Pineiro (and Pinata is probably pretty much Eaton’s ceiling) but I suppose we could do worse than giving him a look.

I’d still rather run out Boggs or Todd or even Puppykicker though.

Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.

by Felonius_Monk on Feb 28, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions

nothing

BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS

ManRam

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!

by gdm426 on Feb 28, 2009 4:58 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

eaton's splits suggest he could be at least pineiro-good out of philly.

Home: BAA .337; ERA 6.98
Away: BAA .284; ERA 4.81

Still nothing to get excited about, but he’s surely due for some bump up getting out of philly. And the NL East.

Some of this effect may be the park, but a lot may be the fans. Interestingly, even pitching 11 games at Citizens Bank Park and 10 on the road, he still had 9 HR against on the road, but only 6 at Citizens. And, caution, he had no dramatic home/away split in 2007.

Sorry I couldn’t get better stats (FIP, etc.) but fangraphs doesn’t do home/away splits as far as I can tell.

by tom s. on Feb 28, 2009 4:59 PM EST reply actions