I can't imagine why someone would not support Biggio's candidacy. Consider some numbers- #27 all-time in Runs Created, #16 all-time in times on base, #5 in doubles, #13 in runs scored, and #20 in hits. He played on the most difficult part of the defensive spectrum, Catcher for 428 games, secondbase for 1989 games, and 216 games in centerfield. He did a large percentage of his production in a premier pitcher's park - the Astrodome.

It was a bit of a stretch at the time, but in the New Historical Baseball Digest by Bill James, he was ranked #4 at secondbase. He's probably #6-8.

If you are only going to consider power hitters you are going to miss the majority of the best players in baseball history.

According to BBR.com, his top 10 comps are:
Yount, Molitor, Joe Morgan, Cal Ripken, Roberto Alomar, Brooks Robinson, George Brett, Lou Whitaker, Ryne Sandberg, and Steve Finley. Only Whitaker is outside of the HOF, with Alomar not yet eligibile and Finely with no chance at all of getting in. And, none really capture Biggio's career. He's a unique player. Only Yount (857) is over 800 as a comp and the rest are between 787-725. Truly unique players are better HOF candidates, IMO.

I saw this kid pitch live against the Phillies at CBP in August, and he does indeed have "it". An electric fastball with both movement and velocity. The CBP radar gun was saying 99-100, but it looked to me more like 95-98. Still...

By the 4th inning, Jimenez was tiring and throwing more off speed stuff and losing movement. The Phils hitters who looked like they were facing Nolan Ryan or Bob Gibson the first go round were waiting for the flatter fastball and hitting him. Not teeing off, mind you. But hitting him.

He looked better in the postseason. More stamina, and throwing his fastball toward the middle of the plate and just letting the natural movement of the pitch take the ball to the corners of the zone.

These bids won't get him. If I'm right, and Jimenez was learning how to pitch, he should go for anywhere from $8-12, and he could be worth a lot more than that.

Of course, he could be worth less. Which is why the bid shouldn't be higher than $10.

No. Harold Baines currently has the highest hit total of any eligible non-HOFer with 2,866, followed by Andre Dawson (2,774), Vada Pinson (2,757), Al Oliver (2,743), and Rusty Staub (2,716).

Biggio's a yes on my ballot.

My thought is, you've seen him pitch a lot more than I have. What is your take on how Coors plays these days?

The Rockies are going to win a lot of games this year; I'd place a big bet on that.

You've talked me into grabbing three grapes.

Duly noted. Kendall has been moved to the Brewers. Where Mike and Toz can have him.

So noted. Also might be noted that new Nats ballpark has slighlty cozier dimensions. Estrada seems to have gotten older in a hurry but he'll always be four years younger than Lo Duca.

just a question and not an endorsement...

are there any eligible players with 3000+ hits who aren't in the HOF? (Raffy's not eligible yet, right?)

I watch a lot of Rockies games (along with my beloved Pirates) and this kid has "IT." I don't know what "IT" is but his stuff makes me giddy every time I watch him.

My eyes are telling me this one is something special. Do I trust my instincts and go after him? Or does it not matter how good he's going to be because Coors will inflate his numbers. Thoughts?

I'm drawing a Blanco, Toz.

Or is that what I'm not meant to do?

I'd say it's borderline. Some arbitrary barrier such as 3,000 hits doesn't seal the deal for me, but scoring more than 90 runs a season for 20 seasons, playing good defense at diffcult positions for the majority of his career... without a doubt, there are many people enshrined in the Hall who didn't contribute to as many W's.

I'm surprised at the low prices here. He took his lumps in 07 and came out unscathed. Control is an obvious problem but even a slight improvement will make him a top 25 starter.

Those numbers remind me of Rich Harden when he first came up. He'll still go through some growing pains early but expect him to take the next step up Post ASB.

See..I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm amazed at how much people are panning this guy compared to the hype he received last offseason. The Rockies have a history of keeping their young guys and waiting for them. I know we all have bad visions of Jason Petrick in our brains but remember when Atkins, Holliday, and Hawpe were just PCL inflated fodder for the masses? All three were Colorado Springs AAA monsters who couldn't play their positions and who would lose their hitting eyes once major league pitchers jumped all over them (at least that's what I remember reading about them). The Rockies have a plan in place and I believe Ianetta was just rushed a little last year. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the team and forces their hand by the middle of the season.

When one team bids $1 hoping to slide a former top prospect through, grab your grapes and bid $2 on someone who is only a year removed from future greatness.

I've notched Barrett down two. $8 is still too high for the pair of them. If for some reason you want to corner the market on Petco catchers, you can probably do it for $5.

Either way, the bidding on this guy is going to be insane no matter which league you're participating in.

I just have to remind myself over the next two months -- "Stay away Zeke. No Santana for you! Trade for him later...trade for him later..."

Those numbers are certainly not out of the question LFH, and that would be a heck of a season for a 25 year old catcher.

Thanks, Toz. Bako has been put on the Reds.

Any and all help keeping the database current is welcome.

I definitely agree -- I have him on my potential frozen roster at $5 (I know, I'm lucky) and I've put him down for a .285-20-85-12 season. These are numbers we should expect (barring injury) and his final results might even be higher. Maybe .290-23-95-15?

Yeah - slightly off - sorry - didn't have the calculator or the formula nearby.

Let me slide on that one Don? :)

Doesn't the Santana trade change the value of starters in both leagues, but more in the AL Only's? Position scarcity has to apply more to pitchers than any offensive position--if you miss the best catchers, you can catch the best shortstop. If you miss the best starters, you are dead.

The absence of Haren & Santana must boost the prices of the next best starters. Also, the Mets' largesse throws into question how long Sabathia stays with the Indians or Burnett with the Jays. Both could be gone come All Star break.