While things may be quiet in terms of Mets activity, the Orioles are wasting no time in building their club up for the 2010 campaign and beyond.
Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun are reporting that the Orioles have inked former Colorado Rockie, Garrett Atkins , to a one year deal.
Atkins, who was non-tendered by the Rockies last week, is coming off the worst full season performance of his big league career. He hit only .226 with 9 home runs and 48 RBIs with on OBP of .308.
These numbers are down significantly from the year prior where he hit to the tune of .286 to compliment 21 home runs and 99 RBIs and an OBP of .328.
However, with Atkins’s track record I think he would have been a solid pickup for the Mets to possibly platoon at first base.
For what it’s worth, Bill James predicts that he will rebound in 2010 and hit roughly .285 while slugging somewhere in the ball park of 15 home runs and 70 RBIs.
That was not Andy MacPhail’s only acquisition of the day. He also signed free agent reliever, Mike Gonzalez , to a lucrative two year contract worth somewhere between $12 and $16 million.
Last year Gonzalez was rock solid, posting an ERA of 2.42 in 74.1 innings pitched. Additionally he struck out 90 batters, while only walking 33.
With such impressive numbers, Gonzalez projects to be the team’s closer heading into next year.
However, I’m not as high on this acquisition as I was about Atkins. While Gonzalez is lights out when healthy, his ability to stay healthy is questionable.
Although if Gonzalez can prove me wrong than the O's will have made two very significant, in my opinion, acquisitions that will help turn this club into a winning team.
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