DeRosa vs. Kennedy

by LuisSalazar on Nov 29, 2006 9:48 AM CST

St. Louis signed Kennedy yesterday 3yr/$10mil

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2678901

Hmmmm... It seems that Kennedy was predictedd by many here and other sources a while back to possibly be coming to Chicago. Comparing the two, it sure seems like Kennedy would be a safer choice/more reliable choice here.

DeRosa:
2003: .263/.316/.699/6HR/1 SB
2004: .239/.293/.613/3HR/1 SB
2005: .243/.325/.764/8HR/1 SB
2006: .296/.357/.813/13HR/ 4 SB

Kennedy:
2002: .312/.345/.794/7HR/17 SB
2003: .269/.344/.743/13HR/22 SB
2004: .278/.351/.757/10HR/15 SB
2005: .300/.354/.724/2HR/19 SB
2006: .273/.334/.718/4HR/16 SB

Walks/K/Fielding percentage fairly close.

Kennedy's 30 / bats Left
DeRosa's 31 / bats Right

On paper it seems as though going after Kennedy would be a smarter, and more expected moveto make here. Cubs need a lefty hitter, he's quicker, established, and a little cheaper. Water under the bridge now, but did Hendry miss this one?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Hmmm.

Your stats show Kennedy's OPS declining in EACH of the last four years.

They're not all that comparable because DeRosa was not a regular till 2006.

But it appears that Kennedy is on the decline.

by Al Yellon on Nov 29, 2006 9:45 AM CST reply actions

Oops.

It didn't decline from 2003-2004, but has declined since then.

by Al Yellon on Nov 29, 2006 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

while he has had some decline

and that certainly may be a concern, his stats are still very comparable and arguablly better- depending on the needs (speed, consistency)you are looking for. I don't know that much about either DeRosa or Kennedy (haven't seen either play much) but based on what the stats/speed/lefty/price, I wonder whether Kennedy would be a better choice here. Nothing against DeRosa, just hoping he's not a 31 yr old one year wonder who'll we'll be trying to peddle off in the next year or two.

by LuisSalazar on Nov 29, 2006 10:02 AM CST up reply actions

I was ready to pencil Kennedy

into the lineup for 2007.....I couldn't be happier that I was wrong...

Check out my daily baseball blog at MLB-threeSIXTYfive and GET J.D. DREW!!!

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 29, 2006 9:50 AM CST reply actions

Kennedy and the Cardinals

Kennedy was signed to a reasonable deal by the Cards. He's a good second baseman and fits the mold of a veteran player that does well in St. Louis. Everybody laughed when Eckstein was signed to a three year deal two years ago. Guess nobody laughs at that one anymore. I'm not saying Kennedy is a star, but I bet he does a decent job for LaRussa.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 29, 2006 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

Actually, I still laugh at the Eckstein signing.

Mostly because of his throws across the diamond, which are sure to lightly bruise someone in the stands someday.

"My uncle says you've got a screw loose." -- "Your uncle molests collies."

by jcub on Nov 29, 2006 2:39 PM CST up reply actions

Ray Durham

Very curious that Ray Durham is still out there on the market. I wonder if Jim Hendry might consider Durham for an outfield role?!??!? Left handed bat, professional hitter, gets on base, drives in runs, still has good wheels.....

Hmmmm.....

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 29, 2006 9:53 AM CST reply actions

he's play cf right?

i'd take him batting 2nd...

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 29, 2006 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

Nope.

Durham has played exactly one game in CF in his major league career, for a total of one inning. Forget it.

by Al Yellon on Nov 29, 2006 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

hmmmmm

could swear he played some cf one year..

oh well.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 29, 2006 10:02 AM CST up reply actions

Kennedy just became a much better player.

.320 BA, .390 ops, 15 homers in a St. Louis uniform.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 29, 2006 9:56 AM CST reply actions

Worst hitter of all-time?

If he only ends up with a .390 ops, then he may go down as having the worst season of all time!

by ontheuptick on Nov 29, 2006 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

obp

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 29, 2006 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

Where did those numbers come from?

Kennedy played only half a year in 1999 in St. Louis.

by Al Yellon on Nov 29, 2006 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

that's my prediction for 2007

Cardinal luck

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 29, 2006 10:45 AM CST up reply actions

O.P.P

yeah, you know me.

"My uncle says you've got a screw loose." -- "Your uncle molests collies."

by jcub on Nov 29, 2006 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

Kennedy might have been a marginally better fit

But really, it's a choice between two hitters who aren't that special. Maybe DeRosa had something else going for him.

AC036198

by gjdow on Nov 29, 2006 9:57 AM CST reply actions

better defense?

Grudzielanek Part II?

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 29, 2006 9:58 AM CST up reply actions

DeRosa vs. Kennedy

Lose-lose situation.

by VS on Nov 29, 2006 10:06 AM CST reply actions

Bingo

TRAMMELL!

by Faith plus 1 on Nov 29, 2006 10:08 AM CST up reply actions

its second base...

sorry chase utley and ryan sandberg werent free agents this year, gosh. at least derosa can platoon in right with jones if we want, thats at least something kennedy can't offer.

DON'T TRADE PIE!

by kylejo on Nov 29, 2006 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

Who is....

Ryan Sandberg? Is he a free agent?

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Nov 29, 2006 10:21 AM CST up reply actions

Could have got Walker for 500k

less. DeFence is irrelevant..

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 29, 2006 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

Sorry

I just can't get excited over a mediocre player, regardless of position.

at least derosa can platoon in right with jones if we want, thats at least something kennedy can't offer.

True. But what are the chances the Cubs are smart enough to use DeRosa in a platoon?

by VS on Nov 29, 2006 10:30 AM CST up reply actions

ha

probably not, and im with you, im not excited about derosa at all, but he seems fine and looks like he can play his role and is just a small piece...didnt the cards start last year with arron miles as their second baseman? as long as the guy knows how to take a walk and can play defense thats all i would ask out of my second baseman.

DON'T TRADE PIE!

by kylejo on Nov 29, 2006 10:34 AM CST up reply actions