Should the Jays Have Interest in Eric Byrnes?

jalenrose#5 · Post #1 » by **jalenrose#5** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:34 pm

With The D-backs given up on him and owing him roughly 11 million. Byrnes can sign with another team for the minimum. Now I understand he's been injured for the past couple of seasons, but now he's healthy and he's one of the quicker guys in the league when healthy, provides solid defence and a solid bat at the top of the order. A potential lead off hitter too.

The Giants are the front runners for his services, but his contract he'd be getting is probably in the Jays price range and is exactly the type of player the Jays are looking at or should be looking at. The Jays are looking for young controllable salaries for a few years or a veteran who may be looking to rejuvinate a career for a managable salary.

Thoughts on Eric Byrnes being a Blue Jay?

Post #2 » by **Schad** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:56 pm

At 34 and coming off two seasons with OPS+ of 62 and 67, he's pretty close to done; at best, he's a poor-hitting fourth outfielder with high-average speed and competent defense in the 7th hole. Take him away from Chase Field and his numbers are likely to be even worse...we have enough outfielders to pass on him pretty easily, IMO.

youngLion · Post #3 » by **youngLion** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:15 pm

Oh my, no. Byrnes overachieved for his career year and then was a given a contract that was even more lucrative than that outlier season warranted. I knew as soon as the story broke that his deal was a highway robbery. I've always thought of him as a guy that's been chronically overrated during his career: He has only ever had three seasons that resemble that of a top three outfielder, and even then the only stat that jumps off the page are those fluky 50 steals. You talk about him as a leadoff guy but the fact is that he has a career OBP of .321. If the Jays signed a guy like this and he took even one AB away from Snider it would be a travesty. Noo thank you.

It's shocking to think that the D'Backs traded guys like Carlos Quinten and Carlos Gonzales so this guy could continue to start.

DonYon · Post #4 » by **DonYon** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:58 pm

at minimum he's more than a bargain imo. he's a fan favorite for a reason. the guy's all about hustle and he's still got some all-around tools. I think he'd be a perfect 4th outfielder for a contending team, but since we're rebuilding and wanna play our young guys, he's not a fit for us.

The_Hater · Post #5 » by **The_Hater** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 7:36 pm

youngLion wrote:It's shocking to think that the D'Backs traded guys like Carlos Quinten and Carlos Gonzales so this guy could continue to start.

It's shocking in hindsight but he did play well for him for a couple of seasons. And then they paid him because he was such a fan favourite.

I've always believed that paying for the 'good clubhouse guy' was one of the worst things a GM can do in baseball. And Arizona paid for their mistake here. No need for the Jays to help them out of it.