12/03/24
December 18, 2002
The Houston Astros signed second basemen Jeff Kent: to a $18.2 million, two-year contract. The move was not on the radar screen (in the words of GM Gerry Hunsicker) and is a very pleasant suprise to Astros fans like myself. In fact it is being called the biggest free agent signing in Astros history next to Nolan Ryan's way back when. Kent was the NL MVP in 2000 and hit .313 last season with 37 homers and 108 RBI, helping the Giants to the World Series. As for second basemen Craig Biggio, well he might be moving to the outfield or Kent might move to third with Biggio staying at second.
Well, it's a great move if they can keep Biggio in the infield. Is Biggio's bat good enough to justify his moving to the OF? With Craig patrolling LF, wouldn't the 'stros lack of production from that slot negate the upside of having Kent's numbers coming from an infielder? Moving Biggio to the OF reminds me of the Braves moving Chipper to OF. Chipper went from being the most productive 3B in the NL to an average NL OF, and the Brave's offense suffered. Now, Kent's a far far far better player than the player who displaced Chipper Jones, but Biggio's offensive production wasn't stellar for a 2b, let alone for a LF.
posted by herc at 02:19 PM on December 19, 2002
Next step: The Astros need to get Barry Bonds, so Kent can play well. Oh, and perhaps you guys should try and keep Kent way from his motorcycle.
posted by Bag Man at 03:50 PM on December 19, 2002
I thought Kent and Bonds had a feud thing going. What was the deal with all that?
posted by evixir at 04:16 AM on December 20, 2002
What was the deal with all that? They weren't best of pals, but Kent put up those huge numbers, in large part, because he hit in front of Bonds. When Kent was batting behind Bonds, Kent did not hit nearly as well.
posted by Bag Man at 11:15 AM on December 20, 2002
Well lets hope that he is okay behind Berkman.
posted by Niche at 08:12 PM on December 20, 2002
As a fellow Astros fan, I'm thinking Biggio moves to CF if he can get new knees. They need to get rid of Hidalgo/Ward so he can play a decent LF. Definitely move to the outfield though. With Kent, I just wonder if that is a porno-stache or gay cop-stache? (from baseballprimer.com)