i don't really understand this one what, we couldn't have offered him a one-year deal? guess they're handing 2b to guerrero now that uribe's re-signed would be nice to have a punto-like plug-in if things don't go well... Cardinals To Sign Mark EllisBy Jeff Todd [December 15 at 11:18am CST]The Cardinals have a one-year deal in place with free agent second baseman Mark Ellis, with a physical and subsequent announcement expected later this week, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). The agreement is indeed final, pending only a physical, a source tells FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (on Twitter). Ellis is represented by TWC Sports.Ellis, 36, spent the last two seasons as the Dodgers' primary second baseman, but hit the open market when Los Angeles declined declined a $5.75MM club option for 2014. Last year, he hit .270/.323/.351 in 480 plate appearances. As has come to be expected, Ellis continued to display stellar defense, putting up +7.6 UZR/150 and +12 DRS per The Fielding Bible in 2013. That bumped his value into the range of about one-and-a-half to three wins above replacement, depending on which WAR recipe you prefer.Looking at the list of available second baggers, Ellis was probably the best overall option left on the market at this point. While other players offered more attractive age or upside, Ellis has been a consistent contributor for nearly a decade. With Omar Infante and Juan Uribe coming off the board in recent days, Stephen Drew is arguably the only free agent, non-first baseman infielder left on the market who should be counted on as an above-average regular next season.St. Louis had been expected to add a veteran option that could play up the middle, and Ellis should fit in well in the Cardinals infield mix. 23-year-old prospect Kolten Wong figures to have the inside track to the everyday job at the keystone. But Ellis offers both a veteran alternative and a platoon option to pair with Wong's left-handed bat. Over his 5,500+ MLB plate appearances, Ellis has a .777 OPS against lefties and a .700 OPS against same-handed hurlers. Wong has, unsurprisingly, posted somewhat better numbers against righties in the early stages of his professional career. __
^Wow. I'm surprised, too. He leaves for a one year deal. You could have broken in the new Cuban as infield filler for awhile and see how he adjusts to the mlb. Even given him some space to play Albq if needed. Well, Ned still has some bench spots to fill. He'll be out there hunting for his usual scrubs...
Once again, total Ned douchebaggery.... at it's finest. For every step forward he makes (good signing) he always counters with a stupid, shitty one or absence of one. This is head scratching in it's negligence, and silly and dumb. They resign Hairston but not one of the historically sure-handed 2B of all time for one freakin' year? Inept.
Pretty sad about this. Extremely useful player, good man as well. He always reminded me of Casey Blake from the perspective of pure demeanor.
Yeah I wish we woulda picked up his 5 million dollar option Even if Guerrero was ready and what not, we coulda traded him for something.
thank heavens... he's retiring to media-land isn't he? Still hurts to lose Marky without SOMEONE else slotted in. Now it's the Cuban or bust... but that was a nice HR video
Now Ellis is going to turn into a lead off hitter, hit .325 with a .460 OBP and have 26 SB's. There's something in the water out there in St Louis.
How dare you! I got my info from an imoeccable source, accuracy and validity beyond reproach... The White House....
