A Fresh Start

I want to review our keepers and propose a new mega-strategy.

I think our best 3 keepers are Webb at 14, Gonzalez at 1 and Barrett at 3. They are all going to be worth more than these figures barring injury, and everyone in the league would pretty much keep them.

Our other guys are all marginal calls.

Eckstein at 11 is probably worth it. He gets a few steals and he hits Mo Vaughn's weight. Last year he demonstrated some power, albeit for the first time, with 8 homers. With the eight homers, he is worth keeping at 11. Without the homers, he's marginal. Furthermore, I don't think he'll go for much more than 11. The one thing that calls for considering the stretch to keep him is the shortage at short, as predicted by Dr. Tailgate. But he's not tradable at this price and he's not in any demand. He's one of those guys that will start and end on your team.

Floyd at 26 seems like a sure thing. Homers, some steals, RBI's and a BA that doesn't hurt you. But he's an ultra-injury guy who nobody trusts, who now has some kind of Peckleritis - high BP, high cholesterol, who the hell knows. We got an incredible season out of him. Aren't we just pushing our luck to keep him another year, as we did last year with JD Drew? Plus, everyone is scared of the guy, which is why we got him for 26. Maybe we'll get a better deal.

Andruw Jones, 51 homers, 36. Worth it. Clearly. But his BA is mediocre, and it could be a career year. He doesn't steal much anymore either. He's Jim Thome, without qualifying at first, with a lower batting average, and with only one year over 36 homers. I think he's for real, but he's got what is going to be a dead contract, making him only tradable to contenders. I say throw him back and give ourselves more flexibility.

Finally, Jae Seo. I like him. I want him. He might be a buck, and he won't be 10. This is the era of the $1 starting pitcher. Why not take a chance to get him cheaper with an extendable contract? Even 7-08 might be better for a good pitcher than 5-7x, and if he's 3-08, it's way better.

As an afterthought, David Bell, 4. Forget it. He'll be 4 anyway.

Three players, $18, or 4 players $29. The big problem? It's hard to have a lot of money at the auction. But it sure would be fun.