As we've all heard by now, Ken Griffey Jr. is heading over to the White Sox where he may actually have a shot to play past September. This looks to be mostly a salary dump for the Reds and a questionable decision by the White Sox. Griffy waived his 10-and-5 no trade rights to make this happen. There is a $16 million club option on Griffey for next year with a $4 million buyout. Man, I used to love playing Ken Griffy Jr. Slugfest.......
So far this year, Griffey has banged out 15 homers. He's also driven in 53, scored 51, and put up a career-worst .245 batting average. Obviously Griffey still has some pop in his bat and adds the veteran presence that is expected to come along with a 13 time all star. He was also the AL MVP in 1997, picked up a few Silver Slugger awards, and won every Gold Glove between 1990 and 1999.
My only question is where are they going to play him? With the corner outfield spots already filled with Jermaine Dye and Carlos Quentin, the obvious spots would be DH, Center, and first. First base is pretty much off the table as Griffey has only played a game or two there in his entire career (and man is it a long one, this is his 20th season.) DH is already filled on a regular basis by another player, Jim Thome, who is almost old enough to be my Dad. Thome is also outperforming (although very slightly) Griffey in most offensive stats.
Center seems to be the most logical place to stick Griffey, but this presents a couple of issues. Putting him in center means having to give Nick Swisher some time to play at first; this reduces the playing time that both Konerko and Thome will see. The other problem is how Griffey will cover all of center field with that weight of his walker slowing him down.
Bottom line, unless the reds sent a time machine back to the 90's with him, picking up Griffey seems like a questionable decision at best.
Sounds like the ChiSox are playing Fantasy Baseball.
Posted by: Bob | July 31, 2008 at 07:51 PM