Feb 16 2009
Phillies add infield depth with Cairo
While the Phillies are still in search of a right-handed bat for their bench and an insurance plan in case Chase Utley’s rehab doesn’t go according to plan, I don’t think their most recent signing is the solution to either problem. The Phightins have agreed to a minor league deal with soon-to-be 35-year-old super utility player Miguel Cairo. With super utility man Eric Bruntlett, uber-prospect Jason Donald, and non-roster invitees Marcus Giles and Pablo Ozuna already in the fold, it seems like the Phils already have more than enough options in terms of infielders.
Last year in 221 at-bats with the Seattle Mariners, Cairo hit .249 with no home runs and 23 RBI. Cairo also has a .284 career average as a pinch-hitter and played every position last year except center field and catcher. In his 13-year career, during which time he has played for the Blue Jays, Cubs, Rays, Cardinals, Yankees, Mets and Mariners, Cairo is a .266 hitter with 27 home runs, 318 RBI, and 128 stolen bases in 3316 at-bats over 1200 games. Although he owns a .266 career average, Cairo has not hit over .253 in any year since 2004. Unfortunately, he doesn’t exactly provide the type of pop off the bench that the Phillies desperately need from the right side of the plate.
While the Phillies keep holding out hope that Nomar “The right-handed-hitting savior for the bench” Garciaparra decides to come to the City of Brotherly Love, I really don’t see him in Phillies pinstripes. If Nomar decides to play in 2009, I think he’s going to stay out on the West Coast and probably go back to the Dodgers.
Assuming that Utley is ready by Opening Day and Bruntlett stays healthy, I think it’s going to be really tough for Cairo to make the team. Same goes for Giles and Ozuna. Donald may have the inside track on a roster spot if Utley and/or Bruntlett aren’t healthy, but if both can play, I think he’ll start the year at AAA Lehigh Valley so he can play everyday and continue to develop.
Back to Giles for a second, he seems like a guy who used steroids before MLB started testing. During his first two years with the Braves, he wasn’t anything spectacular. Then from 2003-2005 (i.e. when I think he was juicing), he suddenly explodes offensively and becomes an All-Star second baseman. The Braves didn’t re-sign him after his production declined in 2006. In 2007, he went to San Diego, had a terrible year, and was waived. Last year, Giles couldn’t get a major league contract. He signed a minor league deal with the Rockies, but was cut before the season. Giles then signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, but then changed his mind and turned down the contract. So with the precipitous rise and fall of his production, it kind of makes you wonder if he had any “help.”
The first official workout for the position players is tomorrow morning, but as of today, all of the Phillies’ regulars were already in camp. Let the title defense begin! Only 8 days until the first Spring Training game.
Go Phillies!
