Expanding
one’s horizons is often a difficult and painful process. People often get comfortable with their
surroundings and have difficulty looking outside the box. It is my feeling that this well could be
the reason that the Phils might ignore what appears a very appealing situation
that has fallen gently into their laps.
To be specific, 31-year-old Aaron Boone, he of the pennant winning home run last October while with the Yankees,
is currently unemployed. It seems he was injured playing basketball, a no-no on
his list of forbidden things to do during the off-season. The ramifications of this knee injury
were felt throughout the baseball world, as it lead to the recent acquisition of
Alex [I love my Texas teammates] Rodriguez by the Yanks.
No
sooner was the ink dry on the trade for A-Rod than Mr. Boone was summarily
released from his contract for a breach of contract. However, pity not his fate
too grievously; he was given a $900,000 dollar severance pay check for his
efforts, and no doubt, the timeliness of his home run last season. This amount should keep him in good
stead as he rehabs a torn anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that generally
takes from 5 to 9 months to completely heal.
Yet, if
the Phillies are just the least bit ambitious, and if they can somehow convinced
themselves that it is not greedy to have three professional third basemen in
hand, Boone can probably be had for a song. Before you count the reasons why this
would not make a semblance of sense, let me count the ways that it just
might.
The
predominant reason that this sounds like a potential winner is the significance
of his last name to Philadelphia Phillie fans. Boone…as in Bob Boone; as in former
World Series hero; as in former All-Star; as in possibly the greatest catcher in
Phil’s history. Not to mention a
fact that the very same Bob Boone now works for the Phils and might be so
inclined to talk his son into coming to Philly with just a bit of a
push.
Remember
that Aaron Boone played for his dad last year when Bob was the manager of the
Cincinnati Reds, and was among the most outspoken critics when his dad was
abruptly fired. It is not a stretch to imagine that this verbal barrage against
management was no small factor in Boones being swapped to the Yanks for a
prospect and a prayer.
It does not take a wild imagination to picture
Aaron returning to the city where he spent his youth, growing up in a clubhouse
with Larry Bowa, Mike Schmidt, and Garry Maddox, not to mention his very own
father. It is also not difficult to
remember the summer of 2002 when the Phils were trying to make Aaron Boone the
centerpiece of a potential trade for the disgruntled Scott Rolen.
Only when the Reds balked at
swapping Boone, did the Phils turn their attention to minor league
3rd sacker, Brandon Larson. That this trade was eventually squashed
by Red’s upper management eventually lead to the Rolen-Placido Polanco trade, a
deal that has benefited both teams. And, irony of ironies, the very same Boone
is now a free agent, and awaiting an opportunity to restart a career that is
suddenly in neutral.
If
these arguments are not convincing enough, how about the fact that Boone could
be signed to a minimum wage deal for 2004 [say $300,000] while the Phils provide
the opportunity for Boone to rehab under the Phillies medical supervision, and
with their facilities as a home base.
Along
with his 2004 deal, Boone receives a 2005 contract for a reasonable salary, a
fair buyout, and a heavily laden incentive deal. This protects both Boone and the Phils
and gives the team some options that they have probably just now begun to
contemplate.
For instance, the Phils as now construed have two solid
veteran infielders in David Bell and the aforementioned Polanco. Along with these two potential starters,
they have hotshot rookie Chase Utley chomping at the bits to begin his career as
a major league regular at second base.
Initial reaction would suggest that the Phils are deep in infielders, and
have no need or use for Boone.
However, let’s examine the three players a
bit closer. Bell is coming off a very serious back injury and is no guarantee to
recover his previous form. Although
the early reports on Bell are positive, the simple fact is that back injuries
can resurface at a moment’s notice, and another Bell breakdown will probably
mean an early retirement for the popular vet.
There are few players more
popular in the Philadelphia clubhouse than Polanco, and he has established
himself as a solid everyday player. Yet, he is also one season from free agency
and there is no assurance that he will not take his considerable talents
elsewhere after the 2004 season.
While he has indicated no desire to
leave Philadelphia, and appears happy in the City of Brotherly Love, the simple
truth is that he will undoubtedly expect, and receive a multi-year deal for 2005
and beyond. It is entirely possible
that the Phils, already committed to several players long term, and with an eye
towards the future [as in Utley] may be disinclined to offer Polanco a three or
four year deal.
Having Boone as an insurance policy not only protects the
Phils in case Bell’s back acts up again, but also is wonderful back up in case
the Phils are either unable to resign Polanco or decide his talents might bring
a solid young catcher to the team in a trade. In fact, few players have evoked more
interest in possible trade than has the versatile Polanco, a player who is
equally adept at second or third base.
Speaking of Utley and his future,
again having Boone in the fold provides a fallback plan as regards the solid
left-handed hitting youngster.
Although most baseball experts are convinced that Utley is a future
hitting machine, they are less inclined to give him a ringing endorsement when
it comes to the defensive end of the game. At best, his defense is adequate, at
worst it might become unacceptable.
When a player is viewed as
defensively challenged, yet offensively powerful, the immediate reaction is to
think about placing him in the American League, where the designated hitter
provides safe haven for a player of Utley’s offensive skills. This is not to say
that he won’t continue to improve defensively and become the player the Phils
envisioned when they drafted him #1 out of UCLA.
However, having Boone in
a staple of able infielders gives the Phils an opportunity to evaluate Utley’s
improvement in 2004, and make a decision based on that evaluation. If Utley becomes a solid two-way player,
the Phils are so much the better off, and can consider the merits of swapping
Polanco. If Utley fails to improve
defensively, he, like Polanco, offers a valuable trade option for a Phil’s team
in desperate need of young catching and outfielders.
The final reason
that signing Aaron Boone makes sense is because he is a talented player, who
appears to be peaking in his early 30’s.
He will turn 31 on March 9 of this year and has seen his home run totals
climb from the mid teens in the years 1999-2001 to much higher totals of 26 and
24 over the past two seasons. Not
only this, but his RBI totals of 87 and 96 over the past two years are very
solid numbers for a third baseman.
Even better, the hustling Boone has
stolen 56 bases over the past couple of years while demonstrating an ability to
play third, shortstop and second base.
It says here that Aaron Boone would provide a solid power right-handed
bat to compliment the stances of Jim Thome, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu and Mike Lieberthal. He also would add speed
to a lineup that could use another stolen base threat.
The
simple fact is that the Phils, for all their offensive skills, have only two
stolen base threats, Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd. Having Boone as a third ace in the hole
might make the lineup and even more potent one.
This writer fully acknowledges
that the Phils will probably not be inclined to take this potentially risky
move. It would involve possibly upsetting a few players, namely Bell and
Polanco. It would guarantee nothing
as many a fine player has suffered a torn anterior cruciate and never fully
recovered.
It would also force the Phils to glance, if ever so slightly,
towards 2005 when almost all focus in clearly on this season. Yet, the Phils make no secret of the
fact that they are less inclined to resign both Mills Boys, Kevin Millwood and
Eric Milton, past this season in anticipation of the future aces-in-waiting,
Cole Hamels and Gavin Floyd.
These pronouncements have done nothing to
take away from the preparations of the Mills Boys, who both anticipate solid
seasons, and rich fortunes in the future, be it in Philadelphia or
elsewhere. In fact, the added
competition is likely to challenge all the players to attain greater heights,
with the Phils as the likely beneficiaries.
Having Boone in the bullpen
can only make Bell and Polanco better players, and they in turn will allow Boone
to rehabilitate at a reasonable pace, unencumbered with the pressure of
returning before he is ready and able.
By all accounts, Boone is a welcome clubhouse presence and would only
seem to add positive vibes to a group of players who seem very together as the
new season approaches.
Perhaps this move will never take place. Maybe the New York Yankees will make an
offer he can’t refuse; they certainly seem to have an insatiable appetite for
players of all ages, sizes and salaries.
Possibly the Reds will attest to the mistakes of their ways and offer
Boone a chance to return to the team where his major league career first
flourished. Even more likely, teams
like the Mariners, Braves or Tigers will offer Boone a guaranteed contract for
2005, with a promise of a starting position.
Yet, through all the haze
and uncertainty involving Boone and his future, it would not be the worst
decision the Phils ever made to bring the junior Boone home to be with his
father. His name alone promises a
welcome home party, and his resume assures the Phils of an able performer. To this writer, this move is a win-win
proposition, both for team and player.
It just makes too much sense and the timing couldn’t be more
advantageous.
In a world of short change artists and poor investments
running wild, Aaron Boone seems like a solid benefit for the club. Although this move is uncertain at the
moment, and the team will probably have to navigate through some potholes along
the path to his recovery, Aaron certainly seems no boone-doggle in my
mind.
Columnist’s Note: I welcome suggestions, questions and
comments. Please send then
all
to connectthedots@earthlink.net and
I will respond. CD from the Left Coast