I am very grateful for what he is giving us. I am just remembering that we don't need to sign an OF to a long term deal with the cheap talented guys we have coming up. To me it would be similar to signing a COF just before Juando and Sierra were ready to come up.
Everyone complained that he played his best in his contract years and to stay away from him including many who are now on this board.
That wasn't in relation to the outlier year. It was in relation we do not know what his numbers will be at the end of the year.
Beltre's lowest BA in the 5 years before he came here was .265 while Desmond has hit lower than that 3 times in the past 5 years. I don't know how much of this success has to do with a contract year, but it is definitely an outlier at this point. Again though, I have loved what he has done for us this past 6 weeks or so.
Kind of MY like.
I was glad we signed Beltre. But he has huge years with the Dodgers in his last year and his one year with Boston. That's just what many were saying.
I do remember some on the DMN and/or ESPN boards who were not on board with going after Beltre. I had my share of arguments with those folks at the time. Most of them changed their minds once we signed him though. I think they were just trying to give JD an excuse because they thought he wouldn't sign here.
It's a tough question with no perfect solution, for sure. But he's just an electric player who is a difference-maker, and that's something that any contender needs.
Short of releasing or trading him, they just won't ever do it...
May 31st
