Philadelphia Phillies: Signing Michael Saunders

Saunders’ stats:

• Total: 140 Gms., 490 AB, .253 Avg., 24 HR, 57 RBI and an .815 OPS.

• First half: 82 Gms., 305 AB, .298 Avg., 16 HR, 42 RBI and a .923 OPS.
• Second half: 58 Gms., 185 AB, .178 Avg., 8 HR, 15 RBI and a .638 OPS.

• Home: 69 Gms., 241 AB, .266 Avg., 10 HR, 25 RBI and an .834 OPS.
• Away: 71 Gms., 249 AB, .241 Avg., 14 HR, 32 RBI and a .797 OPS.

Considering Saunders’ 2016  contract of $2.9 million, one wonders about his asking price because he struggled after the All-Star break. That stated, he did 62.2 percent of his hitting in the first half, but he also frustrated fans with his poor fielding. Why is that surprising? Well, the Condor earned his nickname because of his speed and glove in the the Seattle Mariners’ outfield five summers ago, when he was 25.

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT:      “I believe in the Rip Van Winkle theory – that a man from 1910 must be able to wake up after being asleep for seventy years, walk into a ballpark, and understand baseball perfectly.” – Bowie Kuhn"

To sum up, GMs are always ready for a bargain, and Klentak has a pattern with free agents on one-season deals, players in a contract year and bounce-back candidates. Basically, other teams will finalize their rosters, remaining free agents will eventually ink agreements, and Saunders will probably be available in mid-January. If, however, the O’s don’t land Trumbo, they will probably pick up Saunders; but Klentak may have an unplanned opportunity if Trumbo re-signs with Baltimore. So, if Klentak acquires Saunders, which player would need to play every day with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs even if he excels in spring training? Roman Quinn.