Thursday, May 23, 2013
At Home Plate
Mystery why Dye hasn't signed yet
Written by Daniel Paulling (Contact & Archive) on March 28, 2010
  

Tell me whether this guy sounds like an option for your team's outfield situation.

Player X hit 61 home runs over the last two seasons, posted on-base percentages in the .340 range the last two seasons, and hit .302/.375/.567 before the All-Star Break last season.

Player X is a free agent. His name is Jermaine Dye, the pride of Vacaville, Calif.

Sure, there are some negatives with signing Dye: he's not good with the glove, he's 36 years old, and he also hit .179/.293/.297 after the All-Star Break last season. But he does deserve a chance in 2010, whether it's starting for a weaker organization or playing a bench role for a contending team.

And you can't blame the economy: The Giants actually gave Aubrey Huff money, while the Diamondbacks signed Adam LaRoche to a two-year deal.

Here are a few teams that should be exploring a deal for Dye.

Houston Astros
Lance Berkman's knee is swelling after recent knee surgery, which can't be good news. Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence will try to anchor the lineup while Berkman is out, but they could use some help. The Astros could try Dye at first until Berkman returns, and then slide him into the outfield with any of the starters need a day off. (When Bourn sits, the Astros would slide Pence to center.) The short porch at Minute Maid Park should help Dye with his power numbers.

Oakland Athletics
The A's are so desperate for offense that they're trying Eric Chavez there to get his bat into the lineup. That's never a good thing. Dye has had success in Oakland before, and it's not like the Athletics are loaded in the outfield or DH. Or first base, for that matter.

San Francisco Giants
There are no strong options in the Giants outfield right now, especially considering Mark DeRosa will be moved all over the diamond to help the team. Dye's 27 home runs from last season would've led the team, including over Pablo Sandoval.

Washington Nationals
They're a few years from contending, but the Nationals could use Dye to split time with Adam Dunn at first or as the everyday right fielder. Justin Maxwell figures to have that honor after the Nationals released Elijah Dukes. It's not like Maxwell is a stud prospect who needs to be in the Majors, either.

This, of course, doesn't count the teams like the Indians, Padres, Blue Jays, Pirates or Royals who won't contend this season and could spin Dye for a decent prospect at the trade deadline or reap the rewards of a good player performing well over an entire season. But there are more teams where signing Dye makes a lot more sense.



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