http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/24/the-padres-extend-david-eckstein-for-some-reason/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Fri, 24 May 2013 20:34:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/24/the-padres-extend-david-eckstein-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-1560 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:07:42 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbchbt/?p=1070#comment-1560 Considering what other 2nd baseman are being paid, Eckstein should have been paid about $3-4 million on the open market (according to several media outlets including SI and ESPN, he was offered nearly $3 million to play shortstop in 2009) coming into 2009 and would have been worth the same going into 2010.
$1 million is a bargain.
And some of the “intangibles” are not so intangible.
The .998 fielding percentage, he is leading all of baseball.
Runners on – .321/.366/.417
RISP – .330/.386/.432
RISP 2 outs – .366/.422/.561
The fact is he is playing great defense and is an incredibly clutch hitter. The more clutch the situation, the more he steps up and gets the job done.
Add to that all the times he has done the little things that don’t make the box score like moving up a runner by hitting the ball to the right side or going to 3rd on a single and you have a guy that contributes much more than his .255 batting average.

]]> http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/24/the-padres-extend-david-eckstein-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-1559 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:33:09 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbchbt/?p=1070#comment-1559 44-49?
Where can I get some of that magic?!

]]> http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/24/the-padres-extend-david-eckstein-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-1558 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:09:05 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbchbt/?p=1070#comment-1558 Yep, and A-Rod is the sole reason the Yanks have been amazing since his return. Has nothing to do with Teix turning on the jets or the starting pitching getting it’s shit together or the bullpen been pretty reliable. All A-Rod. Just look at their record with him and without him.

]]> http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/24/the-padres-extend-david-eckstein-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-1557 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:06:22 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbchbt/?p=1070#comment-1557 Eckstein brings a lot to the table that can’t be measured by numbers. The young players on the team (and there are MANY) have flocked to him and Henry Blanco for guidance this year. The only stat I need to see to prove his worth to a team is the Pads record when he starts: 44-49. When he doesn’t they are 8-25.

]]> http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/24/the-padres-extend-david-eckstein-for-some-reason/comment-page-1/#comment-1556 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:45:47 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbchbt/?p=1070#comment-1556 1 million is a bargain. Maybe that grit and hustle will rub off on the 22 year olds that will undoubtedly be signed and will need direction and an example to follow. David Eckstein won’t break a team and he just might help make it.

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