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With Ordonez, Risks Outweight Benefits



Now that Magglio Ordonez has been pulled out, let’s look at him a little further.

He does make much more sense than Matt Holliday, who will be a free agent after 2009 and command a Herculean deal. Here are the benefits of Ordonez:

  • A lifetime .312 hitter who hit .363 in 2007.
  • A guy who strikes out less than 80 times per season.
  • A right-handed hitter who can break up Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.
  • Team control possible in 2010 and 2011.

The downfalls, however, are large:

  • A history of knee problems.
  • $18 million the Phils would have to pay much of in 2009.
  • Potential $15M in those 2010 and 2011 seasons.

According to Bless You Boys, the Tigers are trying to get relief pitching, catching and/or a shortstop. Some names I can immediately throw into the fire: Ryan Madson, Carlos Ruiz, Lou Marson, Jason Donald.

A trade for Ordonez would likely mean taking on most of his salary, plus adding either Marson or Donald. Maybe a smaller, minor league filler player, as well.

So, would eating a potential $30M through three years, plus — let’s say — Lou Marson and Antonio Bastardo be the kind of deal that we’d want?

I don’t know if that’s good. Ordonez is a skilled hitter, but the money is too large, and the Phils would still have to give the Tigers some sort of young bounty. You’re also looking at a potential injury risk with Ordonez playing everyday in left field. Would I be happy with a Rocco Baldelli out in left field? Not necessarily. But I’d be unhappier with the cost of Magglio.

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