Expos sign Batista

[nyy26wc]

1) The Expos signed free agent 3B Tony Batista to a 1 year, $1.5 million contract.

After -16 RCAA/.715 OPS and -3 RCAA/.766 OPS seasons, Batista hit .393 SLG, .270 OBA, .663 OPS, -29 RCAA in 161 games with the Orioles. He has a .760 career OPS, compared to his league average of .774, and -61 RCAA in 1022 games.

Batista ranks 6th among 3B in worst career OBA vs. the league average (min: 3000 PA, but Batista is included even with 2996; list classifies players based on their primary career position and then includes the whole career, so it includes his time as a SS; since 1900)--

OBA                             DIFF   PLAYER   LEAGUE 
1    Aurelio Rodriguez         -.051     .275     .326 
2    Lee Tannehill             -.045     .269     .314 
3    Frank O'Rourke            -.043     .315     .359  
4    Ken Reitz                 -.043     .290     .333  
5    Joe Dugan                 -.040     .317     .357  
6    Tony Batista              -.038     .302     .340  
7    Luis Salazar              -.035     .293     .328  
8    Tom Brookens              -.032     .296     .328  
9    Clete Boyer               -.029     .299     .328  
10   Ed Sprague                -.025     .318     .344  

For the 2nd time in the pat 3 years, the Expos ranked in the top 10 in NL history for worst team RCAA (since 1900)--

RCAA                          YEAR    RCAA    
1    Braves                   1901     -222   
T2   Pirates                  1953     -212   
T2   Mets                     1965     -212   
4    Braves                   1977     -209   
5    Braves                   1910     -203   
6    Expos                    2003     -194   
7    Rockies                  1993     -191   
8    Braves                   1930     -188   
9    Phillies                 1935     -180   
10   Expos                    2001     -178   

Normally, when have a historically bad lineup and you acquire a historically outstanding outmaker, that's a textbook case of how to get a stupidity award.

But, this is an exception.

Over the past 3 years, the Expos 3B have reached unbelievable levels of awfulness. They've combined to lead the majors in worst RCAA, posting a figure almost as bad as the next 2 competitors combined--

RCAA          
1    Expos                      -152   
2    Devil Rays                  -86   
3    Tigers                      -74   
4    Royals                      -67   
5    Rockies                     -65   
6    Orioles                     -59   
7    Diamondbacks                -58   
8    Mariners                    -53   
9    Indians                     -52   
10   Cubs                        -49   

In all likelihood, Batista had a career year in awfulness in 2003. While he's capable of another double digit negative RCAA season, another -29 RCAA season would out of character to the rest of his career. A typical negative RCAA season that Batista's capable of still represents a considerable improvement over what the Expos are used to. And, even if he does duplicate 2003, it's the very rare case where a team would improve themselves by adding a -29 RCAA bat.

2) According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the Rangers have reached an agreement with free agent OF Brian Jordan on a 1 year contract.

After 4 RCAA/.830 OPS and 13 RCAA/.807 OPS seasons, Jordan hit .420 SLG, .372 OBA, .791 OPS, 7 RCAA in 66 games with the Dodgers. He has a .806 career OPS, compared to his league average of .771, and 63 RCAA in 1271 games. Jordan had season ending knee surgery on July 11 and is expected to be ready for spring training.

3) The Expos signed P Jeremy Fikac to a minor league contract.

Fikac has a 4.37 ERA/-5 RSAA in 102 career games, including a 4.50 ERA/0 RSAA in 14 games with the 2003 A's.

4) The Indians signed free agent 2B Ron Belliard to a 1 year contract.

After 1 RCAA/.788 OPS and -25 RCAA/.544 OPS seasons, Belliard hit .409 SLG, .351 OBA, .760 OPS, -6 RCAA in 116 games with the Rockies. He has a .741 career OPS, compared to his league average of .784, and -38 RCAA in 605 games.

5) Paul Owens died yesterday, at the age of 79.

Owens spent 48 years with the Phillies, as a minor leaguers, a scout, minor league manager, major league manager and in the front office. As GM, he built the team's only World Championship, in 1980, and 5 division winners. He also managed the team when the players won the pennant in 1983. Owens was still employed by the team at the time of his death, serving as an assistant to GM Ed Wade.