A quick look at third base

The Philadelphia Phillies got the ball rolling by signing Placido Polanco to a three year 18 million dollar deal. However, there isn’t a shortage of third base candidates out there. The Astros have two categories they can choose from. There are obvious upgrades and then there are flyers that might turn out to be better than what they currently are. Yet, as we have seen the last few days, we want guys that will help out with the glove and on the bases. So, we will look at each player in those eyes.

ESPN.com has four third basemen ranked in the top 50, so we might as well begin there. Chone Figgins is the top ranked third basemen as the 11th overall player. The Angels offered him arbitration, but the Astros are in an enviable position. They didn’t finish among the top 15 teams, so they would only have to surrender a second round pick. If Jose Valverde signs with another team they will at least get that back and maybe a first rounder.

Mark DeRosa was not offered arbitration by the Cardinals, so he might be the safest pick up from that stand point. Like Figgins, DeRosa can play second base as well. Figgins can also play some left field, but most teams will want to keep him in the infield. Adrian Beltre was offered arbitration in Seattle, but he is only a type B free agent. That brings only a second round pick to the Mariners. Beltre can only play third and he is represented by Scott Boras. It is unlikely that he will be the guy to come to Houston.

The Astros interest in Placido Polanco indicates that they want to upgrade third base. They are obviously considering all options including Miguel Tejada. My guess is that they would have gone in on Polanco had he not demanded multiple years. At 34, Polanco was a bit of a gamble. The others on the list are a lot more feasible in terms of long-term solutions. Pedro Feliz was not a part of the top 50, but he is out of job in Philly and has been a regular in the NL for the past decade or so.

. . . . . . . . . . .Age. . . .FB. . . .BR

Chone Figgins. ..31. . ..+31. . .+35

Mark DeRosa. . .34. . . ..-9. . .+10

Adrian Beltre. . .30. . ..+22. . ..+8

Pedro Feliz. . . ..34. . …+5. . …-9

Honestly, I would probably expect the Astros to try Pedro Feliz out of that group. The Minnesota Twins are probably the only other team to pursue him, so he would come more cheaply. Feliz did drive in 82 runs last season, but he would not be much of an offensive upgrade. Yet, considering his defensive reputation, he still might be an overall upgrade from “Bluminger”.

The next grouping of guys includes some players coming off of injury and some that just aren’t cut out to be regulars. Troy Glaus and Joe Crede have been battling the injury bug for quite some time now, but both could pan out. Adam Kennedy and Juan Uribe had strong campaigns for their respective clubs last year, but have the look of being utility guys. The Astros have plenty of those. The only other player of note is Melvin Mora, but he fell off of a cliff this season and at 37 doesn’t appear to be a regular anymore.

If the Astros go for anyone in that group I would hope it would be someone like Troy Glaus and I hope he comes cheaply. Glaus is actually above average as a fielder over the last three seasons. Still, he has been injured more often than not, so guaranteed money is not the way to go with him. Adam Kennedy is intriguing since he can also play second base. It will be interesting to see which way they choose to go at third base.