02-05-2009, 11:30 PM
I don't know, I guess Aurilia is the safer option, simply because he's more likely to stay healthy. If they're both healthy, I don't think there's much doubt that Garciaparra is a better player. And though he's not a Mark Prior, he <i>has</i> been damn fragile.
We'd be rolling the dice a bit with Nomar, but I don't think it's that big of a deal with a low-salaried non-regular. Upside? None with Aurilia...at his age, some decline is inevitable, and he was never that awesome to begin with. Upside with Nomar is substantially bigger.
Career OPS+
Nomar-125
Aurilia-100
That's a huge difference. Yes, that number includes the years that they were probably both on steroids, but it also shows that, all things being equal, one is a better hitter.
We'd be rolling the dice a bit with Nomar, but I don't think it's that big of a deal with a low-salaried non-regular. Upside? None with Aurilia...at his age, some decline is inevitable, and he was never that awesome to begin with. Upside with Nomar is substantially bigger.
Career OPS+
Nomar-125
Aurilia-100
That's a huge difference. Yes, that number includes the years that they were probably both on steroids, but it also shows that, all things being equal, one is a better hitter.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance