Which switch-hitting or LH utility infielder from the Zephyrs would you replace him with? We agree on Brian Hunter, since his only contribution is speed in CF, they might as well have kept Victor Hall. The "proven veteran" vs. "cheap minor league replacement" debate is a tough one. In this case, the 'Stros didn't have too many options.
Reasonable question. My problem isn't with Blum, per se. It's the economics of paying him and not getting a good enough arm, for example.
that he was left hand detracted from his value, it didn't add to it. Every single, not brian hunter, pinchhitter on our team was left handed. Going into the season we needed a quality right handed bat of the bench much more than we needed a quality left handed bat. there was no excuse for a team on a budget paying 4 million for merced and vizcaino when you had jason lane and adam everett in AAA. blum will be an okay left-handed pinch hitter and utility infielder next year. bruntlet did a good job while he was up here. Ginter would have done a good job last year if he hasn't been traded. For next year viz would have be fine if he was brought in for the minimium but 1.2 million seems really steep especially for a team looking to cut the payroll.
Starting the 2003 season the bench was: Hunter (RH) Vizcaino (S) - somewhat better from the right side (.295 - .280) over the previous 3 years Merced (LH) Ensberg (RH) Zaun (S) - much better from the right side over the previous 3 years (.292 - .234) Chavez (RH) Merced was the main LH threat off the bench going into the season.
You can't just look at it this way. Suppose you're bidding against another team for a marqee FA(Pettite in this year's case). And the difference comes down giving an extra million bucks. Wouldn't you be wishing you had the extra money? The problem with a signing like this is that Vizcaino isn't worth it. Players like him are a dime a dozen, and can be had for much less. It's like throwing away $20 for no reason. Not exactly something that will cripple you financially, but not something smart either.
