During the past three off-seasons, one of the top free agent players have been a defensive player whose top attributes include ability to steal bases and run. Carl Crawford and Jose Reyes got their contracts, signing with Boston and Miami, respectively. However, during the second year of Crawford's 7 year, $142 million contract, he was traded from the Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Reyes, after signing his 6 year, $106 million contract with the Marlins, was traded just one year into his new deal to Toronto during the early winter.
Bourn, through his agent Scott Boras, wants a 5 year deal for about $75 million as he waits out free agency. Apparently, Bourn has stuck to those demands as he is still a free agent as we enter the second week of February. Bourn had a good 2012 season, arguably his best, but clearly is not the player Reyes or even Crawford. Bourn hit .274, 9, 57 (his best career HR and RBI numbers) with 96 RS, 171 hits, 26 2B, 10 3B and 42 SB for Atlanta last season. He also struck out 155 times, a lot for a leadoff batter. Crawford's walk year got him his contract, as he put up borderline MVP numbers for the Rays in 2010. Crawford hit .307, 19, 90 with 110 RS, 184 hits, 30 2B, 13 3B, 47 SB and 104 Ks. The only stat Bourn had a higher number was Ks, by a considerable margin. Reyes hit .337, winning the batting title for the 2011 Mets, also finishing with 101 RS, 181 hits, 31 2Bs, 16 3Bs, 7 HRs, 44 RBI, 39 SB and just 41 Ks. Bourn had more HRs, RBIs and SBs while playing in 29 more games than Reyes.
Whether you think the other contracts for Crawford and Reyes are justified or not, there should be some common agreement on Bourn. The strikeouts are alarming, as well the fact that he stole just 42 bases last year, after leading the league the past three seasons. I do not look at Bourn as a bad player, just one that should not get a contract for longer than two or three seasons. And he certainly should not get the average annual value of a deal close to the other two. Bourn would be a good pickup for a few teams, but he has to lower his demands. If he gets a two or three year deal, he has a chance to get another big contract once he hits free agency again.
Bourn, through his agent Scott Boras, wants a 5 year deal for about $75 million as he waits out free agency. Apparently, Bourn has stuck to those demands as he is still a free agent as we enter the second week of February. Bourn had a good 2012 season, arguably his best, but clearly is not the player Reyes or even Crawford. Bourn hit .274, 9, 57 (his best career HR and RBI numbers) with 96 RS, 171 hits, 26 2B, 10 3B and 42 SB for Atlanta last season. He also struck out 155 times, a lot for a leadoff batter. Crawford's walk year got him his contract, as he put up borderline MVP numbers for the Rays in 2010. Crawford hit .307, 19, 90 with 110 RS, 184 hits, 30 2B, 13 3B, 47 SB and 104 Ks. The only stat Bourn had a higher number was Ks, by a considerable margin. Reyes hit .337, winning the batting title for the 2011 Mets, also finishing with 101 RS, 181 hits, 31 2Bs, 16 3Bs, 7 HRs, 44 RBI, 39 SB and just 41 Ks. Bourn had more HRs, RBIs and SBs while playing in 29 more games than Reyes.
Whether you think the other contracts for Crawford and Reyes are justified or not, there should be some common agreement on Bourn. The strikeouts are alarming, as well the fact that he stole just 42 bases last year, after leading the league the past three seasons. I do not look at Bourn as a bad player, just one that should not get a contract for longer than two or three seasons. And he certainly should not get the average annual value of a deal close to the other two. Bourn would be a good pickup for a few teams, but he has to lower his demands. If he gets a two or three year deal, he has a chance to get another big contract once he hits free agency again.
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