Bobby Beat 2000 v1: McKinney, Monorobu sign extensions

[jiminyhopkins]

Washington, DC

Neil McKinney finished second in the 1999 JL MVP race, then started the 2000 season red hot, garnering April Player of the Month honors. The Bobwhites knew that it was finally time to lock up their 27 year old slugger for the long term.

On April 26th, the Bobwhites announced a 6 year, $57,000,000 extension that will keep McKinney around into his mid 30's. "I'm just glad to finally get all that out of the way," McKinney said. "I mean, I know the agents handle all of the number crunching, but as a player, its always in the back of your mind. You sometimes can't help but to think that every hit, every homer, every error will somehow affect the end result."

With the club's cleanup hitter taken care of for the foreseeable future, the team's attention turned to another player entering the prime of his career, shortstop Waichirou Monorobu. Though the native of Saitama, Japan had an injury filled 1999 in which he hit .272 with 11 dingers in 83 games, the club felt that his best years were ahead of him.

After agreeing to the 2 year, $9,000,000 pact, GM Sean Marko commented, "Having an MVP caliber shortstop to anchor your team is a dream of every GM. This deal takes us through the next 2 seasons, but I wouldn't rule out a longer term deal in the future if it would prove worthwhile."

[recte44]

Two great players that have flown "under the radar" for much of their careers. McKinney is known for his prodigious power, but Moronobu is truly a "hidden gem".

[Shugi]

Monorubu seems to be really quite worth his money

[aaronweiner]

No kidding. The guy's a great fielder and a 30-homer guy.

Wish I had a guy like that. Maybe Hank Felicetti will turn into that guy.

[Greeney03]

A 2B that has serious pop on offense and has .500 SLG, is A-OK in my book. Not to mentioned top-notched on defense.