Valencia continued its contract extension frenzy by signing a couple of veterans to multi-year contracts.
First off was slick-fielding third baseman Tim Bartlett. Terms of his contract include $9M to $9.5M per year over the next 4 years with a team option in 2065 at $10M followed by a player option in 2066 at $10M.
Tim’s contact rating of 4 is squeamish for that amount of dough but he did hit .270 with a .353 on-base percentage this past season. Add in the 26 home runs and 87 RBI and he does not hurt the lineup by having his bat included. In the field, his 10 errors in the hot corner on 337 chances while having slightly above average range and a rocket arm makes him a steady piece on defense as well. When you add it all up in 2060, it sums up to a WAR of 4.3 (compared to a WAR of 2.4 in 2059. Analysts feel that is WAR breakeven point will be at around 3.5.
Also getting an extension is relief pitcher Siua Hooheno. Siua had an impressive 1.76 ERA this past season pitching in 37 games with a WHIP of 0.98. His contract is a two-year deal worth $4.5M per season. With his WAR this season he will be worth that price tag and a little more, but the question is can he perform at that level for two more seasons? At 29 years old it is not out of the question, but it may not be something that you want to bet the ranch on either.
