February 02, 2003
Angels to Cardinals:
Doesn't that usually go the other way? :-) The Cardinals signed Ochoa and Orlando Palmeiro to increase their outfield depth.
The Cardinals intensified interest in Palmeiro in the past two weeks. Based on the respective deals, Palmeiro represented a more attractive commodity than the righthanded-hitting Ochoa, whom the Cardinals targeted shortly after last season. For the first time since last season, the Cardinals' major-league roster stands at the 40-man limit.
Palmeiro, a lefthanded bat, can play every outfield position and is a potential leadoff or No. 2 hitter. He is also a contact hitter who last season saw 4.43 pitches per plate appearance, second-most in the American League, and struck out once every 14.29 plate appearances, the AL's fourth-best ratio among players with at least 300 plate appearances.
Palmeiro started 63 of 110 games played last season. He did not homer despite batting .300 in 283 at-bats. The lack of power slots him as a part-time player.
Palmeiro is a part time player, but in most of his seasons he has done a good job of getting on base. His lack of power is severe; his career slugging percentage (.348) is lower than his career OBA (.361). Definitely someone you want starting an inning, not finishing it.
Posted by David Pinto at
06:48 PM
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Baseball
