Shannon Stewart had a bounceback 2007, finally staying healthy and hitting .290/.345/.394 as Oakland’s left fielder. Though his left field defense ranked seventh at the position according to the Fielding Bible’s panel of experts, a sub-.400 SLG doesn’t work for a corner outfielder. He hit all of his playing time incentives in ’07, earning a total salary of $2.5MM.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick notes that Stewart "apparently scared off some clubs by looking for a two-year deal earlier this winter." Is that something Stewart pushed for, or was it his representatives at Legacy Sports Group? Either way, Stewart has switched to Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro given his lingering unemployment.
Crasnick suggests the Mariners and Padres as two possibilities for Stewart, who is likely to sign quickly under the new representation. If he sets his sights on one year and a fourth outfielder role he should find something. If Stewart signs elsewhere and Mike Piazza retires, the A’s stand to snag the 39th overall pick in June. The A’s could find the next Joba Chamberlain, Clay Buchholz, or Huston Street with that pick.
