Late last night, Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com mentioned (via Twitter) that Mike Sweeney still wants to play this year. The former Royal and Athletic hit a modest .281/.335/.442 in 266 plate appearances for the Mariners last season, though he's had to settle for minor league contracts with invitations to Spring Training in each of the last two offseasons.
Knee and back problems have essentially relegated Sweeney to full-time DH status (just 164.1 innings at first over the last three years), and as we all know, there's always more DH's available than DH spots. However, when comparable righty hitters like Jermaine Dye (.250/.340/.453 in 2009) are turning down $3MM+, Sweeney might actually have a leg up in the market because he'd presumably be willing to come (very) cheap.
There's no better way to start the morning off than with a nice friendly chat, so let's see where everyone thinks Sweeney might land. Just to toss some teams out there, do to Blue Jays, Orioles, Tigers or White Sox seem like fits? What about a pinch-hitter for an NL club?
I would not mind if the Chisox brought him in on a minor league deal. Have him compete with Jones for the final roster spot, and whoever performs better gets it.
I would not mind if the Chisox brought him in on a minor league deal. Have him compete with Jones for the final roster spot, and whoever performs better gets it.
I can see the Blue Jays making a play for him on yet another minor league deal. I guess it depends on what happens with Johnny Damon.
I don’t think the Jays get anything by giving him a job at the expense of Ruiz or Dopirak
Seriously? You think the White Sox would want Mike Sweeney in a full time DH role? Do you remember last week when they turned away a left-handed, fan favorite, hometown, better hitting DH candidate in Jim Thome?
To answer your question, no, the White Sox do not seem like a fit.
Sweeney was part time last year, I believe he played in 80 games or something. Thome needs to be a full-time DH to be successful, because of his long swing. Sweeney struck out only 12.4% of the time in his ABs, Thome was at 33%. Thome gets on base more with his walks, but its almost null because he may be the slowest guy in the MLB. I think Sweeney would be a better fit for a part time pinch hitting role, much better than Thome.
Bengie Molina disagrees.
i would like to see the rangers get him as a pinch hitter/ clubhouse leader. what a great addition with him and Micheal Young teaching these young guys how to be professionals.
This is not practical at all – so don’t jump down my throat telling me how ridiculous it is – but as a Royals fan, it would be nice to see Sweeney finish his career in KC. If they could release or find a way to trade Guillen, Sweeney would be just as productive (if not more) and no more injury-prone.
and I was just throwing it out there for the ChiSox. Ozzie said he likes his team as its made up. But what if Andruw Jones shows up with Cheeseburger syndrome? Just a backup plan I guess; it would not be a guaranteed deal either. I’m not saying I really want him, but I wouldnt mind him as part of the platoon
Sweeney is a great clubhouse guy. He and Griffey did wonders for the M’s in 09. It just handicaps a team though to have two guys who can’t play the field. I wish him the best. He will probably get a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Remember, his bat was really hot in September!
I think it would be a nice thing for him to return to the Royals as a PH.
Mike Sweeney 2009:
» .314 in the 4 Hole (44/140)
» .333 Runners On (36/108)
» .297 Runners in Scoring pos. (19/64)
» VS. RIGHT: .340/.377OBP/.811OPS
(29% of MLB starters were Left-Handed in ’09. Expected to be 25-27% in 2010. So 73-75% RHP’s)
Mike Sweeney Career:
• CAREER WITH BASES LOADED .398 Avg (39/98), 107RBI, 99R, 14BB’s, 3HR
» 5 Time All-Star
» Wore a Captain “C” stitched on his jersey for years
» .990 FP at 1B (2304.2 Innings)
» Youth Pastor, Class-Act Guy, could fill in for Luke Scott if he blows a gasket & hits .208 like last years 2nd 1/2
» 6’3″ Bats RIGHT, CLUTCH hitter.
1. ROBERTS 2B
2. TEJADA 3B
3. MARKAKIS RF
4. SWEENEY DH *****Captain Clutch*****
5. REIMOLD LF
6. JONES CF
7. WIETERS C
8. ATKINS 1B
9. IZTURIS SS
where does luke scott go then? traded?
He won’t be around too long if he follows 2nd half pattern.
I would like to see him go into a situation where he can either compete or get a starting job. He is a good guy who has had a solid career. (wouldve been great if not for injuries) Wherever that ends up being I just hope he has a chance. Im a die hard Jays fan and I would be mildy interested. If he ends up being our first baseman than I guess that means Adam Lind would have to play left.
TRADE MIKE SWEENEY?? THINK ABOUT IT! HIS STATS OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS ARE BETTER THAN GRIFFEYS–ESPECIALLY 2009. HE WORKED OUT ALL WINTER AND IS NOW CRUSHING THE BALL! TRADE GRIFFEY AND LET MIKE DH FULL TIME.
would love to see him back as a mariner even though that won’t happen. He did his part to change that team around
He would be a good fit for the Indians. Travis Hafner vs. Righties, Sweeney vs. Lefties, and when Marte or Peralta need a break, Sweeney can play first And Marte gets a day off, or Marte goes to 3B, and Peralta is off.. like someone said above, this a great man, who can be a mentor to some of the younger guys (Laporta, Donald, etc.)
This would be a worthwhile signing for the White Sox. It’s a low risk, medium reward signing. He certainly showed he had the ability to hit pretty well last year, even playing in a big ballpark in Seattle. A minor league deal would be great.
If he could still play 1st base, he would be a great fit for the Mets. Certainly an upgrade over the dreadful Murphy/Tatis platonn they are proposing.
i doubt the O’s would be interested at all. if nothing else it’s not worth losing someone off the 40 man. i guess he could get an invite to spring but even then he would really have to impress
Yeah the O’s offense is set for 2010. I wonder if they’re still considering Bedard.. Reports say he started “Throwing”. He’s as good as any top name when healthy.
Mike Sweeney had one of the most underappreciated seasons in league history in 2000. He hit .333/.407/.523/.930 29 HR 144 RBI 206 Hits 103 Runs. Still he was stuck on a Royals team that finished 77-85 due to a horrendous rotation and he finished 11th in MVP voting. He has always been regarded as a class act and a great clubhouse guy. I think Detroit should look into him, Kansas City makes a world on sense if they can move Guillen and eat all but about $1 which they can give to Sweeney, much like the Mets and GMJ. I think if given the ab’s he is still capable of giving someone numbers similar to his 2003 season.
Sox don’t need him unless theres an injury. The do need Johny Damon though
Most lovable guy on the planet. I actually wish there was still room for him in Seattle.
Sweeney could be good insurance for the Rays in case of continued Burrell failure and as a backup/platoon partner for 1b Pena.
Why doesn’t Sweeney pay back the Royals some of that millions that he swindled from them by sitting on the bench 100 games a year?
He does need to just retire. He really is done.
With options like Garko for pinch hitter off bench/backup 1B and Dye/Sheffield for DH/pinch hitter, there really isn’t much left for him, especially since he’s not that good of a hitter.
However, he’s probably better out of the DH role than the Kotsay/Jones/Nix/Vizquel quadri-platoon. Much, much better.
Some reasons why Sweeney is a poor fit for the White Sox:
1) FOG
2) FOG
and finally, 3) FOG
Sorry…I’m an idiot. What do you mean FOG?
Fat Old Guy? I think he’d be a steal for a team needing a solid hitter (DH or PH). I, too, remember his stellar year in 2000.