Free-agent outfielder Colby Rasmus underwent a pair of surgical procedures on Oct. 18, reports Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi — one to shave down a bone spur and to repair the labrum in his left hip and another to repair a core muscle. Certainly, those procedures and Rasmus’ progress will be focal points in conversations between Rasmus’ agents at Excel Sports and interested teams this winter. Davidi writes that Rasmus is projected to be running at full strength come January and is currently on target to be healthy for Spring Training.
Rasmus, who turned 30 in August, had a nice first year with the Astros in 2015 when he hit .238/.314/.475 with a career-high 25 home runs. That season prompted the ’Stros to make a one-year, $15.8MM qualifying offer, which Rasmus elected to accept, thereby becoming the first player in Major League history to accept a QO. However, Rasmus was plagued by injuries throughout the season (he also missed more than a month after having a cyst removed from his ear) and ultimately finished with just a .206/.286/.355 batting line and 15 homers in 107 games. Between that lack of production and the aforementioned operations, his stock has taken a fairly notable hit over the past 12 months.
Rasmus did, however, play terrific defense in left field this year; he’s one of three Gold Glove finalists among AL left fielders this season and finished the year with outstanding marks from Defensive Runs Saved (+14) and Ultimate Zone Rating (+11.3) in just 672 innings. Rasmus also logged time in center field and right field, drawing positive ratings at each of those positions from both metrics as well. Overall, he racked up a career-high 13 outfield assists despite logging the second-fewest number of innings he’s ever tallied in a single season at the Major League level.
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow implied after the season that a reunion with Rasmus was unlikely, telling reporters at the end-of-season press conference that Rasmus, “…did not have the year he was hoping to have following up a pretty successful campaign last year. He still has value to Major League teams and I’m sure he’ll have an opportunity to sign somewhere, but we’re not sure how or if he fits into our plans at this point. It’s something we’re going to have to talk about as a group as we make some decisions looking forward.” Davidi, perhaps unsurprisingly, characterizes a return to the Blue Jays as “unlikely” for Rasmus as well. However, there figures to be no shortage of clubs on the lookout for outfield help this winter, and Rasmus’ ability to contribute quality defense even in the midst of some notable injuries as well as his history of 20- to 25-homer pop should indeed generate interest in him on the open market.
I’m guessing 1-year $5,000,000 on a rebound contract. He was awful this past season and while he brings 7-hole power, probably won’t hit for much average. His skill set is unique for a center fielder. I feel like Oakland could be a good fit for him. Could make for an interesting deadline chip.
True. He’s an OF and good D-fence. Exactly what Oakland needs
Awful? He’s up for a Gold Glove though? lol
Definitely agree with the match with OAK, he could play any OF spot and play gold glove defense there, as long as he does that and hits 20-odd homers, then that’s a 2+ fWAR player and miles ahead of their current options.
It is kind of weird he’s up for a LF gold glove though, he only started 75 games there this season.
He only played a little over 100 games. He was really good in LF and deserves the GG nominee, but he’s been about average in CF over his career. He should get a decent deal as a bounce back candidate.
Rasmus is a fit, but honestly, any OF is a fit in Oakland. The only “maybe” guy is Davis in LF, but they shouldn’t be bothering trying to get D out of him, he’s just not great out there in the field and they need great. Khris Davis should absolutely be the full time DH in 2017. I really hope Beane agrees.
While he might be “healthy”, most players who have undergone core muscle surgery take much longer to return to their norm. Verlander took almost 2 years. Any team signing him should get an option year at a fair rate, if they are going to sign him for 2017. Otherwise, they are risking getting very little for their investment.
I was thinking the same thing. I don’t know how much of a difference it’ll make but Verlander underwent his in mid-January 2014 while Rasmus had his in mid-October.
Also , human bodies are different, surgeries are different, Rasmus is younger, etc.
Rasmus seems like a fit for Cleveland or Anaheim to me. He’ll get something like 2/15 and that’s a bargain for his defense and possible lefty power bat. I always thought he was going to be a better player than he has become. I know his father is his swing coach but maybe it’s time to let a real hitting coach retool his swing to get rid of that awful hitch
If he goes to the Angels he’d be playing on the same team as his brother.
Rasmus is like an outfield version of Stephen Drew–good with the glove, some pop, but not particularly durable and inconsistent with the bat overall. Wasn’t worth a QO, although I can understand the reasons for the bet.
This has Dan Duquette written all over; Nelson Cruz, Trumbo, Rasmus. Would probably need to slot into RF
The A’s need to make a decision on Valencia, a 300 hitter for the year. Danny will be around 5mil so Rasmus wouldn’t probably be a fit in Oakland…