The Most Underrated player in baseball is....

[chrispistol3]

Placido Polanco.

In every relative category (k/ bb, ob+sl, fpts/game, fpts/ab), Polanco ranks among the best at 2b. It is simply wrong that this guy is not a starter.

Is anybody from Philadelphia? Have they mentioned rumours on the radio alluding to Polanco's increased playing time or likelihood of departing Philly to a team who appreciates his value in every offensive category and defensive durability?

[trevisc]

that's not the first time i've seen his name on this kind of a list. He just usually doesn't have a starting position for some reason.

[acsguitar]

Hideki Matusi..I think hes up there as one of the best hitters in the game all around

[Pogotheostrich]

He is so underrated no one would pay his asking price of $5 million a year. Of course the loss of a draft pick also played a part. So he took the Phillies offer of arbitration. I bet he gets plenty of playing time at 3B this year plus he can fill in at SS and 2B so I wouldn't worry about him getting AB.

[Yoda]

Hideki Matusi..I think hes up there as one of the best hitters in the game all around

Yep. And he is about to get better this year. He was absolutely great in 04. When he figures out lefties, expect a jump in AVG and HR.

[Ron Santo]

Aubrey Huff and Carlos Lee are both very underrated players as well.

[Transmogrifier]

He is so underrated no one would pay his asking price of $5 million a year. Of course the loss of a draft pick also played a part. So he took the Phillies offer of arbitration. I bet he gets plenty of playing time at 3B this year plus he can fill in at SS and 2B so I wouldn't worry about him getting AB.

You really think he'll get playing time?

[commitment to excell]

Erik Chavez

[j_d_mcnugent]

his agent must have been terrible. somehow christian guzman and omar vizquel can get multi-year deals for around 4 million/yr (and i pretty sure both of those teams gave up a draft pick to sign those schmucks) but polanco can get anything. there were teams interested but supposedly the agent didnt tell placido about the offers or something like that. i think agent was asking a pretty high price with the intent of negotiating down but everyone got turned off and looked elsewhere.

[j_d_mcnugent]

You really think he'll get playing time?

i think they said they would try to get him as many at bats as possible. wont be the same as a starter. but bell could easily get injured or be unproductive and placido could step in and get a fair amount of playing time.