Athletics sign Nomar Garciaparra

I like Nomar a lot, and always have, so the three stars is partly for sentimental value. I question how much help he is going to be in that death valley for hitters that the A's play in, although his experience can't help but improve the clubhouse there.

Nomar will turn 36 years old this year and injuries have ravaged a career that really started with a bang. He doesn't have a lot of durability or range in the field anymore, and can no longer hit with much power nor for a really high average, and Oakland just isn't a good place for hitters. In fact, it's the most extreme pitcher's park in the AL. If a player hits . 310 there, it's like hitting .340 in a good hitter's park like the Rangers'. With all that being said, Garciaparra's experience is helpful. This isn't as great a move as it would've been five years ago , but it's not a bad move either. He can fill in at first, third, or second, serve as a DH, or pinch hit. He still has a decent bat, though last year's totals were very ordinary. Oakland rather quietly had a good offseason in terms of personnel maneuvers- the club's trade for Holliday, in which they didn't give up all that much, provided them with a bona fide star slugger, and while the additions of Giambi, Cabrera, and Garci... Read more

A classic 'three at best' move. . . Nomar can still hit. . .but he can't move like he once did and as the other reviewer states he's been mediocre at best since his Red Sox days. Seems like a window-dressing signing for the A's. What the heck. . .the A's signed Ty Cobb near the end of his career. . .why not squeeze a few more drops out of a drying rag?

I like that the A's brought some names, old or no, onto the squad for a re-building year. Last year they really had no names. Now they've got Matt Holliday who's still in his prime, Giambi and Garciaparra who are past but can still play, and Cabrera who probably has a couple good years left at short. If Chavez can stay healthy at third and Nomar can play second I like that infield. They just have the Angels to compete with in that division, so who knows.

This deal won't blow anybody away, but I think its a good deal for the A's since they are only giving Garciaparra a one year deal. His career has been pretty mediocre since he left Boston, but he is still a capable hitter. Unless there are injuries he won't be a starter in Oakland. He will provide some backup in the infield, and a right handed option at DH to spell Jack Cust and Jason Giambi against certain lefties.