Late Innings

Update: it’s a two year deal for about 10MM to 11MM. There’s an option for a third year, so the total value of the contract could be worth 18MM. On an aside, I predicted three years, 18MM a while back, so I’m right on the money here with my guess.

ESPN is reporting that the Oakland A’s and second baseman Mark Ellis agreed to a multi-year contract extension (there were rumors in Buster Olney’s blog yesterday.) He was set to become a free agent after the World Series ended. Ellis is one of the premier defensive second baseman in all of baseball, however his bat regressed in 2007: hitting .233/12/41. He stole 14 bases though, and this was the first time that he reached a double-double for his career. He hit a career high 19 homers in 2007.

I predicted that the Cardinals would have signed Ellis this winter, since they clearly need middle infield help. Billy Beane however didn’t let him get out onto the open market. The A’s have a glut of young second basemen, that is Eric Patterson, Jemile Weeks, Adrian Cardenas… Ellis still is a good fit however, since the later two aren’t MLB-ready and Patterson can play just about anywhere. On the whole this is a good move by Beane, and I like the signing. I’ll post terms and value of the contract once that news surfaces.