Sox sign Keppinger

[BainesHOF]

It looks like we have a Major League third baseman. Now we need a Major League second baseman.

[Foulke You]

Originally Posted by JB98

Keppinger's strengths are his versatility and the fact that he hits the **** out of left-handed pitching.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...&year=2012&t=b

He batted .376 with an OPS over .900 against LHP last season. He's a career .333 hitter against LHP.

He also popped 9 HRs out of the park last year which was a career high for him. I hope that continues. If he hits for high avg, makes good contact, and supplies 8-10HRs, I'll be happy. My only reservation about this signing is that we won't be getting a ton of power out of the 3B spot which is traditionally a power type position. Perhaps his HR total will be helped by those warm July games at 35th and Shields when the ball is jumping.

[LoveYourSuit]

Originally Posted by Foulke You

He also popped 9 HRs out of the park last year which was a career high for him. I hope that continues. If he hits for high avg, makes good contact, and supplies 8-10HRs, I'll be happy. My only reservation about this signing is that we won't be getting a ton of power out of the 3B spot which is traditionally a power type position. Perhaps his HR total will be helped by those warm July games at 35th and Shields when the ball is jumping.

I'm not too worried about the HRs.

The Sox need people who can put the ball in play, badly.

[TomBradley72]

Sounds like a "Herbert Perry" type of fill in at 3rd- the 3rd year doesn't really thrill me- but sounds like he can help as a utility guy if we find a real stud for 3rd by 2015.

What's the word on his defense?

[Medford Bobby]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

Sox didn't have many options so this signing is OK by me.

Lip

I agree...Nice glove!!

[thomas35forever]

Originally Posted by LoveYourSuit

I'm not too worried about the HRs.

The Sox need people who can put the ball in play, badly.

We took a positive step in that direction last season. Still a lot of progress to be made though. And it would help if we were built for six months instead of five-and-a-half.

[JB98]

Originally Posted by TomBradley72

Sounds like a "Herbert Perry" type of fill in at 3rd- the 3rd year doesn't really thrill me- but sounds like he can help as a utility guy if we find a real stud for 3rd by 2015.

What's the word on his defense?

Probably better than what the Sox were getting from gimpy Youk at 3B, but he won't wow you. Good hands, but nothing special range-wise.

[palehozenychicty]

Originally Posted by Foulke You

He also popped 9 HRs out of the park last year which was a career high for him. I hope that continues. If he hits for high avg, makes good contact, and supplies 8-10HRs, I'll be happy. My only reservation about this signing is that we won't be getting a ton of power out of the 3B spot which is traditionally a power type position. Perhaps his HR total will be helped by those warm July games at 35th and Shields when the ball is jumping.

Of course you want power in that role. But there was VERY little out there who would supply that wish.

RV is walking through the door, but not on the diamond.

[johnnyg83]

Originally Posted by Foulke You

He also popped 9 HRs out of the park last year which was a career high for him. I hope that continues. If he hits for high avg, makes good contact, and supplies 8-10HRs, I'll be happy. My only reservation about this signing is that we won't be getting a ton of power out of the 3B spot which is traditionally a power type position. Perhaps his HR total will be helped by those warm July games at 35th and Shields when the ball is jumping.

Makes one seriously consider DHing him for Dunn against LHP.

[spawn]

Originally Posted by KRS1

I'm a bit puzzled by some of the skepticism. Nothing to not like about him for $4M per. He is a style of hitter we are sorely lacking, and though he isn't the sexy move to compete offensively that we always hope for, he makes us better immediately in a position of weakness.

[shingo10]

[QUOTE=Foulke You;3010864]He also popped 9 HRs out of the park last year which was a career high for him. I hope that continues. If he hits for high avg, makes good contact, and supplies 8-10HRs, I'll be happy. My only reservation about this signing is that we won't be getting a ton of power out of the 3B spot which is traditionally a power type position. Perhaps his HR total will be helped by those warm July games at 35th and Shields when the ball is jumping.[/QUOTE


I just hope no one seriously thinks that guys are going to hit 5-7 more home runs a year because they play at the Cell anymore. Not saying you do but after hearing it about Dunn, Rios, Teahen, pretty much every batter the Sox have traded for the last couple years I've grown weary of it. Doesn't seem like it makes all that much of a difference to be honest.

[KMcMahon817]

I like the move. I like like it alot more if the SOX pick up another IF who can play pretty good D all over the diamond, hit LH and hit RHP very well. Play Keppinger at 3B against all LHP plus about half the games against RHP, and let the other IF take 2 games a weeks or so at 3B. Figgins, Rolen, Kelly Johnson, Inge and maybe even Wigginton would all be options on the FA market.

I am sure Hahn will make a few deals before all is said and done. Maybe he will pick up that IF via a trade.

[Brian26]

Originally Posted by PorkChopExpress

Also, he has a couple of ties to our clubhouse already. He played 2 years with Dunn in Cincy, and he's a Georgia Bulldog, like Gordo.

Heyman noted on MLB just now that Keppinger has ties with Buddy Bell also, which is another reason he chose the Sox.

As KRS said, it's not a sexy move, but the Sox got what they needed. I like TDog's idea of slotting Keppinger in at #2 in the lineup.

[tstrike2000]

Definitely a Kenny-like under the radar move. The only negative is three years may be a bit much, but he's also not real expensive. Don't know a lot about him, but if he can stay somewhere near his career numbers, this is a good move.

[central44]

Originally Posted by Brian26

As KRS said, it's not a sexy move, but the Sox got what they needed. I like TDog's idea of slotting Keppinger in at #2 in the lineup.

Agreed. Scott Podsednik wasn't a sexy move either, but he filled a giant need for the team. The small moves can make a big difference over the course of a long season.

3 years at 4 million per year is not a bad deal for the Sox, especially for a guy whose history suggests he can flirt with a .300 average and get on base regularly while playing above average defense. I'm sure a lot of teams would love to have a guy like that.