El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

Trot Nixon’s contract extension is a reasonable deal for both parties. Last season at age 29, Trot had his best season 306/396/578. Over the life of the contract, Nixon's average and with it on-base percentage may decline to his normal solid performance level of 270/360. His slugging percentage could easily drop back to the 470-490 range as well. But Nixon’s G/F ratio and Isolated Power numbers were outstanding in 2003, near the tops in all of MLB, indicating that his power surge was not a fluke. (Nixon was in the company of Giambi, Sexson, Sosa, Sheffield and Helton.) He has the potential to match last year’s numbers. If Nixon can continue to put up impressive G/F and IsP numbers, he could be a bargain that is usually found only at Filene’s Basement.

Basically, the Sox are paying Nixon $6.5 million over the next three summers for solid defense in tough right field, a 360 OBP while seeing close to four pitches per at-bats with a huge power upside. Well, make it $7.5 million because Nixon will likely need a platoon partner. The right field production over the next three years at worst will probably be 270/350/480.

The question now is who comes back next year of the Pedro, Nomar, Lowe, V-Tek, Mo Light, and Williamson crew. I’ll tackle each player’s future and then put an end the discussion beyond the 2004 season.

BTW,
Rob Neyer takes a look at platoon productivity. And yes, Burks will be fine.