Rick Hahn Finds Value in Keppinger - Gary Armida's Blog

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Rick Hahn Finds Value in Keppinger Stuck

Posted on December 5, 2012 at 02:50 PM.

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(Nashville, Tennessee)-- One of the dominant characteristics of this free agent class is the lack of infield options. There were, and still are, multiple outfield options and pitching options, but quality infielders are difficult to come by. It is part of the reason why Marco Scutaro received a $20 million deal despite being 37 years old. It is why players like Jack Hannahan have as many as five teams negotiating for his services. Jeff Keppinger, the 32 year old, versatile infielder was one of the more attractive options on the market. Coming off of a .325/.367/.439 season for the Rays and having the ability to play third, second, first, and outfield made him one of the better buys of the winter.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with Keppinger on a three year deal and reported $12 million. For the moment, Keppinger would be the White Sox�s starting third baseman. A three year deal seems a bit much for a player entering his ninth year and playing for his sixth team. But, given the relatively low annual salary and the fact he�ll be 35 years old at the end of it, makes it much more palatable. In a winter of inflated deals for older players, the Hahn finds quality at a pre-2012 price. Consider that Keppinger was coming off of a career season and other players in his age range and skillset have received infinitely more money. Hahn was able to get him at half the cost of Marco Scutaro.

This is General Manager Rick Hahn�s first free agent signing as the head man in Chicago. It is a signing that shows the skillset that many believed Hahn would bring to the table. It is a smart, generally low-risk signing because even if Keppinger has to be a reserve in the final year of the deal, $4 million isn�t terribly pricey for a versatile, 35 year old utility player.

Keppinger gives Manager Robin Ventura some flexibility with his infield, something the he didn�t have last season. If there is another third baseman on board, the White Sox can play Keppinger at second, first, or even left field. That type of versatility will allow him to be able to sit a Gordon Beckham, make some late inning adjustments based on matchups (assuming he has the bench to do that), and still have someone to play defense. Keppinger�s best position, at least according to the metrics, is third base. Last year, he posted a 6.7 UZR and 7 DRS at the hot corner. At every other infield spot, he was in the negative column, but right around average. Perhaps a larger sample size would make him an average defender.

At the plate, Keppinger gives the White Sox another threat against southpaws as he has a career line of .333/.376/.487. Against right handers, he hits. .269/.321/.358, which is respectable enough when you have to play him every day. Ideally, the White Sox either sign a full-time third baseman or find Keppinger a pseudo-platoon partner. If he does have to play everyday, there won�t be that type of production. However, he does have a career batting line of .288/.337/.396. He is one of the more patient hitters in the game, swinging at just 42 percent of pitches, compared to a league average of 46 percent. He�s also a high contact hitter as evidenced by his 92 percent contact rate that is well above the league average of 76 percent. Couple that with a miniscule strikeout rate of just 5.8 percent and Jeff Keppinger is one of the most selective hitters in the sport.

Those are skills that don�t figure to age, especially heading towards 35 years old at the end of the deal. . Being patient is a choice. Pitching pitches to hit is a choice. Keppinger is obviously skilled at making contact. That doesn�t mean he is a difference maker. He is, instead, a good piece to a championship puzzle. The White Sox have their issues and there are still holes to fill. If Keppinger can get 350 to 400 at bats, they have used him correctly and built a solid roster. But, even if it is more than that, it is important to remember that White Sox third basemen hit just .215/.295/.332.

Even if Keppinger has to play full time and he regresses close to his career line, that is a big upgrade for the White Sox. And, they just did it for $4 million, making it one of the smarter signings of the winter.