David DeJesus Signing: Really Theo?

In the first roster move of his legendary tenure as Chicago Cubs orchestrator Theo Epstein has announced the signing of a two year deal for David DeJesus.  DeJesus will be paid $4.25 million in ’12 and ’13 and there’s a club option for ’14 worth $6.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout.  When the first sentence from club GM Jed Hoyer mentions DeJesus’ baserunning, and skill at not striking out, we’re clued in that this deal may not make a whole lot of sense.  Yes, DeJesus is good looking and a major league average outfielder with decent defensive skills at either corner but, this isn’t the kind of move that turns the Cubs into a championship contender.  Before you go off about how it takes more than one move to build a championship team, let me make my case. 

Winners Win.  It’s a montra that is currently Tim Tebow’s saving grace but, it applies to David DeJesus.  DeJesus has played 8 full seasons in the Major Leagues and his teams have won an average of 65.75 games.  I don’t care how average you are, when you’re teams constantly finish with a winning percentage at .405, you’re bad.  Two teams finished 2010 with fewer than 66 wins (what DeJesus averages).

DeJesus came up with the Royals so I’m willing to concede that maybe he was a victim of LeBron-itis (no talent around you despite your own individual awesomeness).  But,  last year he signed a $6 million deal with the money tight Oakland A’s telling us a few things.  One, maybe David is better than we gave him credit because Billy Beane usually knows things that we don’t know.  And two, the Oakland A’s thought they were a legitimate

playoff contender and just a few offensive pieces away from competing.  The A’s finished 2010 with 74 wins and 17 games out of the wildcard.  DeJesus played at least some part in this as he hit .240 with 10 homers.  I’m just saying that every team he’s been on has been bad.  The correlation coefficient here is 1.

Another point is how DeJesus fits with the Cubs: Poorly.  You can’t argue with 4.25 million a year for a guy who usually gets about 3 WAR but, you can argue with the fact that the guy simply doesn’t make them better.  He’s almost 32 and not getting any better.  Additionally, do the Cubs really need another guy who doesn’t hit homeruns?  DeJesus averages a homer every 60 plate appearances.  Figure 4.5 plate appearances a game and we’re talking about a homer every 13.5 games or about 2 a month.  You can win without hitting home runs but, teams that hit alot of homers usually win alot.  Darwin Barney, and Starlin Castro don’t hit homeruns.  Marlon Byrd hits a home run every 50 plate appearances and whoever their catcher is next year is not going to be good.

That’s 6 guys, including the pitcher, who shouldn’t be  concerned about hitting a home run if he’s pitching.  Throw in that we don’t know who their first and third basemen will be next year this number could grow.

I know DeJesus isn’t bad but, it’s like slapping a turtle on the ass. The signing doesn’t do much good.

-Sean Morash