Replacing an All-Star

Zeile is coming off a poor season in New York. His number should improve at Coors Lite, but who’s doesn’t? Zeile hasn’t played third base in a couple of years.

6. Chan Ho Park, Starting pitcher, Dodgers
How lost: Free agent
Replace by: Odalis Perez
How obtained: Trade

Perez was picked up in the Gary Sheffield trade and has been worth it. His 1.66 ERA and .164 opponent average will not stay at their current levels. He has shown the ability to be a very good pitcher with good control and has already filled the hole left by Park.

7. Juan Gonzalez, Right field, Indians
How lost: Free agent
Replace by: Matt Lawton
How obtained: Trade

Gonzalez is a two-time MVP and a future Hall-of-Famer. Lawton is a good player, but he can’t come close to Gonzalez. Once again, the Indians downgraded and handed out a multi-year contract.

8. John Burkett, Starting pitcher, Braves
How lost: Free agent
Replace by: Albie Lopez
How obtained: Free agent

Lopez has been around for years and has shown signs of success. Its possible that he can replace Burkett if he learns from Maddux and Glavine like Burkett did. Not likely though. The Braves would have been better off keeping Odalis Perez.

9. Mark McGwire, First base, Cardinals
How lost: Retirement
Replaced by: Tino Martinez
How obtained: Free agent

Martinez has been in decline over the past couple of seasons. The Yankees let him go to upgrade with Giambi. However, the Cardinals were desperate for a first baseman who could perform adequately. If Tino rebounds with a good year, he may be worth it.

10. Tony Gwynn, Right field, Padres
How lost: Retirement
Replaced by: Sean Burroughs
How obtained: Minor leagues

The Padres essentially got Burroughs to replace Gwynn by moving a couple of players around. Much like Pena, he has ability and will be successful at this level.

So what’s the point of all this? One, finding younger talent to replace a great player is much cheaper than overpaying a veteran, just for the sake of getting a veteran.

Two, almost all of the veterans listed above have never played exceptionally well or are on the downside of their careers. But at least a younger player has some upside. That is, he could provide more than expected. These veterans could always have a career year, but the odds of that happening are slim. In addition, look at the Baseball Prospectus VORP (value over replacement player). Most of these veterans perform

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