Angels face a tough call on Figgins

Published online on Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

On July 14, 2001, the Orange County Register reported the Angels had traded Kimera Bartee to Colorado for an infielder named Desmond Figgins.

Desmond DeChone Figgins, to be precise.

None of his three names seemed destined for fame. Figgins had spent two years in the Carolina League.

He did have a fanciful 34 triples that second year, but he was in Double-A when the Angels got him.

Figgins did get 25 major league games in 2002 after he slugged .464 at Triple-A Salt Lake City. He was a shortstop by trade and could do several other things by necessity. Still, he was already 24.

Nobody knew how he would deal with the 162-game march.

It was hard to imagine that he would ever be a tough decision for the Angels.

He is now.

Assuming that he files for free agency, Chone Figgins is fixing to find out how much he is loved and, more important, valued.

He is one of the best offensive players in this class. Even the most critical Angels fans must admit that Figgins has earned this upcoming jackpot, one base at a time, silently changing positions, finally becoming a premium third baseman even though he doesn't pass the eye test.

It has been inspirational. Now it becomes expensive. And the Angels, by signing Bobby Abreu on Thursday, have protected themselves. They are closer to a life without Figgins than they were two days ago.

Brandon Wood can play third base and try to become next year's Kendry Morales. It is time.

Erick Aybar can become the leadoff man. He might not be Figgins yet, with a .352 on-base percentage compared to Figgins' .393, but he only struck out 54 times this past season, and he will have Abreu as his Yoda. Aybar also was eighth in the American League in batting average. Two years ago we wondered if Aybar could imitate Orlando Cabrera. It might not be wise to put limits on him.

Besides, Figgins might be just too big a ticket.

Figgins was one of three major leaguers to walk 100 times and score 100 runs in 2009. In the category of "runs produced," in which you add runs to RBIs and subtract home runs, Figgins had 163. Derek Jeter had 155.

Brian Roberts of the Orioles had 173. He acts as a guide to Figgins' eventual wage.

Roberts starts a four-year, $40 million contract extension next year. He had 56 doubles this past season to Figgins' 30. But a leadoff man's currency is OBP. Roberts' was 39 points lower than Figgins'.

Both will be 32 on opening day 2010. Figgins' career OBP is seven points higher. Roberts has stolen three more bases over the past three years. Roberts had 73 extra-base hits last year to Figgins' 42, but Figgins has more versatility.

So it would seem that Figgins is at least a $10 million player, too.

But numbers don't determine salary. Markets do. And, as we use the art of abject speculation, Figgins would look very appropriate at the top of several lineups:

Yankees: The champs aren't expected to sign both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, meaning the survivor will DH. By signing Figgins and having him in left field, they could make Jeter a No. 2 hitter again.

And would it be so radical for Alex Rodriguez to eventually move to LF and let Figgins, a superior third baseman, onto the infield?

Cubs: They were 22nd among 30 MLB teams in runs, and second baseman Mike Fontenot had a .301 OBP.

Only one Cub had more than nine steals. And the money's there.

Mariners: They would like to move hard-hitting Jose Lopez off second base, and third baseman Adrian Beltre can be a free agent. They also were the lowest-scoring team in the American League.

Figgins-Ichiro at the top of the lineup?

Braves: It's close to home for Figgins, and the Braves sense they can contend next year. Figgins could succeed Garret Anderson in left field and would get some third base time on Chipper Jones' nights off. The Braves didn't have a 20-steals guy last year.

White Sox: When Chicago got Mark Teahen to play second it diminished their interest in Figgins.

Phillies: Depends on whether they pick up the option on third baseman Pedro Feliz. Jimmy Rollins wasn't much of a leadoff man last season.

Put it all together - the demand, the consistency, the many gloves he brings, the impact-and Desmond Figgins probably will sign with somebody for four years, anywhere from $10 million-$11 million per.

And that announcement might bring a knowing smile to the face of a roving outfield instructor for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A fellow named Kimera Bartee.