Don’t be greedy for Grady

Living in a Cleveland suburb, I have a unique view on the potential value of the Indian’s has been, Grady Sizemore. In the heat of the local political races, I saw a slew of signs disparaging a candidate named Grady. Don’t vote for greedy Grady was the tagline. This made me laugh, since Sizemore had been greedy to the Tribe organization, by stealing money of the past few years.

Don’t get me wrong, in Grady’s prime he was one of the most exciting players in town, starring in such promotions as the figurine “Surfin’ Sizemore”, and bringing attractive women in bunches to cheer for him under the moniker “Grady’s ladies”.

Now, he is a shell of himself and signed an incentive laden deal, after the Indian’s passed on his 9 million dollar option. Grady was a 5 tool player, but now he doesn’t hit for average, can’t steal bases, the power is spotty, and he cannot stay healthy for any length of time.

I may have an irrational dislike of Grady Sizemore.

The Cleveland faithful are so star player starved that they over rate anyone with an ounce of talent.  Please see the pre-PEDS (I know there are no links to him, but c’mon man) Pronk as an example. They gave him a section in the ballpark, a huge contract, and even a candy bar to a DH in a small market town.

As for Grady Sizemore, the stats back up my lack of faith in this washed up ballplayer. What exactly about Sizemore garnered any interest in the free agent market?

Was it his lack of awareness in the field (where he runs into walls like he was on a Japanese game show)?

Maybe it was his base running skills. You know… the skill of sliding into second base with a 50/50 chance of blowing out a knee while forgetting about little league sliding techniques.

Maybe it was the wow factor of his towering home run swing. I bet Russell Branyan even thinks Grady’s all or nothing approach is over the top.

On Father’s day, my brother and I took our Dad to see the Indians lose to the lowly Pirates. Grady Sizemore fanned 4 times, and really wasn’t close on any swings. Unless he realizes that he is not Carlos Pena, and starts putting more balls in play, the hit on average you take is not worth the “upside” of Grady.

Don't Draft Grady Sizemore

Unless you want Grady Sizemore clogging up your IR spot for the majority of the fantasy year, let’s break down why you should leave him to an owner who is blinded by his name value.

1. Injuries. He played 71 games last year, 33 the year before, and barely topped 100, ending with 106 in 2009. He is not getting any younger or healthier, can’t DH with Pronk and Santana sitting in the DH spot, and plays with reckless abandon in the field. Over/Under on 70 games in 2012…I’ll sprint to Vegas and load up on the under.
2. Power. After a blistering mirage start to 2011 (7 home runs in his first 29 games), ended with 10 home runs in his last 42 contests. In 33 games, 140 plate appearances in 2010, he totaled a donut, a Coke Zero, or any other clever way you would like to think of a home run starved season. The 18 in 2009 isn’t enough to show you that he can consistently keep your power category stock rising while he has your average plummeting.
3. Average. Vomit inducing. You would think that numbers like these would be an all or nothing power hitting DH or first baseman. Nope, the obscenely low batting average belongs to a “leadoff” hitter for a small market team. I pray that Manny Acta see my article and slots him near the bottom of the lineup. In his last 3 seasons, he has posted batting averages of .248, .211, and .224. Yet, somehow he was a “hot” commodity this offseason.
4. RBI’s. Over the past three seasons, Grady Sizemore has accumulated 106 total Ribbies. If the Indians actually get Pena, or a MLB caliber first baseman, he may put up a decent total (depending on his batting order spot), but I wouldn’t count on it. It is more of a testament to my general liking of the way the Indians have built their hitting, minus Pronk and Grady himself.
5. Steals. Fuhgeddaboudit. Check with the urban dictionary’s top 2 definitions if you need clarification on the chance of Sizemore’s value in helping your speed (4 steals and 4 times caught stealing over his last 2 injury shortened seasons). Forget about it - the issue is not worth the time, energy, mental effort, or emotional resources.Definitively “no”
6. Runs. I was thinking: “Maybe if Sizemore walks, he can score some runs with the improved players around him this season.” Then I abruptly threw up in my mouth when I realized Grady Sizemore has walked a total of 17 times the last 2 years.  That is in 435 plate appearances. Fuhgeddaboudit.

Is my dislike unfounded? Your call and fantasy baseball funeral if you over value Greedy Grady.

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