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December 29, 2003
Transaction
Signed OF DAVID DELLUCCI to a one-year contract for $775,000.
A harmless signing on the surface, but one that forebodes ill. Dellucci is a fine 5th outfielder and respectable 4th outfielder if not pressed into more frequent service. As an everyday player, especially as a corner outfielder, Dellucci drags down an offense. Outside of a magical 109 at-bats in 1999 when he batted .396, Dellucci is a lifetime .255/.326/.403 batter, mostly in the hitter-friendly Bank One Ballpark.
That said, Buck Showalter likes Dellucci. He also doesn't seem terribly fond of putative left fielder Kevin Mench. Showalter might be inclined to make left field a platoon. As the lefty, Dellucci would see the "right" end of the platoon. Showalter might also bench Mench or Laynce Nix if either struggles to start the season. Thus, Dellucci could achieve 400 or more plate appearances. He doesn't deserve that many
Posted by Lucas at December 29, 2003 08:58 PM