Bay Area Baseball

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?

Although Kent won the MVP with San Francisco, it has generally been the consensus that teammate Barry Bonds should have won the award.

2. Was he the best player on his team?

With San Francisco he was always overshadowed by Bonds, in Houston and Los Angeles he was perhaps their most dangerous hitter.

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?

Kent has the strongest offensive numbers of any second baseman ever. He was the premier hitter at his position for the majority of his career.

4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?

Kent was one of the driving forces behind the Giants 2002 World Series run as well as Houston’s run to the NLCS in 2005.

5. Was he a good enough player that he could continue to play regularly after passing his prime?

Kent still hit in the middle of the order for Los Angeles in his last years.

6. Is he the very best player in baseball history who is not in the Hall of Fame?

No.

7. Are most players who have comparable career statistics in the Hall of Fame?

Yes, when it comes to middle infielders.

8. Do the player’s numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

Yes.

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?

No.

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame but not in?

Yes, although some may argue for Roberto Alomar or Craig Biggio.

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?

Kent won one MVP and had several 100 RBI seasons.

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the other players who played in this many go to the Hall of Fame?

Kent was an all star caliber player for each of his seasons in San Francisco and Houston. He had close to a decade of all star type seasons.

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

Yes.

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?

No on all four counts.

15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?

Kent was never a media darling or clubhouse leader but is considered by most to be a hard nosed player who always gave full effort.

Kent should be a hall of famer on the first ballot, he has the most compelling offensive statistics of a second baseman ever.

Giants ace and National League Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum agreed to a $650,000 contract for the 2009 season. Assuming he pitches a full season at the big league level Lincecum should be eligible for arbitration next offseason. With a repeat performance of his 08 campaign the diminutive right hander would be in line for a huge raise - potentially record setting.

Expect San Francisco to attempt to lock up Lincecum to a long term deal - most likely something in the neighborhood of 4-5 years at $18 million per season. On the open market the ace would be a hot commodity - a pitcher yet to enter his prime who already puts up Cy Young numbers.

General Manager Brian Sabean would be smart to lock him in sooner than later - going to arbitration is a process that often frays the relationships between stars and teams, as the face of the franchise it is in the Giants best interest to avoid arbitration with Lincecum.

As position players get into the swing of things at spring training one of the most contested spots on the San Francisco Giants is the second base job. The signing of left side infielders Edgar Renteria and Juan Uribe has squeezed three players into competition for the one spot. Manny Burriss is a second year player who posted a strong debut in 2008 for San Francisco. The second player from the 2006 draft to reach the major leagues for the Giants he showed good contact skills as well as plus speed.

Frandsen missed all of last year besides one at bat in the last homestand. He also showed an ability to hit for average but does not bring much speed to the lineup. Both are solid defenders with Burriss the more spectacular. Eugenio Velez also brings outstanding speed to the lineup but is still extremely raw at the plate and defensively. He seems like the ideal utility man – able to hit in clutch situations and pinch run late in games. He has also shown an ability to play multiple infield positions as well as the outfield.