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01/31/2003 Archived Entry: "Today's MLB News: Astros Sign Biggio"
Today's MLB News by Eric Gartman
Astros Resign Biggio: Long-Time Astro Craig Biggio agreed to a one-year contract beginning in 2004 with an option for 2005. The deal is worth $3 million in 2004 and another $3 million in 2005 if the Astros pick up the option. Biggio can earn an additional $1.5 million in incentives in each of those seasons and will receive a $1 million dollar buyout if the club declines to pick up the option.
Craig Biggio is an interesting case. When asked about him, most fans would agree he is an above-average player, maybe even a star, but not a superstar. Most would rate him behind Robbie Alomar as the best second-baseman of his era, and most would also rate him behind his own teammate Jeff Bagwell. How wrong you are, according to Bill James. James rates Biggio as the second-best player of the 90's, behind only Barry Bonds. There are several factors combining to hide Biggio's true value, according to James. One is of course the cavernous Astrodome, where Biggio played most of his career. The solid numbers Biggio put up the Astrodome actually translate into some of the best in the bigs when adjusting for park factors. Second is the fact that according to James, Biggio has the best "little stats" in the history of baseball. In particular, he has more hit by pitches, and fewer ground into double plays than just about anyone. Putting all this together, James gives Biggio 287 win shares for the 90's, ahead of Frank Thomas' 273 but well behind Bonds astounding 351. For his career through 2001, Biggio has 342 win shares, compared to Alomar's 345, about even. All this suggests that 3 million a year is a bargain for Biggio, even though his numbers are dropping. After all he is 37 years old!
